Chamber and committees

Yesterday, I met representatives of the hospitality sector. Some businesses in the sector are very profitable and do not need support, whereas some are struggling and need support. Given that you were arguing that, for example, prescriptions should be targeted, do you not think that any support for businesses needs to be targeted for those that need it?

Is that for all hospitality businesses?

Kirsten, will you comment?

That is helpful; thank you.

The issue of multiyear forecasting has also been raised. Is my understanding right that the UK Government and the OBR have not been very specific in their forecasting with departments, which has meant that neither you nor the Scottish Government have been able to make accurate multiyear forecasts?

Is that approach almost inevitable, or could the Scottish Government do more forecasting, despite the lack of information?

A change of Government at UK level could change quite a lot.

Michael Marra spoke about the demand for social security and the fact that the Scottish system is different from the UK one. What are your future assumptions? There is an increase of 6.7 per cent this year, which is in line with inflation. Do you assume that that will continue to be the case in future?

Looking at the figures quickly in the budget, I see a lot of areas that are being restricted and that social security is going up by about £1 billion. From an economic point of view, does it matter where the Scottish Government spends that £1 billion? Would it have a different impact on the economy and growth if it was spent on housing or education, or does it not really matter? Is that not something that you look at?

I understand that, but the Government could change the policy.

I understand that. Thank you.