Budget Resolutions
I draw the attention of the House to my interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for events. I welcome the Budget from the Chancellor and I particularly welcome his announcement that the UK Government will provide £6 million for the Scottish Event Campus in my constituency. That is a vote of confidence in the SEC, Glasgow and the events sector more generally; hope for the future, grounded in proven past and current success. The SEC plays an essential part in underpinning Glasgow and Scotland’s position as a global events and conference destination, and this funding recognises that. Today, the SEC generates more than £605 million in economic value, welcomes 2.5 million visitors a year and supports 5,300 jobs. The investment in this Budget will help to multiply that economic and social contribution, unlock private investment in the campus’s further development and create more jobs, while supporting the wider Glasgow, Scottish and UK economies. Given the SEC’s success in hosting COP26 and events for both of Glasgow’s Commonwealth games, this investment will help to secure Scotland’s position as an ideal location for future international conferences, exhibitions and live entertainment. It also helps to shape a city that treats the River Clyde as a cultural and economic asset. The success of the Riverside Museum and the Govan-Partick bridge is a testament to what can be achieved when the Clyde is recognised as an asset. This Labour Government continue to prove through investments like the local growth fund and this funding that they take seriously the task of making Glasgow city region a prosperous and attractive place to live and do business. I also welcome the Budget’s recognition that the central belt of Scotland, from the west coast to the east coast, is home to vital industries and world-leading research. Yesterday evening, I had the privilege of hosting the University of Glasgow here in Parliament to mark its 575th anniversary. It certainly has a long and successful track record, but it also has the research and innovation to drive economic growth now and in the future. I hope that this funding for the SEC will show how important the campus is to that wider regional picture. However, to ensure that the SEC remains competitive against our international rivals, we must continue to invest in the city’s skills and infrastructure for tomorrow. The up and coming visitor economy growth strategy must also deliver a more cohesive, cross-Government approach to supporting business events. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group for events, I see at first hand how the events industry benefits the wider economy. VisitScotland estimates that the Scottish events industry brings £6.1 billion to the Scottish economy each year. Some of the biggest economic benefits from the events sector come not from one-off sporting or music events, but from business events such as conferences and trade shows. These events tend to last longer, so visitors spend more time at the destination, use more hotels and support more local restaurants, bars and cafés. Industry estimates indicate that UK conferences and meetings generated £22.5 billion for the national economy in 2025, up from £19.3 billion in 2024. I very much welcome the specific commitment in the Budget to invest in the Scottish Event Campus, both as a significant investment in this key project in Glasgow and as a clear indication from the Chancellor that this Government acknowledge the economic importance of the events sector across the UK. This is a Budget that is focused on the livelihoods of today and the economy of tomorrow.