THE SNP candidate for the Irvine West by-election has come out with a strong defence of the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council’s record on jobs for the town.

Robin Sturgeon hit out after his Labour rival for the seat, Louise McPhater, slammed the SNP’s policies on business and investment in Irvine.
Speaking this week, Mr Sturgeon said: “Given the proud record of the SNP Scottish Government in Irvine and North Ayrshire, I am delighted that my Labour opponent has chosen to raise the issue.

“There is always more to be done, but this SNP Scottish Government has served Irvine well and – like the SNP-led council – will continue to do so..

“Both have a powerful record of support for the town centre.

“The Scottish Government has invested millions in North Ayrshire, including £54.8 million on Irvine’s new Acute Mental Health & North Ayrshire Community Hospital.

“There is also SNP government support for jobs in North Ayrshire including Irvine through its Small Business Bonus which in 2015/16 alone has helped no fewer than 2396 local businesses which have benefited to the tune of £3.8 million.”

Mr Sturgeon, the husband of North Ayrshire Provost Joan and the dad of First Minister Nicola was keen to point out his party’s commitment to creating jobs in the area, as well as providing funding for new housing locally.

He commented: “The SNP-led council has also invested in Irvine Enterprise Area to encourage additional jobs to the area.

“When the SNP came to power there were 539 Modern Apprenticeship starts in North Ayrshire, but by 2014-15, this had gone up to 889 starts – that’s an increase of 64.9 per cent and Irvine shared in this.

“After years of inactivity by previous Labour administrations, council house building has returned to Irvine. SNP-led NAC, backed by the Scottish Government, has built new council houses in Irvine as across the area. Since 2007, 217 council homes and 788 housing association homes have been built in North Ayrshire.”

It was announced back in 2014 that the SNP would provide free schools to younger pupils,

Alex Salmond stated at the time that the move would affect 165,000 youngsters and be worth £330 for each child to families.

Mr Sturgeon said: “North Ayrshire Council has worked to ensure a very high uptake of the SNP policy of free school meals for all P1 to P3 pupils, at 86 per cent exceeding the Scottish Government target.

“The NAC and Scottish Government have gone into building, renovation and regeneration projects in the town centre including the Vennel Gardens sheltered housing and community hub, the townhouse, the Portal new leisure centre and work on Bridgegate, Trinity Church and the relocation of NAC staff into Bridgegate House and Cunninghame House, increasing footfall for local shops and businesses.”

He added: “My Labour opponent seems to have weird and wonderful ideas about how Scottish Government decisions are made.

“However, she can rest assured that both the SNP Scottish Government and the SNP-led council will continue to invest in Irvine and North Ayrshire.”