Contributions
200 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Costs for MotoristsScotland is an energy superpower, so it is particularly galling for constituents and businesses in my constituency, which is a two and a half hour drive end to end, and where road…21 May 2026HANSARDDefence ReadinessLess than two weeks ago, the SNP secured a landslide, record-breaking Scottish election victory, including the election of two constituency MSPs who have left this place for…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsYes, and I thank the hon. Member for that intervention. We are down to six bank branches in an area that takes two and a half hours to drive around. It is simply impossible for…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsThat gets to the heart of the matter. There is not an understanding by either the regulators or the banks themselves of the impacts that those closures have on communities that…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsAbsolutely. I am about to talk about the critical services offered by banks through banking hubs, which addresses the hon. Gentleman’s point. Community bankers located within…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsI absolutely agree about face to face, particularly for vulnerable people, but also for businesses or maybe somebody who might be thinking about starting up in business. Being…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsAbsolutely. I turn to the inadequacies in the current framework, and I will try to make some progress. Current criteria include the number of remaining branches, the population…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsI absolutely agree with that. It is important that, where there are hubs, they are open for a reasonable period of time and are accessible at different points of the day to…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsIt is pleasing to see a significant number of Members in the Chamber to be part of this Adjournment debate, by hearing it and perhaps by participating. I am aware of about 15 hon.…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsThe hon. Gentleman makes a fantastic point and I will come on to that later in my remarks.20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsAbsolutely. I would consider those to be basic services that people should be able to access as close to their own community as they possibly can. I was perplexed to read, in…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsAbsolutely. That consistency is vital, but flexibility within the criteria is also vital. I will come on to that as well. It is frankly hard to stomach that the big high street…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsAbsolutely. Again, that goes back to the point I made about people needing a business service and basic business advice without having to travel dozens of miles to access that.…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsCertainly; there are some areas, particularly large estates in urban areas, where we can see services disappearing simply because of how people live their lives. It is important…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsI absolutely agree. I am pleased to see the Bill coming forward, as it will provide opportunities to make progress on this important issue. There is also the vital question of…20 May 2026HANSARD Banking HubsI thank the hon. Gentleman for that. After the election, the Government said they were working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK, which is very…20 May 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthIn a Westminster Hall debate on heating oil support this morning, the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Torcuil Crichton) suggested that the Scottish Government should be…15 Apr 2026HANSARDStrategic Defence Review: FundingSuccessive UK Governments have spent years cutting defence spending, reducing the size of our armed forces to record lows, dismantling our Navy, slashing Scottish regiments and…15 Apr 2026HANSARDCost of Heating OilIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan. I congratulate the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Steff Aquarone) on securing this important debate. In his…15 Apr 2026HANSARDCost of Heating OilI will come on to the energy powers that should be devolved, but it is currently the UK Government’s responsibility. Over the years, Scotland has sent over £350 billion to the…15 Apr 2026