Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Inward Investment: Scotland

Thursday 31 October 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Grady thanked the Minister for the largest Budget settlement for the Scottish Government in devolution's history.
  • The Minister stated that political stability with Labour majorities in Scotland, Wales, and England is now present.
  • Chris Law noted that Scotland has been the UK's top-performing area outside London for foreign direct investment for nine consecutive years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Grady Lab Glasgow East
Scotland
Context

The MP questioned steps to attract inward investment, noting a significant budget settlement for the Scottish Government. He referenced a Fraser of Allander Institute report stating that only 9% of Scottish businesses believe the Scottish Government understands their business environment.

Question

I thank my right hon Friend for his answer. Yesterday saw the largest Budget settlement for the Scottish Government in devolution's history. The Labour party's commitment to Scotland runs through this Government. Last week, the Fraser of Allander Institute reported that only 9% of Scottish businesses agree that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland. Does my right hon Friend agree that Government understanding of business is crucial for driving investment and growth in Scotland, and that it is critical that the Scottish Government improve their understanding?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Businesses in Scotland have been let down by two failed Governments. We have had a decade of division and decay in Scotland, and I am glad to see political stability with Labour now having majorities in Scotland, Wales, and England. At the same time, we are committed to genuine partnership and working with the Scottish Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific need for improving government's understanding of business environment was not addressed directly; instead focused on general political statements

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Q2 John Grady Lab Glasgow East
Scotland
Context

The MP noted the largest Budget settlement for the Scottish Government and referenced a Fraser of Allander Institute report on business understanding.

Question

Yesterday saw the largest Budget settlement for the Scottish Government in devolution's history. The Labour party's commitment to Scotland runs through this Government. Last week, the Fraser of Allander Institute reported that only 9% of Scottish businesses agree that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland. Does my right hon Friend agree that Government understanding of business is crucial for driving investment and growth in Scotland, and that it is critical that the Scottish Government improve their understanding?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Businesses have been let down by failed Governments. We now have political stability with Labour having majorities in Scotland, Wales, and England. At the same time, we are committed to genuine partnership and working with the Scottish Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The need for improving government's understanding of business environment was not directly addressed; focused on political statements

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Q3 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP noted the ninth consecutive year of Scotland being the top-performing area for foreign direct investment outside London, but highlighted Brexit's negative impact on UK attractiveness as a base for exporting to EU markets.

Question

I am not surprised in the slightest to hear disparaging comments about business in Scotland. For the ninth consecutive year, Scotland under the SNP Scottish Government is the UK's top-performing area outside London for foreign direct investment, yet Brexit has reduced the attractiveness of the UK as a base for exporting to EU markets, overtaking France in foreign direct investment in Europe. Does the Minister recognise that reversing hard Brexit is crucial for inward investment and growth in Scotland?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Let me deal with failed Governments over the last decade. The reality is that Scottish public life has not improved in any aspect over the last 10 years. On Brexit, I recognise a need for fundamental reset with the EU and welcome work undertaken by the Prime Minister.

Not addressed: The specific ask on reversing hard Brexit was avoided; focused on past failures of previous governments instead

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