Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 09 March 2021
09 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill
I have just said that we have asked NHS Lothian to carry out a review and that we will work with the board to implement its recommendations. The process is appropriate and, from a funding perspective, I have committed to protect specialised eye services. I will not pre-empt the outcome of the review or the recommendations.
Understandably, I have focused today on the efforts that I have made to secure the passage of the budget bill. The changes are significant and they will help to secure our recovery from Covid-19. They build on the firm foundations of a budget that already delivers a £11.6 billion settlement for local government, which is fair and affordable. The settlement will allow councils to freeze council tax next year, while still providing funding for vital day-to-day services.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is stage 3 consideration of the Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill. Members who wish to speak in the debate should press their request-t...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance (Kate Forbes)
SNP
It is essential that we come together as a Parliament today to agree next year’s budget and deliver the certainty and stability that Scotland and its people,...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Having had several cross-party briefings, we all understand that the issue is that the Scottish Government withdrew funding of £45 million for the building. ...
Kate Forbes
SNP
I have just said that we have asked NHS Lothian to carry out a review and that we will work with the board to implement its recommendations. The process is a...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The cabinet secretary mentioned local government. This afternoon, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities said that the cost of meeting the Scottish Gov...
Kate Forbes
SNP
Murdo Fraser knows that local councils are the employers and that it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to interfere in negotiations betwee...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Kate Forbes
SNP
Yes, I will take an intervention if I have time.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Does the cabinet secretary acknowledge that a 2 per cent rise for a care worker represents only 20p per hour? Does she really think that that is adequate com...
Kate Forbes
SNP
I do not think that Daniel Johnson’s characterisation captures the facts. I will come on to those now. I have been clear that social care workers should hav...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
If the group recommends in May that there should be a substantial pay increase, from where is the cabinet secretary going to get the recurring funding that s...
Kate Forbes
SNP
That is a challenge with which I have to contend. I have been open and transparent with all parties when it comes to the funding that is available. There has...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I start by thanking the Cabinet Secretary for Finance for the constructive engagement that we have had throughout the budget process. Although we were not in...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Does Mr Fraser accept that his colleagues announcing the budget on 3 March was not exactly helpful and made it very difficult for the Government to plan ahead?
Murdo Fraser
Con
Unlike Mr Mason, I have confidence in the finance secretary’s ability to cope with late announcements on money. As we see from the budget that has been put t...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
Will the member give way?
Murdo Fraser
Con
I look forward to Willie Rennie explaining to the Conservative voters of North East Fife why he is voting for an SNP budget that will damage local services. ...
Willie Rennie
LD
Would Murdo Fraser agree that the difference between him and me is that, when the finance secretary comes forward with policies that we argued for, we feel d...
Murdo Fraser
Con
I look forward to Mr Rennie deploying that argument on the doorsteps in North East Fife to all my Conservative friends. We will see how he gets on in the nex...
The Minister for Trade, Innovation and Public Finance (Ivan McKee)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Murdo Fraser
Con
No—I am in my last minute. For the reasons that I have outlined, this is not a budget that we can support. Despite having at its disposal unprecedented reso...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I begin by adding my tribute to Bruce Crawford. I have to admit that my tenure and his on the Finance and Constitution Committee will overlap only briefly. N...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
Daniel Johnson is right that no one wants to see squabbling during a global pandemic. Our quiet work has secured a reprioritisation of £300 million towards m...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I, too, thank the cabinet secretary for her engagement in the budget process. I welcome Daniel Johnson to his portfolio; I think that this is his first finan...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Lewis Macdonald)
Lab
We move to the open debate and a speech from Bruce Crawford. I need hardly mention that this is Mr Crawford’s final speech. 18:09
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
I will begin my speech with a contribution on the budget for 2021-22. However, as this will be my final speech in a debate at Holyrood, I would also like to ...
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I put on record my best wishes to Bruce Crawford for the future. I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important budget debate, which, once again, take...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I remind open debate speakers that their speeches should be four minutes, please. 18:19
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate the cabinet secretary on reaching agreement with two other parties this year. It is good that the UK Government is continuing to borrow into ...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, warmly wish Bruce Crawford well for the future. I thank him for the many thoughtful contributions that I have had the privilege of listening to in my...