Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 September 2013
11 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Enterprise Networks
Like the minister, I put on record the Labour Party’s support for the work of Scottish Enterprise and all our enterprise networks in developing Scotland’s businesses and economy. When I had the pleasure of meeting Lorne Crerar of Highlands and Islands Enterprise just a couple of weeks ago, I was impressed to hear about HIE’s on-going work and its ambitions for the future.
The evaluation that is the subject of today’s debate highlights much of the good work that Scottish Enterprise and our other enterprise agencies undertake and the rewards that they bring to our economy. In particular, the creation of new jobs and the increase in turnover by Scottish companies will be warmly welcomed by members across the chamber. However, it is important to sound a note of caution that we cannot be complacent, especially in the current economic environment. I am sure that the minister would agree with me on that.
The Government’s motion rightly points out that Scotland has not been immune to the global recession. With long-term youth unemployment remaining stubbornly high, unemployment among women rising and part-time, temporary or zero-hours jobs becoming an increasingly common feature of our economy, we on the Labour benches believe that now is perhaps the right time for the Government to review how our enterprise agencies interact with each other and with local and national Government in order properly to assess how they are delivering against our shared aim of building an economy that is equitable and sustainable and that consists of a skilled workforce doing high-quality jobs under good contracts.
The evaluation that is the subject of today’s debate highlights much of the good work that Scottish Enterprise and our other enterprise agencies undertake and the rewards that they bring to our economy. In particular, the creation of new jobs and the increase in turnover by Scottish companies will be warmly welcomed by members across the chamber. However, it is important to sound a note of caution that we cannot be complacent, especially in the current economic environment. I am sure that the minister would agree with me on that.
The Government’s motion rightly points out that Scotland has not been immune to the global recession. With long-term youth unemployment remaining stubbornly high, unemployment among women rising and part-time, temporary or zero-hours jobs becoming an increasingly common feature of our economy, we on the Labour benches believe that now is perhaps the right time for the Government to review how our enterprise agencies interact with each other and with local and national Government in order properly to assess how they are delivering against our shared aim of building an economy that is equitable and sustainable and that consists of a skilled workforce doing high-quality jobs under good contracts.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07643, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on enterprise networks. I call Fergus Ewing to speak to and move the ...
The Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
I warmly welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth’s announcement on the budget. As he outlined, the Government continues ...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
While the minister is on the subject of statistics, one statistic that his Government is using at the moment is that 75 per cent of people in the Highlands a...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Tavish Scott raises a significant point that takes up a lot of time and consideration. I recently met with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise team that is ...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am grateful to the minister for giving way. We heard some interesting evidence this morning at the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee—I am referring not...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
That is a perfectly valid point, and I am keen—or at least willing—to look at the process again. Plainly, any gatekeeper process must be fixed and certain; i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Minister, you are approaching your last minute.
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Sorry, I have oodles—to use a non-ministerial technical expression—of my speech left.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that we are rather tight for time. You are now in your last minute.
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Looking north, I should point out that, over the past five years, Highlands and Islands Enterprise has built a portfolio of accounts comprising 596 business ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Jenny Marra to speak to and move amendment S4M-07643.1. Ms Marra, you have a maximum of nine minutes.15:52
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Like the minister, I put on record the Labour Party’s support for the work of Scottish Enterprise and all our enterprise networks in developing Scotland’s bu...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
What the member has just suggested was very much a feature under the Labour/Liberal Scottish Executive, when Scottish Enterprise had no clear direction. Sinc...
Jenny Marra
Lab
I had hoped to strike a conciliatory note—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order, please. We cannot hear the member.
Jenny Marra
Lab
I was about to go on to propose a review of the agencies. Since 1999, Scottish Enterprise has operated effectively, but it has perhaps not always been as eff...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Excuse me, Ms Marra, but the conversations that are taking place in the chamber, particularly those behind you, must cease.
Jenny Marra
Lab
We need to examine the impact that the reforms have had on workers and business and we believe that now is the right time for a pulse-check.As well as noting...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You have nine minutes, but I can give you a few more seconds for the interruption.
Jenny Marra
Lab
Thank you.The Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee report examined our enterprise networks as a whole, the gaps in partnership working and the proactive ste...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
It was in 2007 that I previously held the economy and enterprise brief for my party, but it is almost as if nothing has changed in the interim. Here we are, ...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I have been aware of Mr Fraser’s concerns about the matter since yesterday, when his amendment was lodged. I would be more than happy to facilitate a meeting...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You are now in your final 30 seconds.
Murdo Fraser
Con
I am grateful to the minister for that helpful offer, and I look forward to engaging directly with Scottish Enterprise.I raised the issue directly with Lena ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We come to the open debate. Speeches should be of a maximum of six minutes, because we are very tight for time.16:07
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
On the afternoon of the publication of the draft budget, it is entirely appropriate for us to debate a motion on the enterprise networks. It is helpful, I th...
Murdo Fraser
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I understood that the topic for debate was Scotland’s enterprise networks, on which we have a motion and amendments b...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Members should try to stick to the terms of the debate. If any member wishes to intervene on another member, they can ask to do so. Mr MacKenzie, please cont...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
Think how much better our renewables industry could be performing if George Osborne was not dithering over energy market reform, causing huge uncertainty and...