Economic Growth

Stephen Gethins, the Scottish National Party (SNP) MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on steps to help promote economic growth in Scotland. In response, Ian Murray stated that he is committed to working with the Scottish Government and has already met the Deputy First Minister four times in eight weeks. He emphasized the importance of resetting the relationship between Scotland's two governments to drive economic growth. Murray noted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was recently in Glasgow, meeting with the First Minister, and that the Prime Minister has made resetting the relationship a key part of his new way of working in government, including meeting with the First Minister and members of the business community to discuss growing the Scottish economy. Murray stressed that it is the choice of all to grow the Scottish economy, and something they all need to do together. Gethins followed up, noting that macroeconomic policy sits in Westminster and that decisions taken here have a huge impact. He asked the Secretary of State whether he agrees with the SNP that being outside the customs union and the single market is bad for growth in the Scottish economy, or whether he agrees with the Conservatives and their Reform party colleagues that it has been good for the Scottish economy. Ian Murray responded by stating that Gethins' party, the SNP, is taking no responsibility for the decisions they make in the Scottish Government. He pointed out that the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has been clear that the decisions the Scottish Government have made have taken the tax take down in Scotland, despite it being the highest taxed part of the country. Murray stated that if they are to reset this relationship, the Scottish Government has to start by taking accountability and responsibility for their own decisions. Rachel Taylor, the Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, then intervened, noting the essential role that sport has played in economic growth in Scotland. She asked what steps the Secretary of State will take to ensure that the legacy of Sir Andy Murray is recognised in Scotland. In response, Ian Murray joked that he and Andy Murray are not related, despite sharing the same physique, and assured the House that the Scotland Office and the Government will do all they can to ensure that the wonderful legacy of one of Britain's best sportspeople of all time is maintained.