Lazarowicz slams delay on projects

DELAYS by the UK Government in investing in key projects could have a negative impact on Edinburgh, Labour’s Mark Lazarowicz has warned.

He said last week’s Queen’s Speech had failed to lay the foundation for economic recovery.

And he voiced concern at the slow progress on the Green Investment Bank, which will be headquartered in Edinburgh, and High Speed Rail, currently only planned as far as Birmingham but which campaigners want to see extended to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mr Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North & Leith, said: “This Government has failed to act – it just keeps putting back the day when the Green Investment Bank will open its doors for business.

“A year ago the Deputy Prime Minister stated the Bank would begin lending in April 2012. The latest announcement was of a Bill to set it up in the first place and it won’t be able to borrow until 2015 at the earliest.

“With High Speed Rail 2 it’s a similar story – there was no mention at all of it in the Queen’s Speech, let alone when it might reach Scotland.”