Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 January 2014
08 Jan 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland’s Economy
I simply say to Mr Johnstone, who is the most audible member on the subject—even from a sedentary position—that the current recovery in Scotland is taking place despite the policies of the UK Government and not because of them. The fundamental mistake that the United Kingdom Government has made has been to prolong the economic difficulty and damage that people in this country have faced. For example, its decision to reduce our capital budget by 27 per cent in real terms over the period 2010-11 to 2015-16 can only be described as one of the worst decisions, as it undermines and impedes economic recovery in Scotland. I go back to some of the arguments that we have had in this Parliament before, when I have advanced the argument about the importance—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-08714, in the name of John Swinney, on Scotland’s economy. Members who wish to speak in the debate should...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney)
SNP
I welcome this opportunity to update the Parliament on the Scottish economy and to lead this debate on the opportunities for strengthening our long-term grow...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
Is the cabinet secretary aware that there is currently an industrial dispute pending at the Sullom Voe plant between Petrofac, the contractor for the Total g...
John Swinney
SNP
Mr Scott will be aware of the keen interest that ministers take in the issues that affect industrial relations and their impact on the economy, as we demonst...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Hear, hear.
John Swinney
SNP
I simply say to Mr Johnstone, who is the most audible member on the subject—even from a sedentary position—that the current recovery in Scotland is taking pl...
Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
John Swinney
SNP
Of course.
Gavin Brown
Con
Is the entire economic recovery, then, down to the Scottish Government?
John Swinney
SNP
I say to Mr Brown—I have marshalled this argument in the parliamentary chamber on countless occasions—that the Scottish Government has dealt with the circums...
Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
LD
I hear what the finance secretary says, but he has stood there before and said that the UK coalition economic plan would not work. How does he explain the 1....
John Swinney
SNP
What I have said to the Parliament before is that we needed to have more sustained capital investment to minimise the suffering that people have endured. If ...
Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
The improvements in the employment and economic positions and the signs of economic recovery outlined by the cabinet secretary are very welcome. He wisely de...
Mark McDonald (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
Last night and today on television, two of Mr Gray’s shadow cabinet colleagues have outlined Labour’s plans to scrap the small business bonus. How will that ...
Iain Gray
Lab
They did nothing of the kind. It is an interesting point, though, because our position has consistently been that the small business bonus is a missed opport...
John Swinney
SNP
Will the member give way?
Iain Gray
Lab
No, I am sorry. Let me make progress. Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Order, please.
Iain Gray
Lab
It is not enough for the Government itself to pay the living wage and avoid zero-hours contracts. It cannot be right that employers working on a contract suc...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
Does Mr Gray believe that Scottish firms should pay more in business rates than firms in the rest of the UK?
Iain Gray
Lab
No, and nobody has said that they should. Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order.
Iain Gray
Lab
From a sedentary position, someone asks where the money is coming from. I am looking at the analysis of the Barnett consequentials. That was the sum of money...
John Swinney
SNP
Will the member give way?
Iain Gray
Lab
No. Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order.
Iain Gray
Lab
The white paper argues that, with independence, the economy will inevitably flourish and, in fairness, it sets out the platform for that boom. It will build ...
Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Iain Gray
Lab
No, I need to carry on. On Monday, the Deputy First Minister demanded to know what would happen after a no vote. Here is what will happen. We will keep the ...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?