Contributions
348 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRelations with Scottish GovernmentThe hon. Gentleman talks about sad truths; the sad truth is that one in seven young Scots between the ages of 16 and 24 are not in employment, education or training. The Scottish…25 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Manufacturing JobsI had the chance to visit the Leonardo facility with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in recent weeks and saw for myself the transformation it had witnessed…25 Feb 2026HANSARDRelations with Scottish GovernmentFirst, as I should have done in response to the question from the former Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell), I…25 Feb 2026HANSARDRelations with Scottish GovernmentMany of us know, from the experience of family, friends and others, about the difficulty of many charging stations across Scotland, which causes the range anxiety of which the…25 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Manufacturing JobsI find myself in agreement with the hon. Gentleman. With that biggest sustained increase in defence expenditure since the cold war—not simply in Scotland, where defence supports…25 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Manufacturing JobsScotland is at the heart of keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad. As has been referenced already, just last week I visited Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, working…25 Feb 2026HANSARDRelations with Scottish GovernmentI thank the right hon. Gentleman for the characteristic grace and generosity with which he asked his question. I can assure him that it was a long-planned trip to establish…25 Feb 2026HANSARDRelations with Scottish GovernmentMy hon. Friend raises an important point for not just her constituents but many others. Although animal health is a devolved responsibility, I am troubled—although not altogether…25 Feb 2026HANSARDEnergy Profits Levy: Gas SectorIt is worth reminding the hon. Gentleman that it was actually a Conservative Government who introduced the EPL. We have been clear that the EPL will come to an end in 2030. It is…25 Feb 2026HANSARDEnergy Profits Levy: Gas SectorThere is an aching gap the width of the North sea between what the hon. Member says and what the Conservatives did. The reality is that for all his conversations and protestations…25 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Manufacturing JobsNot for the first time, I find myself in agreement with my hon. Friend. The UK Labour Government have committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the…25 Feb 2026HANSARDEnergy Profits Levy: Gas SectorMy hon. Friend is entirely right. I had the opportunity to visit the Navantia yard in Methil just a couple of weeks ago. It is just over a year ago that we as a Labour Government…25 Feb 2026HANSARDWorld Cup: Travelling FansMy hon. Friend and I both know that the tartan army will be out in full force supporting Scotland’s FIFA world cup campaign this summer. The UK Government are working with…25 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Manufacturing JobsI thank my hon. Friend for his question. My own grandfather worked as an engineer in Glasgow, so I appreciate the proud heritage of which he speaks. The Government’s defence…25 Feb 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthIn part, child poverty will be falling because of the 95,000 kids we will help by abolishing the two-child benefit cap. It is not a coincidence that, in a single afternoon, our…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthMy initial glance at the Scottish budget that was announced yesterday suggests that in 2026 there will still be significant uplifts in terms of business rates across Scotland.…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthJust last week, I was with my hon. Friend in Falkirk announcing £9.8 million-worth of funding for the Forth valley region as part of the new local growth fund. Meanwhile, the UK…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthOf course, North Lanarkshire has been at the heart of Scottish manufacturing for many decades. Since 2019, it has actually grown faster than the national average in Scotland, due…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthI know from the right hon. Gentleman’s expertise and understanding of his constituency the challenge in relation to Annan and the fact that the bridges were swept away in the…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthIn my previous role as a Trade Minister, I was proud to promote world-class Scottish products from satellites to whisky. Since 2024, the Government have been working to extend…14 Jan 2026