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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 22 November 2024
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Displaying 1335 contributions

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Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Committee Priorities

Meeting date: 21 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

I do not know whether Andy McDonald had anything further to say. Were you coming to a close, Andy, or was there anything else, before I move on to South of Scotland Enterprise?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)

Meeting date: 16 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

I want to focus on some policy aspects. In the year after COP26, global delivery will be extremely important. States will have to work with sub-states on delivery, and good co-operation between the UK and Scotland will be extremely important in showcasing what can and should be done. We have talked about mutual dependency when it comes to targets. Will Scotland have an opportunity to help on a global stage by showing how sub-states can deliver on energy targets?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)

Meeting date: 16 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

Good morning, Mr Sharma, and best wishes for a successful COP26.

I want to follow up on your comments about leadership and ambition. Obviously, Scotland has a great deal of ambition, and the UK will not be able to meet its targets unless Scotland meets its targets, and vice versa. I am interested in your advice on how we can secure whole-of-UK input into COP26 and on what we have best to offer on demonstrations in relation to offshore renewables and a just transition. I was struck by what you said about the G20 countries. We know from Professor Jim Skea that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is interested in our approach to a just transition, which might be a helpful platform—particularly in relation to coal—at COP26.

10:45  

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

I am very conscious of time, but we might want to come back to the agencies at some point about those issues.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

It is good to see you all. I want to ask about the transition to net zero, and to get your insights on what your sense is of the position of SMEs generally—I am not necessarily talking about those that you work with in relation to grants—in relation to that transition, from their point of view as businesses but also from the point of view of their products and services. What are you doing or planning to do to help to support the wider SME community with that transition? How do you think that the transition to net zero can be financed, bearing in mind that many SMEs are carrying Covid debt, which means that it is a big challenge?

I know that that is a big question and that we can cover only so much today, but I would be interested to hear your perspectives.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

When it comes to the things that businesses have to do for their own heating, transport and so on, how might those be financed?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

I am not necessarily expecting either organisation to resolve the issue; I am simply seeking your insights, given that you work with many different businesses in addition to those that you give grants to.

Jane, could you give us a sense of that wider perspective?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

I suspect that the committee might want to hear more about supply chain development more widely, but we might not have time for that today. I am sure that we can follow up with Scottish Enterprise to get more detail on what you have gone through, which sounds very promising. Malcolm Roughead, do you want to comment from the tourism industry’s point of view?

10:45  

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

That was very informative—thank you.

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Economic Recovery

Meeting date: 15 September 2021

Fiona Hyslop

Good morning. I congratulate Adrian Gillespie on his recent appointment.

I want to ask about supply chain resilience. In Scottish Enterprise’s submission, you highlight your work in increasing the personal protective equipment supply chain, which was really significant. I am interested in what you are going to do in other areas. Specifically, you will be familiar with the recent decision by the UK Government in relation to Valneva and the significant promise of investment in that area. I do not expect you to comment on the rationale or the inconsistency of the UK Government’s decision making on that, but it is a major global opportunity for life sciences investment. I am interested to hear what you are doing to support the business minister in his engagement with the company, and I would like to hear about Scottish Enterprise’s wider work in supply chain development and resilience.

I would also like Malcolm Roughead to comment on supply chain resilience for the tourism sector. There is a great deal of pressure on the sector, so please give us some initial comments and tell us what might help to mitigate some of the pressure, bearing it in mind that some issues might be outwith the control of VisitScotland, for example.