Scotland’s Economy, Opportunities for Growth

As an amendment to motion S5M-06045, Keith Brown (Scotland’s Economy, Opportunities for Growth), leave out from "economic fundamentals" to end and insert "economy remains fragile, with no growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 and that growth in Scotland has lagged behind the UK for a number of years; further recognises the challenges Scotland faces in particular from the downturn in the oil and gas sector; considers that the previous UK administration's approach to a hard Brexit is a major challenge to the Scottish economy and should be abandoned; believes that the Scottish Government's Economic Strategy must be urgently reassessed, and notes the Fraser of Allander Institute comments that 'all of the [Scottish] government's economic strategy priorities - internationalisation, innovation, investment and inclusive growth - have been turned on their head by the decision to leave the EU. It is simply not possible to continue as normal. An urgent review of current policy initiatives is needed'; further believes that the growth of Scotland’s economy should be inclusive so that everyone benefits and people and jobs are put first; considers that the Scottish Government should accelerate investment in infrastructure, innovation and research to nurture business growth, stimulate the economy and create jobs; further considers that the Scottish Government should ensure that a real living wage of £10-an-hour is paid in all public procurement and commissioning contracts; regrets that the Scottish Business Pledge has not been widely taken up; considers that the Scottish Government’s continued priority of a second independence referendum, which was rejected at the General Election, creates uncertainty for business and households, and therefore commits the Scottish Government to abandon its plans for a second independence referendum.”