Clare Haughey: ...families in poverty, and the UK Government must use its first budget to scrap it immediately. Before the general election, Scots were promised a Labour Government that would give the Scotland Office £150 million to tackle poverty. The then shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, appeared on the front page of newspapers saying it was “the change Scotland...
Anas Sarwar: That is why that important work has started, be it through GB Energy, the new deal for working people, a genuine living wage or the Scotland Office selling brand Scotland to the world. People across Scotland cannot wait for 2026, when we will have an opportunity to bring together the talents of our people, our workers and our businesses to deliver for the people of Scotland. Ten...
Rupert Lowe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many positions in his Department included (a) diversity, (b) inclusion, (c) equity and (d) equality in their job title in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of the salaries of each such job was in each of those years.
John Cooper: ...work has been done by MSP colleagues, but problems persist, not least when one side of the equation is not the willing partner it ought to be. From previous experience as a special adviser in the Scotland Office, I found that the SNP Scottish Government were capable of foot-dragging, with little interest in making joint projects with the UK Government a success. Take the A75...
Diana R. Johnson: Policing is a devolved matter, information may be held by the Scotland Office.
Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
Kenneth Gibson: ...my astonishment that the United Kingdom Labour Government has shamefully cut £140 million to £160 million in winter fuel payments to Scottish pensioners this year, while reportedly providing the Scotland Office with a similar sum—£150 million—with which to undermine devolution. What does the First Minister believe that that says about Labour’s priorities and its approach to and...
Chris Bryant: ...is absolutely right that we need to work with the devolved Administration. I am very keen to have conversations with our colleagues in Scotland, my counterparts in Scotland, and of course with the Scotland Office. We need to work as a united Government to achieve what we want in the field. As I say, I have spoken to Frank Strang and I am very keen, at the earliest opportunity, to visit...
Kirsty McNeill: .... That is intolerable and cannot - and will not - be accepted. So I do not share the complacency of some that Scotland has no issues around racism and Islamophobia to address. The UK Government and Scotland Office are determined to play our part in defeating hate. I am grateful to the civil society and voluntary organisations throughout our communities whose efforts are so vital in...
Ian Murray: .... I thank the former Secretary of State for Scotland, Sir Alister Jack, for his work representing Scotland in Whitehall and the UK Government in Scotland. I also thank all the staff in the Scotland Office for making us so welcome. Their professionalism is unsurpassed. I am very pleased that we were recently able to welcome 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland so that they can...
John Lamont: I, too, start by congratulating both Ministers on their appointment to the Scotland Office. I loved my time at the Scotland Office, and I know they will be very well supported by the Department’s excellent team of officials, some of whom are in the Box today. Labour plans to end the winter fuel payment, taking money away from elderly people who have worked all their days. Age Scotland has...
Ian Murray: I would like to announce to the House that Andy Murray and I are not related, despite the fact that we share the same physique [Laughter.] I assure the House that the Scotland Office and this Government will do all we can to ensure that the wonderful legacy of one of Britain’s best sportspeople of all time is maintained.
Torcuil Crichton: ...the Secretary of State to his position. We watched him for many lonely years as he held the fort on his own. He was always outnumbered, but never outgunned. Will he now use the full firepower of the Scotland Office to convince Cabinet colleagues and industry players of the vital role and potential of the Arnish fabrication yard in Stornoway and its sister yard in Methil, both of which are...
Kit Malthouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory direct ministerial appointments excluding special advisers he has made; and (i) who the appointee was and (ii) what the (A) remuneration, (B) title and (C) terms of reference was for each appointment.
