Prosper Response: Independent Report on Regional Economic Development in Scotland

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli wants greater prosperity for Scotland and his long-awaited Independent Review of Regional Economic Development in Scotland shares many of the aims that Prosper has been championing.

The former principal of Glasgow University had been asked by Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, to investigate ways in which Scotland’s economic performance can be improved and his report has called on the government to make growth a ‘shared national mission’.

Sir Anton is now president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and was an economic advisor to Nicola Sturgeon’s administration. In July Prosper submitted the views of our members as he drew up the report, which was published this week. Prosper’s input was based largely on our report, Scotland’s Blueprint: The Art of the Possible, which outlines a series of recommendations to create a stronger Scottish economy.

We are delighted that Sir Anton shares our view of the need to strengthen the country’s city-regions by devolving power and funding to local leaders and partners. His report also supports our call for place-based partnerships that are tailored to distinct urban and rural needs.

Prosper called for an expansion of regional skills planning, college capacity and lifelong learning and Sir Anton, with his background in higher education, also highlighted universities and colleges as critical drivers of innovation, skills, and local economic growth.

Both Prosper and Sir Anton agree that to achieve economic growth, enhanced productivity and growing tax revenues, we need more co-operation between governments and regions and greater powers for local leaders.

The report also highlights the urgent need to streamline the planning process to accelerate housebuilding and infrastructure projects – two key aspects of our blueprint.

Sarwar said Scotland’s policy landscape ‘is too complex and fragmented’ and called on the Scottish government to act as a convenor bringing together

business, civil society and communities ‘to drive shared prosperity and ensure greater coherence across all levels of government.’

Prosper chief executive Sara Thiam has welcomed the Muscatelli report and said: “Growth is essential if we are to create a prosperous Scotland which benefits all its people and enriches the places where we live.

“I am delighted that Sir Anton’s report chimes with so many of the causes that we have been championing. For instance, like us, he has highlighted the need to strengthen our regional economies, which we believe can only be done by public, private and third sectors working together.”

Sara said that the aims shared by both Prosper and the Muscatelli report could only be advanced if a genuine partnership is forged between government, industry and civil society.

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