General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 19 December 2024.
James Dornan
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government how its draft budget 2025-26 will support the growth of the Scottish economy. (S6O-04142)
Shona Robison
Scottish National Party
The budget puts money firmly behind the programme for government’s priorities for economic growth. It is a budget for the whole of Scotland and lays the foundations for the long-term prosperity of our people, places and businesses.
That is why the budget prioritises supporting our economy to be more productive and competitive, and creating the economic conditions that increase employment and earnings, lift people out of poverty and raise living standards. We are making major capital investments and leveraging in private investment in housing, transport, energy and digital connectivity to deliver a green and growing economy.
James Dornan
Scottish National Party
Increased investment in growing our green economy is a welcome and vital part of the draft budget, particularly in the light of diminishing capital funding from the United Kingdom Government over recent years. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to generate private sector investment in Scotland’s next net zero economy?
Shona Robison
Scottish National Party
Scotland is already one of the most attractive places in the UK for inward investment. The budget builds on that even further through leveraging in private investment to drive economic growth. That includes £321 million for our enterprise agencies to support Scottish businesses; a further £200 million for the Scottish National Investment Bank to invest in projects such as Ardersier port, which attracted £300 million in private investment; and, of course, £150 million of investment in the offshore wind sector to deliver the supply chain and port infrastructure required to maximise the economic benefits that the growth of the industry will bring to Scotland.
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.
