5. To ask the Scottish Government what impact the measures in its programme for government 2023-24 will have on the growth of the economy in North Ayrshire. (S6O-02556)

Our programme for government will increase equality, create a fairer society and drive opportunity for the people and businesses of North Ayrshire. It will promote inclusion and reduce inequality in the area, benefiting in part from our £70 million investment in community-led regeneration. It will also support the delivery of the Ayrshire growth deal, in which we are investing £103 million to transform North Ayrshire and the wider regional economy.

A quality job that pays well is one of the primary routes out of poverty. Will the minister outline what action the Scottish Government and partners are taking to ensure that all sizes of companies in my constituency are able to contribute to tackling inequality while growing their businesses?

As Ruth Maguire will be aware, the Government’s policy is that business is vital to creating a wellbeing economy, and it has a key role to play in Cunninghame South and beyond. That is why we support businesses to be a force for good, putting purpose and fair work at their heart, noting that that benefits productivity and profits as well as people.

As part of our £11.5 million investment in the Ayrshire growth deal, community wealth building and the regional skills and inclusion programmes, we will be supporting local businesses to put fair work first, while supporting local people to ensure that they have the skills that businesses require. We are also working with other organisations, such as Developing the Young Workforce in Ayrshire. The issue that Ruth Maguire raises is central to our economic strategy for the whole of Scotland, including Ayrshire.