"I wanted to stress two issues " said
Mr Wilson. " First, Regional
selective Assistance must continue
to span the whole range of job creating
activities in eligible areas. It
is all very well to talk about focusing RSA
more effectively on sustainable,
so-called quality projects, no one would
argue with that- but that must be
interpreted flexibly.
In many of the areas that have most
need of regional selective assistance,
such as the Three Towns or the Garnock
Valley, any development that brings
substantial additional employment
is welcome, the higher the quality the
better. I would hate to think that
a call centre or a fairly basic
manufacturing investment might be
lost because RSA was concentrated on more
sophisticated or headline grabbing
projects.
Second, I also wanted to make a strong
plea for the RSA priority scheme
which has now been running for two
years and which targets five areas
including the Three Towns. In principle,
it is an excellent scheme that
should go a long way towards levelling
the playing field for communities
that have the greatest difficulty
in attracting investment and employment.
However, I am far from convinced
that the scheme is being promoted with much
enthusiasm or commitment by the various
economic agencies.
What I want is that RSA priority should
continue in the pilot areas but at a
higher rate per job than hitherto,
that it be extended to other needy areas
of North Ayrshire including the Garnock
Valley and that such an increase
will be accompanied by an innovative,
imaginative and strident marketing
strategy to promote RSA and RSA Priority
in North Ayrshire." Said Mr Wilson.
"I was particularly pleased to have
the backing of my colleagues Irene
Oldfather and Cathy Jamieson during
the debate which as Cathy commented made
it seem 'like a three towns initiative
debate' but I was also pleased with
the Ministerial response" said Mr
Wilson.
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise
and Lifelong Learning Nicol Stephen said
" I have been most impressed with
the support voiced for the RSA priority
initiative. The premium approach,
in the form of the extra grant has
produced clear benefit in the pilot
areas, in terms of increased job
opportunities. I see merit in not
merely sustaining the pilots but building
on them.
We are, therefore, examining how the
RSA scheme might further complement
existing social inclusion initiatives
that are aimed at improving employment
opportunities for those in greatest
need.
The debate has been particularly timely
and interesting. From what I have
heard, there is support for building
on RSA Priority to bring forward
employment opportunities for the
socially excluded, not just in the five
pilot areas covered by RSA Priority,
but more widely throughout Scotland.
The Scottish Executive is investigating
that but it will not be the subject
of an announcement today"
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