Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11161, in the name of Neil Gray, on fair work in a wellbeing economy. 14:58

The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy (Neil Gray) SNP

Our vision is for a wellbeing economy that supports fair and green economic growth and that benefits people and communities across Scotland, providing opport...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Neil Gray SNP

I will do shortly. In 2023, the gender pay gap for all employees in Scotland was 8.7 per cent, which is lower than the comparable figure for the UK—14.3 per...

Daniel Johnson Lab

The Fair Work Convention’s report also highlighted a number of areas in which the Scottish Government could go further. Which of those is the most important ...

Neil Gray SNP

As I said, I welcome the Fair Work Convention’s report. It provides a very helpful measure of where we are and the progress that we are making, but it is als...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the minister give way?

Neil Gray SNP

Bear with me a second. The report indicates that, in addition to Scotland having the highest levels of pay in the UK, it has the lowest levels of low-paid i...

Brian Whittle Con

What will the Scottish Government do to tackle the high levels of economically inactive people in Scotland, especially those with ill health?

Neil Gray SNP

Levels of economic inactivity are too high in Scotland, as they are across the whole of the UK, so we need to look at what can be done to address that. This ...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Will Neil Gray give way?

Neil Gray SNP

I will, for the final time.

Murdo Fraser Con

We are six minutes into the cabinet secretary’s speech and he has not yet mentioned the wording of his motion, in which there is a specific call for the devo...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Cabinet secretary, I will give you the time back for the intervention.

Neil Gray SNP

Thank you—I appreciate that. I note that Murdo Fraser’s amendment to the motion contains little more than a passing mention of fair work, which shows the Co...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

We have a little bit of time in hand, so members can have the time back for any interventions that they take. 15:11

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

It has been a rather bizarre debate so far. Interruption. We have had one long speech from the cabinet secretary and various interventions. Despite the fact ...

Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

Murdo Fraser Con

Yes, I will give way to Mr McKee—a member of the Government in exile.

Ivan McKee SNP

Does Murdo Fraser not recognise that international data clearly shows that countries and economies that prioritise fair work and that have high standards of ...

Murdo Fraser Con

I know that Mr McKee has a record in business, so he should be listening to what business voices are saying about what the Scottish Government should be focu...

The Minister for Independence (Jamie Hepburn) SNP

Does Mr Fraser expect us to take seriously the notion of a Conservative member of the Scottish Parliament talking about the need for economic growth when his...

Murdo Fraser Con

That is nonsense. I do not know whether the minister has looked at what has happened to economies elsewhere in the world. The UK is performing better than ma...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

Would Murdo Fraser accept that there is quite a lot of variety in the business community and that, although some businesses need more support, others are mak...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I can give you the time back, Mr Fraser.

Murdo Fraser Con

Mr Mason needs to engage with major figures in the business community, particularly in sectors such as finance, which has a very fluid and flexible workforce...

Neil Gray SNP

Will the member give way?

Murdo Fraser Con

No, I have given away about four or five times and really need to make some progress.

Neil Gray SNP

Three times.

Murdo Fraser Con

Rather than learn from that experience, this Government wants to go further and to create a different employment law regime here in Scotland. That will not a...