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Budget: Scotland
07 January 2025
Lead MP
Gregor Poynton
Livingston
Lab
Responding Minister
Kirsty McNeill
Tags
Scotland
Word Count: 14911
Other Contributors: 20
At a Glance
Gregor Poynton raised concerns about budget: scotland in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Budget aims to support working people by boosting the national living wage and extending the temporary 5p cut in fuel duty, benefiting an estimated 3.2 million people in Scotland by £58 a year. It also supports Scottish pensioners and those on welfare benefits by uprating working-age benefits by inflation.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Chancellor delivered a Budget that was the largest settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devolution, amounting to an additional £1.5 billion for the financial year and £3.4 billion in the next, resulting in a total of £47.7 billion for Scotland’s budget in 2025-26. The Budget supports Scottish businesses, provides funding for green freeports, city growth deals, and hydrogen projects to fire up growth across Scotland.
Orkney and Shetland
Asked the hon. Member to explain the rationale for removing the ringfence around agricultural support payments.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
He criticised the UK Government's Budget, stating that it has caused business confidence to plummet, inflation to rise, and growth to stall. He highlighted concerns from various business organisations about the impact of tax hikes on Scotland.
Edinburgh West
Welcomed the increase in NHS investment but criticised the SNP Government's mismanagement leading to chaos in public services and ferries. Highlighted concerns about tough decisions made by the new UK Government. Asked the Minister to give way multiple times during her speech.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Asked the hon. Member what he meant by “buy now and pay later” when Scottish Governments must have a balanced budget every year. Acknowledged some welcome aspects of the Budget but described it as an unmitigated disaster for Scotland, imposing billions of pounds of service cuts and tax rises. Defended NHS Scotland, pointing out higher spending per head and more doctors and nurses compared to the rest of the UK. Complained about the tax burden placed on Scottish people, stating that unlike the SNP, Labour did not increase national insurance or VAT on working people in Scotland. Criticised the impact of changes by the Scottish Government on rural communities.
Arthur Janvrin
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Asked how Conservatives would have raised money needed to fund services in Scotland without opposition from SNP.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Asked for an intervention but was denied by Dave Doogan; later asked about green jobs and Berwick Bank consent process.
Graeme Downie
SNP
Dunfermline and Dollar
Spoke as an expert on the mineworkers’ pension scheme, likely referencing its implications in the Budget context.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Asked how changes to national insurance contributions, which mean Aberdeenshire council has to find an extra £13 million in its budget this year, would help with education standards and health in Aberdeenshire. The Chancellor's decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions impacts business resilience, growth, investments, hiring decisions, and longevity. The tax rise is a betrayal of Labour’s promise not to raise taxes on working people, including national insurance. Discussed the reliance of 60% of farms in Scotland on APR, claiming it is important for food security and employment. Highlighted concerns over changes to APR that would affect farmers.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Discussed the issue of pregnant mothers having to travel long distances for maternity care, highlighted the closure of a consultant-led maternity service in Caithness under SNP Government rule, raised concerns about mental health services in rural areas.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Despite the Labour Government's £47.7 billion funding commitment for Scotland, the NHS remains in crisis with one in six Scots on waiting lists. The SNP-controlled council cut £19.1 million from health and social care. Asked whether increasing taxes on whisky was an attempt to buy off union paymasters, suggesting it is more about delivering a pay rise for hard-working Scots. Talked about social care problems in Renfrewshire, highlighting issues with funding.
John Grady
Lab
Glasgow East
The Budget delivered by the Chancellor is pro-growth and pro-industry, providing more funds to state schools in Glasgow, increasing the national living wage for thousands of constituents, and delivering a pensioner boost through the triple lock. The SNP has no excuses as the UK Labour Government provided £4.9 billion additional funding over two years for Scotland's public finances. Emphasised that business confidence is growing due to the Budget.
Airdrie and Shotts
The Budget marks an end to Tory austerity, prioritising economic growth and public services for Scotland’s working people after nearly two decades of SNP mismanagement and incompetence. Championed the support for manufacturing jobs within the Budget.
Martin McCluskey
Lab
Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
Responded to Dave Doogan, emphasizing that the tax burden was indeed high when Labour came into power.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
Commented on the autumn 2024 UK Budget, praising it for ending austerity and delivering significant funding for Scotland's public services and economic growth. Discussed the difficult choices made within the Budget context.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Asked if the decline in Labour support in Scotland is due to discussions about the Scottish Government.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Discussed the opportunity to boost Scotland's renewable sector through investment, securing the future of the Methil yard in his constituency, saving over 350 jobs and apprenticeships. Discussed the opportunities in the energy sector supported by the Budget.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Questioned how austerity could be declared over when winter fuel payment was removed and a refusal to end the two-child cap had been made by the Labour Government. Labour Members are accused of fiscal mismanagement, but examples such as Hinkley Point delays and spending on Trident are cited as actual fiscal mismanagement.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Argued that the Scottish Government is mismanaging public services, especially healthcare, leading to long waiting times and inefficient use of funds in regions like Western Isles. Critiqued local NHS services, describing them as 'unfortunately in name only' due to mismanagement.
Tracy Gilbert
Lab
Edinburgh North and Leith
Inquired about the timeline for approving Berwick Bank to enable investment in renewable energy projects. Welcomed the allocation of £150 million to community projects across the UK, including a new MacMillan Hub in Edinburgh North and Leith that will provide an accessible and high-quality creative learning space alongside other services. Addressed the new deal for working people as part of the Budget.
North East Fife
Asked the Minister to give way, contributing minorly to the debate.
Government Response
Kirsty McNeill
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
Government Response
Conceded that difficult decisions were made in the Budget to restore economic stability, emphasising that it was a great Budget for Scotland with the largest real-terms settlement for the Scottish Government since devolution. The Minister highlighted additional funding of £1.5 billion and £3.4 billion respectively this financial year and next year, stressing that the budget protected working people in Scotland and delivered more money than ever before for public services. Provided details of the largest financial settlement to the Scottish Government with £1.5 billion this year and £3.4 billion next, stressing that failures in public services are due to inadequate use by the SNP government.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.