Contributions
638 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19: UK-wide ResponseYes, absolutely.20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: UK-wide ResponseAs my hon. Friend correctly points out, Scotland has been allocated a total of £3.7 billion in extra funding so far, and, yes, I agree with him on the one United Kingdom approach.20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Scottish UniversitiesFunnily enough, I have spoken to the Education Secretary on that very subject. The UK Government are providing considerable funds to support research by Scottish universities, as…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: UK-wide ResponseI think my hon. Friend said, “avoiding divergence for the sake of politics”, or something, towards the end. If that is indeed what he said, I completely agree with him.20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Scottish UniversitiesI thank my hon. Friend for his question. The Department for Education has been engaging closely with ministerial and official colleagues in Scotland to discuss a range of higher…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Scottish UniversitiesHigher education in Scotland is, for the most part, a devolved responsibility. However, the UK Government very much recognise the difficulties faced by students, staff, and…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentThe hon. Gentleman might be jumping the gun on that, because discussions are ongoing between the Whips Office and the House authorities. I want to make it clear to him that we are…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentThis is the first time that the hon. Lady and I have met, in virtual circumstances, and I welcome her to her role. The answer is one for the Chancellor. That is a matter for the…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentI welcome the hon. Gentleman back to his rightful place on the Opposition Front Bench. I fear he spent far too long in the wilderness that was the previous regime’s Back Benches.…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentI have already given the answer on the first point. On the messaging, the messaging in Scotland is different to that in England, which is fine, but the “stay alert” message in…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentThe hon. Gentleman makes a good point. The testing capacity in Scotland is 12,000 tests a day. On Monday, they only used 4,559 of those. That is a matter for the Scottish…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: UK-wide ResponseI have regular discussions with all my Cabinet colleagues on the covid-19 outbreak, including on the co-ordination of a UK-wide response. The Government are absolutely committed…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentTo be absolutely clear, first, as the hon. Gentleman’s colleague, the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart), has made clear, Members of Parliament are key…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Discussions with Scottish GovernmentI regularly attend cross-Government meetings, which include the devolved Administrations, to discuss how to minimise the impact of covid-19. There is a high level of co-operation…20 May 2020HANSARDBudget 2020: Scottish Block GrantI absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. We have given an extra £2.7 billion in funding for covid-19, over and above the Budget measures announced this year. The Budget…25 Mar 2020HANSARDBudget 2020: Scottish Block GrantThe hon. Gentleman makes a very good point. The self-employed and freelancers are still waiting to hear about a package for them. We have been encouraging the Treasury to push…25 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Economic SupportAs I said before, the Chancellor has been looking at many schemes across the European Union and around the world. It is absolutely about timing and I would hope that the Treasury…25 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Economic SupportMy hon. Friend is absolutely right: the rural economy in Scotland is in desperate need of support. The money will flow from the strength of the British economy—from the huge £350…25 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Economic SupportAs the Prime Minister and the First Minister of Scotland have said, it is essential businesses that must carry on trading. The Prime Minister is here and he will have heard the…25 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Economic SupportThe UK Government are working in lockstep with the devolved Administrations, the World Health Organisation and our international partners to keep the whole UK safe. The UK…25 Mar 2020