Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 19 November 2024
19 Nov 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Rural Economy (Impact of United Kingdom Government Budget)
Labour has made it absolutely clear that difficult and tough choices are being made on taxation. We have heard today that the SNP opposes the changes in inheritance tax and in national insurance. The black hole would be the £40 billion over the next two years that would be missing if those decisions were not taken. One cannot argue for no tax rises and at the same time mislead people by saying that we can continue the same level of public spending.
Every day I see the devastating impact of the austerity caused by Tory and SNP incompetence in the rural communities that I represent. After 17 years of decline under the SNP and 14 years of chaos under the Tories, Scotland faces a housing crisis that is strangling economic growth in our rural communities. Every week, I speak to businesses in rural areas that are struggling to recruit. They tell me that even when they can find workers who are interested in posts, they cannot take them up because there is nowhere affordable for them to live near the place of work.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-15508, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on the impact of the United Kingdom Government’s budget on Scotland’...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
Being in government presents both the opportunity and the challenge of making choices that have the potential to change people’s lives and livelihoods. Makin...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Did the SNP consult before it snatched £46 million away from the agricultural budget? Did it do an impact assessment?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I am more than happy to address that point. The member is well aware of where that funding came from. It was from underspends on demand-led schemes. It did n...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
On the argument that you make, who, when it comes to funding, is best placed to set the priorities for agriculture in Scotland: Westminster or the Scottish G...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Always speak through the chair, please.
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I have been clear in my comments that, of course, we welcome the fact that we can take decisions on that funding, but that does not take away from the fact t...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Not at the moment, as I need to make some progress. What has been allocated—£620 million—is wholly inadequate. That sum fails to account for inflationary pr...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
SNP
I have a simple question. I understand that the balance of the convergence money that was recommended by the Bew review, which is entirely for the benefit of...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
The outstanding recommendation from the Bew review relates to the discussion that was due to take place between the four nations about the intra-UK allocatio...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Sorry, no. I need to make some progress. As we know, actions speak louder than words, and I am proud of the work that we do to support Scotland’s farm, crof...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Jamie Halcro Johnston to speak to and move amendment S6M-15508.2. 14:50
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, which sets out that I am a partner in the family farming business of J Halcro-Johnston an...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Does Mr Halcro Johnston agree that two positive things that the Scottish Government could do, if it so wished, would be to help further diversification by th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I can give you the time back for that intervention, Mr Halcro Johnston.
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
I am grateful to Fergus Ewing for that intervention. Believe it or not, in 11 minutes, as somebody who is involved in the sector, I do not have time to cover...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
My amendment recognises that last month’s UK Government budget delivers the largest funding settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devoluti...
Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
The member is obviously enjoying iterating the budget settlement for the Scottish Government, but could he specifically address how this disaster of a budget...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Colin Smyth, I can give you the time back for the intervention.
Colin Smyth
Lab
Labour has made it absolutely clear that difficult and tough choices are being made on taxation. We have heard today that the SNP opposes the changes in inhe...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Colin Smyth
Lab
Yes, if I have time.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Mr Smyth will be aware that this Government has delivered more affordable housing per head of population than anywhere else in the UK has. I would certainly ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, Colin Smyth. However, interventions should generally be brief.
Colin Smyth
Lab
The Labour budget delivers extra funding for our public services, which the SNP has made clear that it opposes. Kevin Stewart’s claim about the SNP’s record ...
Finlay Carson
Con
When it comes to the economics of the madhouse, does the member think that the attack on family farms will put additional burdens on low-income families by i...
Colin Smyth
Lab
The challenge that the Tories have is that, if they want to oppose every change in inheritance tax, they have to say where the funding shortfall will come fr...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am offended by the language that Finlay Carson just used and I ask him to withdraw his comment about the “economics...