Richard Lochhead
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Artificial intelligence and all the other developments will change how we raise and spend taxes, how we buy things and what we buy. Everything will be impacted by the changes that are taking place before our eyes. Automation will displace labour and it will do other things as well.”
“Across the parties, we all know what needs to be done. I hope that, in the future, we can build a consensus to make sure that that happens—with respect, grace, and good, robust arguments. If we do that better, perhaps we can set an example to other Parliaments in countries around the world.”
“I thank the current and three previous First Ministers, who entrusted me with the responsibility of being in Government; the Parliament staff and the civil service for their advice and support; and my private office staff. I thank my friends and colleagues—past and present—in my party group and on all sides of the chamber.”
“I thank Clare Haughey for bringing the debate before Parliament. The closure of high street branches and all the changes that that means for people in our communities have been a feature of the past few years. Clare Haughey is an outstanding constituency MSP who always looks out for the vulnerable.”
“The FCA has committed to undertaking a post-implementation review of its access-to-cash regime, and we will ensure that many of the issues that have been addressed in tonight’s debate are part of that review.”
“I am sure that my colleagues have similar thoughts about what we have witnessed over so many years. My heartfelt thanks must go first to my family: my wife, Fiona; my son, Angus, who is in Brisbane and is probably watching this speech at some ungodly hour; and my younger son, Fraser, who is about to turn 18 and is in the chamber’s gallery…”
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“Richard Lochhead: I join Evelyn Tweed in celebrating the new businesses in her constituency. It was fantastic to see last week that the statistics for new businesses being created in Scotland were much higher in the first half of this year than they were in the first half of last year. It is also striking to note that the largest share of that increase was in hospitality. That is good news for that sector and for the Scottish economy. The Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities on our competitive rates regime, which gives flexibility to local authorities to address the issue of empty and vacant units on our high streets. University of Dundee (Finances) 8.”
“Scotland loves local week was a fantastic opportunity to spotlight the year- round campaign that encourages people to shop in their local businesses. Mechanisms such as the Scotland loves local gift card scheme and awards encourage people to think about what they are spending so that they spend more locally. The campaign also recognises that local businesses are crucial in retaining wealth in our local economy and encouraging vibrancy in our town centres. Evelyn Tweed: Over the past year, Go Forth Stirling BID has reported 26 new business openings in Stirling, including international brands and small independents. Will the minister join me in celebrating those new openings and say what steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of long-term empty units on our high streets?”
“Like Gordon MacDonald, I hope that the UK Government will now stand up for the whisky industry and address those issues in its forthcoming budget.”
“Last night, along with many other members, I was at an event that was hosted by the Scotch Whisky Association in Edinburgh, and I can say that the First Minister’s standing up for the sector and taking its case directly to Washington went down like a fine dram with the industry. We now need the same approach from the UK Government to deliver on the tariff deal—it now has an opportunity to do that—and to address issues such as the alcohol duty, because the reduction in draught duty in the last budget increased the disadvantage that the spirits sector faces in our country and the inherent unfairness in the alcohol duty system. Other issues, such as the rise in national insurance contributions, also affect the hospitality sector and, in turn, the Scotch whisky industry.”
“Gordon MacDonald: The Scotch Whisky Association recently released new data that shows that more than 1,000 jobs have been lost in the Scotch whisky industry since the most recent United Kingdom budget. In addition to the excise duty increase, the UK Labour Government introduced a national insurance increase, and energy prices remain too high, impacting energy- intensive industries that can access no support. Ahead of the next UK budget, what representations will the Scottish Government make to the UK Government to ensure that our economy and businesses are better supported to weather difficult economic headwinds? Richard Lochhead: Gordon MacDonald raises good points.”
“My ministerial colleagues and I regularly meet those in the sector to discuss the challenges and opportunities that they face. In July, I wrote to the responsible UK Government minister to call for action on several trade issues that the Scotch whisky sector faces, as do those producing other iconic Scottish products. As members will be aware, the First Minister has been leading from the front on our intensive engagement with the sector. He has also raised the important issue with the Prime Minister and, this week, directly with the US President. Removing the 10 per cent tariff barrier between the US and Scotland would, of course, deliver economic benefits for both countries.”
“In saying that, I am not talking down the pressures that the hospitality sector is facing in a variety of areas—I speak to those businesses very regularly. Indeed, I want to congratulate The Pier, a new cafe in the hospitality sector in Lossiemouth, which has opened in the past couple of months. There are new businesses out there that are doing a great job against very tough backdrops, and we should congratulate them on their resilience.”
“The businesses that I speak to are talking mostly about national insurance contributions, VAT, tourism and a range of other issues that are the responsibility of the UK Government. We in Scotland must pay attention to those pressures and take them into account, as must local authorities in their decisions in the coming months. The Deputy First Minister highlighted some exciting statistics about the new businesses being created in Scotland, with record-breaking increases in the first six months of this year compared with the first six months of last year, and a pleasant surprise from those statistics was that the sector with the biggest representation in that increase in new businesses was hospitality. Clearly, the situation is patchy across the country.”
“If he does, what will the Scottish Government do to better support our hospitality businesses? Richard Lochhead: As a member who represents a constituency that lies in Mr Halcro Johnston’s region, I am very familiar with some of the issues and concerns of my local businesses. Those concerns are reflected throughout the Highlands and Islands and, indeed, in many parts of Scotland. I recognise the pressures that many businesses, particularly smaller ones, face at the moment. The First Minister and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce have made representations to the UK Government on its forthcoming budget, to ensure that measures come out of that to alleviate the massive pressures on businesses.”
“Meanwhile, their customers’ spend is impacted by cost of living issues as well as on-going increases in their own taxes, most notably council tax. In Orkney, two popular local hospitality businesses announced before the summer that they were closing their doors, while others that I spoke to during my summer tour of the Highlands and Islands made it clear: they are not sure, even with the huge effort and sacrifices that owners and staff often make, that their businesses are sustainable in the long term. They do not feel that the Scottish Government—or, for that matter, the UK Government or local government—truly understands the crisis that is facing our restaurants, pubs and bars, nor the devastating impact of the policies being wrought on the sector. Does the minister recognise their concerns?”
“Ministers have regular discussions with their colleagues on a range of issues that have an economic impact, including growth and taxation. In relation to recent tax rises, of most concern to us is the additional burden created by the UK Government’s decision to change employer national insurance rates and thresholds. Undoubtedly, that is having an impact on businesses in the Highlands and Islands and across Scotland. The UK Government’s own economic impact assessment confirmed that the changes will result in lower employment and higher costs for businesses across the UK. Jamie Halcro Johnston: Businesses across my region are facing growing pressures on their bottom line, with increased energy costs, regulation and tax bills.”
“The Scottish Government has assisted that partnership, which will deliver thousands of free smartphones to vulnerable groups in Scotland. That shows what can be achieved by working together, and we have to support such initiatives going forward.”
“That work is already under way and the budget is being spent on tackling the issue. We have to find new ways to proceed. The member is quite right in that a gap of 15 per cent is one that is too large by 15 per cent, especially in this day and age, when artificial intelligence and other technologies are becoming increasingly important. Everyone should have the same opportunity to take advantage of the digital world in which we now live. It is important that the voluntary sector, the business community, the Government and the public sector are all working together on the issue. That is the solution going forward, and it will be at the heart of the new strategy. I very much welcome the partnership that was announced just last week, I think, between Virgin Media O2 and citizens advice bureaux.”
“Despite £764,000 coming from the United Kingdom Government’s £9.5 million digital innovation fund, there are no plans from the Scottish Government on how it will spend that money. Will the minister set out how the Scottish Government intends to tackle digital exclusion and how it will spend the £764,000 that is coming to it? Richard Lochhead: We welcome the fact that the UK Government is now taking action on digital exclusion, and we want to work with it on that. We welcome the resource that will come to Scotland as part of the budget mentioned by the member. Once that cash is with us and we work things out with COSLA and those in other sectors regarding the refreshed strategy that I referred to, it will be put to good use on top of the existing budget for connecting Scotland.”
“Daniel Johnson: She may not be answering this question, but I take this opportunity to say that I was saddened to hear that the Deputy First Minister will not be standing at the next election. She will be missed by the Parliament. According to the Lloyds consumer index, 15 per cent of adults lack foundation-level digital skills, and 9 per cent of households have no internet access. That is not just digital exclusion; it is exclusion from healthcare, education and democracy. Twelve months on from the report, we have still not had a strategy. Indeed, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has withdrawn from working with the Scottish Government, because those at the SCVO fundamentally disagree with the direction of travel.”
“The Government welcomes the report and is working with local government to take action on digital exclusion. Our approach has evolved since the pandemic, but our commitment remains firm. We are tackling root causes of digital exclusion while developing sustainable ways to mitigate its impact. A refresh of the digital strategy, developed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, will set a national direction, followed by an action plan with measurable outcomes. We are embedding inclusion into public services, ensuring that access is not an afterthought, and we will continue to lead cross-sector collaboration, including through the digital inclusion alliance, addressing digital exclusion as a national priority.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: I remind members that if the amendment in the name of Anas Sarwar is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton will fall. The next question is, that amendment S6M- 18671.2, in the name of Anas Sarwar, which seeks to amend motion S6M-18671, in the name of John Swinney, on priorities for Scotland, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not work. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Lochhead. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-18671.4, in the name of Russell Findlay, is: For 27, Against 90, Abstentions 1.”
“I draw Parliament’s attention to clause 47 and schedule 7, which were included in the supplementary legislative consent memorandum. On further consideration, our view is that they do not affect the competence of Scottish ministers and have therefore been removed from the motion. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions in the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October 2024, and subsequently amended, relating to the protection of workers in relation to relevant outsourcing contracts (amended clause 30), and the establishment of the Social Care Negotiating Body for Scotland (amended clauses 36 to 46 and 48 to 52, alongside related amended clauses 153 and 155), so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament. 15:57”
“The Scottish Government recognised the opportunity to underpin much of the work that has already been undertaken in Scotland on sectoral bargaining and secured agreement from the UK Government to have that part of the bill apply to Scotland. That will provide the Scottish Government with the option to regulate for negotiated fair pay agreements for the sector, as an alternative to a voluntary process. We also secured the broader application of those bill provisions to children’s social care services as well as adult social care services. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the UK Government to build on our fair work principles and to help to maximise the positive impact of the bill across Scotland.”
“Scottish and United Kingdom ministers may specify in regulations the terms that a public body should ensure if it is awarding a contract that outsources the delivery of its functions or functions that were previously delivered by a public body. The bill also requires Scottish and UK ministers to publish a code of practice for public bodies in relation to relevant outsourcing contracts and to lay that code before their respective Parliaments. The bill, at introduction, included provisions relating to the social care sector in England to establish a negotiating body, through regulations, to consider pay, terms and conditions for the sector. The outcome of those negotiations, once accepted by the Secretary of State, was to be enacted through regulations delivering fair pay agreements for those workers in scope.”
“For that reason, the consent of the Scottish Parliament is required, first, for the provisions that relate to the protection of workers who are involved in public sector outsourcing, to address the issue of two-tier workforces; and, secondly, for those that relate to the establishment of a social care negotiating body for Scotland. The Scottish Government has long advocated using the power of public procurement to drive fair work standards where that is possible and appropriate. The bill, as amended, includes the power to avoid a situation in which there is a workforce consisting of ex-public sector employees and private sector employees with each group on different terms and conditions, which would be a two-tier workforce.”
“We cannot rely on the good work of the current or future UK Governments in protecting the rights of workers in Scotland in the long term. That is why the Scottish Government remains firmly convinced that the best way to protect Scottish workers is through the full devolution of employment powers. I continue to welcome the Scottish Trades Union Congress’s on-going support for that position. In the meantime, we have used the opportunity to work with UK ministers and officials to protect devolved powers and to seek to strengthen the bill’s provisions for all workers. Throughout the process, Scottish Government ministers and officials have continued to press for Scottish interests. As a result, the bill now confers some limited powers on the Scottish ministers.”
“Evidence shows that treating workers fairly and putting them at the heart of business is good for business. Scotland has the highest proportion of employees earning at least the real living wage, and the median gender pay gap for full-time employees is narrower in Scotland than it is in the UK as a whole—that has been the case since 2003. In addition, the fact that the disability employment gap has reduced over the past nine years shows that we are making good progress to meet the ambition of at least halving it by 2038. Building on the progress that we have achieved through political will and action, the gains that the bill will undoubtedly make in relation to workers’ rights should be protected, not just for the duration of a Labour Government but beyond.”
“The bill puts on a statutory footing some of the progress that we have already made in Scotland, which, I would argue, vindicates our trailblazing fair work agenda. Notably, the Scottish Government was the first Government in the UK to become a real living wage employer. That was back in 2015. It was also the first Government in the UK to include criteria, including the real living wage, to address fair work as part of public procurement exercises, and—through fair work first—it was the first to include fair work criteria in public sector grants and contracts. More recently, we strengthened our approach by attaching fair work conditions to public sector grants. There remains more to do, but, through fair work, we have made a real difference for employees in every sector of Scotland’s economy.”
“Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. If it gives you any comfort in relation to getting our names right, you will not make that mistake after the next Scottish Parliament elections, because neither Lochhead nor Leonard will be here. [Laughter.] I welcome the opportunity to debate the motion to provide legislative consent to provisions in the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill. The Scottish Government is supportive of the overall ambitions of the bill. We have engaged fully and constructively with our counterparts on key measures, and we welcome the majority of the proposals, including those on which we have been listened to and in relation to which improvements have been made.”
“I move, That the Parliament agrees that all relevant provisions of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, introduced in the House of Lords on 4 September 2024, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK Parliament. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Murdo Fraser. You have around six minutes. 15:36”
“I thank the Economy and Fair Work Committee for inviting me to discuss the bill in December 2024 and on 18 June, just a couple of weeks ago. I welcome the report that was published by the committee yesterday, which recommends that the Parliament agree to consent to the bill. The Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive had initially expressed similar concerns about the bill to those that were expressed by the Scottish Government. However, the Scottish Parliament will be interested to note that both the Welsh and Northern Irish have voted to grant consent to the bill as amended.”
“That makes the UK Government’s refusal to include those concurrent powers in the bill a bit more puzzling. However, that does not detract from the fact that the addition of the consent mechanism has removed our primary concern with the bill, which now better respects the devolution settlement. That amendment also means that the UK Government will be unable to use the powers in the bill to actively diverge from the EU in areas of devolved competence where doing so would not be within Scotland’s interests. It therefore represents a significant improvement on the bill as introduced, which enabled the Scottish Government to lodge a second supplementary legislative consent memorandum on 29 May recommending that the Scottish Parliament provide its consent to the bill.”
“That is a key improvement to the bill, although we would have liked the UK Government to have gone further. For instance, it was not willing to remove certain devolved product categories from the scope of the bill, and neither was it willing to provide Scottish ministers with concurrent powers to regulate products to reduce their environmental impact, which is an area of interest for the Scottish Government and Parliament. No adequate reason has been given for the decisions to deny those asks. That is, of course, regrettable. On our ask in relation to concurrent powers, I assure the Parliament that we have some similar existing powers in this area to take action should they be required. An example would be the powers in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 that were recently used to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes.”
“In February 2025, a UK Government amendment that extended the scope of the bill’s powers was introduced in the House of Lords. As the amendment did not address the Scottish Government’s fundamental concerns with the bill, our recommendation remained unchanged, as expressed in the supplementary legislative consent memorandum that was lodged on 3 March. My officials and I then continued to engage with the UK Government to secure changes to the bill that would allow us to change the recommendation. In past months, I have met Lord Leong and minister Justin Madders to discuss the Scottish Government’s concerns. As a result of that engagement, the UK Government tabled an amendment on 15 May that provides that the UK ministers may use the powers in the bill to materially change devolved law only with the prior consent of Scottish ministers.”
“Unfortunately, that rushed timetable allowed for limited engagement at the official level, and agreement in principle was not sought from Scottish ministers prior to the bill being introduced to the UK Parliament. That meant that the Scottish Government’s concerns about how devolved matters were covered in the bill were not reflected in its drafting. Our primary concern was the proposal to grant powers to UK ministers to regulate products in areas of devolved competence without the oversight of Scottish ministers or the Scottish Parliament. For that reason, the Scottish Government lodged a legislative consent memorandum in the Scottish Parliament on 24 September 2024 and recommended that Parliament refuse to consent to the bill.”
“For example, there are fire safety concerns around products entering the UK market at times, such as e-bikes that have unsuitable lithium-ion batteries, which members will be familiar with. The Scottish Government agrees with the UK Government that regulatory stability is important for business confidence and that the correct regulatory framework should be in place to ensure consumer safety and support growth in our economy. However, as I am sure members would expect me to say, it is essential that the UK Government’s regulatory framework adequately respects the devolution settlement and the legislative confidence of the Scottish Parliament. The bill was announced as part of the King’s speech on 17 July 2024 and was introduced soon after, on 4 September.”
“Much of the UK’s existing product regulation framework is derived from EU law, and the UK Government deems the creation of the powers in the bill to be necessary to close the regulatory gaps that have been caused by the UK’s exit from the EU. The stated aim of the bill is to support economic growth, provide regulatory stability and deliver more protection for consumers. That includes enabling the UK Government to respond to new and emerging products being marketed, as well as to new business models in the supply chain, such as online marketplaces. The UK Government has stated its wish to protect consumers by reducing the number of unsafe goods that are sold online.”
“Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to debate the motion on legislative consent for the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. The bill is primarily an enabling or framework bill, which gives the UK Secretary of State powers to regulate products in a range of sectors for certain purposes. Those include reducing or mitigating risks associated with products, ensuring that products operate efficiently and effectively, and reducing or mitigating the environmental impact of products where the European Union makes such provision. The bill also creates powers in relation to metrology, which is the science of measurement. That, however, is fully reserved, so those powers are not covered by the legislative consent process.”
“There are many wider factors that impact on the health of people who are in work, such as economic uncertainty, the overall state of the economy and what is happening globally. The member raises important issues, and they are being addressed by the Scottish Government. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on Deputy First Minister responsibilities, the economy and Gaelic. Finance and Local Government Right to Roam 1.”
“It inevitably has profound effects on the wider economy, not least around workforce productivity. As the minister knows, improved productivity is vital to addressing our anaemic economic growth figures. Does he agree that there is an economic imperative as well as a health imperative to take greater action to improve public health? How does he intend to ensure that improving the health of Scotland’s workforce is embedded in Scottish Government policy? Richard Lochhead: I agree with the important points that the member makes. The latest budget contains £21.7 billion for health and social care. We recognise that we must help people to go back into work and ensure that they get the treatment that allows them to do that, which helps to support the economy, too.”
“The Scottish Fiscal Commission’s latest forecasts recognise the challenging economic and financial environment that Scotland continues to face as a result of global uncertainty and higher inflation, while business conditions and public services have also been impacted by the United Kingdom Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions. Our programme for government recognises the link between the health of the population and the economy, and it sets out measures to renew the national health service and measures to grow the economy by investing in our workforce, supporting people into employment, attracting investment and backing business. Brian Whittle: The report by the Scottish Fiscal Commission highlights the wider effects of public health on our fiscal forecasts.”
“I move amendment S6M-17785.3, to leave out from “supports” to end and insert: “calls on the Scottish Government to make greater effort to support businesses and entrepreneurship in Scotland; notes concerns identified by the Fraser of Allander Institute that only 9% of Scottish businesses believe that the Scottish Government understands the business community, and that the New Deal for Business has caused this relationship to stagnate further; recognises that Scotland has a lower business birth rate and stock rate compared to the rest of the UK, which has hindered entrepreneurship; congratulates Ana Stewart on her appointment as Scotland’s new Chief Entrepreneur, but believes that a new approach is needed to deliver the high-growth economy that businesses and entrepreneurs need; welcomes the publication of Lessons from Singapore for Scotland’s Economy by the Hunter Foundation, which urges the Scottish and UK governments to stop punishing entrepreneurs, deliver a long-term growth strategy and foster a more business-friendly environment through lower taxation, and believes that entrepreneurship and innovation can be enhanced through Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party plans to drive economic growth by cutting taxes for workers and businesses.” 15:45”
“I say gently to the minister that the United Kingdom has had record levels of inward migration over the past five years and that Scotland has not been able to attract its population share of those new migrants. That is an issue that the Scottish Government could address. We all want to increase the levels of innovation and entrepreneurial activity in Scotland, to make up for what is a pretty dismal historical record, but that will happen only with a change of direction from the Government, particularly in areas such as tax. I want the Government to start listening to entrepreneurs such as Sir Tom Hunter and to start changing its direction. That point is made in my amendment.”
“Will the member give way? Murdo Fraser: If I have time, I will. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back. Richard Lochhead: On the topic of Scotland being an attractive nation for others to invest in or to move to, I, too, speak to many companies in Scotland, particularly in our high-growth sectors— such as the space sector, fintech and life sciences—and our universities. They tell me that their biggest concerns at the moment relate to issues such as the message that the UK is sending out about people not being welcome to come to the UK and attacks on foreign students who want to study in our universities. Does Murdo Fraser accept that those are some of the biggest concerns that the business community faces at the moment? Murdo Fraser: We have debated those issues many times before in the chamber.”
“Richard Lochhead: I have a lot of respect for Jackie Baillie, and that is not the line of argument that I would have expected her to pursue on this very important issue. In the world at this time, the Scottish Government values the role of our defence forces. However, on the use of public money in Scotland by our enterprise agencies, and when it comes to working with the defence sector or companies that are partially or wholly involved in defence activities, we put the emphasis on diversification and skills development. That is why, as I explained, £45 million-worth of support has been allocated to defence companies through our enterprise agencies since we came to office.”
“Jackie Baillie: I am afraid that the minister has not explained the inconsistency. The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands went on television on Sunday to declare that the SNP believes that the military is very important. However, the Government essentially does not believe that the military should have weapons. What does the Government believe that the Army, the navy and the air force should defend the country with? Peashooters? Bows and arrows? A telling-off? Will the Government reconsider its position, or does the United Kingdom Labour Government need to step in because the SNP will not step up? Is the SNP simply not serious about the security of the country, and is it also prepared to damage jobs and manufacturing in Scotland?”
“There will be munitions on the frigates. Why is that acceptable but funding Rolls-Royce in partnership with the Malin Group to establish a welding school is not? Is the Scottish National Party putting its interests before the interests of jobs and the economy and the best interests of Scotland? Richard Lochhead: It is important to reiterate that the Scottish Government values the role of the defence sector in Scotland, the many jobs that it sustains and the value that it adds to the Scottish economy. For that reason, since we came to office, £45 million-worth of support has been allocated through our enterprise agencies to defence companies or companies that are partially involved in defence activities. We continue to value the important role that the defence sector plays.”
“The Scottish Government’s long- standing policy is that neither the Government nor its agencies should use public money to support the manufacture of munitions. On that basis, Scottish Enterprise considered that the specific project that it has been discussing with the Malin Group for work on an attack submarine was unfortunately ineligible for potential funding. Scottish Enterprise did not receive a formal application for funding from Malin. Jackie Baillie: The Scottish Government’s position is, frankly, incoherent. Its policy on state- funded aid for defence is all over the place and applied selectively. I will give one example. The Scottish Government owns and funds work at the Ferguson Marine shipyard. Ferguson Marine is doing subcontract work for BAE Systems on the Royal Navy’s type 26 frigate programme.”
“There are some amazing events that illustrate and exemplify the ambition of the city, the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the council and the various other initiatives that are promoting the city. Aberdeen is an exciting place with a huge amount of potential, and I am paying close attention to the exciting developments in the city. Scottish ministers will be represented at the tall ships races. I wish all the participants the best of luck, and the city the best of luck in hosting this fantastic event. I congratulate all the sponsors and other partners. Let us look forward, as a country, to one of Scotland’s major events in the coming months. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. 13:14 Meeting suspended. 14:00 On resuming— Portfolio Question Time Net Zero, Energy and Transport”
“Jackie Dunbar: Will the minister give way? Richard Lochhead: I have time to do so—yes. Jackie Dunbar: The minister was discussing what is happening this weekend, and it would be remiss of me if I did not mention that the Denis Law legacy trail will be opening this weekend. That is another great walkabout for when folk come to see our tall ships. Richard Lochhead: Jackie Dunbar’s point is well made. When I was in the city a couple of days ago, at the weekend, I noticed the murals of Denis Law—they are something to behold when you are driving on Great Northern Road. The tall ships races are one of many positive developments for the city. I pay tribute to the organisations and partners that are involved in promoting economic development in the city.”
“We pay tribute to the many volunteers who help support such events in Aberdeen and throughout the country. My final remarks revolve around what is happening in Aberdeen at the moment. It is an exciting event, as many people have said. People may know that I have strong personal connections to Aberdeen. I lived there for a while—when I was first elected to the Parliament, I moved to Aberdeen, and I have family connections to the city. I also support the local football team, which I wish the best for the cup final this weekend. I hope that, whoever wins, it is a successful cup final and that both teams and their sets of fans have an enjoyable occasion. A lot of positive things are happening just now in the city. I pay tribute to the creativity, ingenuity and hard work of so many bodies in the city that make those things happen.”
“Beyond the tall ship races themselves, Aberdeen’s festival of the sea, which will extend either side of that event, will provide further opportunities for visitors and communities to enjoy and participate in the proud celebration of the region’s heritage and culture, as well as highlighting further points of interest across the whole city. As others have said, the tall ships races will potentially play host to an incredible 400,000 people, and the event presents a significant tourism opportunity for Aberdeen and the wider region. Locals in the city and beyond will be excited about the races. There were many applications for the voluntary positions to help at the event: 300 people were selected from 1,400 who applied, and 60 per cent of them are from the city itself.”
“We have hosted the tall ships event four times before; however, as the motion states, it has been 28 years since the event’s last return to the granite city—Aberdeen previously hosted it in 1991 and 1997. As part of Europe’s largest free family festival, the 2025 event will see a fleet of 50 sailing vessels visit Aberdeen, a sight that, no doubt, will be something to behold. It will have been worth that 28-year wait, and it truly has the potential to be the biggest event that Aberdeen will have held for a generation. Fittingly, 2025 also marks the 200th anniversary of the Aberdeen Line, which built more than a hundred ships from the Walter Hood shipyard— the very place that the tall ships will be berthed in July. That is a good reminder of the city’s rich maritime heritage.”