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Only in the Inverness Courier
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4 July, 2009
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Published: 28 November, 2008
LIBERAL-Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called on the Scottish Government to help Highland businesses during the recession by restoring the £50 million slashed from the budget of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
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Mr Clegg made his call during a visit yesterday to Inverness and Nairn to discuss the impact of the economic slowdown on the region's businesses and communities. After a lunchtime question-and-answer session with Inverness Chamber of Commerce members, he visited the city's harbour and new marina before going to the Nairn Citizens Advice Bureau to meet volunteers and staff. Mr Clegg, who was accompanied by Inverness MP Danny Alexander, outlined his ideas to help the region's economy recover. Making specific reference to the development agency, he said the SNP Government had taken away money claiming it could be better spent elsewhere. "Especially at this very difficult time of recession and given the Highlands is such a special place, the money needs to be put back in the Highlands so it can provide homegrown solutions in the Highlands which are best suited to the Highland economy," Mr Clegg maintained. "That is why the £50 million needs to be returned and returned immediately." Mr Clegg's visit coincided with the news that 54 people employed by Woolworths in Inverness and Nairn are facing redundancy after the retail chain was put into administration. "My first thoughts are with everyone who works for Woolworths," Mr Clegg said.
"It will be a huge blow to know their jobs are going to come to an end unless they are able to be redeployed to other businesses." He feared, however, that Woolworths would not be alone in its difficulties. Mr Clegg maintained the best way to put money in people's pockets during a recession was a cut in income tax. "There are lots of families on low and middle incomes in Inverness and the Highlands who are really struggling to pay their monthly mortgage bills, to pay heating bills this winter, worrying about how they are going to put food on the table and anxious they are not giving their children the Christmas they deserve," he added.
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