Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 09 February 2011
09 Feb 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill: Stage 3
Of course, a Government’s budget is not only a list of spending commitments such as the one that we have just heard. Cumulatively, over the years, line by line in every budget, the figures add up to a statement of the Government’s values. Those values will give direction to all parts of Government and public services and, with the will of the people, they will plot the country’s course.
It is at that point that we and the Scottish National Party Government go our separate ways. This budget shows more clearly than ever that this Government’s values are not those of a Labour Government, and the direction set for the country is not one that Labour would set. [Interruption.] I am sure that that is not Johann Lamont shouting out.
It is at that point that we and the Scottish National Party Government go our separate ways. This budget shows more clearly than ever that this Government’s values are not those of a Labour Government, and the direction set for the country is not one that Labour would set. [Interruption.] I am sure that that is not Johann Lamont shouting out.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-7899, in the name of John Swinney, on the Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill. I advise members that time is pr...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney)
SNP
Parliament approved the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill in last month’s stage 1 debate. Since then, I have continued to hold extensiv...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order. I am sorry, but since the cabinet secretary began speaking, I have heard an almost non-stop running commentary from some members on my right, particul...
John Swinney
SNP
I have set out today a package of measures that I believe responds effectively to the issues that have been raised with me since the draft budget was publish...
Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab)
Lab
Of course, a Government’s budget is not only a list of spending commitments such as the one that we have just heard. Cumulatively, over the years, line by li...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
One moment, Mr Kerr. You have made your point. The cabinet secretary was heard in relative silence and I ask that Mr Kerr receive the same treatment.
Andy Kerr
Lab
I have met Mr Swinney and his colleagues on many occasions in the past few weeks to discuss matters that are dear to our hearts. While we have been having th...
John Swinney
SNP
Does Mr Kerr acknowledge that unemployment in Scotland is falling, while unemployment in the rest of the United Kingdom is rising, and that the measures that...
Andy Kerr
Lab
Mr Swinney offers box ticking on arrangements around parties. He offers half measures while Labour offers full measures. The SNP Government has been saved by...
John Swinney
SNP
Will Mr Kerr share with Parliament which of the proposals that I have announced this afternoon he does not support?
Andy Kerr
Lab
We do not want half measures. Labour offers full measures and we will ensure that we deliver those in government. The budget has moved 0.1 per cent. Let us r...
Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Andy Kerr
Lab
In a second, when the member might answer my next point.We have been nothing but consistent in our view of this Government’s investment in infrastructure. It...
Alasdair Allan
SNP
Does the fact that the member has been unable to identify which of the cabinet secretary’s measures he disagrees with explain why he failed to lodge any amen...
Andy Kerr
Lab
From my eight years in government, I recall that the SNP lodged only one amendment to the budget. I also recall that in the negotiations around the SNP Gover...
Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con)
Con
Mr Kerr was right in one respect: that was certainly a vision, although perhaps not quite the vision that he wants to portray to the Scottish people.The budg...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
Derek Brownlee
Con
It is obvious that the art of co-operation learned by the Liberal Democrats in supporting and working with us at Westminster has rubbed off at Holyrood, and ...
Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD)
LD
Yesterday, I spoke to a major employer in my constituency where there are major concerns about the future of a number of jobs. The company has a heritage tha...
Derek Brownlee
Con
I think the member forgot to say that they also wrecked the public finances.
Jeremy Purvis
LD
Well, indeed, but I had not finished quoting Mr Miliband’s Fabian Society speech. If Labour—
Andy Kerr
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Jeremy Purvis
LD
I will in a moment, because I am sure that Mr Kerr will wish to reply to Mr Miliband, so I will give him the opportunity to do so.If Mr Kerr’s vision has bee...
Andy Kerr
Lab
I refer the member to my earlier speech. We stand for the progressive majority in Scotland, but on the point—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
Andy Kerr
Lab
What would he say to his UK coalition partners—the Lib Dems have made the biggest mistake in UK politics for a long time—about regulation? They advocated to ...
Jeremy Purvis
LD
If Mr Miliband’s statement was a flip, that was definitely a flop, Mr Kerr.When Scotland’s Colleges made a public statement that it was concerned that the re...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order. There is still too much background noise on a continual basis from members right across the chamber. Let us hear one speech at a time.
Jeremy Purvis
LD
It is not just a political gain for the Liberal Democrats or any other political party; it is a gain for students, such as the students at Borders College wh...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?