Oral Answers to Questions

Martyn Day Excerpts

Tuesday 25th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

11. Whether his Department plans to take steps to support (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic energy customers after March 2023.

[Martin Docherty-Hughes (West Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

15. Whether his Department plans to take steps to support (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic energy customers after March 2023.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

Let me offer the reassurance that, if not for the United Kingdom, there would not be this level of support for businesses and individuals in Scotland. Scotland simply would not be able to afford it. It is the strength of the United Kingdom that allows this all-encompassing support to be provided. That is what the Government are doing. The package is one of the most generous that any country in the world has introduced. We are supporting people through the winter, and we will ensure there is focused support for the least well off in future winters.

[Martyn Day]

Just four days ago, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce issued the findings of its latest business survey and, to no surprise, energy costs were the main concern. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce stated:

“The signs of an economic bounce back don’t look promising as more and more firms are telling us that they have been forced to cancel contracts, projects or plans to expand, due to soaring costs and difficulty in hiring people.”

How exactly does having no certainty on energy costs beyond March help those businesses?

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

Mr Speaker, I assume it is orderly to say that I think the hon. Gentleman lives in a fantasy land. Energy prices varied before this Government came in and will vary in future. What His Majesty’s Government have done is provide enormous support for businesses. I say it again: just think how much worse off businesses would be if they were dependent on an entirely Scottish Administration with no money.