Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 09 June 2026 [Draft]
09 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Growing Scotland’s Economy
I will move on with my arguments first, thank you.
That is a national failure and one that must be addressed by growth and coupled with reform of the benefits system.
Another of the core reasons for the underperformance is that Scotland has become the highest-taxed part of the UK. Whether it is income tax, property taxes or other costs such as minimum unit pricing for alcohol, the cumulative burden is clear. Our taxes are too high and the system is too complex. It is riddled with cliff edges that discourage people from taking on extra work or progressing in their careers. It makes Scotland less competitive and less attractive, particularly when we try to recruit skilled professionals from the rest of the UK. Nowhere is that clearer than in our national health service, where doctors and consultants are increasingly reluctant to take on additional shifts or even to relocate here.
The reality is simple. The most expensive purchase that any person makes in their life is not their home, their car or their holiday—it is their Government. Unlike any other purchase, they have no choice but to pay for it. Indeed, last week, we heard, thanks to the—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy. I call Stephen Flynn to speak to and ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport (Stephen Flynn)
SNP
When I made the decision to stand for election to this Parliament, I did so because I believe that our nation’s future is full of potential and that it is ou...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the member accept an intervention?
Stephen Flynn
SNP
They are the generations that entered the world of work during a global financial crisis and lived through the austerity years of Cameron and Clegg that foll...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark)
Lab
I remind the member of the convention that interventions are not taken during a first speech and that this is Mr Flynn’s first speech.
Rachael Hamilton
Con
I apologise, but I am grateful to Stephen Flynn for taking the intervention. Does Mr Flynn agree with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, whi...
Stephen Flynn
SNP
There is an irony in Rachael Hamilton intervening when I was making a point about austerity when we consider the damage that was done by her party to the Uni...
Craig Hoy (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
Will Mr Flynn take another intervention?
Stephen Flynn
SNP
I am sure that Mr Hoy is away to apologise for Liz Truss.
Craig Hoy
Con
I thank our newbie for giving way during his maiden speech. Will he now take the opportunity to apologise to the tens of thousands of oil and gas workers in ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark)
Lab
Mr Hoy, I remind you that you must treat all members with courtesy at all times.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
I gave Mr Hoy the opportunity to apologise for Liz Truss, but I notice that he chose not to do so, which is something that I have no doubt will sit heavily o...
Willie Rennie (Fife North East) (LD)
LD
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Stephen Flynn
SNP
—and that is why, thirdly, we will back the industries of the future.Talking about the future, I will give way to Willie Rennie.
Willie Rennie
LD
He is a charmer, is he not?On the point about skills and the workforce, what is the cabinet secretary’s answer to the high levels of economic inactivity in t...
Stephen Flynn
SNP
The point that Mr Rennie rightly makes is incredibly important, and it is no surprise that he chose to make it. I tried to reference in my remarks the import...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Reform)
Reform
The cabinet secretary has made a good point about speeding up the planning system; however, we have been talking about that for years. Does he have any speci...
Stephen Flynn
SNP
If Graham Simpson has been talking about it for years in the chamber but not been able to deliver it, that may be a reflection on his abilities. However, I a...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I am not sure whether I have had the chance before to welcome you to your place, Deputy Presiding Officer, but I do so now. I also welcome the cabinet secret...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am listening carefully to the member’s point. He will presumably acknowledge that the Labour Government’s ban on new exploration and production will not he...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
The member completely fails to acknowledge the bodged process that the previous UK Government put in place, which is why those licences ended up in the Supre...
Craig Hoy
Con
Made a request to intervene.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I apologise, Mr Hoy; I would like to make a little bit of progress.For all three things, we have the powers here, but we fail to focus on them. On place, if ...
Duncan Massey (North East Scotland) (Reform)
Reform
I extend my congratulations to Stephen Flynn on his new role as cabinet secretary. I very much welcome the debate on growing Scotland’s economy, because I be...
Craig Hoy
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Duncan Massey
Reform
I will move on with my arguments first, thank you.That is a national failure and one that must be addressed by growth and coupled with reform of the benefits...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention on that point?
Duncan Massey
Reform
Yes, I will.
George Adam
SNP
Surely, to use the member’s metaphor that the biggest purchase that an individual will make will be their Government, we could say that, every five years, we...
Duncan Massey
Reform
I am not sure that it was overwhelming, and I am not sure that it was a vote on the tax system of Scotland.Anyway, we heard last week, thanks to the Mandelso...