Extract from Scottish Parliament questions to the First Minister: UK shared prosperity fund - Jan 20

To ask the First Minister what her response is to the announcement that the United Kingdom shared prosperity fund will be operated by the UK Government and not by the Scottish Government and the other devolved Administrations. (S5F-04747)

That is another direct assault on devolution. I am disappointed—although not surprised—that the United Kingdom Government has decided to take that approach. It raises grave concerns and uncertainty for communities. Those are compounded by lack of detail about the future shape of the funds.

Funding of that nature should be decided in this Parliament, with all the democratic accountability that that brings, and not by remote Whitehall departments that have little understanding of the needs of the communities concerned. I encourage the UK Government to reconsider its position.

It appears that Westminster is seeking to undermine all three devolved Governments. The fear is that the money will be spent to meet Westminster’s political ends and will not be based on need. Does the First Minister trust Westminster?

Let me think about that.

On balance, and after careful consideration, I say no—I do not generally trust Westminster.

This is a serious issue that is, unfortunately, illustrative of a more general approach by the UK Government to undermine this Parliament and devolution, and to grab powers and resources from this Parliament. Whatever the differences in this chamber, I had hoped that all of us could unite to say no to that approach. Perhaps we will yet manage to do so.

The UK Government has not consulted or worked sufficiently with Scottish Ministers on development of the shared prosperity fund. Despite our development of clear proposals for a Scottish shared prosperity fund, the UK Government has kept us at arm’s length throughout the process. It has provided no clarity on its objectives and delivery plans, and no evidence as to why what is clearly a devolved matter should no longer be run or administered from Scotland. It is vital that clarity be given urgently, and that we receive our fair share of funding.

As John Mason has highlighted, whatever the politics and the political disagreements, it will be Scottish communities who are the losers: Scottish people, businesses and organisations will lose out. It is important that the needs and interests of those communities be put first, and that they are not undermined and, potentially, harmed for political reasons.