Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-21335

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement to the Parliament by the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands on 22 November 2018, when it plans to launch its consultation on whether Energy Efficient Scotland can be accelerated.

Question reference: S5W-21085

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to EY’s latest update to the end of November 2018, which states that 80 firms are considering or have confirmed they are relocating assets and staff due to Brexit.

EY’s report highlights the actions being taken by companies across the financial sector in response to the continued uncertainty of the outcome of EU exit negotiations.

EY’s report demonstrates that EU exit is already having a direct impact on the UK’s financial sector. With 84,000 employees and a contribution of 6.5 per cent of Scotland’s Gross Value Added, the sector is of great economic importance to Scotland.

Companies are being forced to take contingency measures to protect their ability to access EU markets and ensure continuity of service to their customers. In some cases, this contingency action has included the establishment of subsidiary operations elsewhere in the EU, such as Dublin, and the movement of financial assets.

We will continue to work with the sector to share information, listen and understand business priorities and concerns, and make clear here and further afield, that Scotland remains a stable and attractive place to do business.

The UK Government must take immediate steps to rule out a no-deal Brexit, which threatens to have devastating consequences for jobs, businesses and communities.

Question reference: S5W-21089

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to EY’s recent analysis, which states that assets worth nearly £800 billion are being moved from Britain to new financial hubs in the EU ahead of Brexit, and that this figure will increase as 29 March 2019 nears.

EY’s report highlights the actions being taken by companies across the financial sector in preparation for the UK's exit from the European Union. Businesses are being forced to take this action now to ensure continuity of service to their customers across the European Union.

EY's report covers only those companies who have publicly reported their actions, and the true figure is likely to be higher. As we move closer to 29 March 2019, more companies will be forced to put their contingency plans into action to protect their business and this figure is likely to increase.

We will continue to urge the UK Government to rule out a no-deal Brexit, and allow businesses to plan for the future and retain jobs and investment here in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-21086

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that one in three financial services companies in Britain is considering, or has confirmed plans for, relocating its operations abroad because of Brexit.

The financial services sector is important to Scotland, both for its direct contribution to our economy and its indirect contribution in the form of the essential support it provides to consumers and businesses in all economic sectors. The sector is a significant employer in Scotland, employing 86,000 people across a broad range of activities from banking to insurance.

EU exit is already having a direct impact on the UK’s financial sector. Companies in Scotland and across the UK are being forced to make and enact contingency plans to ensure that they are able to continue to serve their customers across the EU. In some cases businesses are making the decision to establish or increase a presence in other EU financial centres, with the movement of, at present small numbers of jobs, and of financial assets.

As 29 March 2019 grows closer we expect that more companies will confirm their plans, as they prepare for the worst case scenario of a 'no-deal' exit from the European Union. We urge the UK Government to rule out a 'no-deal' Brexit to protect jobs and businesses.

Question reference: S5W-21088

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent analysis by EY, which found that thousands of jobs in the financial industries could be relocated to mainland Europe in the near future and that this could rise significantly due to current figures only representing plans that have been publicly announced.

The financial services sector is important to Scotland, both for its direct contribution to our economy and its indirect contribution in the form of the essential support it provides to consumers and businesses in all economic sectors. The sector is a significant employer in Scotland, employing 86,000 people across a broad range of activities from banking to insurance.

Businesses across the financial sector are preparing for a worst case scenario of a 'no deal' EU exit. To ensure continuity of service some companies have chosen to establish or increase their presence in other EU locations, with relocation of staff from the UK or recruitment from the local labour market.

EY's analysis shows that the numbers of posts being moved are currently small, but those figures are likely to rise as businesses prepare for the worst case scenario of a 'no-deal' EU exit. To protect jobs, and provide businesses with the certainty they need to plan for the future, the UK Government should immediately rule out a no-deal Brexit.

Question reference: S5W-21087

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in EY’s Financial Services Brexit Tracker that Dublin was the most cited destination for companies seeking to move operations to other parts of the EU because of Brexit.

Companies are being forced to take contingency measures to protect their ability to access EU markets and ensure continuity of service to their customers. In some cases, this contingency action has included the establishment of subsidiary operations in financial centres elsewhere in the EU, including Dublin, Paris and Frankfurt.

Many Scottish companies have longstanding connections with Dublin, including existing subsidiaries and operating licences, and will use those resources to ensure that they continue to be able to offer services across the European market after Brexit.

We will continue to work with businesses and representative bodies across the sector to ensure that Scotland remains a stable and attractive place to do business.

Question reference: S5W-21090

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2019
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the Creative Producer of Celtic Connects that Scottish musicians will find it harder to play in Europe after Brexit.

The Scottish Government shares the concerns expressed by Celtic Connections on the impact of Brexit on touring musicians and our festivals. Potentially increased cost and administrative burdens placed on Scottish artists who wish to perform and tour in the EU could impact negatively on their ability to do so.

A ‘no-deal Brexit’ would be catastrophic and would have severe and disproportionate impacts on Scotland, as well as major implications for our music sector, international festivals and events. In line with the overwhelming vote in Scotland to remain in the EU, the Scottish Government has been clear that the best option for the future wellbeing and prosperity of Scotland and the UK as a whole is to stay in the EU, which supports the free movement of people. A Second EU Referendum should now be the priority and an extension to Article 50 should be negotiated to allow that to take place.

Question reference: S5F-03010

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 January 2019

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is marking Holocaust Memorial Day.

Question reference: S5O-02816

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposals in the draft Budget aim to support communities in the Renfrewshire South constituency.

Question reference: S5O-02761

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes responsible dog ownership.

Chamber and committees