Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 January 2024
25 Jan 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Technology
As the member knows, the Scottish Funding Council carried out a review—at arm’s length from Government—of long-term funding for innovation centres. A lot of work is going on with the innovation centres that did not secure long-term funding from the SFC on how the new model can work for them. The SFC is leading that exercise and I am confident that, in some shape or form, the great work that is carried out by some of those innovation centres will continue.
We have committed £60 million so far to the implementation of the “Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review” recommendations, including £42 million in our national and unique Techscaler network to support the next generation of Scottish start-ups over the next five years. We are also developing entrepreneurial campuses, with academics, researchers and students bringing new business ideas to life. This is the technology nation in action—our science excellence fuels our innovation and technology, with our world-class universities underpinning our tech revolution.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11958, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on Scotland as a technology nation. I invite members who wish to ...
The Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
Today, as we celebrate the contribution of Rabbie Burns to the world, in this debate we can celebrate and discuss Scotland’s contribution to the world as a t...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
It is interesting to note that the minister highlights both pure technology and its applications. Do we need greater clarity on the fact that tech is not jus...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
There is an element of truth in the member’s point, and it is an important point in the debate, but I hope that, as my remarks progress, I can give the membe...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Scotland has always been very good at innovation and early-stage advanced technology. However, we have not been so good at taking that to the next level. Wha...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
The member raises an issue that is very topical and pertinent to the debate. Of course, at the moment, there is a huge amount of activity in Scotland, with l...
Ivan McKee
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I will take a final intervention.
Ivan McKee
SNP
I think that the minister knows what I am going to say. It is great to highlight that infrastructure that is in place, but how does that align with the Gover...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
As the member knows, the Scottish Funding Council carried out a review—at arm’s length from Government—of long-term funding for innovation centres. A lot of ...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I am happy to do so if I can get the time back.
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
Given the point that the minister just made about universities, is he concerned by the £28 million cut that they are facing this year?
Richard Lochhead
SNP
The universities have received more than £1 billion from the Government per year for the past number of years. I am concerned about the very difficult budget...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take a quick intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is time, minister.
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I will take the intervention.
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
I declare an interest in relation to farming. The minister has not mentioned some of the technology around agriculture. Gene editing is a real opportunity f...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
Agritech has a big role to play, and I am keen to learn more about it as part of our innovation strategy as we take it forward. At the same as we keep an ope...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
As I indicated to the minister, there is some time in hand this afternoon. At this stage, we have plenty of time for interventions. 15:13
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to begin the Scottish Conservatives’ contribution to this important debate. Any day when I get to quote the science fiction author Arthur C Cl...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Does Brian Whittle agree that the critical point with technology is that we always need to push ourselves further, that doing so is a constant challenge and ...
Brian Whittle
Con
Daniel Johnson is absolutely correct. One of the things that we must do is stop looking at the short term. We must look beyond that, look at the possibilitie...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I will pick up where Brian Whittle left off, because the issue at hand is about challenge, what we need to achieve and the gap between what that means and wh...
Brian Whittle
Con
I cannot agree more with what Daniel Johnson said. Does he agree that the issue, rather than being about teaching our kids technology—after all, the jobs of ...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I completely agree, but it is also important for them to apply technology to their work when they seek to do new things. We do not have enough of that and it...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Gentlemen, please do not speak across the chamber from a secondary position.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I am trying to bring a constructive challenge. There may be a wider point to make, but I am my party’s front-bench spokesperson for the economy and it is a c...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Minister, please refrain. I remind members that the person who has the floor is the person who gets the shot at speaking. Please continue, Mr Johnson.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
There is a challenge for us all; I do not think that is a partisan point. If we are to deliver on the challenges of demography, climate change and all the ot...