A DEBATE around a future Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) is due to take place in Holyrood later today.
SNP MSP Keith Brown will present a motion for Holyrood to recognise the publication of the SNIB Implementation Plan.
It also seeks to emphasise that the the bank aims to be "bold and ambitious by providing patient mission-based finance, which will help create and shape future markets and help Scotland achieve its full economic potential."
Amendments to the motion have been submitted by the Greens, Labour and the Conservatives.
The Greens seek to ensure that the bank will focus on low-carbon investments whilst also adhering to ethical banking principals.
The Labour amendment is focused on securing adequate funding for the project. The current earmarked funding is slightly below Common Weal's recommended capital plan for a SNIB.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are concerned that there is already policy in place that is similar, and want reassurances that the there will not be any "confusion" over the bank's role.
Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy and Research at Common Weal, said that it was encouraging to see a broad level of cross-party support for the SNIB.
Dalzell stated: "Both Labour and the Greens are offering amendments which are broadly positive and helpful.
"The implementation plan published back in February and which the Scottish Government’s motion seeks to endorse made it plain that the Government's role would be to determine the key missions on which the SNIB's funding would be based.
"The wider discussion about those missions should now be opened up to the public."
Dalzell concluded: "Done right, the SNIB could well revolutionise the landscape of Scotland in many areas such as housing, energy and local economies."
The SNIB was announced in Nicola Sturgeon's programme for government last autumn.
The debate is due to take place shortly after 2pm today.
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