Hansard

John Swinney SNP Chamber

06 Dec 2022

Topical Question Time · Scottish Government Budget 2021-22 (Underspend)

Mr Kidd raises a topical point in relation to the mismanagement of the public services. At the Finance and Public Administration Committee this morning, the chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility revealed that there would be an extra £40 billion-worth of debt due to the...

The Convener: SNP Committee

15 Sep 1999

Work Programme

There are two avenues. First, committee members could do it. Duncan, for example, could contact the clerks and raise with them the issue that he has raised here. We could also decide to write to the parties involved—the local enterprise company or the minister—to obtain quick ...

The Convener: SNP Committee

15 Sep 1999

Work Programme

If we wanted to allocate an hour of our time every fortnight for a topical inquiry in which witnesses would appear before us, giving short notice would make it difficult for many of the people whom we want to see. On the other hand, there are many people who want to appear bef...

John Swinney SNP Committee

15 Jun 2011

Scottish Government Priorities

A number of factors will underpin difficulties in retail performance, but at the heart are undoubtedly consumer confidence and people’s confidence in their own income and circumstances. The Government’s approach to that is pretty well stated: we believe that household income i...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

15 Mar 2012

Scottish Executive Question Time · Perth (City Status)

For once, Mr Fraser has asked a topical and relevant question, to which he may even get a sympathetic answer if he plays his cards right.Perth has long been known as the fair city, and it is developing into a modern, dynamic international city that is able to play its part nat...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

23 Oct 2012

Topical Question Time · Hall’s Meat Processing Plant

We are committed to working with West Lothian Council and other task force partners to explore all options for a recovery plan, following the disappointing news of the closure of Hall’s of Broxburn. A meeting will be held on 24 October to discuss the plan in more detail and id...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

23 Oct 2012

Topical Question Time · Hall’s Meat Processing Plant

I say to Mr Findlay at the outset something that reinforces what I said to Councillor John McGinty, the leader of West Lothian Council. The Government will work in partnership with the local authority and other partners to tackle the economic issues and consequences that will ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

23 Oct 2012

Topical Question Time · Hall’s Meat Processing Plant

Throughout all the dealings on the issue of Hall’s of Broxburn, there has been tremendous co-operation across the political spectrum, and across public bodies and elected bodies in West Lothian. I have greatly appreciated the involvement of members of Mr Findlay’s party in the...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

23 Oct 2012

Topical Question Time · Hall’s Meat Processing Plant

Through the task force, the Government has worked closely with Vion to ensure that we have had access to a comprehensive range of financial information to enable us to determine some of the underlying difficulties and issues that were being confronted by Hall’s of Broxburn. Th...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

27 Nov 2012

Topical Question Time · Shipyards (BAE Systems)

BAE Systems is a hugely important employer in Scotland and we want to ensure that the strongest possible case for the retention of the Scottish yards is made and acted upon. We have to remember that Scotland’s yards are in a strong position—a point that union officials are rig...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

27 Nov 2012

Topical Question Time · Shipyards (BAE Systems)

I welcome Mr Doris’s comments. Over recent years, despite the political differences of opinion that exist, there has been an ability within Scotland for us to cooperate on many of the issues around the changes to defence infrastructure in this country, particularly those aroun...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

27 Nov 2012

Topical Question Time · Shipyards (BAE Systems)

The Government engages in a clear measure of dialogue with BAE Systems in understanding the work of the yards and the economic implications of the activity that they support. On a practical level, our principal channel for that dialogue is Scottish Enterprise, and I will consi...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Grangemouth Refinery (Industrial Dispute)

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with senior management at INEOS and the trade union Unite over the past few weeks in relation to the inquiry into the conduct of a trade union official, pension negotiations and the long-term future of the site. We will c...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Grangemouth Refinery (Industrial Dispute)

I agree whole-heartedly with Mr MacDonald that the INEOS petrochemical plant is a substantial contributor to the Scottish economy and particularly to the economy of the Falkirk district. Its significance for employment and economic impact cannot be overstated. As a consequence...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Grangemouth Refinery (Industrial Dispute)

I undertake to keep Mr MacDonald, as the local member, informed of developments, and I will keep Parliament informed of any developments that involve the Government’s action. I agree that there is a basis on which the site’s future can be secured, which involves investment by ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Grangemouth Refinery (Industrial Dispute)

I agree with Iain Gray’s analysis that the issues around the consideration of a disciplinary case against a trade union official are hampering the substantive discussion, which is about the sustainability and future of the plant. That substantive discussion must be embarked on...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Local Government (Powers and Finance)

We remain committed to a partnership with local government to realise the benefits of integrated and improved services by using the powers and the finances that are available under current constitutional arrangements. That includes strengthening our collective efforts to mitig...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Local Government (Powers and Finance)

I agree whole-heartedly with Mr Harvie’s argument about the necessity of decentralising power in Scotland. I presided over the agreement of the concordat with local government in 2007, which transformed the nature of the relationship between national and local government and r...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Local Government (Powers and Finance)

I have two points to make on that, the first of which relates to the nature of the dialogue. I am all for having calm, cross-party dialogue on such questions, which I think can help advance our consideration of them, but I am also in favour of parties remaining faithful to the...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

08 Oct 2013

Topical Question Time · Local Government (Powers and Finance)

The Scottish Government accepted the Christie commission’s strong and valid conclusions, and we have embarked on a process of public sector reform that I think is now gathering significant pace and delivering improvements to the services that the public experience. It is impro...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

10 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Purchasing Managers’ Index Survey

The Scottish Government welcomes those figures, which are a further sign of continued strengthening in Scotland’s economy. The August Purchasing Managers’ Index recorded a record rate of expansion in business activity in Scotland, reporting that private sector output expanded ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

10 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Purchasing Managers’ Index Survey

I have made no secret of the fact that I disagree fundamentally with the chancellor’s decision, in his management of the economy since 2010, to reduce our capital budget by 33 per cent, albeit that that has been tempered to a reduction of 26 per cent. That was the wrong step t...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

10 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Purchasing Managers’ Index Survey

I welcome Mr Fraser to his new post in the Conservative Party, in which he will deal with enterprise and energy issues, but I fundamentally disagree with him about the impact of austerity on the economy. I readily acknowledge the need to ensure that the public finances are res...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

03 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Helicopter Safety

First of all, I express on behalf of the Scottish Government, and I know all of Parliament, our condolences to the families of the four people who lost their lives when the Super Puma helicopter crash took place on 23 August. I also express our sympathy to the other individual...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

03 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Helicopter Safety

I confirm to the Parliament that the Government will co-operate in all the ways we can with the industry in relation to the review of safety and the encouragement of safe utilisation of modes of transport in transporting individuals to the North Sea oil and gas sector. As I sa...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

03 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Helicopter Safety

That dialogue is crucial. It is vital that the industry engages in dialogue, as took place at the helicopter safety steering group, between employers and trade unions as representatives of the workforce. In observing closely the proceedings of the helicopter safety steering gr...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

03 Sep 2013

Topical Question Time · Helicopter Safety

I am obviously familiar with the issues that have been raised in connection with helicopter safety. I think that the most effective thing that we can do is wait until we have the full outcome of the inquiry into this particular circumstance before we decide whether there is me...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution discovered a faulty electronic relay at its Knocknagael substation, which is near Inverness. It is believed that the relay malfunctioned just before the outage last Wednesday. Circuit breakers identified a potential fault on the ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

I am happy to convey that point to SSE. In my dealings with the company in my constituency, I have always found it willing and able to provide substantial information about such issues and to provide such reassurance.As for the wider question of the grid system’s capability an...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

Mr Gibson makes an important point. Re-establishing power networks after an outage is a high priority for Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution. The incident took place at 20:36 and all connections were back up and running by 1 o’clock the following morning. Most wer...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

I have no information of that type, but I assure Mr Stewart that all relevant emergency agencies were involved in the calls that the First Minister convened. The priority of such discussions is twofold: to press to ensure that services and supplies are restored at the earliest...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

I am absolutely certain that it was not a contributing factor. Mr Johnstone is free to ask whatever questions he wishes, but I would think that what I said to the Parliament in my original answer—that Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution discovered a faulty electron...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

I am sure that Mr McArthur will appreciate that the issue that affected the reconnection in Orkney was subsequent to the original fault in the switching system. It prolonged the problem by about 90 minutes, which added to the inconvenience for members of the public in the Orkn...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

22 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Electricity Power Cut (Cause)

That is really the point that I was making to Mr Stewart in my earlier answer. The First Minister instructed the resilience operation to take place on that Wednesday evening. Local authorities and other agencies were already undertaking activity in advance of the activation of...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

01 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Independence (Currency Union)

The fiscal commission working group set out the clear economic case for Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom to retain sterling in a formal currency union. The admission from a UK Government minister “at the heart of the pro-union campaign” that “Of course there woul...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

01 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Independence (Currency Union)

Mr Hepburn makes a fair point of analysis. Opinion polls have clearly indicated that people in Scotland do not believe the bluff that we have heard from United Kingdom Government ministers and their allies in the Labour Party. What further demolishes that argument is the revel...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

01 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Independence (Currency Union)

Mr Hepburn makes a helpful suggestion—that the UK Government should embark on sensible negotiation rather than the foghorn diplomacy that we have heard from it in recent weeks and months on the subject.

John Swinney SNP Chamber

01 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Independence (Currency Union)

Nobody on the yes side of the argument who speaks on the Scottish Government’s behalf is making a eurozone type of proposal. We put forward a currency union that is in the interests of Scotland as an independent country and the rest of the United Kingdom. If Mr Smith wants to ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

01 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Independence (Currency Union)

I do not—for the simple reason that I came into politics with the objective of getting Trident and nuclear missiles out of Scottish waters. I have every intention of ensuring that that is exactly what happens with a yes vote in the referendum.

John Swinney SNP Chamber

01 Apr 2014

Topical Question Time · Independence (Currency Union)

The advice that we received is the advice that is contained in the fiscal commission’s report. I do not think that there has been any secrecy about that. That is the comprehensive advice that we have received on the question of the proposed currency union. I return to what I ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

30 Sep 2014

Topical Question Time · Fracking (Removal of Right to Object)

On 14 August 2014, the Scottish Government formally responded to the UK Government’s consultation on underground drilling access rights. The Scottish Government formally opposed the UK Government’s proposals to remove landowners’ rights in respect of drilling under their land ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

30 Sep 2014

Topical Question Time · Fracking (Removal of Right to Object)

I give Mr MacDonald the assurance that the Scottish Government will continue what we have being doing throughout our handling of the issue, which is to look at the issues that are raised by unconventional gas opportunities through an evidence-based and led process. That is dem...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

30 Sep 2014

Topical Question Time · Fracking (Removal of Right to Object)

Mr MacDonald will not be surprised to hear that I am a supporter of all the relevant powers being devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The UK Government’s response to the consultation highlights the necessity for decision making by politicians to be taken in accordance with an...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

30 Sep 2014

Topical Question Time · Fracking (Removal of Right to Object)

I recognise the issues that Claudia Beamish raises. An indication of the Government’s approach was given in the formulation of the national planning framework and the Scottish planning policy. Sections 245 and 246 of the Scottish planning policy give further detail on how the ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

30 Sep 2014

Topical Question Time · Fracking (Removal of Right to Object)

I simply reiterate to Mr Johnstone the answer that I gave to Mr MacDonald: the Government will continue in a considered and evidence-based way. That is how we have structured our approach to the issue, and that is why it is regrettable that the UK Government has taken the deci...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

30 Sep 2014

Topical Question Time · Fracking (Removal of Right to Object)

I can say to Mr Harvie that the Scottish Government does not support the removal of householders’ rights to object to oil and gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing beneath their homes. We have been clear about that, and if we had the opportunity to do something different, we w...

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

13 May 2014

Topical Question Time · North Sea Oil (Wealth Fund)

The two reports that were written by Professor Gavin McCrone, which were highlighted this weekend, provide further evidence of the mismanagement of Scotland’s oil and gas resources by successive United Kingdom Governments. The costs of ignoring that advice are now clear. Norw...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

13 May 2014

Topical Question Time · North Sea Oil (Wealth Fund)

Analysis of that point was undertaken by the fiscal commission working group, which concluded that, if Scotland had established an oil fund in 1980, it could have eliminated its share of UK public sector debt by 1982-83 and could have accumulated substantial financial assets o...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

13 May 2014

Topical Question Time · North Sea Oil (Wealth Fund)

The information that became available at the weekend demonstrated that an active and deliberate choice was made in the 1970s to use the resources from North Sea oil and gas not to provide long-term economic security for the people of Scotland but to prop up the failing UK econ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

13 May 2014

Topical Question Time · North Sea Oil (Wealth Fund)

No, it is not. What that question ignores—which Mr Gray always ignores—is the stronger financial position that Scotland is in. If Mr Gray happens to look at the “Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland” information for the past five years, he will see that it shows Scotlan...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

13 May 2014

Topical Question Time · North Sea Oil (Wealth Fund)

The first thing to say in answering that point is to put on the record once again that, given the advice and given the opportunity to invest in a long-term oil fund over the past 40 years, the UK Government decided not to embark on that proposition. With the assistance of the ...

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

09 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Cold Weather Disruption

The current weather situation is that we have a windy and unsettled week ahead of us, with many areas of the country experiencing their first snowfall of the season. Although such weather is not unusual in Scotland at this time of year, it is necessary to prepare accordingly....

John Swinney SNP Chamber

09 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Cold Weather Disruption

The salt stocks in Scotland as at 1 December 2014 are 639,120 tonnes, which includes 90,000 tonnes in the strategic salt reserve. That is almost double the stock that was used last winter, and as much as was used during the severe weather in 2010-11, which was a particular cha...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

09 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Cold Weather Disruption

Obviously, judgments must be arrived at a local level by individual authorities, which will have to take into account particular circumstances in their own localities, given that conditions can vary quite dramatically from area to area. Although we take a proactive approach t...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

09 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Cold Weather Disruption

A series of incremental steps has been taken to ensure that that has taken place. The rail network has been upgraded to ensure that we have greater resilience on these questions. Mr Johnstone will appreciate the extremity of temperatures that was experienced four years ago; th...

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

16 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Voting (16 and 17-year-olds)

That issue was discussed when the Prime Minister and the First Minister met yesterday. The Prime Minister gave a commitment that the necessary transfer of powers will be undertaken in time to allow the Scottish Parliament to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds for the ...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

16 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Voting (16 and 17-year-olds)

The events to which Clare Adamson refers—the debate in the Hydro that involved many thousands of 16 and 17-year-old voters, which was viewed objectively to have been one of the best and most effective debates of the entire referendum campaign, and the enormous participation by...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

16 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Voting (16 and 17-year-olds)

There is no reason why that should not be the case. Many young people who participated in the referendum in September will be somewhat disappointed that they cannot participate in the Westminster election that will take place in May. The case for extending the voting franchise...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

16 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Voting (16 and 17-year-olds)

I extend a warm welcome to Jackie Baillie in her role of shadowing me in the Parliament in the period ahead. I look forward to working with her as co-operatively as I have always worked with my counterparts in other parties, and I look forward to her contribution. The questio...

John Swinney SNP Chamber

16 Dec 2014

Topical Question Time · Voting (16 and 17-year-olds)

As Miss Goldie knows, the Scottish Government is nothing but co-operative with and helpful to the UK Government, and we look forward to that approach being reciprocated by our counterparts in the UK Government. A lot of good intergovernmental work goes on but, as Miss Goldie ...