Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 01 September 2020
Yes, that is under consideration. I think that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance will shortly make clear our intentions on the next revaluation date. I understand that, unlike England and Wales, we are also looking at the tone date—we want to ensure that there is as small a gap between that and the revaluation as possible, because we understand the importance of that to businesses—but I will let the finance secretary set out the details of that when she is ready to do so.
I hope that this will be taken in the spirit in which it is intended: every year, we have a budgetary process that all parties have the opportunity to contribute to; some take that opportunity and some do not. This year is different. We must constantly look at how the money that we have at our disposal is allocated to help businesses such as the ones that Ruth Davidson is talking about, but no party should come to this chamber and make the claim that we have large reserves of unallocated money in our budget.
The sum that Ruth Davidson talked about is money that is allocated right now. It is helping our public services and businesses and supporting a range of priorities and initiatives across the country.
Unless Ruth Davidson or others are going to argue for increased borrowing powers or other sources of revenue, then, if they want us to spend money on one priority, they also have to be prepared to say where we should take that money from. I will listen to suggestions that are made, as we have tried to respond to suggestions throughout the crisis so far.