Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 03 February 2022
03 Feb 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Cost of Living
I thank Mr Harvie for that intervention, but it is all about economic growth, which his party is not terribly keen on. Scottish Fiscal Commission statistics show that there is a huge issue in relation to Scotland’s income tax revenues, which is one of the key issues around income tax policy—hence the Conservative Party’s view on that.
I also hear that VAT on fuel bills should be scrapped, but that is not the best way of assisting those who are most in need, because it is not a progressive measure. It would reduce bills by just 5 per cent and would cost the Treasury billions of pounds. I have also heard claims, including from Jackie Baillie this afternoon, that there should be windfall taxes on oil and gas profits, similar to the Gordon Brown windfall tax on privatised utilities in 1997. However, if we look abroad to other countries such as Spain, those taxes have had only very limited success. The companies in question are owned by us all through pension funds—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-03042, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on the cost of living. 14:42
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I declare an interest as an honorary vice-president of Energy Action Scotland. Today, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets lifted the cap on energy pri...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You must conclude.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
There can be no excuses, no inaction and no hiding behind the constitution—the SNP must act, and act now, in the interests of the people of Scotland.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You need to move the motion, Ms Baillie.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I move, That the Parliament recognises the pressure being placed on household finances across Scotland due to rising inflation, increasing food and fuel pri...
The Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
This is an important and timely debate, as hundreds of thousands of families and households across Scotland are facing very challenging financial circumstanc...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The minister says that the Scottish Government is doing what it can, but a number of issues have been raised, including by Citizens Advice Scotland, on the G...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
As the First Minister said, discussions are going on with the UK Government about the consequentials from its announcements, and that money will be earmarked...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I acknowledge that this is a very serious issue for many families who see their household bills going in only one direction, at the same time as they try to ...
The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights (Patrick Harvie)
Green
I understand that those who instinctively like low-tax policies sometimes have to make an effort to come to terms with the need for such a rise. Why were the...
Liz Smith
Con
I thank Mr Harvie for that intervention, but it is all about economic growth, which his party is not terribly keen on. Scottish Fiscal Commission statistics ...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Liz Smith
Con
I will just finish this point, Ms Baillie. The companies in question are owned by us all through pension funds and insurance firms, and they have to be attr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You need to be winding up, Ms Smith, instead of taking interventions. Be as brief as possible, Ms Baillie.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I will be very quick. Will Liz Smith at least acknowledge that it was Margaret Thatcher who first put a windfall tax on oil and gas?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
While acknowledging that or not, please start winding up, Ms Smith.
Liz Smith
Con
I can very much acknowledge Gordon Brown’s failure on a windfall tax. On that point, I am happy to conclude my remarks. I move amendment S6M-03042.1, to lea...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am very pleased to rise for my party to speak in favour of the incredibly important motion on a matter that is impacting families up and down the country. ...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
We move to the open debate. 15:04
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
It is great privilege to be able to contribute to the debate on the cost of living crisis, which is undoubtedly the single most important issue that millions...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
One issue that is not listed in the motion is the failure of successive UK Governments in management of the economy. That is of fundamental relevance in a de...
Liz Smith
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Christine Grahame
SNP
I have only a very short time. In my time in the Scottish Parliament—more than 20 years—the pension credit system has failed constantly, with 40 per cent of...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
It might be worth noting that Norway’s national debt is forecast to be more than $200 billion in 2026. I appreciate Labour’s use of its time today to debate...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Does Jamie Halcro Johnston not recall, as I do, that Boris Johnson promised that he would do that?
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
I do. I am just coming to that, actually. That is, of course, not a conclusive argument against the policy. The chancellor has today announced proposals to ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I ask you to conclude, please.
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
That means that, although a young person on the mainland can travel from Berwickshire to Caithness for free, a young person in Orkney or Shetland, whether tr...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I have to ask you to conclude there, Mr Halcro Johnston. We are very tight for time this afternoon. 15:17