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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 21 December 2024
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Displaying 1357 contributions

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Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

I have a few questions for Stuart Black and Jane Morrison-Ross from the enterprise agencies, and it is fine if they want to bring in their colleagues.

We have already touched on capital budgets. Earlier this year, the Scottish Fiscal Commission predicted a 20 per cent cut in the availability of Scottish Government capex over the next five years. We also know that the UK has seen low capital investment in comparison with other advanced economies.

That investment ultimately flows to you. Can you talk about how the short-term nature of capital budgets and the potential for variation within years affect your strategic and long-range planning?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

I know that Stuart Black has mentioned the issue, but I am interested in his views on it as well.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

I will ask for a last word from Stuart Black, because I know that the convener is keen to move on. With regard to your focus on encouraging women-led businesses and diversity in general, do you routinely disaggregate data? How is that split looking?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

Do Stuart Black and Jane Morrison-Ross have anything to add?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

I am sure that we will hear more.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

Precisely.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

Jane Morrison-Ross has triggered a further question, which I will put to both enterprise agencies. We know that private capital will need to be leveraged to establish the industries and supply chains that will get us to net zero. What sense do you have, anecdotally, about the extent of private capital that can be leveraged? Traditionally, we hear that there is a lot of that available if the right projects are found, but I am interested in the personal experience of both agencies.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

Before I move on, I have a final point on this, which is perhaps for the numbers guys. Obviously, it is very inefficient to have the variability. Do you collect data on sunk costs at all? There must be quite a lot of sunk costs when you have a projection of £X and it suddenly turns out to be £Y.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

Is the crowding in of private investment flowing towards what you consider to be the right business—in relation to matters such as fair work, ethical stance and sustainability? Are you making the Scottish Government or SNIB aware that you have that scale?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 11 September 2024

Michelle Thomson

I hear that clearly, and I also recognise what you say about the banks.

My last question is to both the enterprise agencies. The recent programme for government included a commitment to

“Increase the number of women starting and scaling businesses”,

and it mentions our partnership with the enterprise agencies to enable that. Will you tell us more about what is going on in that regard? This is a chance for you to evangelise.