Shirley-Anne Somerville
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Laura Moodie: Does the cabinet secretary recognise the distress that is being caused to constituents, including a disabled veteran in my region, by the continued uncertainty around the scheme?”
“The Scottish Government has been working closely with Motability since March, and its notification of changes from 1 July in England, Wales and Northern Ireland—the 1 July commencement—is not set to apply in Scotland.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to working with East Lothian Council and private partners to unlock investment and growth at the strategic site at Blindwells, and we are providing £2.4 million of funding flexibility to support the development of the outline business case.”
“What reassurances can investors be given that the Scottish Government will work with them to deliver the project? Shirley-Anne Somerville: As I mentioned in my original answer, my ministerial colleagues and I recognise the strategic importance of Blindwells not just to housing but to the East Lothian economy.”
“Motability will continue to work with the Scottish Government to see what can be done, because it also recognises the distress and inconvenience that the situation is causing.”
“She said that she did not want to call out only Reform. Will she call out Alex Cole-Hamilton for mentioning the Third Reich or Daniel Johnson for making insinuations about fascism?”
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“For example, there is the extension of the budget for fairer futures partnerships, which, in essence, look to bring about the systemic change in public services that we need if we are to deliver services better, and more effectively and efficiently, to promote family wellbeing and to maximise incomes. There is also the £90 million investment in devolved employability services and the continuation of the delivery of free bus travel to more than 2.3 million people, including all those aged under 22 and disabled people. Liz Smith: Many of those measures are welcome. Would the cabinet secretary recognise, however, that there have been cuts in successive budgets to areas such as employability and enterprise in the economy budget?”
“That is essential support such as the Scottish child payment, which puts more money directly into the pockets of low-income families. We know that the cost of living crisis is still with many families and people in communities the length and breadth of the country. However, we know that eradicating child poverty will not be solved by social security alone. Clare Haughey and others pointed to the three drivers of poverty that the Scottish Government mentions in our “Best Start, Bright Futures” delivery plan, which is exactly why the budget does so much more than focus on social security in looking at the eradication of child poverty.”
“I welcome all the contributions that have been made as we discuss the importance of the Scottish Government’s mission to eradicate child poverty. The budget is unashamedly optimistic about bringing forward the investment that will put people on a more prosperous, sustainable footing that is fairer for all. It is a budget that once again shows that this Government has placed the highest possible priority on delivering action that will help to eradicate the scourge of child poverty in Scotland. It commits more than £6.9 billion for benefits expenditure—almost £1.3 billion more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security. Within that, £644 million of our package of benefits is available only here in Scotland.”