Contributions
638 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionAs I have said on many occasions, the United Kingdom Government believe that Scotland, in the United Kingdom, brings many benefits and that we, as a United Kingdom, are stronger…23 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionI am grateful to the right hon. Member for providing me with the opportunity to address the House on this important ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue of the competence of…23 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionMy hon. Friend makes a good point. On his initial remarks, we are a family of nations and a nation of families.23 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionThe hon. Gentleman will be disappointed with my answer, which is that I refer him to the remarks I made earlier.23 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionThe claim of right? We had a Union of the Crowns in 1603 and a Union of the Parliaments in 1707, but they were all a terribly long time ago. We firmly believe that we have a…23 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionYes. I made those points in my opening remarks and I totally agree with the hon. Gentleman.23 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionI am answering it. When there is consensus between both Governments, all political parties and civic Scotland.23 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesScottish National party Members may want independence, but they certainly do not have independence of thought. The UK Government are providing the Scottish Government with a…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesThis Secretary of State is standing up for Scotland. The £41 billion settlement over three years was a record figure; it is the highest figure since devolution began and the first…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesThe hon. Lady and I have this discussion on many occasions, because this is one of the points that she is keenest to make in the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs. She knows…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesSupporting independence will certainly not help the finances of Scotland; many independent economists have made that observation. As I said, it is absolutely a choice that the…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesI must set the record straight: borrowing is available for both capital and revenue, and there is an emergency figure, as was available during covid. The hon. Gentleman raises a…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesThere has been an increase. As a Barnett consequential, there is an extra £82 million coming to Scotland this year through the household support fund. As a result of the rates cut…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. As I have just said to the hon. Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss), the extra funding from Barnett consequentials that is going to…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesMy hon. Friend makes a very good point. Scotland is the best-funded part of Great Britain, and there is a Union dividend there of £2,000 per man, woman and child.16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesFirst, as I have said in previous answers, we are facing a global economic downturn as a result of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. On the hon. Gentleman’s final point, the Prime…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesI do understand how concerned people are about their mortgages. Obviously, a number of factors are influencing interest rates, but we are doing all we can to limit those factors…16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesAs the hon. Lady knows, the party that is denying democracy is the one that does not accept the result of the 2014 referendum.16 Nov 2022HANSARDDevolved FinancesAs I have said before, the Union brings a Union dividend of £2,000 per man, woman and child to Scotland. It deals with last year’s deficit of—according to the Scottish…16 Nov 2022HANSARDScotland’s Role in UK Defence and SecurityI have regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence on matters relating to defence in Scotland. This includes the crucial role of the armed forces presence at our strategic…16 Nov 2022