Chamber and committees

<>I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26212 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government has received representations from members of the public regarding replacing the Longannet coal-fired plant with a new combined-cycle gas turbine plant on the site.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26220 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government has repeatedly called on the UK Government to raise the minimum wage and is committed to increasing the pay of those on the lowest wages in the public sector. This commitment has included supporting the living wage in our public sector pay policy since 2011 - a decisive long term commitment to those on the lowest incomes.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26213 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26220 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

<>The purpose of devolving powers is to allow future Scottish Governments and parliaments to pursue their own policies aimed at Scottish circumstances and priorities at the time. The Scottish Government has set out proposals for a set of powers that would provide future Scottish Governments and Parliaments with the opportunity to design and deliver coherent approaches to issues such as promoting economic growth, supporting people into employment and addressing inequality. Specific policy proposals will depend on the powers that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the choices of future Scottish Governments. Appropriate economic, revenue and impact assessments will be undertaken in developing those policy specifics.

As set out in Further Devolution beyond the Smith Commission, the Scottish Government considers that full responsibility for corporation tax would allow the Scottish Government to tailor the tax system to reflect the specific competitive strengths and challenges in the Scottish economy. Specific policy proposals will depend on the powers that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the choices of future Scottish Governments. Appropriate economic, revenue and impact assessments will be undertaken in developing those policy specifics.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26213 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government would like to see a reduction in the burden of employer national insurance contributions particularly for small businesses. One way of introducing this is to make the employer’s allowance more generous or linked to companies paying the living wage. Any changes in employer national insurance contributions would be part of a cohesive package of measures to boost sustainable economic growth in Scotland. Appropriate economic assessment will be undertaken once the policy specifics can be set out following the devolution of these powers.