Meeting of the Parliament 07 May 2014
There is not a lot in what Patrick Harvie has said that I would disagree with. All of us in the Parliament are concerned about the growing gap between the rich and the poor. It is certainly something that very much concerns the Scottish Government. That is why our economic strategy and national performance framework include cohesion and solidarity targets, which are designed to increase equality and reduce the disparities between different sections of our society.
There is no doubt that Scotland is a prosperous nation, rich in natural and human resources, yet far too many people and communities are still trapped in poverty and are prevented from realising their full potential. I find it utterly depressing that our first detailed analysis of UK Government data on wealth and assets in Scotland, which was published today, shows that 30 per cent of all households in Scotland have almost no wealth, meaning that they do not own property, they do not have a private pension or savings and they do not own items such as cars and household goods. That report also shows that those households simply do not have the income that is needed to gain the wealth and security that so many of us take for granted.
Based on current evidence and past performance, I do not believe that the UK Government will take the actions that are necessary to break the cycle of deprivation. Over the years, the Westminster system has failed to properly address the deep social inequalities that exist in Scottish society, with generation after generation feeling the impact.
I believe that Scotland needs to have full control of all economic levers in order to tackle and reverse those inequalities. Only independence would give the Scottish Parliament the powers that it needs to pursue a fairer economic model.