Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2025
It is going to be a long afternoon, given what we have just heard. However, I am pleased that we are having another economy debate—the second in a week. I hope that the trend will continue, because I like nothing more than discussing the Scottish and UK economies. I am going to enjoy these exchanges if we are going to more have more of them. In particular, I look forward to debating the vital role that the UK Government and its spending play in supporting the Scottish economy.
In last week’s debate, the Deputy First Minister accused me of being “relentlessly negative”—I think that was the term she used. It sounds like the tables have turned today, because the relentless negativity is coming from the Scottish National Party front bench in terms of what the UK Government has done. I would like to bring a little light, balance and positivity to the debate, for the benefit of the SNP front bench.
I hold no candle for the current UK Labour Government and will let my Labour colleagues who are sitting opposite defend what it is doing. The biggest concern that I hear from the business community is about the increase in employer national insurance contributions that is coming in just next month. I want to concentrate my efforts on what Conservative Governments did over the previous 14 years, from 2010 onwards.