*S5M-17845 Willie Coffey: Barclays' Thriving Local Economies in Kilmarnock—That the Parliament welcomes the launch of Barclays’ new economic growth initiative, Thriving Local Economies, in Kilmarnock on 11 June 2019; understands that the bank is to join forces with local government, business and education leaders to identify how to boost the local economy through a landmark study and over a three-year period, and introduce bespoke programmes and support designed to help business growth, skills and training and aspirations and confidence; recognises that Kilmarnock has been specifically chosen for the pilot due to Barclays’ research, which shows just three in ten (28%) businesses in Kilmarnock feel optimistic about the local economy; understands that this follows on from another major investment announced by Barclays in Scotland recently that the bank will create 2,500 new jobs at its new technology centre in Glasgow; further understands that, as a first step of the Thriving Local Economies initiative, all secondary schools in Kilmarnock will have access to the bank’s LifeSkills programme, which aims to equip people with the skills that they need for the world of work, and commends Barclays for introducing bespoke actions for the people of Kilmarnock to boost aspirations and future work skills in the local community.