Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 October 2022
26 Oct 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Cost of Living
After a period of historically low inflation, and low interest rates, we find ourselves in the middle of an economic crisis in which rising costs of living have hit this country, as well as many others, across a range of goods and services.
That presents a real challenge to Governments at all levels. As members of the Scottish Parliament, we see the consequences first hand across our constituencies and regions. We will all know, from the correspondence we receive and the people we meet, that families and businesses face tough conditions and are feeling the impact of circumstances that are beyond their control.
In his September letter, the governor of the Bank of England set out the factors at play behind the rise in inflation—in particular, the role of Vladimir Putin’s appalling act of aggression against Ukraine and its disastrous consequences, which comes at a key moment in our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those are not normal economic forces—in many ways, they are unprecedented—but there is, at least, some cause for optimism. Global wholesale gas prices have fallen and Europe has moved towards greater energy security and resilience.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-06438, in the name of Daniel Johnson, on the cost of living. I invite members who wish to speak in the de...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Before recess, we voted to introduce a rent freeze, after the Government accepted Labour’s arguments that rents must be frozen and tenants protected from evi...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
Can the member explain to me where in the Scotland Act 1998 action on windfall taxes and energy companies is in the gift of the Scottish Government?
Mark Griffin
Lab
I did not say that that was in the gift of the Scottish Government. I set out a series of policies that were dismissed and then adopted by the UK and Scottis...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Those are all worthy measures, but can Mark Griffin give us a costing for them and tell us where the funding will come from?
Mark Griffin
Lab
We have come to the chamber again and again to give policy suggestions around income that the Government could bring in to fund those measures. Only in June,...
The Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth (Tom Arthur)
SNP
I am sure that Mr Griffin will want to correct the record. After he wrote to me, I confirmed to him that we had written to the Convention of Scottish Local A...
Mark Griffin
Lab
When I speak to council leaders, all they say to me is, “We have heard about this and we have heard nothing more from Government about how we implement it.” ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call the minister to speak to and move amendment S6M-06438.2. You have up to five minutes, minister. 16:07
The Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth (Tom Arthur)
SNP
I thank Mr Johnson and, indeed, Mr Griffin for bringing the motion to Parliament. It is a very timely motion about exactly the issue that our constituents wo...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Although I understand the difficulties in providing budget updates given the chaos from the Tory Government in the UK, there are non-fiscal measures that do ...
Tom Arthur
SNP
Certainly. The member will be aware that that commitment was given when the Deputy First Minister set out the initial savings on 6 or 7 September. It is stil...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
Does the minister have any indication whatsoever of how many millions of pounds will be ripped from the Scottish Parliament’s budget following the UK Governm...
Tom Arthur
SNP
The reality is that we do not know. I already highlighted the amount that we have lost through inflation, and, as members will appreciate, we do not know wha...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The minister is about to conclude.
Tom Arthur
SNP
This is an extremely challenging period. I look forward to members’ contributions. I hope that they are informed, pragmatic and considered contributions that...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
After a period of historically low inflation, and low interest rates, we find ourselves in the middle of an economic crisis in which rising costs of living h...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
In the member’s long list of factors, he failed to mention the decisions that were made in the mini-budget in September that sent gilts up in the highest one...
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
As the Prime Minister did, I do. If prices can be stabilised, the positive impact on the worst medium-term projections for energy costs will be considerable...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
Last week, I visited the food bank in Anstruther. Those who are familiar with Anstruther and the east neuk of Fife may be surprised that there is a food bank...
Bob Doris
SNP
Should the UK Government also be guaranteeing that, in its 17 November budget, it does not rip money away from this place’s budget so that we can do all that...
Willie Rennie
LD
I do not think that I would disagree with that, but it is not all about this place. There is so much that needs to be done across the United Kingdom. The saf...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Before calling the first speaker in the open debate, I make a plea to all members to ensure that they have pressed their request-to-speak buttons if they are...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
The cost of living crisis is having a massive impact on people’s lives. Mortgages are rocketing and inflation is massively increasing people’s food costs and...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
Will the member give way?
Sarah Boyack
Lab
No, I am very short of time. We need action now. Labour-led City of Edinburgh Council is proposing to use libraries and community centres this winter as spa...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
Seven weeks ago, Liz Truss was ready to become Prime Minister. She was backed, overwhelmingly, by the Tory party membership, and who can forget the Scottish ...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I only have four minutes and I am conscious of the time. Laughter. I only have four minutes. We need to rejoin the EU at the earliest opportunity. The only ...