Joani Reid
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Joani Reid (East Kilbride and Strathaven) (Lab)
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) on securing this debate. I take the opportunity to highlight one of Scotland’s economic successes, which is now unfortunately a huge economic challenge—the town of East Kilbride. It was Scotland’s first new town and I would argue its most successful, but it was a success as a result of an interventionist industrial strategy. It brought together incentives and investment from the local development corporation and central Government, which resulted in inward investment and technological manufacturing that led to the Motorola plan, the Rolls-Royce plan and many more. A strategic approach by Government to locate and disperse several service jobs means that His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office remain in the town today.
The town was a product of strategic thinking, planning and active intervention, and it was a place of hope and aspiration where families could find not just homes but communities, jobs and opportunities. However, the contrast between what it was and what it is now is stark. Although it is still one of our most successful new towns, East Kilbride is not what it once was. It used to have almost full employment, but after the manufacturers pulled out of the town, and the industries that replaced them—such as services and retail—faced some huge challenges as a result of the financial crisis, the town has failed to keep up with the pace of change. Also, the previous Westminster Government and the Holyrood Government have utterly failed in supporting the town. The town feels neglected and let down by two Governments, and the lack of any serious investment industrial strategy has left communities like mine in East Kilbride behind.
There is of course now hope with the new Government’s focus on growth and investment, as well as the creation of GB Energy. East Kilbride can use its space and its skills that were formerly used to deliver companies such as Rolls-Royce and Motorola. With a Government serious about driving investment, boosting our economy and creating jobs, towns such as mine in East Kilbride can be rebuilt and renewed. That is the focus of what this Government are trying to do. The work of post-war Governments who transformed our public realm can once again take place. It is a testament to the mission-led Government, who have a long-term strategic vision to rebuild Britain with an industrial and economic policy that puts working people, fairness and growth at its core.