Oral Answers to Questions

Elaine Stewart Excerpts

Tuesday 4th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

I agree that we need to get a grip of the welfare budget, which got out of control under the previous Conservative Government. Frankly, I am not going to take lectures from the Conservative party, which crashed the economy. Let me remind the House what the right hon. Gentleman said about the disastrous mini-Budget:

“I share entirely the free-market ideology that underpins the Chancellor’s statement…The Chancellor was right to be radical.”

He added:

“I rejoice at the two fingers the Chancellor has raised to socialist dogma and envy.”

I think that the financial markets and the British public have united in their view on the previous Government.

[Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

11. What steps she has taken to help increase economic growth in Scotland.

[Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)]

15. What steps she has taken to help increase economic growth in Edinburgh North and Leith constituency.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)]

Economic growth is the No. 1 mission of this Government. Scotland will play an important role. At the autumn Budget we announced that the Scottish Government will be provided with £47.7 billion in its 2025-26 settlement—the largest in real terms in the history of devolution. We also confirmed £130 million of targeted funding, including for city and growth deals.

[Elaine Stewart]

In Scotland, we have seen almost two decades of wasteful spending while public services get worse. Does the Minister agree that good public services are essential to economic growth, and that Scottish taxpayers are not getting good value for money under the SNP Government?