4. To ask the Scottish Government, in the light of the recent analysis by the International Monetary Fund, which predicts that the United Kingdom economy’s performance in 2023 will be the worst among the G20 economies, what assessment it has made of the potential impact of this in Scotland. (S6O-02127)

The IMF’s forecast for the UK economy to be the worst performing in the G20 is a shocking indictment of the UK Government’s mismanagement of the economy, which undeniably has an impact on the Scottish economy. Global economic conditions are challenging, and the Scottish Government is doing everything possible within its limited powers to support households and businesses through the current cost crisis and to grow and transform the economy in a way that delivers fairer, greener prosperity. However, the UK Government’s mismanagement of the economy, alongside the economic damage of Brexit, risks harming our international competitiveness and holding back our ambitious programme of work.

The IMF’s analysis serves to underline the on-going detrimental impact that Westminster control continues to have on Scotland’s economy, and the people of Scotland are paying the price. Experts are now predicting that the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union is costing millions of workers £1,300 a year in lost income. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that the Tories and Labour at Westminster seem determined to press ahead with imposing their disastrous Brexit on Scotland, no matter the economic consequences? Does he agree that the best way to ensure that our economy and communities can flourish is by rejoining the EU as an independent country?

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

Briefly, cabinet secretary.

Absolutely. [

Interruption

.] Independence and rejoining the EU would give us the powers that we need to take advantage of the rich economic opportunities that we have, whereas we are currently being held back by UK inaction. The EU and US have invested in their economies, putting them in a competitive position to take advantage of the green industrial future. We need the powers that independence would give us to make sure that we can take advantage of our rich opportunities in Scotland.