Scottish Government Debate: Fiscal Sustainability

Shona Robison S6M-15048 That the Parliament recognises that continued and further action is needed to address the sustainability of Scotland’s public finances; supports the creation of a five-year Fiscal Sustainable Delivery Plan, to be delivered alongside the forthcoming Medium-Term Financial Strategy; believes that tackling the social, economic and environmental challenges that Scotland faces is only possible through the delivery of sustainable funding for public services; supports the exploration of all avenues to deliver fiscal sustainability to ensure delivery of the core missions of tackling child poverty and the climate emergency, and agrees that the UK Government’s revision of fiscal rules means that it should immediately grant the Scottish Government increased capital, alongside additional borrowing and investment powers, to allow for greater investment to renew and enhance public infrastructure and deliver projects that support the transition to net zero. Craig Hoy S6M-15048.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-15048 in the name of Shona Robison (Fiscal Sustainability), leave out from "recognises" to end and insert "realises that a significant change of approach is needed to deliver sustainability in Scotland’s public finances; recognises that sustained strong economic growth is essential to this; is deeply concerned that the Scottish National Party administration has failed to deliver the growth- and business-friendly policies needed to realise sustained economic growth; notes with alarm the absence of reform and the growing inefficiency of government and its agencies, and the impact that this has on fiscal sustainability; reiterates the need to prioritise productivity and government efficiency, and to keep social security costs and public sector pay under close review; stresses the importance of proper investment and infrastructure development, and calls on the Scottish Government to use its fiscal discretion to ensure that this investment is not jeopardised for any reason." Daniel Johnson S6M-15048.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-15048 in the name of Shona Robison (Fiscal Sustainability), leave out from ", and agrees" to end and insert "; notes the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s Fiscal Sustainability Report and the specific challenges that Scotland will face in the next 50 years, including those posed by an ageing population, and required health spending forecast to increase from 35% to 50% of devolved spending, and calls on the Scottish Government to set out an approach to deal with the long-term fiscal challenges presented by demographic, climate and technological change."