Scotland's main political parties have joined forces to call on the UK Government to name Edinburgh as the home of the UK's Green Investment Bank.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing, Rhoda Grant, Liam McArthur, Mary Scanlon and Patrick Harvie today sent the joint letter putting the case that Scotland's capital is the best placed city in the UK for the bank.
The Green Investment Bank would bring between 50 and 70 jobs to Edinburgh.
The letter argues that Edinburgh is the best placed city in the UK to host the bank, as it has a highly advanced network of financiers, developers, investors, asset managers, researchers, academics, think tanks and government agencies, all involved in the successful development and delivery of green infrastructure, as well as being at the centre of green investment in the UK.
The full text of the letter, reads: “As you are aware there is considerable appetite across Scotland to have the Green Investment Bank located in Edinburgh. You will be aware of the support for that move in correspondence from across the business community, in the letter signed by Scotland's Universities and the recent letter jointly signed by both Glasgow and Edinburgh City Council demonstrating unprecedented unanimity of support for the bid.
“As the spokespeople for energy in the Scottish Parliament, we are writing to you today to add to the swelling support of Scottish civic society by confirming cross party backing for the Green Investment Bank being located in Edinburgh.
“Edinburgh has a unique business ecosystem which will fully deliver the mission and each of the different functions of the Green Investment Bank. Edinburgh's business and civic community consists of a highly advanced network of financiers, developers, investors, asset managers, researchers, academics, think tanks and government agencies, all involved in the successful development and delivery of green infrastructure. This along with Scotland's legacy of excellence in the energy industry and with Europe's best renewables resources places Edinburgh as the ideal location for the Green Investment Bank.
“We believe Edinburgh then to be at the epicentre of UK green infrastructure investment and development in the priority sectors identified by BIS. The city of Edinburgh is of course also a leading global Financial Services centre with the capability to attract and retain the staff required to mobilise and manage significant levels of funding from global markets.
“We look forward to the outcome of your decision on the location of the GIB in February and following that continuing to work with you to ensure that the GIB delivers on the necessary acceleration of investment in the UK's transition to a green economy.”
The letter was signed by Fergus Ewing, Rhoda Grant, Liam McArthur, Mary Scanlon and Patrick Harvie.
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