Scottish Government Debate: Taking Scotland Forward

Keith Brown S5M-00212 That the Parliament recognises the importance of a strong economy to underpin strong public services; recognises recent successes, such as Scotland securing more foreign development investment projects in 2015 than any other part of the UK outside London, but also acknowledges key challenges, including those facing the oil and gas industry and the renewables sector; supports a focus on improving productivity through innovation, investment, internationalisation and tackling inequality, and commits to take action in support of Scotland’s economy, including extending broadband, investing in infrastructure and building the skills and talents of Scotland's people. Murdo Fraser S5M-00212.1 As an amendment to motion S5M-00212 in the name of Keith Brown (Taking Scotland Forward – Scotland’s Economy, Short Term Resilience and Long Term Opportunities), leave out from second "recognises" to end and insert “notes however that across a range of indicators, including GDP growth, unemployment rates and business confidence, the Scottish economy is underperforming the UK as a whole and the gap is widening; notes calls from the business community for urgent action to improve the situation; regrets the Scottish Government’s decision to increase the business rate burden by 42% over the past nine years, double the large business supplement and levy rates on empty industrial properties, and calls on the Scottish Government to support economic growth by investing in infrastructure and broadband, reversing its cuts to college budgets and ensuring a competitive tax regime for Scotland within the UK.” Jackie Baillie S5M-00212.3 As an amendment to motion S5M-00212 in the name of Keith Brown (Taking Scotland Forward – Scotland’s Economy, Short Term Resilience and Long Term Opportunities), leave out from second "recognises" to end and insert “further recognises however that the Scottish economy faces a number of significant challenges in the coming years; notes that the Scottish economy is growing at a slower rate than the UK as a whole and that the unemployment rate in Scotland has increased, and is higher than the average UK rate; notes the particular challenges facing the oil and gas industry and the renewables sector and that productivity is also behind the UK as a whole; believes that there is no future for Scotland as a low wage, low skill economy and that the Scottish Government must ensure that the benefits of economic growth improve the lives of working people and reduce inequalities; further believes that democracy in the workplace should be encouraged, including trade union recognition, and commits to developing a comprehensive manufacturing strategy with industry and trade unions, extending broadband, improving infrastructure and using the powers of the Parliament, to improve Scotland's economy by investing in growth, increased productivity, jobs and skills." Willie Rennie S5M-00212.2 As an amendment to motion S5M-00212 in the name of Keith Brown (Taking Scotland Forward – Scotland’s Economy, Short Term Resilience and Long Term Opportunities), leave out from “; supports” to end and insert “, that the unemployment rate is 6.2% compared to the UK rate of 5.1%, the widest gap since 2004, and the fact that 19% of Scottish businesses cannot get the skills that they need; believes that such challenges and the slipping Scottish economy necessitate urgent new action to improve productivity through innovation, investment, internationalisation and tackling inequality, and further believes that this must include investment in education to give businesses the skills that they need and make Scottish education the best again, a step change in mental health services to help people get back to work and ensure a fit and healthy workforce, broadband and modern mobile phone coverage everywhere in Scotland, improved transport infrastructure, a competitive business tax system and the decentralisation of power so that communities have greater opportunities to secure economic progress in their area."