Meeting of the Parliament 12 June 2025
I would appreciate it if I could make some progress, Deputy First Minister.
By contrast, on the economic side, the Scottish National Party is propping up a system that is undercutting one set of workers by exploiting and underpaying others. That goes back to the point of Mr Balfour’s contention. We should be clear that there is absolutely nothing progressive about that situation. The SNP has presided over a scandal of low pay in our care sector, particularly across the whole of social care, which has driven people from the workforce. That is the SNP’s record, and it is not one to be proud of. That is the substantial lacuna in the Deputy First Minister’s considered remarks that opened today’s debate.
There are multiple widespread and deeply significant skills gaps in Scotland’s workforce across many industries. I cite the Open University’s “Business Barometer 2024” report, which showed that 56 per cent of businesses—a clear majority—are experiencing skills shortages in Scotland. Audit Scotland’s report on the Scottish Government’s infrastructure spend singled out skills shortages as a key factor in delayed projects and rising costs, which pose a huge problem to generating growth in our economy.
Industries such as construction are needed more than ever if Labour’s record investment in housing is to be mobilised by this Government. Instead, Scotland enters its second year of a housing emergency on the SNP’s watch, and the sector is crying out for workers. A report by Scottish Engineering in January of this year found that there are skills gaps for welders, machinists, electricians, manufacturing and maintenance technicians and engineers. It said:
“The skills pipeline gaps for these roles are in an immediately stark situation”.
The transition to net zero requires retrofitting and upgrades on a scale that requires more of those workers.