Economic Growth 2024-12-04
2024-12-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about economic growth strategies and initiatives for Scotland.
What steps have you taken with Cabinet colleagues to help support economic growth in Scotland?
Economic growth is our No. 1 mission in this Government. We announced a historic Budget for Scotland that chose investment over decline and an end to austerity. On top of a record settlement, the UK Government are investing nearly £1.4 billion into local growth projects in Scotland, creating the national wealth fund to support our new industrial strategy and driving the transition to clean energy via Great British Energy, which is headquartered in Aberdeen.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP references the first Labour Budget in 14 years that delivered £4.9 billion for Scotland in Barnett consequentials, marking the biggest settlement since devolution.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the last Tory Government made promises to Scotland that they had no intention of keeping?
I thank my hon. Friend not only for that question but for the tenacity with which she has backed Kilmarnock to get more funding for her local area in the Budget. It is an absolute disgrace that the previous Government made promises to communities such as Kilmarnock about funding that they never had an intention of keeping. This Government stepped in and funded those projects, chose investment over decline and will deliver growth and higher living standards.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP visited Vector Photonics, a successful spin-out from Glasgow University.
What role does the Secretary of State believe there is for start-up and spin-out tech companies in Scotland's economic growth?
Supporting start-ups and spin-out tech companies and the world-leading Scottish universities that often incubate them is an important part of this Government's steadfast commitment to economic growth. It was privilege to see at first hand the importance of these spin-outs during my recent visit to Malaysia and Singapore, when I discussed this with the Scottish universities present in those countries and representatives from the Government and business.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP acknowledges the extension of Torness nuclear power station's life.
What more can he do to bring new nuclear development to Scotland?
This Government are committed to clean power by 2030, and of course, nuclear is part of that mix. I join the right hon. Gentleman in his tribute to Peter MacMahon as he steps down as the political editor of ITV in the Borders region.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or plans for new nuclear development were not provided
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of rising national insurance contributions on economic growth, citing potential increases in food prices.
What impact does the Minister think the rise in national insurance contributions will have on economic growth?
Economic growth is the No. 1 mission of this Government, as the hon. Gentleman knows. When the Chancellor came to the Dispatch Box to deliver her Budget, she started on minus £22 billion—that black hole left for us by the previous Government. We chose investment over decline and we chose to end austerity, so tough decisions had to be made.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Direct impact assessment was not provided
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP cites negative feedback from various sectors regarding the Government's Budget.
From which sector does he think this mythical growth will come?
Unlike the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie), I have actually run my own business, so I know that running a business needs stability, credibility and confidence. The previous Government crashed the economy, leaving it in tatters, and left business confidence at a record low. We are investing for the future, and businesses back that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Identifying specific growth sectors
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question was prompted by concerns over national insurance increases and tax rises affecting successful industries, family farms, and the rural economy. The Scottish Government's budget announcement was imminent.
I would take the right hon. Gentleman's responses more seriously if we did not all see, and indeed have just heard, how damaging his Government's actions are for the Scottish economy—national insurance increases and punitive tax rises on our most successful industries, putting at risk the future of family farms and the rural economy.
I will be corrected if I am wrong, but I think the hon. Gentleman backed former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who, when she was Prime Minister, crashed the economy and left a £22 billion black hole—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman shakes his head and says that he did not, but he walked through the Lobby with her when she did those things in her Budget. He did back former Prime Minister Liz Truss. We will take no lectures from the Opposition on how to run the economy or back business.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific economic policies and their impacts on Scotland were not addressed; instead, the response attacked the opposition's credibility.
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Scottish Government's budget announcement was imminent, and there were expectations of change after 17 years of perceived incompetence.
I am sure that, like the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie) and myself, the Secretary of State for Scotland is watching with bated breath for the latest Scottish Budget. After 17 years of incompetence, people are looking for change in Scotland, and the Labour party is promising it. Will the Secretary of State follow the initiative of his Scottish leader, Anas Sarwar, in saying he will reinstate the winter fuel allowance and make representations to the Prime Minister to reconsider other policies, such as the national insurance changes, which are creating instability and uncertainty for the Scottish economy?
I have a lot of respect for the hon. Lady, but this is another instance where the Opposition parties in this Chamber want all the benefits of the Budget, but they do not want to be able to pay for it. We have announced the largest settlement for Scotland in devolution's history: £47.7 billion, which is £4.9 billion extra. The Chancellor delivered £4.9 billion extra in Barnett consequentials alone from this Dispatch Box during the Budget—the SNP voted against it, but will spend it today.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific proposals to reinstate the winter fuel allowance and reconsider national insurance changes were not addressed; instead, the response focused on budget settlements.
Response accuracy