Institute offers economic policies

Oct 3 2012

Academics are urging MSPs to look at three key areas of policy to try to create economic growth.

Members of the David Hume Institute identified the role of higher education, how to learn from successful Scottish companies and how to stimulate investment in innovation.

Seven representatives of the institute are due to appear before MSPs on the Finance Committee which is scrutinising the Scottish budget.

Professor Jeremy Peat, director of the Edinburgh-based institute, said: "What I'm looking for is that we engage on the issues of the growth agenda and consider how it can be enhanced. I want to get a good discussion going with the committee to look at maximising economic growth."

The themes will also be covered by other institute members Stephen Boyle, head of RBS group economics; principal Professor Ian Diamond of Aberdeen University; John Hughes from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce; Professor Donald MacRae, chief economist with Lloyds Banking Group Scotland; Professor Colin Mason of Adam Smith Business School; and Ian Ritchie of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The institute, set up in 1985, aims to stimulate and influence thinking in key public policy areas with a focus on economic issues.

It takes its name from the philosopher David Hume, a figure of the Scottish Enlightenment period of the 18th century.