Chamber and committees

Yes, we do.

Maggie, do you wish to ask a brief question?

Thank you for raising that. The news broke this morning. People will know that the committee conducted the first part of its inquiry on a just transition for Grangemouth earlier this year. The committee will want to reflect on the news that has broken this morning.

Good morning, and welcome to the 29th meeting in 2023 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Our first item of business is a declaration of interests. I welcome Jackie Dunbar to the committee in her capacity as a newly appointed committee substitute and invite her to declare any relevant interests.

The second item of business is a decision to take items 7 and 8 in private. Are members content to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I bring the session to an end, and I thank the witnesses very much for appearing. I suspend the meeting as we change panels.

We all know that local authorities are under extreme financial pressure. They do not have a lot of capacity to introduce new funds. The Government has put in, I think, £500 million over 10 years. It is quite a bit. Perhaps local authorities are not the right place to channel it through, if it is for smaller businesses. That money is on the table. It is the only place from which money is coming that is on the table and there to be spent. Do you think that there should be—

Sorry, Mr Beattie: we are pressed for time. Do you wish to invite other panel members to address those questions?

Agenda item 4 is consideration of a legislative consent memorandum on the UK Government’s Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. The stated aims of the bill are to ensure a consistent foreign policy across the UK by preventing public bodies from indicating political or moral disapproval of a foreign state when making decisions about procurement and investment.

I welcome from the Scottish Government, Tom Arthur, Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, who is joined by Russell Bain, deputy director in international futures and brand Scotland policy; Alasdair Hamilton, who is a procurement policy portfolio manager; and Robert McConnell, who is a lawyer. I invite the minister to make a brief statement to the committee, and I will then invite members’ questions.

The committee is also invited to note the Public Procurement (Agreement on Government Procurement) (Thresholds) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2023. Again, are members content to note the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.