MSPs back capital’s bid for bank HQ

Published on Thursday 23 February 2012 00:24

MSPs have backed Edinburgh’s bid to become home to the UK Green Investment Bank.

Speaking in a Holyrood debate yesterday, energy minister Fergus Ewing called on MSPs to unite in their support for the bid, saying Edinburgh’s Green Investment Bank Group had made a “compelling argument”.

He said: “As we await the decision by the UK government, I am asking that this parliament once again shows unanimity in recognising the strength of Edinburgh’s bid, and the considerable benefits to the UK by having the Green Investment Bank located in Edinburgh.”

He added: “I am sure that we are all convinced of the merits of the bid.”

Mr Ewing said: “Edinburgh is the only location in the UK which brings together both finance and the clean-energy industry in a single location. It has an unrivalled concentration of industry skills and experience.”

Edinburgh is one of 32 UK towns and cities to put themselves forward to host the headquarters of the proposed new institution.

The UK government is setting up what it describes as “the world’s first investment bank solely dedicated to greening the economy”.

A decision on where the bank will be based is expected by the end of this month.

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Anagach

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:23 PM

If Westminster wants to keep Scotland they will show that the Union has benefits to Scotland, if they continue to move all the moveable assets south, like the air bases, then they will end up providing support to Independence.

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Spooked

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 09:54 AM

If the SNP think there is a compelling argument for a new UK institution to be based in Edinburgh they obviously think either (a) that Edinburgh will still be within the UK in future or (b) the UK will for some reason be happy to continus to fund initiatives in an independent Scotland, i.e. the subsidy junket continues.

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tested

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 09:20 AM

Not much interest in this story as oil revenues are centre stage. Ohh the hypocrisy.

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Velv

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 07:41 AM

While the question of Independence remains to be resolved, this UK HQ will NOT be in Scotland.

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