Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02084, in the name of John Swinney, on the economy and recovery. I draw it to members’ attention that the...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP

I will set out the action that the Government is taking to ensure that Scotland’s recovery can take its course, despite the current global uncertainties. As ...

Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Con) Con

The cabinet secretary says that the quarter 3 figure of growth of 0.5 per cent was the same as that for the UK. What about the year-on-year figures in compar...

John Swinney SNP

No, we did not grow at the same rate as the UK over the year. However, I would have thought that the Conservatives would welcome the point that I made. It is...

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab) Lab

Does the cabinet secretary agree that the country enjoys better economic activity and inactivity rates only in a defined age group? In the whole age group ab...

John Swinney SNP

Across the measure of economic inactivity, it is a pure statistical fact that Scotland performs better than the rest of the United Kingdom does.The outlook r...

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Will the cabinet secretary therefore now abandon his plans to cut corporation tax?

John Swinney SNP

The short-term priority for the Government, within the powers that are at our disposal, is to ensure that we obtain the necessary capital investment to boost...

Gavin Brown Con

Will the cabinet secretary give way?

John Swinney SNP

Given the time, I had better press on.In order to boost economic confidence in Scotland, we are taking action to combat weakening consumer confidence, suppor...

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

John Swinney SNP

I will press on.On building on our recovery, I will set out some actions that the Government intends to take to capture opportunities that will ensure sustai...

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab) Lab

Yesterday, we enjoyed that rarity in economic debates: unanimity among the parties across the chamber. That was on our approach to the green investment bank—...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

Does that not make the point that we need more powers if we are to do something much better than the UK?

Ken Macintosh Lab

The point is that the motion that is before us calls on us to support the Scottish Government’s “distinctive approach”. What distinctive approach? The SNP is...

John Swinney SNP

Let me give Mr Macintosh a fact. Since 2007, unemployment has been lower in Scotland than in the rest of the UK in 38 out of the 56 months. In the 96 months ...

Ken Macintosh Lab

Can I suggest that it demonstrates nothing of the sort and that it answers a different question? The minister’s claim is that his Government is making a dist...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I have read in detail not just the STUC’s report but the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland’s report. Why does the member not represent a fair view o...

Ken Macintosh Lab

That is a good question that goes exactly to the point that I am addressing. Of course the scheme is popular: that is why the SNP introduced it. It is popula...

John Swinney SNP

What are you going to do about it?

Ken Macintosh Lab

The minister asks what we are going to do about it. Can I suggest that the minister should listen to Labour? Perhaps he is already doing so. For example, I a...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

Can we hear the member’s last 30 seconds, please?

Ken Macintosh Lab

Following three interventions, Presiding Officer? Well, okay.We should see further interest in wage subsidies and a drive to maintain rather than reduce the ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I reiterate what my colleague John Scott said: the debate is very tight for time, so no time will be given back for interventions.15:18

Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Con) Con

What did we have today from the Scottish Government? We had the usual cartoonish exaggeration: everything that it has done has helped the economy and spurred...

Gavin Brown Con

Right on cue. I knew that that was coming. I think that it was even in the script.I take issue with something that the cabinet secretary said when he critici...

John Swinney SNP

Who is splitting hairs now?

Gavin Brown Con

If the cabinet secretary wishes to make an intervention, I would welcome it at any point in my speech.

John Swinney SNP

I will wait until the member makes a point of substance.

Gavin Brown Con

Mr Swinney had 14 minutes in which to make a point of substance—and he made lots of them, apparently. I will pick him up on some of the other points that he ...