Meeting of the Parliament 21 February 2017
I think that the cabinet secretary would want to know that Alex Salmond was the “revolting” MP.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement and the complete turnaround in the Government’s view of the crippling rates increases for businesses up and down the country. I am positively dizzy with the speed of the U-turn, but I welcome it nonetheless. Businesses in my constituency and across Scotland tell us that, at a time of increasing economic turmoil, the rates rises would have led to job losses, which none of us wants to see. The proposal to cap rises at 12.5 per cent will be welcome relief to the many businesses that are affected, but foregoing revenue—according to SPICe, it is £60 million rather than the £30 million to £40 million that the cabinet secretary outlined—will cost in another part of the budget. The cabinet secretary did not fully answer Murdo Fraser’s question on that. [Interruption.] I will continue when members have quietened down, Presiding Officer. Is this package simply for one year, meaning that we will face a cliff edge next year? If, as the cabinet secretary said, it is not new money, it is clearly an underspend. Is he expecting more, or is it simply money from the back of his sofa? I suspect that it is more smoke and mirrors from the cabinet secretary.
Finally, what about the national health service, which is having to pay at least £30 million extra in business rates against a backdrop of the most breathtaking cuts? What assistance will the cabinet secretary provide for our NHS?