Murphy centres on Scotland's economy
21 May 2009
The Car Scrappage Scheme, which started on Monday, is already helping car buyers and sellers and more help is on the way to create jobs, Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said today during visits in central Scotland.
Mr Murphy visited a car dealership in Stirling where the Car Scrappage Scheme has seen a number of sales in the first few days. He then went on to Alloa to see a good example of the type of project that could benefit from the Government's new Future Jobs Fund which will invest nearly £1 billion in creating more jobs across Scotland and the UK.
Speaking after his visit to the Arnold Clark Toyota dealership in Stirling, Jim Murphy said:
"The real help the Government is putting in place through the scrappage scheme seems to be working from what I have heard today. It is still early days but already the number of cars being sold in Scotland is increasing. It helps companies like Arnold Clark here sell more cars and safeguard jobs. It also helps people who want to buy a new car save £2000 at a time when people are being very careful about their spending. It is encouraging to see this help being so well received and making a difference to people and companies in Scotland."
Speaking after his visit to Alloa Community Enterprises recycling project which provides employment and training opportunities Jim Murphy said:
"What I have seen here today in Alloa is exactly the type of project that we want to help with our new Jobs Fund. The Government is making nearly £1 billion pounds available to create more jobs in projects such as this. The people here are helping the local community, protecting the environment and gaining valuable work experience all at the same time.
"I want to make sure that Scotland gets as much as possible out of the Jobs Fund. That is why we have been so quick out of the blocks in working with SCVO and Cosla. We will be working closely with people throughout Scotland to encourage bids for the Fund that are as strong as possible."
The Secretary of State also stopped off at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre to hear about how the recession is affecting their visitor numbers. Speaking at Bannockburn, where he met school pupils from Inverurie, Jim Murphy said:
"It is great to visit one of the epicentres of Scottish and British history and find the children from Kellands Primary School in Inverurie having such an enjoyable time. It is even more heartening to hear that visitor numbers at Bannockburn are rising despite a drop off in American visitors due to the global recession.
"These children are having a great time and learning about our history. I hope more people will follow their lead and take the chance to visit our great historical attractions this holiday weekend and over the summer."