First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 26 Medi 2024.
Ben Macpherson
Scottish National Party
I am aware that the recently published global financial centres index has recognised that Edinburgh continues to further its standing as one of the world’s leading financial centres. That is good news for all of Scotland, as is Glasgow’s success in climbing up through the rankings. Will the First Minister provide an update on how Scottish Government initiatives are supporting financial services in Scotland to thrive and develop, thereby creating new opportunities, well-paid jobs and sustainable growth?
John Swinney
Scottish National Party
A formidable amount of work is going on in that area. On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of addressing the ethical finance global summit dinner, which took place in Edinburgh, where there was an extensive range of investors who had come to Scotland for a three-day summit on green ethical investments. It was a tremendous showcase opportunity for the Government to engage with.
The Deputy First Minister responded to the report of the Scottish task force for green and sustainable financial services on Wednesday, and the Minister for Business opened the new fintech wing at the Edinburgh Futures Institute and marked the launch of the fintech Scotland festival.
I cite all that activity because it is indicative of the energy that the Government is putting into securing investment. The Global Ethical Finance Initiative has been many years in gestation, but we are now beginning to see the fruits of that activity as a consequence of the sustained focus and leadership of ministers in this Government. I am delighted to see the progress that has been made in Edinburgh and in the transformation in Glasgow’s position in the rankings, which has been significant. That demonstrates the strength of the Scottish financial services sector, of which we should be enormously proud.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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