Economy

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 9 December 2020.

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Photo of Ben Macpherson Ben Macpherson Scottish National Party

Given the circumstances that we are in and the considerations that we have to go through, the schemes have been expedited at a remarkable rate, to the full credit of everyone who has been involved, including the business community, the Scottish Government and local government. There has been a remarkable collaborative effort, and that sense of collaboration and determination to help businesses is what we should take from today’s debate, whatever the outcome of the vote. That is the most important thing.

All that matters when it comes to non-domestic rates. We have to acknowledge the facts in this situation, and the fact is that we cannot give non-domestic rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure until we have assurances from the Treasury, because of the constitutional framework in which we are operating. The Opposition should work with us and we can work collectively to urge the UK Treasury to give us that clarity.

We should be working together in this situation instead of playing party politics. Maurice Golden said that we should not be playing party politics, so I hope that when he is summing up, Murdo Fraser’s tone is much more consensual and collaborative, because that is what this situation demands of us as MSPs and as representatives of our constituents.

Staying with business rates, that sense of collective responsibility has been evidenced by some large businesses committing to repay the rates relief that they were given. We will ensure that an appropriate mechanism is available for them and others to donate the equivalent to Government, if they wish, but that will require collaboration with the Treasury, because donations are not normally made to the Government. Again, that is an area on which we need to work together, and all parties should focus on that.

I note the points that have been made about what we do in next year’s budget, and, in the months ahead, we will continue to engage with trade unions, business organisations and all other parties on what will be an important budget.

We are doing what we can to meet the on-going challenges of Covid-19 and to support economic recovery, but we need the UK Government to give the Scottish Government the additional funding, assurances and powers that we need to respond. Our position on fiscal flexibility continues.

A lot of members referred to this, so I will reiterate the fact that the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party Finance and Constitution Committee has now unanimously agreed that HM Treasury should reconsider giving the devolved Governments access to emergency borrowing during the crisis. It is essential for the UK Government to take action on that. I urge members to support our amendment.