Contributions
638 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTaxationUK Government Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on matters of importance, including the Scottish fiscal framework. That historic…12 Feb 2020HANSARDTradeAs the Prime Minister said, there will be “unfettered access” between Scotland and Northern Ireland and indeed the rest of the United Kingdom.12 Feb 2020HANSARDBudgetI know that the hon. Lady has a lot of experience of this, having formerly worked for Diageo. The 25% tariffs on malt whisky are a consequence of the Boeing-Airbus dispute between…12 Feb 2020HANSARDRenewable EnergyThe hon. Lady is right; we have an advantage with that and with our wind speeds, mountains and hydro schemes. The Government are supporting technology. Wave and tidal technology…12 Feb 2020HANSARDTradeThe Scottish Government’s own figures show that Scotland’s most important trading partner is the rest of the UK and, as my hon. Friend said, that is worth more than three times…12 Feb 2020HANSARDTradeBusy day—[Hon. Members: “Ah.”] It appears I have woken a few people up. Scottish exports to the rest of the UK increased in 2018 by £1.2 billion to £51.2 billion. As a result, the…12 Feb 2020HANSARDRenewable EnergyThe hon. Gentleman makes a very fair point. One of the things the UK should look at, for future infrastructure and shared prosperity, is building that interconnector.12 Feb 2020HANSARDRenewable EnergyThere is enormous capability not just with more offshore wind schemes, but with more hydro schemes. As I said earlier, we intend to create 27,000 more jobs through using that…12 Feb 2020HANSARDRenewable EnergyObviously, I disagree with my hon. Friend on the Calcutta cup; that goes without saying. It was a wet, windy and miserable day at Murrayfield for me. We are trying to improve the…12 Feb 2020HANSARDRenewable EnergyThat is the market economy, and we need to be better at pricing and better at producing our turbines—that is the straight answer. We will discuss this issue and many others at COP…12 Feb 2020HANSARDRenewable EnergyNo, because I do not know the answer—that is a perfectly straight answer to a straight question. What I can tell the hon. Gentleman is that the sector deal aims to create 27,000…12 Feb 2020HANSARDContingencies Fund AdvanceI hereby give notice of the Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General’s intention to seek a repayable cash advance from the Contingencies Fund of £1,900,000. The…04 Feb 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”Yes, my hon. Friend makes a good point. Today’s The Herald highlights the fact that accident and emergency waiting times have deteriorated in Scotland to a record low, with record…08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”Yes.08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”May I start by thanking my predecessor for his four years as Secretary of State for Scotland and, prior to that, five years as Under-Secretary and four years as a shadow…08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”First, on austerity, the Scottish Government’s own independence figures show that there would be a £12.6 billion hole in the Scottish finances, which would mean real austerity. On…08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”The First Minister has asked for the right to set and decide the context for future referendums. We are very clear that constitutional matters are reserved. It would be completely…08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”It was a referendum three years ago. We are speaking for the majority of Scots. The majority of voters voted in 2016 to leave the European Union. We are respecting that decision,…08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”What we are respecting is the democratic outcome of referendums, which the SNP does not respect. The referendum in 2016 was a United Kingdom referendum, and we voted to leave the…08 Jan 2020HANSARD“Scotland’s Right to Choose”Some 45% of Scots voted for the SNP in the 2019 election, and 45% of Scots voted for independence in 2014. The numbers simply have not changed. Further, in 2014 the independence…08 Jan 2020