Extract from Scottish Parliament Finance Minister's Questions: United Kingdom Government (Business Grants and Charity Support Direct Grant) - June 4

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con): Despite the £3.5 billion of Barnett consequentials that have come to Scotland from the United Kingdom Government, and generous schemes such as furloughing, many companies are still cutting staff and laying people off. In my region, Rolls-Royce has announced that hundreds of jobs will be lost. What conversations is the Scottish Government having with big employers in Scotland to ensure that they are aware of the schemes that are available to them from the UK and Scottish Governments and do not lay people off despite funds being available?

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance (Kate Forbes): That is a fair question. We have had extensive discussions with small, medium-sized and large employers in Scotland. The Scottish Government speaks regularly—almost daily—with business representation organisations such as Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry to draw their attention to the support that is available.

The question also highlights the point that I made earlier, which is that if we are to continue to develop our grants and to help some of those businesses, we need headroom—additional resource. The UK Government can borrow for that purpose, but we cannot. I hope therefore that Conservative members will work with us to ensure that we get support to businesses by enabling us to have additional flexibilities and powers.