Tory MSP Fraser in bid to ‘reform’ Scottish Parliament FM: We will drive economic growth across Scotland
Starmer urged to join push to end child poverty
TATORY MSP has launched a bid to “reform” the Scottish Parliament in a new think tank paper. Think tank Reform Scotland published the paper authored by Murdo Fraser, who is calling for “essential” change to be brought to Holyrood.
The report makes a number of recommendations including reviewing the number of MSPs, currently 129, with the review considering the fact that the Scottish Parliament has more powers than it did when established in 1999 and work in committee and chamber level has increased. It also suggests
HE Scottish Government will drive economic growth to improve investment in public services, ensure fair wages and eradicate child poverty, John Swinney has said.
The First Minister also urged Sir Keir Starmer to work with him to end child poverty by changing course on a range of policies.
Swinney spoke of the need to deliver growth that is felt “right across Scotland” as he headed to the ground-breaking of the new Ardersier Port this morning. Last year, US firm Quantum Energy Partners announced it would be investing £300 million in an effort to transform the port into an energy transition facility.
Investors say the cash will create thousands of local construction jobs and additional roles in the decommissioning of North Sea oil and gas assets.
Speaking ahead of the event at the port, Swinney said Scotland could be an “even more formidable economic force”.
“My government will support business and economic growth – not for its own sake, but for a clear social purpose,” he said. “It is the outcomes of growth which will deliver public funding we can invest in public that the number of ministers should be regularly reviewed in proportion to the number of MSPs, with a view to introducing a cap if the number of ministers is above what the Parliament deems to be acceptable or necessary.
Fraser said: “The Scottish Parliament was once seen as a beacon of democracy, but now finds itself in a complex web of political polarisation and institutional stagnation.
“Despite the various achievements throughout the Scottish Parliament’s first quarter of a century, it now stands at a crossroads, grappling with a crisis of confidence and services like the NHS and schools and ultimately create a fairer society. It is vital that benefits of economic growth are felt right across Scotland – and equally, it is vital that all of Scotland contributes to our economic success. I want to see every aspect of our economy and society working together to achieve the best economic outcomes for Scotland.”
He went on: “As a nation, we are blessed with extraordinary natural resources, a skilled workforce, innovative companies and worldleading universities which are leading research into cutting-edge technologies pushing back the scientific boundaries.
“If we can ensure that these outstanding economic strengths unite to work together in a national mission to drive economic growth for the benefit of all, Scotland would be an even more formidable economic force.”
The SNP chief turned his attention to the Tories’ austerity project, and accused Labour of supporting it. He said this programme was “continuing to hold Scotland back”.
“I will continue to make the case for a change in approach and for these powers to be in Scotland’s hands through independence,” he said. “But I will also use every tool at the Scottish Government’s disposal to maximise economic growth now.” effectiveness. Reform is not only desirable but essential if the institution wants to continue its promise to serve the people.
“The ambition to create a more European-style legislature which would encourage collaborative working and build consensus has not been fulfilled. Instead, Holyrood now mirrors the Westminster confrontational dynamic.
“The influence of party politics within committees has diluted their effectiveness, turning them into arenas for partisan debates and exchanges rather than a place of constructive communication and consensus-building. The checks
Meanwhile, Swinney has invited Starmer to meet to discuss how to make progress, urging him to reverse his acceptance of current UK Government welfare and spending plans.
In a letter to the Labour leader Swinney highlighted that estimates suggest that 100,000 fewer children will live in relative poverty in 2024/25 as a result of Scottish Government policies.
This includes keeping an estimated 60,000 children out of relative poverty in 2024/25 as a result of the Scottish Child Payment.
Starmer previously came in for criticism for saying he would keep the two-child cap on benefits, saying it would be imposed “more fairly”.
Swinney said: “My top priority as First Minister is to eradicate child poverty and I will use every tool at my disposal to do so but we will make much swifter progress if an incoming government commits to reversing their position on keeping current welfare policies in place.
“These policies are keeping thousands of children in Scotland in poverty and I have invited Sir Keir to meet with me at Bute House to discuss the need to change approach and to ask that he commits to working with me to eradicate child poverty.
“The people of Scotland expect to see their government operate in the and balances system in the Scottish Parliament has been seen to show multiple flaws, especially in the formation and scrutiny of legislation.
“Reforms are necessary to restore confidence in Holyrood.”
Polls consistently show that Scots have more trust in the Scottish Government than the UK Government.
Other recommendations include replacing the current three-stage legislative process with a five-stage process to include pre-legislative and post-legislative scrutiny.
The paper also proposes electing, and paying a supplement to, Committee Conveners in order to moderate centre-left tradition. That is how the government I lead will operate and I hope that Keir Starmer will commit to doing the same rather than following the plans of the current UK Government.”
Swinney’s letter says: “As First Minister of Scotland, I have been clear that I intend to work constructively across Parliament in a good-faith effort to deliver for the people of Scotland and to find consensus wherever possible. Given the overwhelming likelihood that you will be the next UK Prime Minister, I would like to extend that same offer to you.
“For too long, the relationship between the Scottish and UK Governments has not been a positive one, given the very clear policy disagreements between us. I would like that to change, and for us to be able to forge a constructive working relationship.
“There will be areas where we disagree but I am confident that there are a number of shared goals and values and that these are what we should base our working relationship on.
For example, I have set out that my top priority as Scotland’s First Minister is to eradicate child poverty. I am confident this is an aim that you will share and so I ask that you commit to working with us to achieve it. It will be to the benefit of all the people we represent.
“I commit to doing everything in the Scottish Government’s power to achieve this goal, building on our progress so far with our policies estimated to keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year. But given the current constitutional settlement, if we are to make the swiftest possible progress this will also require action by an incoming Labour UK government.
“There is clear action that could be taken immediately by a government you lead. For example, recent analysis by the Scottish Government has estimated that reversing the two child limit and reintroducing the Family Element in Universal Credit would lift 10,000 children out of poverty in Scotland.”