Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“We are committed to securing a just transition for Grangemouth. We have provided more than £12 million in funding to support the creation of up to 279 jobs. We are also committed to supporting workers who have been made redundant as a result of commercial decisions at Grangemouth.”
“The unions, especially Unite the Union, have been constructive throughout and have put the needs of their members before anything else. What role has our Government played to create a future for the workers who have been abandoned and discarded by the United Kingdom Labour Government?”
“It has worked with us to establish the Grangemouth jobs prioritisation scheme, which ensures that redundant workers are prioritised for new opportunities arising at Grangemouth as a result of the Grangemouth just transition fund.”
“Kate Forbes: I agree that attracting a varied and diverse range of investors who are able to meet the needs of companies across all projects and stages is vital. We have seen huge growth in start- ups, and now the focus needs to turn to scale-ups.”
“High streets are going to be hammered again by inaction on business rates that, in many cases, are doubling or trebling. Has the Government done any analysis of the impact of those increases on business closures and vacancy rates, and what they will do to the streets? Should the Government not look again at pausing the process?”
“Oliver Mundell: I associate myself with comments from colleagues across the chamber about the Deputy First Minister. I am concerned that the Scottish National Party- led Dumfries and Galloway Council is undoing all that hard work by continuing with its obsession with wasting £70 million of taxpayers’ money on the deeply unpopular Whitesan…”
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“Although that is a matter for local authorities, the Government has been in touch with East Ayrshire Council, and we understand that demand for GME early years places has been high this year. The council has been discussing the matter with parents, and we understand that a positive outcome has now been agreed for the parents who wish for their children to receive GME early years provision. We expect that, going forward, parents in East Ayrshire who wish their children to receive GME will be able to secure early years or primary level provision for them. Our position is that GME should be available to all parents who want access to it. I have already talked about the provisions that are in place in the Scottish Languages Bill, which is at stage 3, to deliver that. Scottish Economy (EY Assessment) 3.”
“However, we have a clear issue in Ayrshire. Gaelic-speaking families face splitting up their children at school because all the places are full in East Ayrshire, which delivers a really good service and fulfils more than its obligations. There is no consistent similar level of service across Ayrshire and there is clear underprovision, because local authorities are not able to meet the demand. Will the cabinet secretary assist with the immediate situation and help the authorities and the families with what is a good problem to have— the rising demand for more Gaelic education? Councils are finding it difficult to meet that demand under the current arrangements. Kate Forbes: The member is right to reflect on the popularity of Gaelic-medium education.”
“The Scottish Government will continue to support the three Ayrshire authorities in delivering Gaelic education. All three authorities receive Gaelic grant funding from the Government to assist with the delivery of Gaelic education. The Gaelic grant can also be used to contribute to transport costs in relation to Gaelic-medium education provision. Alongside financial support, the Scottish Languages Bill, which is at stage 3, will include measures for local authorities to support young people in securing access to Gaelic-medium education in another authority area. The bill also includes new transport provisions relating to GME provision. Willie Coffey: I welcome the Government’s proposals in the Scottish Languages Bill that will give more powers to communities to request more Gaelic-language education services.”
“Remarkably, despite accounting for less than 1 per cent of businesses in the United Kingdom, they contribute more than 50 per cent of total SME turnover, amounting to £1.2 trillion. I am proud to say that the value of our start-up community in Scotland goes beyond what can be measured by hard economic analysis. Many of our most promising and imaginative companies are working on problems of global significance such as the climate crisis, food security and drug discovery, and those firms are dispelling the myth that growth and wellbeing are contradictory economic principles.”
“Entrepreneurs and innovators are the catalysts of growth that shape our economy. From the moment that I first entered Government, I have championed that agenda. I believe in a future in which Scotland reclaims its position as a global leader in innovation, and in which entrepreneurs do not just imagine a better Scotland but have the tools, support and investment necessary to build it. Scaling firms have a profound economic impact and significantly outperform the broader economy. They are 40 per cent more productive than standard small and medium-sized enterprises and corporates, they pay higher wages, and they are responsible for the majority of net job creation.”
“On the first question, which was about time being of the essence, because of the impending deadline of 31 May, the member is absolutely right. We are therefore keen to look for opportunities through project willow that can be delivered as quickly as possible. As he will know, and as I have said before, we think that the closure of the refinery is premature.”
“The cabinet secretary knows that time is of the essence so, to accelerate the chances of retaining work and jobs, will the Government push for an immediate independent review of the assets at the refinery? Will the cabinet secretary update Parliament this afternoon on the 66 potential investors, who were previously named, and will she outline what can be done to speed up the investment process? Kate Forbes: With regard to the second question, which was on the progress on the 60- plus interests, I suggest that I take that offline to give Richard Leonard and other MSPs an update on progress. This is obviously quite a fast-moving situation, and I do not want to give Mr Leonard out-of-date information. We have pushed for an independent review of the asset. It has been one of the big asks from the union, and we are pushing for it, too.”
“A robust and independent analysis of the economic contribution of the Grangemouth refinery was conducted by PwC, and the findings of that assessment were published in August 2024. Our analysis notes that the economic value of the Grangemouth refinery, its supply chain and employee spending was estimated to be £403.6 million in 2023. However, the economic contribution of the refinery would not have been possible without the dedicated and highly skilled workforce, and I wish once again to pay tribute to them and to confirm my support for them at this difficult time. Richard Leonard: Today’s inaugural Grangemouth investment task force meeting is welcome, but the next set of refinery workers are due to leave the site, their jobs declared redundant, by 31 May.”
“The Scottish Government is supporting survivors through initiatives such as the Future Pathways service and the survivors of childhood abuse support fund, which fund trauma-informed services. We want to work with partners and survivor-led organisations to ensure that those services are accessible, responsive and person centred. Export and Investment Support Policies 4.”
“Will the cabinet secretary advise members what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that survivors of such abuse receive adequate support following their participation in the Scottish child abuse inquiry, as they find their voices to relive their horrific childhood experiences, the toll of which has haunted many of them throughout their adult lives? Kate Forbes: Elena Whitham raises a really important issue. Having engaged directly and personally with survivors, I recognise the importance of the point that she makes, and I acknowledge the courage of survivors who have shared their experiences with the inquiry. Recognising the impact of trauma, which she identifies, the inquiry follows a trauma-informed approach to ensure dignity and respect, and to seek to minimise retraumatisation.”
“The Scottish child abuse inquiry is investigating abuse experienced by children who were in care in Scotland between 1930 and 2014. The inquiry has reviewed a wide range of care settings and, to date, has completed eight phases of investigation. It has now commenced phase 9, which is focusing on healthcare and specialist schools. When the inquiry concludes, it will publish a final report that could make recommendations to improve practice, policy and legislation. We are committed to carefully considering the inquiry’s findings and recommendations. Elena Whitham: I have heard several harrowing experiences of historic abuse from constituents who were placed in care as children.”
“Kate Forbes: Not only have we pointed out the fact that other countries allow for distinct immigration solutions on a state basis, but we have pointed out the comments from stakeholders about their particular needs. John Mason mentioned the hospitality industry; the same could be said for the food and drink industry and the care sector. Previously, we worked with stakeholders in rural and island Scotland to design a rural visa pilot proposal that would reflect the needs of communities and economies. There is on-going disappointment, particularly from businesses, that that potential solution continues to be ignored.”
“We expect the United Kingdom immigration white paper to have a damaging effect on Scotland’s economy, because it fails to account for Scotland’s distinct demographic or labour market needs. Our ambition is to ensure that immigration delivers for Scotland as well as for the rest of the UK. Our working-age population is growing only because of migration, so we want a tailored migration solution for Scotland. John Mason: The Deputy First Minister mentions other parts of the UK. Has she had any discussions with other parts of the UK? The last time that I was in the lake district, restaurants and shops were closing early, presumably because they did not have enough staff. Has she pointed out to the UK Government that other countries, such as Canada and Australia, have regional or state-specific migration policies?”
“We call on the UK Government to recognise Scotland’s distinct migration needs and to work with us to deliver tailored migration solutions for Scotland. United Kingdom Immigration Policy (Impact on Labour Market) 3.”
“Given that business leaders and public services have warned that the reforms will cause labour shortages and undermine business confidence, has the UK Government provided any assurance to Scottish ministers about its plans? Kate Forbes: Yesterday, the First Minister met representatives from social care, education, the rural economy, tourism businesses and local government to discuss the implications of the UK Government’s immigration white paper. We continue to engage urgently with the UK Government, highlighting the potentially deeply damaging impact that its measures will have on public services, communities and the economy. Other stakeholders have backed up much of what has been said about that potential impact in the press. Scotland’s working-age population is growing only because of migration.”
“The UK Government immigration white paper completely fails to account for Scotland’s distinct demographic or economic needs. Scotland’s public services, communities and economy all benefit from inward migration. The decision to end international care worker recruitment and the planned changes to the graduate visa and skilled worker visa schemes are short-sighted and will prove damaging to sectors that necessarily rely on international talent. Clare Adamson: The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has stated that UK Government plans for immigration present a serious challenge for Scotland’s economy and workforce. The Labour Government’s rhetoric is demonising friends, neighbours and loved ones who have made their home here and are a valued part of Scottish society.”
“Islanders need a resilient ferry network, and the Glen Rosa needs to be delivered as quickly as possible. We have implemented the additional oversight steps and the review groups, and we have agreed additional actions with the shop stewards. I am very happy to work with any member in the chamber if there are specific actions that I should take to ensure that there is that maximum scrutiny. The board also reports to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, which is absolutely right and proper, so there is parliamentary oversight as well. The bottom line, however, is that the final vessel needs to be delivered as quickly as possible.”
“Kate Forbes: On the member’s final point, I agree with her, having communicated to the yard’s leadership that there can be no more delays. This morning, I met the shop stewards, union members and workers themselves, and we agreed a number of additional actions that will amplify their voices in the process to ensure that the issues that they identify as impacting on the timescales are escalated immediately to ensure that there is maximum accountability and oversight, and that action is taken on any issues that emerge. Sue Webber started her last question by talking about islanders. I am in no doubt that she will appreciate that I represent some of those islands, and I assure her that my inbox reflects the frustrations that she has just articulated on behalf of Bill Calderwood.”
“Sue Webber: Bill Calderwood, from the Isle of Arran ferry committee, said: “The community are at a loss at what more can be said about the continued examples of mismanagement on this project.” He also said: “The programme has gone from delay to delay with little, or no, obvious consequences for the management of the company or others involved in these failures.” After years of repeated delays, enormous cost overruns and a revolving door of senior figures at Ferguson Marine and CalMac, not one SNP minister has been shown the door. That is an insult to islanders and taxpayers. There cannot be any more delays—islanders are sick to the back teeth of this. What more will the Deputy First Minister do to further ensure that the ferry is delivered on or before April 2026, and will anyone ever be held accountable for this SNP- made crisis?”
“We have established a small review team, with involvement from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, to ensure that we can scrutinise the delivery plan in detail. That is proceeding right now. There is a weekly review group with CMAL and Scottish Government officials, and I have made clear my expectations of the new chief executive and the board. I met the new chief executive to communicate that shortly before he started at the end of April.”
“When was the Deputy First Minister informed that the Glen Rosa would be delayed further? Did ministerial pressure and perhaps the poor sequencing of work on, or cannibalisation of, the Glen Rosa to complete the Glen Sannox factor in the latest delay? Will the new chief executive officer of Ferguson Marine be yet another scapegoat for the Scottish National Party’s failure to deliver this lifeline ferry on time and on budget? Kate Forbes: Let me be very clear that this is not a question of scapegoats; this is about holding all parties to account for the delivery that is required. I have been clear that that delivery needs to happen with urgency, discipline and full accountability. In the past few weeks, I have put in place rigorous oversight to hold people fully to account on those issues.”
“Ferguson Marine has advised that the revised delivery date and the cost increase stem from historic failures in project planning, poor sequencing of work and a loss of focus during the delivery of the MV Glen Sannox. The situation is wholly unacceptable, and I have communicated that in the most direct and robust way that I can to the yard’s leadership. Sue Webber: Earlier this year, the former chief executive officer of Ferguson Marine, John Petticrew, told the Public Audit Committee that there was a risk of further delays to the Glen Rosa, but this is far worse than we could ever have imagined. It is delayed until June 2026, and both vessels are set to cost upwards of £460 million. CalMac Ferries routes have already been pushed to the limit thanks to an ageing fleet, and islanders were counting on the delivery of that lifeline vessel.”
“We are at a crucial moment in Scotland’s economic history—a history that has been shaped by ambition, innovation, openness, resilience and collaboration. Our economy today is built on that history. Scotland has always been a land of strength, tradition and resilience. From our islands to our cities, our businesses and communities carry with us a spirit that has been forged through centuries of challenge and change. The global economic system is undergoing a reset, with the International Monetary Fund warning of slow growth due to escalating tariffs and related policy uncertainty. Such economic instability causes anxiety.”
“From global conflict to shifts in global trade, not all challenges can be controlled and solved in Scotland. However, we can collectively ensure that Scotland is ready and resilient. We can improve the lives of individuals, families and communities with the programme for government, and we are already doing so.”
“This Government has always been very clear on what is needed, and the First Minister has set out his priorities. He set them out on the day when he accepted his position as leader of the nation, and he reiterated them today. They are, first, eradicating child poverty so that no child in Scotland sees their opportunities curtailed; secondly, growing a wellbeing economy to create new jobs and a fairer society; thirdly, tackling the climate emergency to help nature to heal and fight climate change, while investing in a greener future for us all; and fourthly, providing high-quality and sustainable public services so that we are healthier and every community, whether urban or rural, can thrive. I would hope that those four objectives are ones that every member can get behind in this chamber.”
“The First Minister has set out an ambitious and bold plan for delivery over the next 12 months. As Deputy First Minister, I hold responsibility for cross-Government delivery and outcomes. Each of the commitments that the First Minister has set out demonstrates that this is a Government that believes in action to improve the lives of the people of Scotland today and tomorrow. This Government is delivering positive change and tangible benefits with policies that people can see and feel in their daily lives, and my role is to ensure that that continues to be the case. However, with stretched public finances, we cannot do everything and hard decisions must sometimes be made, so we focus on what has the greatest and most positive impact for the people of Scotland now and how we can invest for the future.”
“We are deeply sorry for the workers and the wider community. The Government will work tirelessly to secure the future that both the workers and the community of Grangemouth deserve. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The Deputy First Minister will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. It would be helpful if members who wish to ask a question were to press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“That includes making a timely decision on the Acorn project, which we still await and which is absolutely essential for the future of Grangemouth. We have repeatedly suggested that the UK Government should make immediately available the whole £10 million that it announced as part of the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal, and I reiterate that proposal again today. That would be a tangible start in supporting businesses here in Scotland that need that support now. I reaffirm the Government’s commitment to doing all that we can, within the limited powers that we have, to secure a long-term and sustainable future for Grangemouth. The decision by Petroineos is nothing short of an economic crisis. We need the UK Government to work with us to respond quickly, as we know that it can. It is a very sad day for Grangemouth and for Scotland.”
“Businesses have made it clear that flexible funding should be made available to support their ambitions, and our recently announced Grangemouth just transition fund will be a key tool in bringing forward future investment at the site. The early positive progress that Scottish Enterprise has reported has been made has been catalysed by the Government’s commitment. However, we cannot do this alone. Although I welcome the £200 million that has been allocated from the national wealth fund, we know that, by its nature, that funding is somewhat restrictive. It does not have the ability to support early-stage technologies that require immediate support. We therefore hope that the UK Government will do more. We call on it to apply the full flexibility of its resources to support investment at Grangemouth.”
“Clearly, Petroineos must and will continue to have a critical role to play in the future. The transition of Grangemouth is dependent on Petroineos, as the landowner, acting responsibly. We have engaged positively with the company during its tenure as operator, and I am committed to continuing that. It has given assurances to ministers and officials that it will act as a responsible landlord, and the Government will hold it to that commitment. Petroineos has not yet committed to making any investment in the projects that are proposed in project willow, but we are engaging with the company and its shareholders to chart a mutually beneficial course that could lead to future investment.”
“Scottish Enterprise is dealing with 66 inquiries, which are aligned with the full range of technologies that are set out in the report, as well as with manufacturing activities that are carried out across the wider cluster. Scottish Enterprise has developed a triage process for assessing those projects quickly, which will lead to due diligence on those that offer the best near- term fit. Scottish Enterprise and my officials are working closely together on activity across the whole cluster, with a view to realising the full potential of the site’s transformation. Scottish Enterprise’s approach is not limited to dealing with inbound inquiries; it also includes marketing the Grangemouth opportunity to the world. To that end, Scottish Enterprise is undertaking investor outreach work to attract world-class projects and investors to the site.”
“Project willow is being spearheaded by an investment task force that is led by Scottish Enterprise. I am pleased to inform the Parliament that we have seen tangible progress with regard to interested investors and technology providers. As we seek to work with interested parties, the insight of the workforce and Unite will be critical in ensuring that we capitalise on those opportunities. The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy received the first progress report from the task force this morning. It is clear that real progress is being made on the outputs from project willow and other associated manufacturing opportunities.”
“Although it is regrettable that that intervention has been needed, it is an excellent example of how the Scottish public sector has collaborated with Unite the union to ensure that those workers get the support that they need and deserve. I pay tribute to Unite, which has supported the design and delivery, and now the deployment, of that intervention. Unite’s support has been unwavering, and we are grateful for its candour and its efforts to ensure that that provision meets the needs of those individuals. The voice of workers who have the experience and the expertise will be critical as we seek to secure a long-term and sustainable future for the industrial cluster. Their role and input will continue to be central as we drive forward activity that secures that ambition.”
“We have already provided £450,000 of funding to support their transition into other roles through a bespoke skills intervention that is being delivered by Forth Valley College. I am pleased that 168 workers are already engaging in retraining activity, and that the majority of the remaining workforce have registered for training that will commence in the coming weeks. We have prioritised those workers who will be leaving the refinery in the near term to ensure that they are supported and assisted in their transition, and that they are helped to secure other employment and to use their valuable skills to continue to contribute to Scotland’s economy.”
“Yesterday, the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy wrote to the UK Government to urge it to join her in support for Unite the union’s proposal for a review of those assets to inform our work. I reiterate that call and urge the UK Government to get behind that proposal immediately and ensure that we lose no further time. Doing so is critical not only to bringing forward new business, but to ensuring that people who are directly impacted by the decision know that we have their backs. The workers are at the forefront of our minds. We have not been idly standing by while those highly skilled individuals are put out of work, bringing to their families uncertainty and worry about what comes next.”
“The UK Government could have chosen to underpin operations at the refinery to bridge the transition to new technologies or, as we have repeatedly called for, intervened to enable sustainable aviation fuel production at Grangemouth. However, it is not too late. The UK Government could still choose to intervene at this late stage and deliver a different result. The scale and magnitude of such an intervention would require UK Government involvement—it is not something that the Scottish Government could do alone. At the very least, we need to know and understand what assets at the refinery could potentially be used to help Grangemouth contribute to our net zero economy in the future.”
“We are also ensuring that we support the wider area with investment of a further £81 million through the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal, the Grangemouth just transition fund and other activities. I continue to advocate that the decision of last September was and is premature. It jeopardises our transition to net zero, negatively impacts the Scottish economy and leaves us reliant on imported fuel. We have continually called on the United Kingdom Government to do more to intervene and stop this needless act of economic vandalism. If it can intervene at Scunthorpe, surely it is necessary for it to do so at Grangemouth.”
“Yesterday’s news that Petroineos has now ceased refining at Grangemouth is a devastating blow to Scotland’s economy, the workforce and the local community. My thoughts are with all the workers who are impacted as they navigate these difficult times. Although we have anticipated this moment since Petroineos made its decision last September, it is nonetheless a dark moment in Scotland’s industrial history. The Scottish Government has consistently engaged with and supported both Petroineos and its shareholders. Since March 2020, we have worked positively and collaboratively with the business to secure its operations in incredibly challenging situations and to seek to support its transition to other technologies. We have invested more than £6 million over that period directly in Petroineos and its shareholders.”
“However, I would be more than happy to look closely at all the specific issues and see what progress can be made on each particular element.”
“There is still no clarity as to how much the producers will ultimately have to pay for EPR waste, the fees for which are vastly more expensive than in other countries such as Ireland, nor how councils will secure the revenues that are generated by it. Will the minister work urgently with other Scottish ministers in the Scottish Government, which forms part of the four-nation working group on EPR, to ensure that those real concerns are heard by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the scheme administrators? Kate Forbes: I am happy to make that commitment to the member and to the stakeholders that he referenced. We will listen carefully to the comments that they make and we will ensure that they are fed back to the UK Government. Craig Hoy has asked a number of portfolio questions in recent weeks on EPR schemes.”
“We have been engaging with the UK Government and with the other devolved Governments to improve the UK-wide scheme, while also exploring new stewardship measures through our circular economy strategy and waste route map. Craig Hoy: Last week, I convened a meeting with industry stakeholders as part of the cross- party group on beer and pubs. They fear that EPR is fast becoming a £1.1 billion tax and regulatory burden that brings risks to a range of sectors, including the glass industry, soft drinks, distilling, hospitality and retail, and that it will ultimately hit consumers and result in increased inflation.”
“Ayrshire College is key, and I have had the privilege of visiting it before. Time and again, skills are identified as one of the major challenges to achieving business opportunities in the area. I am keen to work with the college and the sector more generally to ensure that we realise those opportunities, and that there are no impediments to doing that.”
“Can the cabinet secretary explain why Ayrshire College, and indeed Ayrshire more widely, continually seems to be an afterthought for the Scottish Government? How does she propose to ensure that the Ayrshire growth deal moves forward at pace in order to secure that vital inward investment? Kate Forbes: I believe that Ayrshire is the vanguard and is at the forefront of delivering economic opportunity, particularly in and around clusters such as the Prestwick cluster. I was sorry that I could not attend Mr Whittle’s meeting on 23 April, which I had communicated to the member in advance. However, I, too, have meetings in the diary and will be engaging with some of the businesses that were in attendance in order to make it clear that the Scottish Government supports the Prestwick cluster and the opportunities in aerospace and other sectors.”
“Brian Whittle: As the cabinet secretary will know, last week, I facilitated a meeting at the Prestwick aerospace cluster to discuss the potential of the Ayrshire growth deal to deliver at least 1,500 well-paid, highly skilled jobs in Ayrshire, in addition to the 3,500 proposed jobs from XLCC in North Ayrshire. Securing the skilled workforces that those businesses need will be a key factor in ensuring that those major international companies commit to investing millions of pounds in Ayrshire, which is why everyone who was at the meeting was so concerned to hear that Ayrshire College is not only facing funding cuts but that its potential to support economic growth in Ayrshire is apparently being overlooked in favour of Scotland’s cities.”
“Scottish Government investment of more than £100 million in the Ayrshire growth deal, matched by United Kingdom Government funding, is expected to unlock private investment of around £300 million and deliver around 7,000 new jobs, transforming the local economy for the benefit of all our people and places. Construction has just begun on phase one of the £14 million great harbour project. Governments have approved outline business cases for the £23 million Ayrshire manufacturing investment corridor and the £9 million marine tourism programme, enabling those important projects to progress to the next stage, and work is continuing at pace on new projects that will support the aerospace sector at Prestwick, which I know is of interest to Mr Whittle.”
“With regard to the economic analysis that is done, we look at a number of different sources, always looking at how we can improve the data work that we do; I know that Michelle Thomson has a long-standing interest in that. That type of work has helped to maintain Scotland as the second highest area for inward investment in the United Kingdom, after London, in nine of the past 10 years according to EY. The EY data is helpfully granular with regard to where those investors originate and the confidence that they have in”
“I was fortunate enough to attend tartan week celebrations to represent the Scottish Parliament, and I was struck by the warmth with which the Scottish culture, heritage and traditions, and our products and services, were met. The DFM correctly highlights the value of our export market, but what assessment has been made of the specific economic value not only of celebrations such as tartan week, but of promoting brand Scotland to the US and other global markets more widely? Kate Forbes: I confess to being slightly jealous of Michelle Thomson’s trip over that period. The Scottish Government, alongside other brand Scotland partners, uses moments such as tartan week to showcase Scotland’s innovation and culture through events and media promotion.”
“The First Minister’s visit to the United States for tartan week focused on supporting Scotland’s economic growth. The key opportunities that were identified included welcoming more US investment in financial services, technology and renewable energy; championing quality Scottish products against the backdrop of tariffs and volatility; and showcasing Scotland’s top-class cultural and higher education institutions. The First Minister’s visit achieved each one of those objectives. The US is Scotland’s second largest export market for goods and services, after the European Union. Around 16.4 per cent of our exports go to the USA, totalling more than £5 billion, and engagement with the USA around economic opportunities is therefore absolutely vital. Michelle Thomson: I thank the Deputy First Minister for that full response.”
“Would she be willing to come to Clydebank to meet Crafting Together to discuss what it has on offer? Kate Forbes: Organisations such as Crafting Together, as Marie McNair has said, are doing great work in supporting those with additional support needs to find and stay in employment. I am sure that the Minister for Employment and Investment, as the lead minister on these matters, would be delighted to meet Crafting Together to hear more about its work. We are committed to halving the disability employment gap and supporting disabled people and those with additional support needs into employment, and I commend Crafting Together for all that it does in that regard. Economic Growth Opportunities (Tartan Week 2025) 3.”
“The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of social enterprises and their valuable contribution to Scotland’s economy. Investing in social enterprise is crucial for our vision of progressing towards an economy that is fairer and greener, and which has inclusive growth at its heart. Funding for the sector has been protected at £6.2 million for next year. Marie McNair: Crafting Together, which is a social enterprise in my constituency of Clydebank and Milngavie, has done amazing work in providing employment opportunities for those with additional support needs, but more can still be done to improve the rates of employment. Can the cabinet secretary advise what action can be taken to improve employment rates for those with additional support needs?”