Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 November 2024.
Maggie Chapman
Green
To ask the Scottish Government to what extent its economic development activities and infrastructure project decisions in the North East Scotland region are aligned with the regional economic strategy. (S6O-03976)
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
Creating new jobs, supporting skills development, increasing investment and accelerating the energy sector’s transition to net zero are key in the activities that we support in the north-east. Those include our £125 million investment in the Aberdeen city region deal, support for projects through the just transition and energy transition funds, and our partnership working with the UK Government to support the development of the north-east Scotland investment zone.
We will continue to leverage our existing strengths in research, innovation and skills to support economic growth for the region and deliver benefits for the people who live there.
Maggie Chapman
Green
Economic development is about improving the quality of life and the wellbeing of our people, and it is about delivering good jobs, vibrant and accessible cultural and leisure facilities, good education, housing and much more. Connectivity is crucial to all of that. The Campaign for North East Rail has just completed its outline business case, having published the “Buchan Sustainable Transport Study”, and connecting Peterhead and Fraserburgh by rail will be instrumental to achieving the regional economic development priorities for the region. How is the Scottish Government supporting the aims of CNER, which include job creation, social inclusion and environmental sustainability?
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
The member rightly highlights a range of areas that are vital for economic development and highlights the importance of connectivity in that regard. The Scottish Government is aware of CNER’s study. We are considering the findings, and a decision on the next steps is still to be made. However, we are keen to continue the discussion on how we increase sustainable travel and support better-integrated travel infrastructure for the future needs of the north-east.
Kevin Stewart
Scottish National Party
Central to the regional economic strategy for the north-east is the facilitation of a just energy transition. Given that more energy firms, such as APA Energy, have announced that they are pulling out of the North Sea basin and the north-east, and given the news that GB Energy will receive only £100 million of funding over its first two years—a far cry from the £8 billion that was promised—can the Minister provide an update on the action that the Scottish Government is taking to protect the north-east’s economy, jobs and sustainable growth?
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
I assure Kevin Stewart that the Government is committed to facilitating a just transition for the north-east of Scotland. Our £500 million just transition fund will help to support that journey, maintaining and creating jobs in low-carbon industries and contributing to the region’s future prosperity. Our energy transition fund is supporting four major projects to protect existing jobs, skills and knowledge while creating new jobs.
It was disappointing to see the United Kingdom Labour Government quickly drop its commitment to £20 billion of investment in our green future, and we continue to engage with it on how we can attract private investment, promote growth in high-productivity future-facing sectors and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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