Contributions
638 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSpring Budget 2024The hon. Lady’s point would be relevant if that report were not from 2018-19, long before we entered into six tax bands in Scotland, versus three in the rest of the UK. I…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024My right hon. Friend makes a good point. I am well aware, as are businesses in Dumfries and Galloway, that having six tax bands in Scotland but three in the rest of the UK is not…01 May 2024HANSARDProtection of Free SpeechYes, and Police Scotland already has stretched resources—not least because it has been checking up on the SNP finances for the last three years. My hon. Friend is absolutely…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024In the fiscal framework settlement, we made it very clear and agreed with the Scottish Government that resource funding could be reallocated, if they so wished, from the record…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024We absolutely do not fear an election, whether for Holyrood or a general election. As I watch the nationalists implode again, I say, “Bring it on.” I hear them say the same from a…01 May 2024HANSARDFinancial Settlement for ScotlandMy position has always been clear: I believe that the energy profits levy on the excess profits caused by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine was the right thing for the Government to…06 Mar 2024HANSARDFinancial Settlement for ScotlandThis is nonsense. Austerity is not a thing under this Government—not a thing at all. [ Laughter. ] No, absolutely not. Departmental spending—this is the point that the SNP does…06 Mar 2024HANSARDFinancial Settlement for ScotlandI agree with my hon. Friend, and I add further that the Scottish Government’s six tax bands, as opposed to the UK Government’s three tax bands, are really holding Scotland back.06 Mar 2024HANSARDPromoting Trade with Northern IrelandI am pleased to say that I have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about maximising trade links, now that the Northern Ireland Executive have been…06 Mar 2024HANSARDFinancial Settlement for ScotlandThat is an easy one to answer, Mr Speaker, as I am very proud of my legacy. Rather like winning four Calcutta cups, I have won in court with the Scottish Government four times,…06 Mar 2024HANSARDInternational RelationsI agree with the hon. Lady. It is important that the United Kingdom Government speak with one voice and the United Kingdom is seen to speak with one voice on foreign affairs. I…06 Mar 2024HANSARDInternational RelationsI have had frequent and recent discussions with the Foreign Secretary on the Scottish Government’s international relations policy. Foreign affairs are reserved to the United…06 Mar 2024HANSARDAllegations of Impropriety in Public LifeMy right hon. Friend should write to the Cabinet Secretary and ask him to do that very thing.06 Mar 2024HANSARDAllegations of Impropriety in Public LifeI agree with the hon. Lady.06 Mar 2024HANSARDFood ExportsI think I heard “smoked salmon”, but this is not just about smoked salmon. The most recent figures show that Scotland’s world-leading food and drink sector accounted for 29% of…06 Mar 2024HANSARDFood ExportsScotland Office Ministers have banged the drum tirelessly to promote the Scottish food and drink industry overseas, including on trade missions in Europe, India, the United States…06 Mar 2024HANSARDPromoting Trade with Northern IrelandAs set out in the Command Paper, the UK Government are working to establish Intertrade UK, which will fulfil our pledge to grow the economy by ensuring that businesses large and…06 Mar 2024HANSARDDeparture from the EU: Impact on ScotlandMy hon. Friend is a great champion of the fishing industry, and I completely agree with him.06 Mar 2024HANSARDFood ExportsIn the UK Command Paper, we said that we are setting up the East-West Council, which will work to bring about the solutions.06 Mar 2024HANSARDFinancial Settlement for ScotlandIt is nice to see that the hon. Lady and her colleagues have turned up for work today, even if that is in defiance of the deputy Leader of the SNP, who thought they should not…06 Mar 2024