Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 17 January 2024.
Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party
I appreciate where Colin Beattie is coming from. He raises a very important point about policy certainty, which is absolutely crucial for investment. When a UK Government flip-flops on climate change policy, we lose out to companies that would otherwise invest in the UK, and they go elsewhere, where the policy regime is better. I give the example of the United States Inflation Reduction Act.
The global transition offers enormous economic opportunities for Scotland, which is why we are developing a green industrial strategy that sets out how the Scottish Government will help businesses and investors to realise those opportunities. It will offer a clear view of the economic sectors and industries in which we have the greatest strength and the most potential, and of what the Government will do to support them. In covering themes such as skills and investment, it will bring the full weight of Government to bear and give the private sector the confidence to make decisions to invest in Scotland, if not the wider UK.