VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Financial Services: Edinburgh

Asked by Dr Scott ArthurLabourScotland OfficeTabled Answered 7 February 2025UIN 28271

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to encourage the Scottish Government to support Edinburgh's financial sector.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill

Promoting economic growth is one of the Scotland Office’s priorities and I am proud of the contribution of the financial services industry to the Scottish economy, with recent figures showing it is now worth £14.8 billion in GVA while directly supporting 148,000 jobs. Edinburgh makes up a sizeable proportion of Scotland’s overall financial and related professional services industry, employing 57,290 people.

To build on this sectoral success the UK government is developing a long-overdue industrial strategy, with financial services one of the priority sectors. This will ensure that the sector in his constituency is key to attracting investment and help support businesses in Scotland and across the UK.

The Secretary of State meets monthly with the Deputy First Minister to discuss a wide range of shared economic growth priorities.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim