Kenneth Gibson
No Party Affiliation · Scotland
“The next item of business is decision time. There are eight questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Amanda Bland is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Stephen Kerr will fall.”
“The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S7M-00492, on committee membership, and S7M-00505, on membership of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.”
“The next item of business is general question time. Many members wish to ask supplementary questions, so, in order to get in as many members as possible, I prefer short and succinct questions, with answers to match. Artificial Intelligence Data Centres (Planning Guidance) 1.”
“There are seven questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Tom Arthur is agreed to, the amendments in the names of Daniel Johnson, Murdo Fraser and Willie Rennie will fall.”
“The next item of business is consideration of revised business motion S7M-00480, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, revising this week’s business programme. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button.”
“Speak through the chair, please. Tim Eagle: The Scottish Conservatives recognise that a strong economy is not some optional extra but the foundation on which everything else depends. I actually agree with Reform, and others, that it is all about the economy.”
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“Party politics are largely left at the door, ensuring that our work is more impactful. For example, we have published 40 reports so far this session, and every single recommendation that we have made has been agreed consensually, with not one involving a division. Our seven members represent four political parties, and we have one member who sits as an independent.”
“I am pleased to speak in this debate on committee effectiveness, because it is crucial that Parliament practices are kept under review and that we continually improve in order to carry out the most effective possible scrutiny and to meet public expectations. I therefore welcome the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s inquiry into committee effectiveness and the excellent work that it has undertaken to date. The SPPA Committee asked me to discuss the approach and practices of the Finance and Public Administration Committee because it was mentioned as an example of good practice in the evidence gathered to date. Since the start of this session of Parliament, the FPA Committee has worked in a consensual, constructive and collective way to hold Government to account and to do so robustly where needed.”
“Those are being developed, in conjunction with communities and trade unions, to drive forward the improvement culture that everyone expects.”
“As the cabinet secretary knows, concerns have been raised by islanders and others who are frustrated that CalMac has not fulfilled all the terms of the current contract. I was pleased to hear that there will be more customer focus in the next contract, but what confidence does the cabinet secretary have and what steps are in place to ensure that CalMac will, indeed, be more customer focused in the forthcoming contract and in the months and years ahead? Fiona Hyslop: The technical compliance that I spoke about when I made the initial announcement will enable strategic oversight. Regarding delivery, instead of simply working to a contract that includes variations that can be used for flexibility in services, there will be a culture of continuous improvement in operations and of accountability to the KPIs that I referred to.”
“Nevertheless, when it comes to empowering our islands and delivery, we must go further and faster. 15:58”
“Arresting such trends requires more affordable housing, such as the £2.38 million that the Scottish Government has provided to build 34 council houses in Brodick, and the Arran Development Trust’s Rowarden project, which is a shining example of the possibilities. With £1.512 million from the Scottish Government, 18 affordable homes have been built and allocated— three of them just this week—allowing people to stay, work and thrive on the island. Crucially, Arran Development Trust did that with a proportionately much lower central Government grant than other island housing projects, which provides a possible template for other affordable housing projects. Our islands are central to Scotland’s identity. The 2018 act and the national islands plan have enhanced our focus on them.”
“Why, when the community expresses a clear preference to return to a system of return-only tickets for the sake of speed and efficiency, does CalMac refuse to listen? Regarding Holy Isle, the peace and tranquillity of the Buddhist convent there is under threat from proposals by Forestry and Land Scotland—a Scottish Government agency—to industrialise the area around Kingscross, across Lamlash Bay, with an unwanted timber export facility. No one locally supports the plans for Kingscross, and the strength of feeling against the project cannot be overstated. Island communities face stark demographic challenges. The number of people aged 65 and older on Arran has increased by 38 per cent since 2001, while the working-age population fell by 17 per cent and the number of children by 37 per cent.”
“More must be done to empower our island communities in relation to ferries. As Fergus Ewing touched on, it is widely recognised that the lack of islander representation on the CalMac, CMAL and David MacBrayne Ltd boards suits no one. It fuels perceptions that those organisations are detached from the islands that they exist to serve, and it leads to poorer decision making. Despite the issue being campaigned on for years, progress to improve islander representation has been limited at best. Why has the community on Cumbrae had to fight off a short-notice attempt by CalMac to overturn a summer timetable that has been in place for more than 40 years? I thank the Cabinet Secretary for Transport for reversing CalMac’s unilateral decision within a week.”
“Work to purchase Ardrossan harbour and redevelop it to accommodate the MV Glen Sannox and the MV Glen Rosa is crucial. The Government’s intention to bring the harbour into public ownership is enormously welcome, but it must be matched by delivery. Of course, there have been successes with ferries. For example, the introduction of the road equivalent tariff means that, for my constituents, ferry fares are cheaper now than they were 18 years ago, despite high inflation over that period. That has meant more visitors to the islands. I was an MSP in the summer of 2007, and I remember that the second ferry to Arran was an old tub called “The Saturn”, and that 15 per cent of its sailings were cancelled because of breakdowns. It ran only for a few weeks, whereas there is now a second ferry for six months. It has not all been bad news.”
“The 2018 act embedded island proofing in the formation of policy and legislation. The first national islands plan, introduced a year and a half after passage of the 2018 act, set out 13 strategic objectives and 134 specific commitments that are aimed at improving the quality of life for Scotland’s island communities. The sheer volume of commitments must be addressed in the second national islands plan. The majority of individuals and organisations who responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the first plan believed that the number was just too high. The next plan should prioritise, and deliver on, more tightly focused commitments, especially as islanders themselves do not feel that enough progress is being made. Let us take transport as the chief strategic concern.”
“Further, it was in Arran, while navigating the ridge between Beinn Tarsuinn and Cìr Mhòr, that outdoor writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish decided to dedicate the rest of his life “to climbing mountains and exploring wild places.” Arran can even claim that it has influenced rap, with musician Loyle Carner naming his breakout single “Isle of Arran” in tribute to the island and its deep personal significance. Despite our reverence for our islands and their mammoth cultural footprint, they face challenges that can seem invisible to those on the mainland: depopulation, housing shortages, fragile transport links and the high cost of living. The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 was a watershed moment, and Scotland is one of the few countries in the world to have created island- specific legislation.”
“I was pleased to hear Beatrice Wishart talk about tunnels. Having visited the Faroe Islands and seen its wonderful tunnel network, I certainly think that the Scottish Government should do more to explore the possibility of tunnels for some of our archipelagos. I have the privilege of representing the most beautiful of Scotland’s 93 inhabited islands— Arran, Cumbrae and Holy Isle—and it is a pleasure to debate empowering Scotland’s island communities today. Islands hold a special place in Scotland’s culture and our collective imagination. Writing in the British Journal of Photography in 1885, Sherlock Holmes writer Arthur Conan Doyle dubbed Arran “the epitome of the whole of Scotland” and said: “Nowhere can the wandering photographer find in such a small compass so many varying beauties upon which to exercise his skill”.”
“The timetable for implementing the changes that are proposed in the bill will be decided by the Parliament; we propose to implement the changes shortly after the bill receives royal assent. The bill and its accompanying documents have been published on the Scottish Parliament website. The bill was introduced on 26 March 2024 and is at stage 2 of the Parliament’s scrutiny. The Presiding Officer: As ever, concise questions and responses are appreciated. National Health Service (Delayed Discharges) 2.”
“In recent years, the Scottish Government has invested millions of pounds in infrastructure improvements for Gypsy Traveller sites. Scotland has 8,000 park home residents. There are three park home sites in my constituency that have—by contrast—received little support, and some sites are owned by Gypsy Travellers. When will the fees that are charged on park home residents be held to the consumer prices index, rather than the retail prices index, as the Minister for Housing suggested on 27 February? Kaukab Stewart: The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced on 26 March 2024, includes provisions to change the basis of pitch fee uprating under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 from the retail prices index to the consumer prices index.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the open debate. 18:21”
“We are seeing tangible steps forward, with record volunteer engagement; new legislation, such as the aforementioned Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024; expanded marine protections; and the steady integration of cutting- edge technology in conservation efforts, yet we cannot be complacent. If we are to preserve the integrity of our marine ecosystems for future generations, our actions now must match the scale of the threat. That means continuing to strengthen legislation, accelerating the roll-out of initiatives such as the deposit return scheme and supporting a ban on single-use plastic wet wipes by next year. The challenges before us are significant, but they are not insurmountable. Although the journey is far from over, with further preservation and sustained effort, the environmental tide may finally turn.”
“Overall, since 2022, the Scottish marine environmental enhancement fund has invested more than £3.8 million in 54 projects, restoring seagrass meadows, salt marshes and native oyster populations. Those projects not only improve biodiversity and coastal resilience, but contribute to blue carbon sequestration, which is a vital climate mitigation tool. As we reflect on the findings of the “State of our beaches” 2024 report, it is clear that Scotland stands at a critical juncture. Our nation’s marine environment is one of the richest and most diverse in Europe, and it remains both an extraordinary asset and a fragile inheritance. While the report paints a sobering picture, marked by rising plastic pollution, sewage-related debris and the enduring impacts of public littering, it also speaks to the power of progress.”
“Building on that success, COAST partnered with the Arran outdoor education centre in 2023 to launch a free marine science education programme. Delivered to more than 375 students from across North Ayrshire, the programme integrates sea bed cameras, remotely operated vehicles and plankton sampling with classroom learning, enhancing environmental literacy and supporting student wellbeing. Elsewhere, targeted conservation efforts have spurred the recovery of the critically endangered flapper skate in the legally designated MPA that spans Loch Sunart and the Sound of Jura. That success is bolstered by the use of artificial intelligence-powered monitoring, which has helped to identify nearly 2,500 individual fish, illustrating the powerful synergy between legal protection and technological innovation.”
“More than 2,000 square kilometres of inshore waters are now permanently safeguarded from destructive practices such as bottom trawling and mechanical dredging, in line with the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. In my constituency of Cunninghame North, the UK’s first no-take zone was established in Lamlash bay in 2008. It has been a resounding success that should be repeated elsewhere in Scotland. Spearheaded by the Community of Arran Seabed Trust—COAST—the area has seen remarkable biodiversity recovery, including notable rebounds in scallop and lobster populations. In 2021, the initiative was recognised by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity as one of the world’s top-20 outstanding practices.”
“Scotland’s deposit return scheme, which is scheduled to launch in October 2027 as part of a UK-wide initiative, will add a 20p deposit to most single-use plastic bottles and cans. Consumers can reclaim the deposit by returning empty containers to participating retailers. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has implemented wide-reaching protections for marine environments, with more than 37 per cent of Scotland’s territorial waters now designated as marine protected areas. These include the sea of the Hebrides—the world’s first protected zone for basking sharks and minke whales—as well as the South Arran MPA and numerous protected sea lochs.”
“They can clog waterways, contribute to microplastic pollution and threaten marine life. Scottish Water has expanded monitoring of combined sewer overflows from just 7 per cent in 2020 to 32 per cent last year, which is a welcome step forward. However, the majority of discharges still go unmonitored. To address those environmental pressures, the Scottish Parliament passed the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, a critical move away from single-use culture. The act empowers ministers to impose charges on select disposable items, including wet wipes and takeaway cups. That legislative progress builds on the success of Scotland’s carrier bag charge, which was introduced a decade ago. Within its first year, that modest charge led to an 87 per cent reduction in plastic bags found on beaches. Further measures are on the horizon.”
“Certain regions saw especially sharp increases in litter density. Fife recorded an increase of 124.9 per cent, while Dumfries and Galloway experienced a shocking 287 per cent rise, which I am sure that Mr Carson will want to comment on in his speech. Sewage pollution presents another urgent threat. In some areas, the situation is particularly severe. The national average for sewage-related debris is 1.5 items per 100m, Falkirk and Inverclyde reported figures of 212 and 237 items respectively. Wet wipes have emerged as a particularly troubling pollutant: more than 22,000 were collected from fewer than half of the beaches that were surveyed in Scotland. Often made from synthetic fibres, wet wipes degrade very slowly, posing serious risks to marine ecosystems.”
“The report paints a picture of paradoxes. Although the Scottish Government is making progress, persistent challenges, particularly plastic pollution, continue to erode the resilience of marine ecosystems. Encouragingly, public engagement is gaining momentum. In 2024, more than 4,100 volunteers took part in formal beach clean-ups across Scotland, removing a total of 527,460 individual pieces of litter. There were also many more informal clean-ups, including those that I organised myself, and yet the scale of the issue remains sobering. An average of 204 littered items were recorded per 100m of coastline, which is significantly higher than the UK national average. Litter linked to public behaviour was the most common type found on Scottish mainland beaches, accounting for 40 per cent of all recorded waste.”
“Compiled from the society’s beachwatch programme, which is a year-round citizen science initiative that was launched in 1994, the report draws on one of the United Kingdom’s most comprehensive marine litter data sets. More than a third of this year’s 1,262 surveys took place in Scotland: 467 surveys, representing a 28 per cent increase on the previous year. The significance of this evening’s members’ business debate is underscored by two timely events: the 99th birthday of Sir David Attenborough last week and the release of his latest documentary, “Ocean”, which is a powerful tribute to the beauty and fragility of our seas. As always, Attenborough’s voice brings moral authority and urgency, calling on us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world, particularly its most expansive and endangered domain.”
“I am grateful to those members who signed my motion allowing the debate to take place. I am also grateful to Daniel Hale of the Marine Conservation Society for his very helpful briefings. Scotland boasts one of Europe’s most expansive and ecologically rich marine environments, fringed by more than 18,000km of coastline. These waters support a wealth of biodiversity, from seals and whales to seabirds, and they sustain critical sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture and offshore renewable energy. The Marine Conservation Society’s “State of our beaches” 2024 report offers a detailed and sobering assessment of Scotland’s coastal and marine environments.”
“Kate Forbes: We absolutely understand the views of Kenny Gibson and the wider community in favour of retaining Ardrossan as the mainland port, and we remain committed to ensuring that the Arran ferry service is fit for the future. I agree that all options should be considered, and that Transport Scotland should work with CalMac and CMAL to deliver best use of the available resources across the network and to consider all options to maintain services and reduce disruption. Obviously there are limitations of physical and operational fit on routes, which need careful consideration, but, in spite of those caveats, I think that all options should be considered.”
“The Glen Rosa is destined for the Brodick route, but until Ardrossan harbour is redeveloped, she and her sister ship, the Glen Sannox, will only make three return sailings each day from Troon, rather than five from Ardrossan. Eighteen months ago, I advocated using the Islay-class vessels for the Brodick route in the short term, until redevelopment of Ardrossan harbour could begin. Although those vessels have only 53 per cent of the capacity of the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa, that would be offset by an increased number of sailings and better accessibility through Ardrossan. Given the latest delay and added uncertainty about the Glen Rosa entering service, will the Deputy First Minister urge CalMac and CMAL to reconsider that option?”
“She went on to say: “Overwhelmingly the people in my community have been reassured by the stringent safeguards and robust monitoring systems under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation in Victoria.” What is proposed in this bill is similar to the Victorian model, not the Benelux or Canadian models to which some members have referred. On the idea of a slippery slope, there has been none in Oregon in 28 years; there will not be one here. Where it has been implemented, such legislation has led, in the event, to fears that were very strong being shown to be groundless, and there has been no pressure to repeal, so I say to members: please support the bill. 18:12”
“Key findings are that “People with disabilities are not generally opposed to assisted dying laws”, and that such “laws do not harm people with disabilities”, promote “disrespect” towards them or undermine equality or accessibility of healthcare for disabled people. In evidence submitted during the consultation on the bill, disability activist and advocate Patricia Malowney, of the Victorian ministerial advisory panel on voluntary assisted dying, said: “merely having a disability will not meet the eligibility criteria” and “there is a clear acknowledgment that all lives have equal value”.”
“Whether one supports or opposes the legislation, it is important to clarify that it is not a bill that promotes euthanasia. I have been deeply disappointed that some opponents of the bill have made that assertion, frightening the families of people with severe disability, Down’s syndrome or anorexia. Some have suggested that Scotland’s disabled people are all of one mind in opposing the legislation. To me, it has always been clear that disabled people’s views on the issues are as diverse as those of able-bodied people. Professor Ben Colburn’s University of Glasgow peer-reviewed, evidence-based research brought together all relevant published studies on the relationship between disability and assisted dying.”
“It’s her life, and she’s terrified that as the disease progresses further, she will lose all control. Why would anyone want that? This Bill won’t come in time for mum, but it could prevent others going through what she is going through.” Another constituent said: “Having nursed both parents with terminal illnesses and an aunt and uncle in similar circumstances, each of whom would have made a choice to avail themselves of this legislation were it to have been available, the experience crystallised for me the fact that I personally want that choice.” Assisted dying based on terminal illness is the only way to balance principles of autonomy and protection, and it sends a clear message that terminally ill people’s choices are respected.”
“She will end up immobile, all her muscles will seize up completely, no voice, eyes can’t open, can’t eat due to severe swallowing problems, can’t breathe properly and will most likely be incontinent. Now in a wheelchair, she has no voice and is dependent on others for her needs. There is no clear timeline. Mum is deteriorating rapidly, and any future left for her is that of a ‘thinking vegetable’ as she calls herself. It’s particularly cruel that people with PSP know what is happening to them as there is usually no dementia. She always supported assisted dying in principle and with this insidious illness, has no desire to live or be dependent on others for every single body function. Mum had a good life and simply wants to go before her quality of life and future gets worse.”
“Ms Jean Gilchrist of Edinburgh said of her father: “by the time he died, he was emaciated and only lived for his four-hourly morphine injection—which usually wore off after two hours, leaving two more of agony.” Ms Sue Knill of Gloucester said: “Our deepest humanity is enfolded in letting people go painlessly and at a time of their choosing, not ours.” There were many similar comments. A constituent whom I know very well said: “My mum strongly urges you to vote in favour of the bill passing to stage 2. She can’t write to yourself any longer as she has a terminal illness. As you will recall she has been an active writer and community member for so long, but now has an Atypical Parkinson’s disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. There is no cure, no treatment, and it gradually shuts down the whole body.”
“Of course, up until 28 March this year, that had already happened for 571 UK citizens—those who could afford to pay up to £15,000 to travel to Switzerland and seek to end their lives at Dignitas. Mr McArthur’s bill is more egalitarian. Others who are facing terminal illness kill themselves out of despair, or because they feel that they are a burden to their loved ones. Many are the reasons why someone with a terminal illness seeks to die before the illness itself takes them. A Mr Edward Thomas of Eastbourne pointed out in The Sunday Times that it is important to “end the inhumanity of unbearable pain that cannot be alleviated by palliative care”.”
“I pay tribute to Liam McArthur for having the leadership, courage and fortitude to introduce legislation that has touched the emotions and stirred the feelings of many, both for and against. Given the myriad emails and letters, and the scores of documents, meetings and events surrounding the bill, I can only imagine the countless hours that he and his staff have devoted to it. Nor should we forget the work that was done more than a decade ago by Patrick Harvie and the late Margo MacDonald. I support the general principles of the bill. Ultimately, it is about compassion and choice— compassion for individuals who, with the grave diagnosis that they are terminally ill, may seek to end their lives in a dignified way at a time of their choosing, surrounded by loved ones.”
“Jenny Gilruth: I sincerely hope that those improvements will be in place for the autumn term. Mr Gibson’s point was about consequences and, in response to Mr Briggs, I mentioned the further work on consequences, which will be published before the summer recess. It is worth while recounting the fact that teachers in Scotland can already take a range of actions in responding to disruptive behaviour, and that, at the furthest extreme, exclusion remains an option that is open to them. As I set out in my statement, we will publish the new guidance on consequences before the summer. I am clear that consequences are an essential part of a supportive learning environment, and I will provide more information on our approach in that respect when we publish the guidance in”
“I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement. Pupils are well aware that there are few, if any, tangible consequences to bad behaviour. It is obvious that allowing persistently disruptive pupils to remain in classrooms come what may, it would seem, is not working for staff and well-behaved pupils, who are undermined by constant disruption, which makes learning difficult and sometimes impossible. It is time to remove persistently disruptive pupils from classrooms to where their behaviour can be closely monitored, and for them to be given an opportunity to return, should their behaviour improve. Will the consequential improvements that the cabinet secretary is looking to deliver be in place for the autumn term? The Deputy Presiding Officer: That is not the brevity of question that we are looking for.”
“There has recently been a co-ordinated clamour for Scotland to widen the gap with the UK on benefits spending, but the best way out of poverty and all the ills that come with it is well-paid employment. We should never lose sight of that. While we must work for now within the straitjacket of devolution, ultimately we want to build an enterprising, outward-looking and compassionate Scotland that will flourish with the powers of independence—a nation that understands that the prosperity of a country rests on ensuring the prosperity of every single citizen, and that takes our rightful place at the top table of Europe. 16:15”
“This year’s increase in investment in Scottish Funding Council core research and innovation grants to more than £325 million will support the foundations of research in our universities, develop the talent pipeline, promote knowledge exchange and drive growth. Frankly, I want even greater prioritisation to be given to that area, with provision of the skills that we need in order to grow our economy. We need to train more apprentices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, not least among women. Employability support and training to reduce the number of working-age people who are neither working nor in education or training is also critical.”
“Launching AI Scotland, a new national transformation programme that will be founded on a partnership of business, academia, agencies and government and will include a national artificial intelligence adoption programme for small and medium-sized enterprises, will keep Scotland at the cutting edge of the artificial intelligence revolution. Establishing a technology council of global businesses and academic experts to advise the Government on applying and benefiting from emerging technologies while delivering financial support and guidance will enable industry clusters to emerge, grow and remain internationally competitive.”
“The First Minister’s start-up challenge is a bold initiative to encourage and support young people from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds in order to help them start and scale up innovative businesses through tailored ideation support, mentorship and grant funding. Women are the key to much of our future economic prosperity. Transforming the number of women who start and scale up businesses by investing up to £6 million to implement the “Pathways” report from Ana Stewart and Mark Logan “Pathways” report, including through a further round of competitive funding opportunities and the delivery of pre-start support, will boost female participation.”
“Scotland has been renowned as a hub of innovation for generations. Our contribution to globally significant inventions and discoveries across myriad spheres is truly astounding. I am delighted that Scottish ministers will continue to nurture and expand sectors that boost Scotland’s profile as a modern, high-growth country, particularly in tech and innovation, where our international reputation is excellent. Entrepreneurs are critical to our future prosperity. The Scottish Government will support innovators, increase start-up creation, develop business clusters in innovative market areas and build on Scotland’s expertise in critical technologies.”
“In my constituency, XLCC will bring 1,200 direct jobs, 2,300 jobs in the Scottish supply chain and a £2 billion investment to Hunterston by 2028. It is crucial to strengthen SDI’s inward investment activity in Europe and the US by targeting Silicon Valley and other tech hubs and persuading them to bring scaling companies to Scotland. We also need to engage with global financial hubs to strengthen Scotland’s fintech and financial services sector, and leverage opportunities from SDI’s partnership with the City of London Corporation. Work to seek more co-investment from public and private pension funds in housing and businesses must be accelerated by working with the Scottish local government pension scheme to unlock resources. I know that the Deputy First Minister has been involved in that area.”
“Finally, it will provide information, advice and support to Scottish companies that are keen to export to America, helping them maintain market share or build new North American business, and develop a US export plan to identify the states that offer the best fit for Scottish exports. Last year, the Scottish Government initiated a co-ordinated programme to attract capital investment to Scotland. That programme will be expanded by the launch of investScotland, which is a new portal that will showcase investment opportunities and information for investors while providing a single point of entry to Government, and by accelerating a targeted programme of proactive engagement with key capital investors.”
“It will bring more global buyers and suppliers to Scotland through inward missions to showcase the strength of Scottish export potential and supply chains. It will expand Scottish Development International to help export- driven companies by scaling up go-to-market advice and increasing overseas missions, through which companies can get a deep understanding of the opportunities and meet buyers. It will increase funding for our international trade partnership programme with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and expand access to business membership organisations, which can now bid for support for trade missions to established and emerging markets.”
“Although trade barriers and tariffs risk causing real economic damage, they can be ameliorated to some degree by taking forward the new and ambitious programme of global engagement envisioned by the First Minister, which will showcase our domestic strengths, boost Scotland’s profile and attract further investment to grow and raise living standards. The new six-point export plan is, I believe, an exciting one. It will deliver an international growth support programme, with grant support for ambitious Scottish companies. It will support sector export plans for technology, life sciences, renewables and hydrogen in order to tackle and overcome sector-specific barriers, fund research and in-market promotion, while backing individual innovative companies.”
“That clearly shows the benefits of SNP action in areas of the economy where the devolution settlement enables us to act. For years, EY has consistently named Scotland as third among the 12 nations and regions of the UK, after London and the south-east, in attracting foreign direct investment. That has been reflected in enhanced inward net annual migration of some 30,000 people a year, one third of whom are from the rest of the UK. We need more people of working age to make their lives in Scotland. As we know, Brexit remains a barrier to that aim. Nevertheless, we must strive to main global competitiveness, particularly in industries where we excel—from life sciences and aerospace to food and drink.”
“I welcome the programme for government. It is always easy for any Government or Opposition to come up with myriad ideas on how to raise taxes and spend money. Indeed, were all demands for cash to be met, we would need a budget of billions of pounds greater than the one that we have. I am therefore pleased that, although the Deputy First Minister also mentioned the crucial support that the Government provides directly to families, pensioners and our public services, the programme for government leads on the economy. After all, before one can redistribute wealth, it must first be created. Scotland’s gross domestic product—the goods and services that we produce—has grown by 10.3 per cent per person in Scotland since the SNP came into office in 2007, compared with 6.1 per cent across the UK under the Labour, coalition and Tory Governments.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to reverse the decline in NHS productivity since the Covid-19 pandemic, as referenced in research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. (S6O-04619)”
“The issue that Mr Gibson raises touches on the availability of an adequately sized working-age population, which is a strategic challenge for Scotland and is made worse because of the loss of the free movement of individuals as a consequence of Brexit. There are steps that could help us to strengthen Scotland’s employment base if we had a larger working-age population who would be able to benefit from the training opportunities that we can provide.”