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Questions why the Labour party is ignoring the impact of Brexit in Scotland despite a majority favouring remaining in the European Union.
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Highlights the scandalous waste of produce during a cost-of-living crisis, noting that there is insufficient manpower to harvest fruit and vegetables.
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Challenges the credibility of the Scottish Conservatives for demanding both adherence to and mitigation against disastrous policies following Brexit, suggesting hypocrisy in their demands on Scotland’s government.
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Flynn challenges John Lamont's position, emphasising the negative impact of Brexit on Scotland and questioning the benefits it has brought.
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Jardine highlights the irony in SNP members complaining about being dragged out of a successful union while seeking to leave an even more successful one.
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Hendry points out that Scotland exports 63% of its manufactured goods outside the UK and questions the Minister on the benefits of Brexit for Scotland's economy.
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Brown presses the Minister to explain the benefits of Brexit when it is clear from figures that it has had a negative impact on Scotland’s manufacturing sector and cost of living.
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Linden criticises the UK Government for failing to address food bank usage in Scotland, suggesting that such issues are exacerbated by Brexit and lack of government action.
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Callaghan questions what sum from £40 billion lost due to Brexit constituents should be grateful for, emphasising the economic impact felt by those who voted to remain in the EU.
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Atherton criticises SNP members for wasting £500 million on ferries that do not float and questions their focus on cost of living debates while making poor financial decisions.
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Evans points out the additional costs associated with adapting committee meeting rooms for a proposed new Committee, questioning the feasibility of SNP’s proposal.
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Murray discusses the importance of addressing child poverty and food bank usage across the UK. He criticises both UK and Scottish Governments for their failure to address these issues effectively.
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Called for courtesy during interventions.
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Argued that the motion, proposed by SNP, is a cynical attempt to push their political agenda. Stated that leaving the EU has had an impact but disagreed with those saying it is ongoing and worsening. Emphasised that issues like rising prices are mostly due to covid and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, not Brexit. Criticised SNP for attributing all problems to Brexit and advocating independence as a solution. Welcomed interventions on referendums results and democratic acceptance. Discussed measures taken by the Conservative Government such as energy price guarantee, cost-of-living payment, winter fuel payments, benefit increases, and national living wage increase. Highlighted the economic benefits of post-Brexit trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.
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Responded to criticism from David Duguid about her comments, clarifying that she did discuss both covid and Ukraine but noted that Brexit remains an issue. Asked for clarity on the future trajectory of food inflation.
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Asked about expected figures for food inflation by the end of the year.
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Requested to intervene but no specific position given.
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Expressed concern over additional checks on food imports due later this year, suggesting these could maintain or exacerbate food inflation.
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Requested to intervene but no specific position given.
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Questioned the consistency of government's stance on border checks and trade deals, citing contradictions between recent statements.
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Discussed the negative economic impact of Brexit, citing that UK GDP has been reduced by 5% while the gain from CPTPP is only 0.08%. He highlighted the struggle faced by fishing fleets in his constituency due to increased costs and quotas.
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Emphasised that austerity over a decade has undermined public services, leading to high unemployment rates, poverty among children, and energy affordability issues. He mentioned the Lancet's report linking Brexit to the cost of living crisis, impacting not just households but also local and devolved governments.
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Welcomes the debate on the cost of living crisis and agrees with SNP's motion. She highlights that increases in cost of living are having a devastating impact, especially due to insufficient resources and Tory economic decisions. Beth mentions the significant number of people struggling in her constituency based on survey results, including cutting down on heating and essentials, and growing use of food banks. She emphasises the problem with pay and profiteering, citing data from ONS showing real pay is down by £35 a week compared to 15 years ago due to Tory government’s policies. Beth also discusses the loss of funding as a result of Brexit and calls for new thinking on devolution and strengthening solidarity union. She supports progressive policies in Wales but criticises UK Tory Government's failure to alleviate hardship, advocating for alternatives like wealth tax and inflation-proofed pay rises.
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Disagreed with Labour's position on Brexit and its impact on Scotland. Emphasised the cost of living crisis caused by Brexit, noting that UK GDP is down by 4%, trade has reduced by 15%, £29 billion in business investment lost, and a third of NHS workforce left the country. Cited economic data showing higher food inflation post-Brexit. Criticised Labour for not opposing Brexit and ignoring Scotland's democratic will. Highlighted increasing poverty rates, especially among children, and loss of workers' rights due to Brexit. Mentioned challenges faced by single parents on zero-hours contracts.
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Critiqued austerity policies for contributing to the cost of living crisis before the Ukraine war, pandemic, and Brexit. Emphasised that austerity was a political choice affecting people for over 10 years. Highlighted issues in hospice care funding, dental care access, child poverty rates, and food bank usage in her constituency.
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The SNP member criticises the Unionist mindset, questioning why Northern Ireland has more powers than Scotland. He argues that a new Committee is necessary to examine the impacts of Brexit and expose Labour's and Conservatives' inability to address labour shortages, unpicked crops, and rising food prices due to Brexit rules. He cites an example from Shane Brennan regarding increased import taxes on EU food imports post-Brexit and criticises the Conservative government for breaking promises on VAT cuts for energy bills and the £90 billion savings promised by Vote Leave. Brown also discusses the impact of a weaker pound on imported goods, highlighting missed opportunities in renewable energy supply chain development and the need for changes in procurement processes to incentivise local content. He laments the lack of long-term planning with regard to oil and gas resources, calling for independence as the best way forward for Scotland.
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The Conservative member criticises SNP Scottish Government's failure to expand economic growth or look after vulnerable individuals in society. He argues that they continually blame Westminster for their failures and seek another independence referendum, which he finds frustrating.
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The cost of living is the top issue for constituents. The UK's exit from the EU has significantly contributed to this crisis. A dedicated Select Committee should investigate all aspects of the soaring cost of living and Brexit's impact. The Lib Dems' opposition is seen as avoiding responsibility due to their past political decisions. Rural areas are hit hardest, with many households at risk of fuel poverty. Legislation must consider rural communities' unique challenges, such as income disparities and high energy costs.
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The cost of living crisis is a serious issue that constituents continue to raise. He criticises both the Government and Labour party for boycotting the debate, attributing the crisis to 13 years of Tory austerity and Brexit. He cites statistics showing inflation rising due to food and fuel prices increasing after the fall in the value of the pound post-Brexit. Industries face labour shortages, increased bureaucracy, tariffs, and customs duties post-Brexit, which are passed on to consumers as higher prices. Scottish businesses will be hit with new inspection charges on food entering from the EU. He argues that Brexit negotiations have been slow and difficult, while people struggle to make ends meet due to poverty increasing for three consecutive years. The crisis requires changes in social security policy and short-term price controls on food, diversification of energy supplies, among other measures.
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Critiques the UK Government's handling of the cost of living crisis, blaming Brexit for economic woes. Highlights issues such as food bank usage, energy costs, and support for disabled families. Emphasises the need for a dedicated Committee to address these issues.
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People are extremely concerned about the cost of living, especially as mortgages rise. The speaker criticises both the Conservative and Labour parties for their lack of action regarding Brexit's impact on the economy. They argue that a committee should investigate the financial implications of Brexit, which has cost around 5.5% or 4% of GDP annually, equating to £40 billion in lost tax revenue. The speaker highlights how Brexit has made life more difficult for families and exacerbated issues such as skills shortages across various sectors including health services and tourism due to post-Brexit immigration policies. They also note the rise in food prices as a direct consequence of Brexit rather than other factors like the Ukraine war.
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The SNP is proposing an inquiry committee to delve into the root causes of the cost of living crisis, particularly focusing on how Brexit has exacerbated existing issues. It emphasises the need for cross-party collaboration and evidence-based solutions.
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Emphasised that the cost of living challenges are global and driven by Putin's illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the covid pandemic. Acknowledged the substantial support provided by the UK Government, including £900 for households on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioner households, a £150 payment for people receiving disability benefits, energy price guarantees, £400 off energy bills, and various other measures amounting to an estimated £94 billion. Highlighted the Conservative Government's actions such as increasing the national living wage, cutting universal credit taper rate, providing support through free childcare expansion, and supporting UK fishermen. Also criticised Opposition parties for their proposals and blamed Labour for poor economic management.
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Questioned the Minister about the impact of Brexit on energy bills, noting that post-Brexit trading arrangements have added £1 billion to energy costs. Asked what Brexit dividends are offsetting this increase.
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Agreed with the Minister’s stance on Brexit's benefits for UK fishermen, citing the concerns of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation over SNP and Green Government plans that could ban fishing.