Economic Growth
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Contributions
Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)Labour
3. What steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Scotland.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Melanie Ward)Labour
This Government are taking action to give families breathing space. We are driving the long-term changes needed to create good jobs and growth in every postcode. The Prime Minister has been clear that pushing economic power out of Holyrood and into the regions of Scotland is key to reindustrialisation. The UK Government stand ready to work with the Scottish Government to do this. At the same time, we are empowering regions through action like the local growth fund, which will benefit my hon. Friend’s area.
I welcome my hon. Friend to her place on the Front Bench. To deliver good growth in my area, the reindustrialisation of the Grangemouth industrial cluster is essential. We must take steps to include Grangemouth in the strategic sites accelerator, unlock a final investment decision in the Acorn project and take concerted action to secure and reutilise the Syngenta site when the company withdraws next December. What action is my hon. Friend taking, alongside departmental colleagues, to enable the reindustrialisation of Grangemouth?
The Prime Minister wants to see reindustrialisation, and we are committed to driving growth in Grangemouth and the wider region. We have acted swiftly at every stage as the Grangemouth site transitions, including through a £120 million commitment to safeguard the chemicals plant. I know that the Minister for Reindustrialisation and Cabinet Secretary Flynn are focusing especially on the preparation of ground conditions and the remediation of potential sites for new projects, which is key to unlocking the £200 million from the national wealth fund. I know that my hon. Friend will continue to push for his constituents.
Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)Liberal Democrat
Scottish Government figures released yesterday show the lowest level of new house building in more than a decade. Ahead of the Budget, councils in England are expected to benefit from new investment to stimulate council house building and access low-interest borrowing. Will the Minister engage with her Scottish Government counterparts to encourage similar support in Scotland to help local councils to build more homes and, in turn, support local economic growth through construction?
The hon. Lady makes an excellent point about this Government’s record on building new homes in England. My officials regularly engage with the Scottish Government on a range of matters to exchange learning. As she knows, housing and planning are devolved matters, so house building responsibility rests with the Scottish Government. Of particular concern are the increasing numbers of children living in temporary accommodation in Scotland and the increasing numbers of people sleeping rough. While our Prime Minister is determined to end rough sleeping, in Scotland it is on the rise, and that is not good enough.
Source: UK Parliament Hansard API. Debate ID: 5427276.