Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Scottish Economy: Autumn Statement 2023

Wednesday 24 January 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The autumn statement supported families and set out measures to grow the Scottish economy.
  • Traders in Scotland have accused the SNP Government of undermining the rejuvenation of high streets with a 6.7% tax hike through business rates.
  • The budget of the Scotland Office has increased by over 3 million since 2018-19, while the Scottish Government's budget allocation has seen a real-terms cut.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas Ross Con
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP asks about the economic impact of the recent Autumn Statement in Scotland.

Question

What assessment he has made of the impact of the autumn statement 2023 on the Scottish economy?

Answer from John Lamont

The autumn statement supported families and set out measures to grow the Scottish economy. With a stronger fiscal outlook, the Government have the space to cut taxes for hard-working people and businesses. That is highlighted by cuts to national insurance, benefiting 2.4 million people in Scotland, and the extension of full expensing, ensuring that the UK has one of the most competitive business tax regimes in the world.

Answered
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Q2 Douglas Ross Con
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP compares the recent UK Conservative Government's autumn statement with the SNP's budget, highlighting criticisms and business community opinions.

Question

The Minister is correct that the autumn statement from this UK Conservative Government provided tax cuts for millions of Scots, provided support for businesses and invested to grow the economy. That was in stark contrast to the SNP's budget last month, which hiked taxes on hard-working Scots, failed to pass on support to the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors, and has been widely criticised across Scotland. Does the Minister agree, as I do, with Sir Tom Hunter, who said at the weekend that the business community in Scotland does not believe that the SNP has its back, and does he agree that that must change?

Answer from John Lamont

I agree with my hon. Friend, and Sir Tom is right too. Traders in Scotland have accused the SNP Government of undermining the rejuvenation of high streets across Scotland with their tax hike of 6.7% through business rates. The SNP must stop attacking employers and high-street traders who are already under tremendous financial strain because of the SNP's mismanagement of Scotland's economy.

Answered
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Q3 Deidre Brock SNP
Scotland
Context

The MP raises concerns about the budget increase of the Scotland Office despite devolution, while the Scottish Government's budget has faced real-terms cuts. The questioner seeks clarity on how these resources are being used.

Question

Despite devolution rendering it pointless, the budget of the Scotland Office, along with that of the Attorney General, has jumped by over £3 million since 2018-19—it leapt up by £1.2 million just last year—while the Scottish Government's budget allocation suffered a real-terms cut. Around 80 people currently work for the Scotland Office in Queen Elizabeth House alone, along with around 30 civil servants from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. What on earth are they doing, and how does the Minister justify that to the Scottish taxpayer?

Answer from John Lamont

The team at the Scotland Office, both in Dover House and in Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, are doing a tremendous job supporting Scotland across the United Kingdom and around the world. I would be very happy to welcome the hon. Lady to meet some of them with me, so that she can understand more clearly the important work that they do on our behalf across the UK.

Not addressed: The specific activities of staff and justification for budget increase were not addressed directly; instead, an invitation to meet was offered.

How: Inviting Mp To A Meeting

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