Contributions
348 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic GrowthOf course, I warmly welcome the decision to keep Alexander Dennis’s Falkirk and Larbert sites operational. That will be a huge relief to the talented workforce, not just in those…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 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 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 GrowthThrough the shouting, I heard the claim that yesterday’s announcement in the Scottish budget had helped Scottish colleges. I had the opportunity to visit Forth Valley college last…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 GrowthLet us start with the facts. Our auction today delivers new renewable power, and building and operating that will be cheaper than building new gas. Let me give the hon. Lady the…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthI defer to my Cabinet colleague the Health Secretary, given his expertise and knowledge when it comes to “The Traitors”. He made a powerful case on television that he had watched…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthI understand that the SNP’s grievance machine does not run on facts, but let me introduce a few facts into the conversation. The highlands and islands are benefiting from more…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthI sense that my hon. Friend has forgotten more about local government financing than John Swinney will ever know. The reality is that the First Minister has been writing budgets…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthLet us see whether this Opposition Front Bencher agrees with the Leader of the Opposition, because, of course, he does not need to take my word for the complete chaos left by the…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthUnsurprisingly, no. I half agree with the shadow Secretary of State in that, frankly, Scotland deserves better than a Government who, after 19 years, are claiming to be the change…14 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic GrowthI was last in touch with the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary about an hour ago. I talked to him after the Cabinet, and I discussed these issues with him in the Cabinet. It…14 Jan 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 GrowthWe are not spending our time indulging in the games of opposition; we are getting on with the serious job of government. That includes delivering a record package of employment…14 Jan 2026HANSARDCost of LivingThe measures announced by the Chancellor at the Budget will help families right across Scotland. Scrapping the two-child limit will benefit 95,000 Scottish children. We are…14 Jan 2026HANSARDCost of LivingWhat is the reality? The governing philosophy of the Scottish National party is 19th-century nationalism. What is the reality of what we saw yesterday? The 19th budget from John…14 Jan 2026HANSARDCost of LivingWhat is the reality after yesterday’s budget from the Scottish Government? The reality after 19 SNP budgets is that hundreds of thousands of us are stuck on NHS waiting lists in…14 Jan 2026HANSARDSkills, Development and Training: Forth ValleyI sincerely hope the Scottish Government are listening to the very powerful points made by the hon. Lady. Some 89,600 young people in Scotland are not in work, education or…26 Nov 2025HANSARDCost of LivingThis Government have taken action and will continue to take action. In his rather partial account, the hon. Member missed out around 530,000 households in Scotland that are…26 Nov 2025