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Donate to our crowdfunderJamie Hepburn: ...face challenges, locally and nationally. In that regard, let me turn to Labour’s position in respect of our amendment. It is clear that the most fundamental and immediate danger to our economy is Brexit. Just today, Colin Borland, from the FSB, said: “We’re not going to find our way out of this mess”— that is, the UK Tory Government mess— “without cross-party collaboration...
Jamie Hepburn: Funding for universities has increased over the period. There are undoubtedly problems associated with Brexit for the position of universities in Scotland—we are not quite sure whether Neil Findlay supports or opposes Brexit. I recognise his fundamental point: that our apprenticeship opportunities rely on good-quality people to deliver them, and I am very grateful that we have good-quality...
Jamie Hepburn: ...that we face in being able to deliver the Scotland of our ambitions are the constraints on the powers of this Parliament, which are compounded by the current uncertainty that is being created by Brexit and the UK Government. On 30 May, in an open letter to the ever-growing list of candidates who are seeking to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister,...
Jamie Hepburn: Labour can do that again today. Labour can rule out a no-deal Brexit and it can back the Scottish city regions by saying that the UK Government should invest the same amount, and to do that it can back our amendment.
Jamie Hepburn: The United Kingdom Government’s position on migration post-Brexit is likely to have a major impact on the availability of labour, not just seasonal skilled workers but across the board in both high and low-skilled jobs. That is one of the reasons why the Scottish Government is lobbying the UK Government hard to maintain membership of the single market, with its associated free movement of...
Jamie Hepburn: ...leave. Additional devolved powers in relation to employment would provide the Scottish Parliament with the ability to strengthen employment rights that work for Scotland. With the impact of Brexit still to come, the Scottish Government will publish a discussion paper on that in the next few months.
Jamie Hepburn: I will come to Kaiam in a minute. Here is my challenge to Mr Findlay. He says that he has said three times that Labour opposes a no-deal Brexit. Well, I am asking Labour members just one time—they have one chance today—to press their buttons to support our amendment and to demonstrate that they are against a no-deal Brexit. I will not be able to cover all the other issues that have been...
Jamie Hepburn: ...correctly identified that European Union funds had been used for the invest in Renfrewshire initiative. Of course, there is significant concern about the long-term funding prospects as a result of Brexit. We continue to look for clarity on that matter from the United Kingdom Government.
Jamie Hepburn: I am rather surprised that that question comes from a member on the Conservative benches, given the great pressure that is being caused as a result of his party’s shambolic handling of the Brexit process. As I set out in my initial answer, we continue to lobby the UK Government hard, to ensure that we can continue to access the skilled labour from elsewhere in Europe that we will require...
Jamie Hepburn: ...take if we were empowered to do so. However, the UK Government’s decisions seem to be designed to create the opposite effect. Perhaps the most damaging decision is the one to implement a hard Brexit, which has cast uncertainty over the future of the workplace protections that are currently in place for workers as a result of European Union law. The EU provides a harmonised approach to...
Jamie Hepburn: ...through their volunteering. Their commitment is essential. The service has been established for 80 years, but we know that life can still be tough for many individuals, particularly given the Brexit uncertainty for EU nationals and the continuing UK Government welfare reforms. Bill Kidd put it well when he described the citizens advice service as an anchor for people in difficult...
Jamie Hepburn: ...30,000 modern apprenticeship starts per year by the end of the current parliamentary session; notes that the Scottish Fiscal Commission has downgraded its growth forecast as a result of continued Brexit uncertainty, and considers that Scotland’s sustainable economic future is best served as an independent member of the EU.”
Jamie Hepburn: ...existing work to support employers to achieve our ambitions for inclusive growth and fair work. Evidence shows that diverse workforces are more creative and innovative. In the current climate, with Brexit just around the corner, it is vital that we take the opportunity to tap into a wider range of skills and experience Employers in all sectors are fundamental to our ambition. Following the...