Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 March 2015
18 Mar 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
In-work Poverty
No. I am pushed for time. I am sorry.
Of course it is right to challenge businesses, where they are able to do so, to pay their employees fairly. The living wage is a positive concept that we encourage where it is affordable. Businesses that can pay the living wage should pay the living wage.
However, we can also provide a model of childcare that works better than the current one—a model that is flexible in location and in times of provision and which meets parents’ actual needs. We do not have that model in Scotland, and we should have it.
We can also help people who are in work to get more of their earnings back. Someone who is working full time on the minimum wage has already had their income tax bill cut in half. I want to see as much of working people’s pay as possible go into their pockets. In Scotland, the increases in the personal tax allowance have cut taxes for 2.3 million people and taken 261,000 out of tax altogether.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-12678, in the name of Patrick Harvie, on an end to in-work poverty. 14:41
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
I am pleased to open our debate. The Scottish Green Party is campaigning for a £10 minimum wage for all by 2020, because no one should be expected to work fo...
Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
SNP
Does the member accept that many board directors can enhance their pay in many ways, including through share options and all sorts of other, unquantifiable t...
Alison Johnstone
Green
That point is well made and should be taken into account. It means that directors’ wages are larger than they appear to be on their pay packet. The Greens w...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Would Alison Johnstone care to reflect on how full fiscal autonomy and the ripping out of £4 billion to £6 billion of public money would impact on her vision?
Alison Johnstone
Green
It is fair to say that, as part of the United Kingdom—we find ourselves in that situation at the moment—we need a system that is fair and sustainable. The i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Many thanks. I remind members who wish to participate that they should press their request-to-speak button. 14:51
The Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
In the programme for government, we set out a range of cross-portfolio policies that were aimed at reducing inequality, including actions on fair work such a...
Neil Findlay
Lab
One of the issues that I have raised with the minister before is the use of umbrella contracts. Last week, the Welsh Assembly issued a policy advice note on ...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
We saw what the Welsh Government issued, and officials are currently looking at that very carefully. We are always open to the possibility that good practice...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that you must draw to a close.
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
It is very important to engage across the board. It is clear that there is a great deal that can be done. By working together, we can have an impact. As a G...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that we are tight for time this afternoon. 14:58
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
The low-pay and insecure job culture that we see at present is like a cancer in our society. It damages people. It eats away at their pride, relationships, m...
Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
People who work hard for their families, try to put some money aside and make the right choices deserve reward and the security of a decent standard of livin...
Alison Johnstone
Green
I have a constituent who was asked to be both at the jobcentre and at an interview for a training course at the same time, which resulted in him having his b...
Annabel Goldie
Con
That is certainly illustrative of an element of very bad practice in the system. I do not dispute that, but that is not to say that the system as a whole is ...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Will the member give way?
Annabel Goldie
Con
No. I am pushed for time. I am sorry. Of course it is right to challenge businesses, where they are able to do so, to pay their employees fairly. The living...
Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Annabel Goldie
Con
I am sorry. I am pushed for time. The further increases announced by the chancellor today will mean even more money being kept by the earner. That is real h...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We turn to the open debate. I ask for speeches of four minutes, please. 15:09
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I very much identify with the tenor of the independent and Green motion. It is ironic that we are having this debate on budget day. Members can call me cynic...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will Christine Grahame take an intervention?
Christine Grahame
SNP
I am in the last 30 seconds of my speech. As for the Labour amendment, I have a lot in common with Neil Findlay’s sentiments, but Labour hitched itself to ...
Neil Findlay
Lab
Full fiscal autonomy.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order.
Christine Grahame
SNP
Labour blocked that and kept the Tories in power.
Neil Findlay
Lab
Four billion.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order.