Meeting of the Parliament 09 October 2024
Yes—subject to all the consultation that we need in order to take on board stakeholders’ views of the cruise ship levy. It is important that we get that right, but we are keen to move forward as quickly as we can.
We are also carefully considering the responses to “Infrastructure Levy for Scotland—Discussion Paper”, which we published in June. If that levy is taken forward, it will provide local authorities with an additional mechanism to secure developer contributions to fund infrastructure in their area. Councils will also be able to decide whether to implement a workplace parking levy, depending on local circumstances.
We will continue to evolve the joint work on the fiscal framework, and I am happy to discuss with members from across the chamber further proposals to strengthen the powers of local government.
I have said that the Scottish budget for next year will be very challenging, and the decisions that the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes on 30 October will play a big role in determining our funding. Our budget will be focused on delivering the priorities that the First Minister set out in the programme for government. We are spending £134 million this year to mitigate the worst of the UK Government’s damaging welfare policies. If the chancellor changes course on those, we will have more money for further action on those priorities. I had a very valuable meeting with the Finance and Public Administration Committee yesterday as it looked ahead to the Scottish budget. I welcome further engagement across the chamber.
The motion calls on the Scottish Government to use
“every power at its disposal to address the urgent social, economic and environmental challenges that Scotland faces”.
That is what we are doing, but we can go only so far with our current powers. We need change from the new UK Government. It needs to increase funding for public services, invest in infrastructure to support our economy and deliver our net zero ambitions, and end the dreadful social security policies of the previous Government. It needs new fiscal rules that focus on public sector net worth, thereby allowing greater investment in the fabric of the country. Those are the changes that are needed to help us to address the challenges that we face. If the UK Government is up for it, we will work together to achieve that.
I move amendment to motion S6M-14825.3, to insert at end:
“, and calls on the UK Labour administration to scrap the fiscal rules of the former UK Conservative administration.”
15:06Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.