SCOTLAND’S Deputy First Minister has hit out at Anas Sarwar after comments he made on reform around quangos supporting businesses in Scotland.
Speaking to The Herald, Kate Forbes criticised the Scottish Labour leader for what she described as “desperate party politics” after Sarwar said there are “many places” for businesses to go but “little support that comes from them,” when asked about his call for quango reform.
A quango (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation) is an organisation which is funded by taxpayers but not controlled directly by the central government.
In Scotland, this includes Scottish Enterprise and other agencies such as South of Scotland Enterprise.
Sarwar was asked about quangos on Monday after he criticised the amount of them in Scotland, saying that under the SNP they act as a “bureaucratic monster,” with 131 “quangos” now costing the taxpayer £6.6 billion every year.
Asked specifically what needed reform, Sarwar said: “We are looking at quangos across the economic directorate.
“There are a number of quangos around those that are involved in shaping and supporting our economy and businesses.
“I think the massive frustration many businesses will have is there are lots of organisations, many places to go but little support that comes from them.
“We’ve got to change that approach. That’s one example.”
Sarwar’s comments came despite UK Labour having faced criticism for setting up one new quango every week since taking power at Westminster.
Responding to the comments, Forbes (below) told The Herald: “Our enterprise agencies have an unrivalled track record of helping businesses grow, and attracting investment and jobs into Scotland.
“In the last financial year alone, Scottish Enterprise secured and safeguarded more than 16,700 jobs and unlocked £1.9 billion of capital investment spend.
“Highlands and Islands Enterprise supported 1248 jobs and helped businesses to unlock £412.8 million capital investment and South of Scotland Enterprise invested £13.7m in business and community enterprises to support 1706 jobs.
“It is utterly bizarre that Anas Sarwar would be willing to jeopardise all of that economic benefit, jobs and investment for the sake of headline-grabbing and desperate party politics.”
We also told on Monday how Anas Sarwar said Labour will enact a “fundamental reorganisation” of the Scottish Government and its public bodies should they win power in 2026.
He delivered a speech to a crowd of party faithful on Monday as he looked towards the election in around 16 months.
