Meeting of the Parliament 26 November 2025
I am afraid that I do not have any time left in the short time that is available.
It remains deeply disappointing that energy bills are £500 higher than the Labour Party promised before the UK general election. That has contributed to the cost of living crisis, which has also had an effect on our high streets and hospitality sector.
I must also mention the significant impact of Brexit, which has caused the primary and most damaging impact on the economy and public finances in the past decade. The conspiracy of silence from Labour and the Tories on the damage that Brexit has caused remains jaw dropping. The House of Commons library estimates that Brexit is costing the Treasury up to £90 billion a year in lost revenue, and that, for the average Briton, there has been a hit to GDP per head of up to £3,700. Brexit has generated significant barriers to trade and investment. The opportunities that would be presented by open access to a market of 450 million people are enormous for an outward-looking economy such as Scotland’s, which is why this Government believes that Scotland must rejoin the European Union as an independent nation.
Scotland is a country of tremendous opportunity, and this Government’s economic strategy outlines how we will utilise our strengths to do everything in our power to grasp that opportunity. We want the ability to ensure that Scotland’s renewable energy wealth delivers lower bills for households and businesses, a transformational competitive advantage for Scotland’s economy, restored membership of the EU and full self-government with independence, which will allow us to take control of our own economic affairs. That golden combination is how we will transform our economy, improve the lives of our people, protect the planet and put more money in people’s pockets.
I move amendment S6M-19895.3, to leave out from “and address” to end and insert:
“, including through delivering investment that can be utilised for public services such as Scotland’s NHS and to help Scotland’s journey to net zero; further believes that a fiscal regime for offshore industries must support a just transition for oil and gas workers, and support the development of Scotland’s key renewables sector; notes that UK Government tax changes on family farms and employer national insurance contributions have impacted Scotland’s economy, and calls on all parties to support efforts to rejoin the European Union and the European Single Market, recognising that Brexit has been the primary and most damaging impact on the economy and public finances in the last decade.”
16:14Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.