Meeting of the Parliament 23 April 2025
We do need to be careful, because the point has been raised by the Scottish Fiscal Commission.
I am very aware of the saying that all political careers end in failure. That is an adage that I am trying to avoid for at least another year, but it is a message to those who are leading Governments just now. When we do not listen to what the public, business and some of the best advisers are saying, that is exactly what happens—our careers will end in failure. I strongly urge us to guard against that.
We must take the issue of social security very seriously, whether we are in Scotland or the rest of the UK, because we simply cannot go on as we are.
I move amendment S6M-17242.3, to leave out from “calls” to end and insert:
“notes the most recent concerns highlighted by both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Scottish Fiscal Commission about the projected substantial increases in UK and Scottish welfare budgets, the resulting fiscal pressures, and the unsustainability of these budgets in the current economic circumstances, and expresses its deep concern that neither the UK Government nor the Scottish Government has delivered policies that will address the high levels of economic inactivity or policies that will promote sustained economic growth.”
15:15Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.