Edinburgh West MP, Mike Crockart, this morning questioned the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the criteria to be used for deciding the location of the UK’s Green Investment Bank. In his reply, the Secretary of State confirmed that the criteria will be announced “in the next few days”.

Commenting Mr Crockart said:

“I am pleased that we now have an idea of when the Government will publish the criteria to be used for deciding the bank’s location. I have been working with the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Edinburgh’s financial services sector and industry leaders to make a case for the capital. Clearly this is easier if you know on what basis the decision will be made.

“What is absolutely clear is that Edinburgh has a pedigree in the financial services sector. Combine this with the unrivalled engineering and renewable energy presence here in Scotland and it's clear that we have an exceptional case for the bank's headquarters to be located in the capital.

“I am confident that whatever criteria Vince Cable sets out for making the decision, we will be able to demonstrate unequivocally that Edinburgh is the natural home of the Green Investment Bank.

“I will continue to make the case for the UK’s first Green Investment Bank to be located in the capital over the coming weeks.”