Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Scottish Businesses

Wednesday 10 March 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alun Cairns expressed concern over the effectiveness of economic support for Scottish businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • The UK Government's support package has supported one in three jobs in Scotland and provided more than 3.5 billion in loans.
  • The response highlighted the benefits of the Union, noting majority support for it over independence.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alun Cairns Con
Economy Scotland
Context

The question arises from concerns over how well UK government initiatives have supported Scottish businesses amidst the pandemic, with a focus on job security and financial assistance.

Question

I am concerned about the effectiveness of economic support for Scottish businesses during the covid-19 outbreak. What assessment has been made?

Answer from Alister Jack

Last week's Budget provides continued UK-wide support and security to manage the ongoing impacts of covid-19. One in three jobs in Scotland have been supported by the UK Government's unprecedented employment support package. Scottish businesses have benefited from more than £3.5 billion of loans and support, driven by UK Government schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide an explicit assessment of effectiveness or any statistical measure to substantiate the claim about job security and financial assistance.

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Q2 Alun Cairns Con
Scotland
Context

The question addresses the benefits of the Union and the strength of the UK Government's financial resources, highlighting the support provided to Scotland through devolved Administrations.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the benefits of the Union have come to the fore over the last 12 months due to the strength of the UK Government's balance sheet?

Answer from Alister Jack

My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct, and the majority of people in Scotland agree. They rejected independence in 2014 and recent opinion polls show they do not trust the Scottish National party or its leader.

Not addressed: Did not address the strength of the UK Government's balance sheet during the pandemic, instead focusing on political opinions about the Union.

How: Changed Subject To Independence And Trust Issues

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Q3 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Taxation Scotland
Context

Concern over the transparency of how unspent funds are being used, following a recent Audit Scotland report estimating that £2.7 billion was unspent and concerns about unfair renewables policy.

Question

How will we get a full transparent audit from the Scottish Government on unspent business covid support?

Answer from Alister Jack

We need more transparency on the spending of the £9.6 billion of covid support and business support that the Scottish Government have received. Ofgem is currently considering some aspects of transmission charging arrangements through its access and forward-looking charges review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on how to get a full transparent audit, instead discussing ongoing reviews by Ofgem.

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Q4 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Concern over the financial services sector in Scotland, which employs 162,000 people and is nearly 10% of the Scottish economy, and its future after Brexit.

Question

Will the Secretary of State guarantee that the memorandum of understanding on financial services gives this critical industry equivalence and access to EU markets?

Answer from Alister Jack

The UK and the EU have agreed in a joint declaration to establish structured regulatory co-operation for the financial services industry. A memorandum of undertaking will be agreed in discussions between us and the EU, but we cannot give a running commentary on these ongoing talks.

Not addressed: Did not provide a concrete guarantee or assurance regarding equivalence and access to EU markets for the financial services sector post-covid and post-Brexit.

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