Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 30 January 2025
30 Jan 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Budget 2025-26
I call Colin Smyth to speak on behalf of the Economy and Fair Work Committee.
15:35In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16239, in the name of Kenneth Gibson, on behalf of the Finance and Public Administration Committee, on th...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of the Finance and Public Administration Committee. I thank my parliamentary colleagues, our excellent clerking tea...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I remind members who wish to speak but have not yet pressed their request-to-speak buttons to press them now. 15:07
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
I begin by recognising the importance of the role of Parliament’s committees in scrutinising the Scottish budget. I thank the Finance and Public Administrati...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind)
Ind
Even without knowing the detailed finances, would it not be possible to prioritise projects so that there would be high-priority ones that would be our first...
Shona Robison
SNP
We have already set out a number of priority projects in the budget. A number of capital projects were identified and named, giving a clear sense of priority...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am grateful to the cabinet secretary, and I am sure that the committee members are, too. One of the fundamental points that the convener raised in his open...
Shona Robison
SNP
We take any issues that are raised by the committee seriously, and we will seek to respond to them in as positive a way as we can. However, I am aware that t...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Shona Robison
SNP
I am sorry, but I do not have time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The cabinet secretary is concluding.
Shona Robison
SNP
As committees will be aware, the Government has called on the UK Treasury to fully fund those additional costs. On 24 January, the Treasury advised that Scot...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Cabinet secretary, you need to conclude.
Shona Robison
SNP
The Treasury’s decision fails to take into account Scotland’s larger public sector per person than those in the rest of the UK. This is a balanced and fair ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We are a little tight for time—there is a bit of leeway, but not much. I call Clare Adamson to speak on behalf of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
As convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, I am pleased to speak on its behalf today. As always, I thank our committee ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Audrey Nicoll, on behalf of the Criminal Justice Committee, to speak for around six minutes. 15:23
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in this budget debate on behalf of the Criminal Justice Committee. I thank committee members, the clerking team and SPICe and comms col...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Douglas Ross, on behalf of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. You have around six minutes, Mr Ross. 15:29
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s debate on behalf of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. For our budget scrutiny, we focused on ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Colin Smyth to speak on behalf of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. 15:35
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am grateful to the Deputy Presiding Officer for giving me permission to leave the debate early in order to attend a business event. I apologise to members,...
John Mason
Ind
Will the member give way?
Colin Smyth
Lab
Yes, if I have time.
John Mason
Ind
Is it the member’s argument that where money is being spent on one subject in England we should automatically spend the consequentials on the same subject?
Colin Smyth
Lab
It is not my argument; I am repeating evidence that the committee heard from those in the business sector who believe that those different decisions put them...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Karen Adam to speak on behalf of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. 15:42
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
I am happy to contribute to the debate as convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. I take this opportunity to remind members o...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Edward Mountain, on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. Mr Mountain, you have around six minutes. 15:48
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
The budget theme pursued by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee this past year has been on whether major public spending decisions are in line with ...