Contributions
638 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDInternational 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 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 2024HANSARDDeparture from the EU: Impact on ScotlandAs the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, our departure from the EU has allowed us to forge new relationships. Consequently, Scotland’s exports are performing well—they are up…06 Mar 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 2024HANSARDContingencies Fund AdvanceI hereby give notice of the Scotland Office’s intention to seek a repayable cash advance from the Contingencies Fund. The Department requires an advance to meet the Scottish…28 Feb 2024HANSARDScottish Gender Recognition Legislation Section 35 Order: Judicial Review OutcomeI welcome the Court’s judgment, which upholds my decision to prevent the Scottish Government’s gender recognition legislation from becoming law. The Outer House of the Court of…11 Dec 2023HANSARDEmployment Law: DevolutionI completely agree with my right hon. and learned Friend, who absolutely makes the right arguments.29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeBecause we have a specific Scottish occupation list for shortages, which gives us flexibility. The salary rate is set at £20,960. We believe that the best way is for stakeholder…29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeThe United Kingdom Government have introduced a single, flexible immigration system that works in the interest of the whole United Kingdom. A separate visa system would create an…29 Nov 2023HANSARDEmployment Law: DevolutionI refer the hon. Gentleman to my original answer. We believe it is right to have a simple system that works across the United Kingdom, whether one is in Derby or Dundee.29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeI think the hon. Lady lives in a parallel universe. We have the highest net migration to the UK since records began, far higher than when we were in the EU. As I say, if we want…29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeIt is good that the hon. Gentleman’s lines are written by Mike Russell. That is an old one, and not a very good one. The reality is that Scotland is the most taxed part of the…29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeI point the hon. Gentleman to the seasonal agricultural workers scheme. That is 45,000 people, with the ability to flex it up to 55,000. Those people come to work in a flexible…29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeArgyll and Bute is a beautiful part of the United Kingdom, but what it lacks is infrastructure, public services and affordable housing, because the Scottish Government have failed…29 Nov 2023HANSARDPromoting Scotland's Interests AbroadI have always been very clear that Scottish Government Ministers can go overseas to promote areas that are devolved, but the reserved areas, such as the constitution and foreign…29 Nov 2023HANSARDPromoting Scotland's Interests AbroadFirst, I thank my hon. Friend for his service as a trade envoy, and tell him that last month I had the pleasure of travelling to Vietnam to boost Scotland’s trade interests and…29 Nov 2023HANSARDPromoting Scotland's Interests AbroadThe UK Government work tirelessly to promote Scottish interests around the world through our extensive diplomatic network, forging business links, and generating trade and…29 Nov 2023HANSARDScottish Work Visa SchemeAbsolutely. We are one United Kingdom. We have no physical border. It is important that we treat immigration equally across the whole United Kingdom and give everyone equal…29 Nov 2023HANSARDEmployment Law: DevolutionThe UK Government have no intention of devolving legislative competence for employment rights to the Scottish Parliament. Employers and employees benefit hugely from a single,…29 Nov 2023HANSARDDevolution in ScotlandI am not entirely sure what I have done that has been a failure, to be honest. This Government protect devolution and the settlement. If he is referring to the section 35 order…29 Nov 2023