Contributions
280 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUniversal Basic IncomeI make two points in response to the hon. Gentleman. First, if he looks around the world at where UBI has been trialled—in Finland and Canada, for example—it has not been a…28 Apr 2021HANSARDUniversal Basic IncomeI certainly agree with the hon. Lady’s point that the Scottish Government still have much to do to unlock the full potential of the powers devolved to them in the Scotland Act…28 Apr 2021HANSARDScottish Independence ReferendumIt is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Nokes. I also congratulate the hon. Member for Islwyn (Chris Evans) on introducing the debate so effectively, with…22 Mar 2021HANSARDScotland: General Election and Constitutional FutureIt is a great pleasure to wind up this important debate, which has been impassioned and, on the whole, good-natured, with one or two small skirmishes. It is always a pleasure to…17 Mar 2021HANSARDScotland: General Election and Constitutional FutureNo, I have already given way once, and I want to respond to some of the points that Members have made. SNP Members have the wrong priorities, and I can only imagine that they…17 Mar 2021HANSARDScotland: General Election and Constitutional FutureI am happy to tell the hon. Gentleman that I shall come on to that very subject. However, I am putting into context the question of why the SNP has chosen this debate, and why it…17 Mar 2021HANSARD Scotland Act 1998: Scottish Civil ServiceMay I start with the customary congratulations to my right hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis) on securing this timely debate? He has a long and…16 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021The Budget confirmed an additional £1.2 billion for the Scottish Government in the next financial year. Taken together with the allocation at the last spending review, it means…10 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has mentioned in his answers to previous questions, we have just published the interim report on the Union connectivity review,…10 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021I should point out that I am not responsible for public sector pay, either in Scotland or England, but I will relay the hon. Lady’s points to my colleagues who decide these…10 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021I point the hon. Lady to the prospectuses for the first stages of the community renewal fund and the levelling-up fund, which were published alongside the Budget last week. This…10 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021The work we are doing will build on the very strong relationships that already exist, such as through the city region and growth deal programmes. Shortly after this session, I…10 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021Before I answer the hon. Gentleman’s question, may I, through him, extend my congratulations to Anas Sarwar on his election as leader of the Scottish Labour party? It is a…10 Mar 2021HANSARDPublic Spending: Budget 2021I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. It is not correct to say that the business rates holiday is only being extended for three months; a period beyond that is specially…10 Mar 2021HANSARDCOP26My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I should also point out that it is disgraceful that, while we will be showcasing our global leadership on climate change and the world’s gaze…27 Jan 2021HANSARDUK-EU Agreement: Scottish EconomyAlongside the agreement, we agreed a joint declaration on regulatory co-operation in the area of financial services. The parties will codify that in a memorandum of understanding…27 Jan 2021HANSARDUK-EU Agreement: Scottish EconomyWe have agreed a deal with the EU that fully delivers for Scotland and the rest of the UK. Our deal provides Scottish businesses with exceptional access to the EU’s market: it is…27 Jan 2021HANSARDUK-EU Agreement: Scottish ExportsAs I have said repeatedly, we are engaging with all sectors to help them prepare for this transition. I respectfully point out to the hon. Lady that she voted for a no-deal…27 Jan 2021HANSARDUK-EU Agreement: Scottish ExportsFirst, may I wish the hon. Gentleman and his family every success and good fortune in the arrival of the new addition to their family? As I have said, we are providing very…27 Jan 2021HANSARDUK-EU Agreement: Scottish ExportsI repeat to the hon. Gentleman the reply I gave a few moments ago: we are engaging directly and providing very practical support to exporters who have encountered some short-term…27 Jan 2021