Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-02158, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the United Kingdom shared prosperity fund and the UK Governmen...

The Minister for Social Security and Local Government (Ben Macpherson) SNP

This debate is an important opportunity for the Parliament to discuss the future replacement of European Union funding and to consider, with concern, the way...

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

The problem that the minister has is that if the UK Government’s shared prosperity fund is so flawed, why are Scottish National Party council leaders across ...

Ben Macpherson SNP

I go back to my point on principles, and I will say more on that in due course. Although additional funding for Scotland will be embraced by regional partner...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister give way?

Ben Macpherson SNP

I will give way to Mr Johnson, but then I will have to make some progress.

Daniel Johnson Lab

The minister is right that this is about principles and fairness, but would he not be better arguing that £173 million is inconsequential in terms of tacklin...

Ben Macpherson SNP

Mr Johnson makes that point in good faith but I want to see the Labour Party as the party that was, to its credit, behind the conception of the Scottish Parl...

Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the minister give way on that point?

Ben Macpherson SNP

I will take one last intervention.

Stephen Kerr Con

It is clear that the minister’s sentiment is not shared by Cecil Meiklejohn, who is the leader of Falkirk Council. She welcomed the funding from the UK Gover...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I think that you have made your point, Mr Kerr.

Stephen Kerr Con

The point is that the SNP councils on the ground that are involved with the UK Government are supportive of that additional money.

Ben Macpherson SNP

I touched on that issue in response to Mr Briggs. It is clear that the Scottish Conservatives do not want to stand up for the powers of the Scottish Parliame...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I advise members that time is very tight. I have to ask that interventions be accommodated in the time for members’ speeches. 15:23

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

I start by sending my best wishes to Richard Lochhead for a speedy recovery. I am sorry that the minister has had to come to the chamber with this week’s la...

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) SNP

I hope that the member will acknowledge at some point that these moneys are not acts of charity but are actually Scottish taxpayers’ moneys.

Miles Briggs Con

Yes, and this is a huge investment in our whole United Kingdom. It is something that we should all welcome. I am glad that the member welcomes it as well. W...

Daniel Johnson Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Miles Briggs Con

I will not have time, unless the Presiding Officer has any time in hand.

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I do not.

Miles Briggs Con

It is therefore welcome that SNP council leaders across the country have warmly welcomed the funding. In that spirit, I congratulate them on the positive wor...

Ben Macpherson SNP

Will Mr Briggs take an intervention on that point?

Miles Briggs Con

I do not have time. Sorry. From what we see in the motion today, the answer is simply nothing. For 14 years, the SNP Government has taken powers off local a...

Ben Macpherson SNP

Will Mr Briggs acknowledge the unfortunate irony of the Conservatives talking about levelling up when they have presided over a decade of austerity policy, m...

Miles Briggs Con

The only thing that the minister failed to say was that we have also presided over the highest budget that this Parliament and the Scottish Government have e...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Time is tight. I can give a little bit of time back for interventions, so I do not encourage members to think that they cannot take an intervention. However,...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I move the amendment in my name. There is a danger that the debate is set to focus on constitutional wrangling rather than the needs of our constituents. I ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, Ms Grant. I do not think that you moved the amendment.

Rhoda Grant Lab

I did so at the start of my speech, but I am happy to move it again.