AS A POLITICIAN with a lifetime’s involvement in youth football, I was massively impressed by the national team’s determination at Wembley, and especially by young Billy Gilmour. His skills, commitment and work ethic set a high bar for his peers and, while not everyone can play for Scotland, all can thrive by developing their talents.

I promised not to take my eye off the Brexit disaster ball and already Westminster promises about Australian trade deal ‘protections’ have been broken; the EU settlement scheme will hit the picking season with farms struggling to recruit workers; VisitScotland told me staff shortages are also affecting tourism and hospitality. How can we rebuild the future for Billy Gilmour’s generation?

Scotland needs an immigration policy that serves our economy but Brexit uncertainty and the EU settlement scheme are driving away European workers. Every young person in East Lothian must have access to skills training for clean, green jobs. To ensure that no young person is left behind, the Scottish Government is investing in colleges and universities; working with Skills Development Scotland; and supporting employers on the ‘young person’s guarantee’.

Both Edinburgh College and Queen Margaret University are engaging with me on objectives for young people and I want to work with NFUS and Scotland’s Rural College to build clear career pathways in food and farming, as well as tourism. Young people (and the adults who care about them) should be able to recognise tourism and the hospitality sector as attractive, rewarding careers. I also want to attract to East Lothian businesses in the financial technology, life sciences and financial services sectors, and encourage young people into construction and social care. 

East Lothian is thriving: young families want warm, green homes; our older people are living longer, healthier lives and are entitled to support. A strong skills base will create more wealth, support our communities and tackle poverty.

Thousands of new 21st-century electors voted in May to choose their own future: to protect Scotland’s interests, its businesses and its place in Europe. We need to honour that.