Alexander Stewart
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“Housing for older people is a key priority that is driven by an ageing population. Does the Scottish Government recognise that prioritising the right type of housing can improve quality of life and reduce the need for public services, particularly in health and social care? Màiri McAllan: I agree with that.”
“Suicide in young people has reached a crisis point. The breaking the silence suicide prevention project that has been piloted in schools in my region is a step in the right direction.”
“To ask the Scottish Government for what reason, despite an increase in the number of businesses pledging to pay the real living wage, the percentage of people actually being paid the real living wage or more has been decreasing for three consecutive years. (S6O-05654)”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of the statement. The Scottish National Party talks a good game on child poverty, but it has failed to back up those words with actions; it has failed to close the attainment gap, one in five children lives in poverty, and it has failed to make work a viable route out of poverty.”
“I spoke about not just the £90 million—now with a multiyear commitment—for our employability service, but also the £19 million that is going into the transport to employment offer, and the £15 million for childcare for priority families that need that support to enter employment.”
“The cabinet secretary is committed to increasing all benefits with inflation, but how much will that add to the already blooming benefit bill?”
The complete record
Every one of 374 lines we hold for Alexander Stewart, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 8.
“Equally, looking at our existing stock, we have committed to reviewing the adaptations system as a whole to ensure that it continues to deliver for people who need it in our communities. First-time Buyers 4.”
“Housing for older people is a key priority that is driven by an ageing population. Does the Scottish Government recognise that prioritising the right type of housing can improve quality of life and reduce the need for public services, particularly in health and social care? Màiri McAllan: I agree with that. In my responses to Karen Adam, I was clear about local authorities’ responsibility to plan for that and the co-operation that we have with local authorities in making sure that it is delivered. I place on the record that the Scottish Government has committed to updating “Housing for Varying Needs” within two years of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 having come through Parliament. We understand that, as we develop new housing, it has to be fit for people’s needs, now and in the future.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its commitment is to a sustainable funding package for Forth Valley College to ensure its long-term future. (S6O-05691)”
“Suicide in young people has reached a crisis point. The breaking the silence suicide prevention project that has been piloted in schools in my region is a step in the right direction. What is the Scottish Government doing to ensure that the project’s training, which literally saves lives, is rolled out in schools across the whole of Scotland?”
“To ask the Scottish Government for what reason, despite an increase in the number of businesses pledging to pay the real living wage, the percentage of people actually being paid the real living wage or more has been decreasing for three consecutive years. (S6O-05654)”
“The Tories are more interested in pushing children into poverty, but this Government will continue to lift children out of poverty. That is the ambition on delivery that the SNP Government has. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members who wish to ask questions to press their request-to-speak button.”
“I spoke about not just the £90 million—now with a multiyear commitment—for our employability service, but also the £19 million that is going into the transport to employment offer, and the £15 million for childcare for priority families that need that support to enter employment. The speech, the statement and the plan are all about tackling the roots of poverty. I make no apology for lifting children out of poverty. That is the mission of this Government. [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Stewart. Shirley-Anne Somerville: I admit that high- level modelling was done on the Tories’ plans when they said that they would put a two-child limit on the Scottish child payment that would mean an estimated 10,000 fewer children being lifted out of poverty.”
“The cabinet secretary is committed to increasing all benefits with inflation, but how much will that add to the already blooming benefit bill? How can the cabinet secretary justify that level of spending on social security when child poverty remains so high, and will the cabinet secretary address the underlying cause of poverty, rather than just diverting more and more public money into benefits? Shirley-Anne Somerville: I am not entirely sure that Alexander Stewart did not write that speech before he got my statement and this version of the plan. If he was remotely listening, particularly at the start of my statement, he would have heard that I talked about exactly how we were tackling the barriers that people face when they struggle to get into employment.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of the statement. The Scottish National Party talks a good game on child poverty, but it has failed to back up those words with actions; it has failed to close the attainment gap, one in five children lives in poverty, and it has failed to make work a viable route out of poverty. Instead, it has funnelled billions into an ever-growing benefit bill. What Scotland needs is a system that helps people to move beyond reliance on state support. Instead, under the current plan, the SNP appears to be content to manage poverty through a growing benefits budget, rather than tackling the structural issues that keep families trapped. Many of the measures that have been announced in the statement sound good on paper, but, as we know, the SNP is often strong on rhetoric but light on delivery.”
“It should be recognised as part of the effective scrutiny that proper law making requires. Promoting inclusion and ensuring that there is diversity across political issues and across the political divide is vital. The Parliament should be grounded in the realisation that it affects everyday lives across Scotland. 13:09”
“For example, we know that the number of disabled people in employment has increased over the past decade, but it is still very small when compared with the number of non-disabled people in employment. For groups across society, tackling one form of inequality often means tackling other forms alongside that. Members across the chamber agree that the Parliament should fully reflect Scotland and what Scotland represents. That means that we must be committed to removing unnecessary barriers to inclusion, and if we truly want to be inclusive, that must include our political system. Those barriers include disabled people and many other demographics who remain underrepresented in politics as a whole. Lived experience should not sit on the margins of discussion.”
“The study also highlighted evidence that non-disabled people also see disabled political candidates as bringing a range of traits and skills to the table”, which is important partly because disabled candidates offer different life experiences, as we know. That reminds us of the need to tackle the remaining barriers that discourage and prevent disabled people from participating in politics, as that should help to unlock the potential that many individuals can offer to the political system. That work includes programmes such as the access to elected office fund, which is run by Inclusion Scotland. That should go alongside continued efforts to tackle other inequalities that disabled people face in their day-to-day lives.”
“The summit demonstrates clearly how the political debate improves when underrepresented groups, including disabled people, are fully involved in the wider political debate. Jeremy Balfour’s motion says that disabled people are underrepresented in Scottish politics, which is a trend that is also happening in the United Kingdom, across Europe and in the United States. A study in 2024 found that disabled people in the UK and the US feel better represented by disabled candidates. That was driven partly by a sense of shared identity but also by a feeling that they are better represented by candidates who share their disability.”
“I am pleased to speak in this afternoon’s debate, and I thank Jeremy Balfour for bringing the issue to the chamber. The motion for today’s debate speaks to the simple but important principle that lived experience can strengthen our democracy. Although statistics and political theory are no doubt important for making policy, they cannot be the only things that influence how the Parliament decides on law. Legislation must also be informed by the experiences of those who the decisions affect. That is why we support having politicians who have a variety of life experiences, as that can improve the choices that they make. We should also support the inclusion of groups who are underrepresented in politics, which is why initiatives such as the Parliament’s disability summit are so important, as the motion highlights.”
“Without improvements to the local government funding settlement, councils will still be trying to do their job with one hand tied behind their backs. Our councils are the closest level of government to communities and it is only right that they are empowered to act in the best interests of those whom they represent. All too often, however, councils are made to act as though they are an extension of the Scottish Government rather than the true form of local government that they are. We will, therefore, support the amended bill at decision time. The onus will rest on the Scottish Government to address the outstanding issues within local government, to ensure that it is able to deliver in the way that local communities rightly expect. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mark Griffin joins us remotely. 16:30”
“The introduction of the Verity house agreement two and a half years ago set a new vision for councils and the Government to work together more effectively, but many councils have been frustrated by the lack of progress since that agreement was introduced. There is significant overlap between the principles that are set out in the charter and those in the Verity house agreement. Legislative backing for those principles is therefore an important step in improving outcomes for Scottish local government, and I note that COSLA called for that in its evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. That needs to be combined with an end to the erosion of local government funding and the re-establishment of services that have been cut.”
“However, we have seen in recent years that that good will can sometimes not be respected. This is only the second bill that this Parliament has had to reconsider. Although it is welcome that the Parliament is able to vote on the final version of the bill today, this debate has been a long time coming. More than 1,000 days have passed since the Supreme Court made its judgment back in October 2021, and the Law Society of Scotland has made it quite clear that it has taken far too long for the bill to reach the current stage. It stated: “Future Bills which are determined by the UK Supreme Court to be outside the competence of the Scottish Parliament should not have reconsideration delayed beyond two years from the date of the decision.” We support that.”
“I am pleased to open on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. The amended European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill represents a step in the right direction for Scottish local government. The aim of the European Charter of Local Self-Government is to protect and strengthen the powers of local authorities. It is already recognised in the legal system, and successful incorporation of the charter into Scots law will send a clear message about the important role that this level of government can play in people’s lives. That was the case five years ago, when we debated the bill at stage 3, and it is still the case today. COSLA has highlighted that the current relationship between local and central Government depends on good will and the assessment of the Scottish Government.”
“However, in its briefing, the Law Society of Scotland states: “It is not in the interest of good law making that reconsideration has been delayed by more than 4 years.” It argues: “Future Bills which are determined … to be outside the competence of the Scottish Parliament should not have reconsideration delayed beyond two years from the date of the decision.” Had the Government progressed with this bill as it did with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill back in December 2023, this bill could have been on the statute books well over a year ago. However, as I have indicated, we will support the amendments in this group.”
“Group 1 deals with the compatibility duty. We voted for the bill back in March 2021, and we will support the cabinet secretary’s amendments in this group, which will narrow the compatibility duty in section 2 so that it applies only to functions conferred by Scottish Parliament primary legislation, Scottish Parliament secondary legislation or common law. We accept that that is a necessity in the light of the Supreme Court’s judgment.”
“For example, Glasgow City Council is increasing council tax by 5.9 per cent, while Tory- controlled Moray Council is increasing it by 10 per cent. There will be variation across Scotland, but that is what local democracy is all about.”
“The cabinet secretary has stated that the settlement is fair and sustainable, but Clackmannanshire Council, which is in my region, projects a budget gap of £7.34 million for 2026-27. As councils across Scotland are forced to consider double-digit council tax rises for a second consecutive year, will the cabinet secretary stand by the Government’s claim that there is no need for substantial council tax rises to balance local government budgets? Shona Robison: The main call from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, which is the representative body of local government, was for full local discretion over council tax. COSLA leaders, including the Tory COSLA leader, were adamant that they wanted to have full local discretion over council tax. That discretion means that there will be differences in local decision making.”
“We have started our work by talking to Fife College and the workforce to understand what the needs are; our funding will meet that need. I imagine that we will be able to provide updates to the Parliament, but, at this stage, instead of giving a lump sum, the funding will be demand led and based on what the workforce needs. Shipbuilding (Financial Support) 2.”
“Ministers indicate that they are supporting the Mossmorran workforce. I welcome the pledge of £9 million over three years and the job search that has been announced. Of the £9 million, £3 million is being made available immediately. Will the Deputy First Minister publish a breakdown of how much of the £3 million has been released and what has been delivered so far for the workforce and the contractors who are affected by the issue? Kate Forbes: We will keep the Parliament informed about the spending of the funding. In relation to the first announcement, the funding offers immediate help while shaping how we deliver a fair transition for the workforce. It will be informed by the training needs assessments that are delivered by Fife College.”
“I move amendment S6M-20820.1, to insert at end: “; notes that ExxonMobil has blamed the UK Labour administration’s windfall tax for accelerating the decline of Mossmorran; expresses disappointment that the left-wing ‘Holyrood’ consensus, in its opposition to oil and gas, has resulted in tens of thousands of job losses; highlights that the Scottish Green Party previously campaigned for Mossmorran to be closed; calls on the Scottish Government to publish its energy strategy, and further calls on the UK Government to support Rosebank oil and gas field, which could generate billions of pounds’ worth of investment and support jobs in the oil and gas supply chain.” 16:18”
“Alexander Stewart: I was there, supporting the community. You are well aware of that, Mr Ruskell, because I was there many times, at many of those meetings— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always through the chair. Alexander Stewart: As it stands, this is not a just transition—it is a cliff edge. What we have heard from the Greens this afternoon is predictable. Last year’s announcement that Mossmorran was to close was an important reminder of how bad Government policy can change the lives of communities across Scotland. The Scottish and UK Governments require to support those communities and should be looking at securing the Rosebank oil and gas field, because that is vitally important. The Scottish Government’s deeds and actions have been detrimental and continue to fail the community, the sector and Scotland.”
“Although we cannot disagree with the wording of the motion that the Greens have lodged, it is rather confusing to say the least. Given the widespread hostility towards the industry across this Parliament, however, it is hardly surprising that more than 13,000 jobs in the oil and gas sector have been lost in the space of just a year. Mark Ruskell: The member points to my record of calling for a just transition plan for Mossmorran for years. Can he point to a single thing that he, or any of his three other Tory colleagues who cover Fife, has ever done to support the community and the workers at Mossmorran? Alexander Stewart: I can assure the member that, in the 10 years that I have been in this job in this building, I have attended many events at Mossmorran— Mark Ruskell: You got your picture taken for your newsletter.”
“However, the UK Government has also played its part in damaging the oil and gas sector, and it has to take some responsibility for its deeds and actions. Exxon has blamed the UK Government’s windfall tax for the decline of Mossmorran and has spoken about “the challenges of … a policy environment that is accelerating the exit of vital industries, domestic manufacturing, and the high-value jobs they provide.” Those are all at risk because of the UK Government’s deeds and actions. Of course, there have been no stronger cheerleaders for the demise of the oil and gas industry than Scottish Green Party members. For years, they were vocal campaigners for the closure of Mossmorran, and they even described it as a “fossil fuel relic” in the community.”
“That is clear from its draft energy strategy and its just transition plan, which include a presumption against the extension of oil and gas development. Scots should not be fooled by claims that the SNP is softening its position on oil and gas. If the Government really wanted to support the sector, it could prove that by finalising its energy strategy. Scottish Conservative members have called countless times for the strategy to be published, but it is still a mystery and we do not have it. The SNP has failed to deliver the just transition plan for Mossmorran that had been promised. Even by November last year, when Exxon confirmed the site’s closure, with more than 400 jobs at risk, we were still waiting for that plan.”
“I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. It is a welcome opportunity to highlight the on-going crisis at Mossmorran, which will impact not only the area but the wider Fife economy and Scotland as a whole. The closure of Mossmorran will mean the loss of as many as 400 jobs, affecting many people from neighbouring communities across the Mid Scotland and Fife region, which I represent. Many of those are highly skilled jobs that are vitally important to Scotland’s manufacturing industry. As my amendment highlights, Mossmorran’s closure was not only avoidable; it was the direct result of the left-wing consensus across this Parliament and the failure to support Scotland’s oil and gas sector. The Scottish National Party Government has for many years been at the heart of that left-wing consensus.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether offenders convicted of serious violent offences could be eligible for release after serving around 30 per cent of their custodial sentence under the proposed changes to automatic release points. (S6O-05524)”
“Many of the principles in the agreement can be welcomed, but too much of what is in it has yet to become a reality, and councils are frustrated with the lack of progress so far. It was never intended that the agreement would have any legislative backing, but its principles draw on the European Charter of Local Self-Government. I hope that we can see genuine progress on the relationship between local and central Government, which the Scottish Government has been promising for years. There is very limited time remaining in the current session of Parliament to reconsider the bill. I hope that the Government can work with Mark Ruskell to progress matters. It is right that the bill progresses to reconsideration stage, but the Government still has much more work to do if it is to regain the trust of local government. 17:23”
“Further, almost exactly a year ago, the Government said that it was working on the bill and that reconsideration would take place as soon as practical. It is only now, with just two months remaining before the end of this session of Parliament, that we have got to this point. However, I am glad that we have done so. I would like to reflect on how the political debate around local government has developed since the Parliament debated the bill at stage 3, which is nearly five years ago. COSLA has long supported the principles behind the bill, but it has also indicated that local government is facing a “dire financial situation.” In 2023, the Verity house agreement was published, which aimed to strengthen the Scottish Government’s working relationship with councils.”
“I am pleased to speak on the motion to allow the Parliament to reconsider the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. As the closest level of government to communities, it is right that councils, and elected councillors, are given the powers to act in the best interests of local residents. The Scottish Conservatives will therefore support the motion, so that Parliament can consider which amendments are needed to bring the bill within this Parliament’s legislative competence. It is regrettable that the Parliament has had to wait so long for progress to be made. It is notable that more than 1,000 days have passed since the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in October 2021.”
“This Government needs to be honest about the financial pressures facing local government, and about the political will to address that properly. It has to talk about that. Whether it is income tax, council tax, business rates or stealth taxes, this Government cannot be trusted to reshape Scotland’s tax system in any shape, way or form. As today’s motion sets out, the SNP should step back from this flawed consultation and focus instead on delivering, and on talking about stable funding and genuine partnership in local government. That is what local government wants to see and wants to be involved in, instead of seeing us crying out for that. It has been crying out for that for years. As we are going to see, people will pay more and get less. That is the SNP’s local government tax policy, and that will continue to be it.”
“As I said, the cabinet secretary talked about a fair system. We do not have a fair system. That system is not working. Sue Webber spoke about the new charges, penalties, fees and permits in Edinburgh. Those are all having a massive impact on individuals the length and breadth of her community. People are paying parking charges outside their own front door, and businesses are suffering from stealth taxes and continued piecemeal charging. This SNP Government insists on endless tinkering with devolved taxes in the hope that it will fix some of the problems that it has created. If councils continue to be squeezed, no amount of tinkering with the tax system will prevent them from raising bills. That is what we have seen today.”
“That is undermining and underfunding councils year on year. Shona Robison: Will the member give way? Alexander Stewart: Pam Gosal talked about how it affects each and every one of us. Nineteen years of SNP control has had a devastating effect: £528 million pressures are being talked about. Shona Robison: Will the member give way? Alexander Stewart: My time is limited, but I may come back to the cabinet secretary. Shona Robison: Mr Stewart is contradicting himself. Alexander Stewart: Not at all. People are talking about having to deal with more. That is a real issue for many councils. Thousands will have to pay more in Dunbartonshire. Pam Gosal spoke about how that is going to happen. Sue Webber talked about the raid on households in her area. It is not welcome and it is not fair.”
“We first talked about that being done in relation to local government funding many years ago. We are still talking about it today. We have heard lots of contributions this afternoon. My colleague Craig Hoy talked about the devastation that councils are facing, with cuts upon cuts, and about how more people will receive more bills that are going up this year. Bills are going in the wrong direction. That is affecting hard- working families, hard-working businessmen and women, and hard-working individuals. The consultation should be ditched. We are happy to stand on the side of the hard-working taxpayer. We also heard from the cabinet secretary that any reform must be fair. How is it fair to hammer hard-working Scots? Michael Marra talked about the importance of the council tax freeze that has been forced on councils by this Government.”
“This year, it is talking about having another funding gap of £7 million, while Stirling Council will have a gap of £12 million. Councils the length and breadth of Scotland are being squeezed. COSLA has also highlighted that the latest Scottish budget delivers a poor funding settlement for local government. The Fraser of Allander Institute has indicated that the average bill will have to rise by 8 per cent this year alone for budgets to stay where they should be. The Government is not putting anything forward; it continues to short-change local government and councils across Scotland. One way of dealing with that would be to secure a guaranteed share of the Scottish budget. We have been saying that for a number of years. The Fraser of Allander Institute has also indicated that a decrease in funding will continue.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back. Alexander Stewart: The cabinet secretary is not looking at this like-for-like. We on this side of the chamber reflect on what the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Fraser of Allander Institute say when they tell us that the Government is not giving enough funding to local government. As I have said, we have to look at the shortfall in context. As we have already heard, tax increases are a decision for councils, but councils require funding to be given to them. The Government has starved councils for years, so residents will pay more and get less. We have already heard that the average tax increase last year was about 9.5 per cent. In my region, SNP-run Clackmannanshire Council raised council tax by a staggering 13 per cent.”
“I am happy to close for the Conservatives. Once again, we find ourselves debating the SNP Government’s badly thought-out tax reforms. This time, the spotlight is on council tax reforms, at a time when householders are under increasing pressure. The prospect of council tax reform and higher bills would be concerning for individuals the length and breadth of Scotland. The consultation cannot be viewed in isolation. It must be considered alongside years of real-terms cuts to local government funding. Shona Robison: It is actually a real-terms increase in funding. How does Alexander Stewart square what he is saying with the fact that council tax bills in Scotland are, on average, £600 lower for a band D property than those in England, where his party presided over the huge increases in council tax?”
“As SPICe has told members, we cannot compare the figures in the budget with those in the autumn budget revision because of the in-year movements in funds. Perhaps it is time that members started paying attention to and reading SPICe briefings. If they need any help in understanding them, my door is always open. Draft Budget 2026-27 (Support for Families in Aberdeen Donside) 2.”
“Once again, the cabinet secretary has claimed that local government funding has risen in real terms. Given that the Scottish Fiscal Commission, the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Institute for Fiscal Studies talk about a 0.4 per cent increase in real terms, does she accept that councils the length and breadth of Scotland will have to pay more to get less and that individuals and communities will suffer as a result of the budget? Shona Robison: If Alexander Stewart wants to propose more money for local government—I have said this to other members—he is welcome to come to my door and tell me where that money should come from, but that never happens. The real-terms increase in the local government settlement, when we compare budget with budget, is 2 per cent.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of permanent teaching posts for newly qualified teachers. (S6O-05444)”
“The Forth Valley region has just received £9.8 million of investment through the local growth fund. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit. Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“Alexander Stewart has turned up and spoken to Parliament as an advocate and a cheerleader for the Labour Government in London, when his party leader is denouncing the Labour Government in London. The Conservatives have got to get their act together—or, should I say, those who are left, because many of them are getting chucked out because they are dabbling with Reform. It is all over for the Tory party. Supreme Court Ruling 5.”
“Clackmannanshire has just received £9.8 million of investment through the local growth fund. [Alexander Stewart has corrected this contribution. See end of report.] That money came from the UK Government, as already has been discussed. It came openly, transparently and in partnership with local leaders. In contrast, the 2026-27 Scottish budget has been called “misleading” and “not good enough” by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Who is to blame for the flattering figures that have been identified by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Fraser of Allander Institute? Is it the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, or is it the First Minister? The First Minister: I think that we are going to have to have some consistency on the Conservative benches.”
“Shona Robison: Imagine the impact on local projects from £1 billion of unfunded and unaffordable tax cuts— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair, cabinet secretary— Shona Robison: You should reflect on that before coming to the chamber—[Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Members! Shona Robison: —and criticising this Government’s decisions. The Deputy Presiding Officer: All the shouting means that nobody can hear a word that anybody is saying, so, apart from anything else, it is not a very productive way to proceed. PFI and PPP Payment Obligations (Local Authorities) 8.”
“The extra millions for external development, which were announced in the budget, have been allocated at the detriment of many local projects across my region. I ask the cabinet secretary to justify cutting funding streams for those vital projects, which are lifelines to many of my communities, in favour of grandstanding on overseas projects. Shona Robison: As I said earlier, that speaks volumes, does it not? Alexander Stewart does not seem particularly bothered about the impact on local services and projects of the £1 billion of unfunded tax cuts that the Tories have provided— [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Members!”
“The Government has slashed Ferguson Marine’s budget by 57 per cent. Does that not send a stark warning to communities around Mossmorran about how little they can rely on the Government for long-term support interventions and transition funding? Kate Forbes: I am not sure that I heard the member correctly, mostly because I was astonished by his question. I think that he asked why we had slashed Ferguson Marine’s budget. Is that correct? Alexander Stewart: Yes. Kate Forbes: That is quite surprising, considering that the Conservatives regularly criticise me for investing in Ferguson Marine. The member can look at our track record of stepping in to save key industrial assets—that is a record that we can stand on in the future.”