Part of Topical Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 1 October 2024.
Shirley-Anne Somerville
Scottish National Party
In my previous answers, I have mentioned the support that we continue to give to older people, despite the budget cuts that seem to be coming our way.
Emma Harper is quite right to point out that Labour can still reverse its decision on the winter fuel payment. That opportunity still lies in its hands. That is why, following the publication of the UK Government’s winter fuel payment equality analysis, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to call on her to reinstate the winter fuel payment for all pensioners. That would be the right thing to do. If she does not listen to me or, indeed, the wider chamber, I hope that she will listen to pensioners up and down the country, whom we will continue to support as they face a very difficult winter.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
