Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Growing Scotland’s Economy

Craig Hoy S6M-19895 That the Parliament believes that the UK Budget should be an opportunity to promote economic growth, deliver investment in Scotland and address the alarming increase in economic inactivity; recognises the importance of backing working households, easing cost pressures and protecting Scotland’s rural economy; believes that ending the Energy Profits Levy is essential to secure investment in the North Sea; emphasises that the UK Labour administration’s tax rises on family farms and small businesses are deeply damaging and should be reversed, and warns against further tax rises; calls on the Scottish Government to prioritise growth with measures to improve productivity, support small businesses, tackle soaring welfare costs and strengthen Scotland’s fiscal position, and believes that both of Scotland’s governments must urgently prioritise economic stability, investment and opportunity as the foundations of sustainable public services within the UK. Further details available for S6M-19895 Ivan McKee S6M-19895.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-19895 in the name of Craig Hoy (Growing Scotland’s Economy), leave out from “and address” to end and insert “, including through delivering investment that can be utilised for public services such as Scotland’s NHS and to help Scotland’s journey to net zero; further believes that a fiscal regime for offshore industries must support a just transition for oil and gas workers, and support the development of Scotland’s key renewables sector; notes that UK Government tax changes on family farms and employer national insurance contributions have impacted Scotland’s economy, and calls on all parties to support efforts to rejoin the European Union and the European Single Market, recognising that Brexit has been the primary and most damaging impact on the economy and public finances in the last decade.” Further details available for S6M-19895.3 Michael Marra S6M-19895.4 As an amendment to motion S6M-19895 in the name of Craig Hoy (Growing Scotland’s Economy), leave out from “UK Budget” to end and insert “delivery of a successful Scottish economy depends on stability in the UK public finances and a long-term plan to invest for future growth; recognises the challenging global circumstances, including the continued threat of tariffs, which create uncertainty and risk deterring investment and dampening growth; notes with concern that lower earnings and employment growth in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK are reducing the impact of tax policy in Scotland; agrees with the Auditor General for Scotland that ‘the Scottish Government has not set out clearly enough how it plans to address this economic challenge in future years, and what this would do to support fiscal sustainability’, and calls on the Scottish Government to work in proper partnership with the UK Government to deliver stability, long-term growth and prosperity across Scotland.” Further details available for S6M-19895.4 Lorna Slater S6M-19895.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-19895 in the name of Craig Hoy (Growing Scotland’s Economy), leave out from first "believes" to end and insert "calls on the UK Government to deliver a budget that supports a fairer, greener economy for Scotland by introducing an annual wealth tax on the wealthiest 1% of households in the UK, raising between £70 billion and £130 billion a year, to invest in communities, public services and climate action across Scotland, including reducing the cost of energy and other essentials for those who are struggling with the cost of living and inflation." Further details available for S6M-19895.1 Jamie Greene S6M-19895.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-19895 in the name of Craig Hoy (Growing Scotland’s Economy), leave out from first “should” to end and insert "must be a turning point, which delivers real economic growth, tackles the cost of living crisis and seeks a closer relationship with Europe; understands that far too many families are struggling to get by and believes that businesses have been held back by the increase to employer national insurance contributions; calls for an emergency plan to give immediate help through a 5p VAT cut for hospitality, accommodation and attractions until April 2027, alongside the removal of the main renewables obligation from people's electricity bills, funding both through a new windfall tax on large banks and saving households £270; notes the analysis by Audit Scotland that shows that there is a projected deficit of £4.7 billion in the Scottish Budget by 2029-30, for which ministers have not provided detailed plans, and believes that Scotland deserves better than this, but that it needs to be a change with fairness at its heart.” Further details available for S6M-19895.2