Contributions
138 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFamily Visas: Income RequirementWould my hon. Friend agree that an underlying problem is not only the size of the proposed increase, but the arbitrary nature of the level? As has been mentioned, perhaps it is…20 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillI commend the efforts of my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith (Tracy Gilbert) to ensure that we debated this issue today. We must continue to break down the…17 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillI agree with my hon. Friend. An issue raised during the election was that the period for applying did not allow much time for many families to apply who had booked to go away at…17 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillI agree that there are benefits from the Bill in all seasons. I realise that I have now set Members the challenge of intervening to speak about spring and autumn. In winter, there…17 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillI certainly agree that it is important to see the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom Government working together.17 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillMy hon. Friend asks whether I am saddened and surprised; I am saddened. It is important that while we make it easier to apply online for postal and proxy votes, we do not take…17 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillI agree with my hon. Friend—I am not used to agreeing with so many people. It seems unusual, but I will carry on. My hon. Friend makes an important point, and if we can increase…17 Jan 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillI absolutely agree, and it is important that we look to increase the ways in which people can access the voting system, because for many, digital is the usual way to apply for…17 Jan 2025HANSARDCare Sector SalariesDoes the Secretary of State agree that the SNP’s National Care Service (Scotland) Bill was a missed opportunity to improve pay and conditions for social care workers, particularly…07 Jan 2025HANSARDCare Sector Salaries12. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on staff salaries in the care sector.07 Jan 2025HANSARD Budget: ScotlandIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. The Budget of autumn 2024 marked a significant change—a break from the recent past. For too many years, Scotland and the…07 Jan 2025HANSARDEconomic GrowthI recently visited Vector Photonics in my constituency, an optical and photonic centre of excellence and a successful spin-out from Glasgow University. What role does the…04 Dec 2024HANSARDEconomic Growth9. What steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help support economic growth in Scotland.04 Dec 2024HANSARD Scotland’s Architectural HeritageMy hon. Friend talks about the restoration of the art school. Does he agree that it would be an important impetus to give focus to an area that is so rich in cultural heritage and…05 Nov 2024HANSARDIncome Tax (Charge)Because of the limits on time, I will mostly keep my comments to one sector of the economy: the cultural sector, which is very significant in the Glasgow North constituency. I…04 Nov 2024HANSARDIndustrial StrategyAn industrial strategy that embraces the jobs of the future must involve our higher education institutions, including the three world-class universities in Glasgow. What are the…04 Sept 2024HANSARDIndustrial Strategy1. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on a new industrial strategy.04 Sept 2024HANSARD Budget Responsibility BillThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for calling me to make my maiden speech during this debate. I moved to Glasgow in 1992, expecting to stay for three years. Now, over three decades…30 Jul 2024