Scottish Economy Support 2021-12-15
2021-12-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over recent governmental actions and their impact on the Scottish economy. The Scottish Budget last week was seen as a missed opportunity for recovery.
What recent steps have been taken to help support the Scottish economy? The Scottish Budget last week should mark an ambitious recovery plan, but it has failed to deliver adequately for hard-working families across Scotland and the UK.
The Budget and the spending review provide the largest annual block grant to the devolved Administration in Scotland since the Scotland Act 1998. Throughout the pandemic we have provided significant support, including through our furlough and self-employment schemes and additional support to businesses, on top of an extra £14.5 billion for the Scottish Government. We are also investing in new local infrastructure and regeneration projects through the levelling-up fund and community ownership fund, alongside the existing £1.5 billion investment in Scottish city and growth deals.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Scottish Budget last week was seen as a missed opportunity for recovery, while the UK Government's Budget offered tax cuts which did not adequately address needs of hard-working families across Scotland.
Does the Secretary of State accept that both the Scottish and UK Governments must go further to ensure economic recovery? The Scottish Budget should have marked an ambitious recovery plan but failed. Similarly, the UK Government's Budget offered tax cuts for bankers on business class flights but did not provide enough support for hard-working families.
I accept that both Governments need to work together—the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about that—but the UK Government are doing their bit, with a block grant of £41.3 billion, £4.6 billion higher than last year and the highest since devolution began; £14.5 billion of covid funding since the pandemic began; a furlough scheme supporting over 900,000 jobs in Scotland, and grants and loans to businesses totalling over £4 billion. The UK Government are doing exactly what they need to do to support the Scottish economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy