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Devolution in Scotland 2025-10-22
22 October 2025
Lead MP
Jamie Stone
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyEmploymentScotlandBrexit
Other Contributors: 62
At a Glance
Jamie Stone raised concerns about devolution in scotland 2025-10-22 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I lead this debate as someone who believes in the strength of our family of nations and that we can make people’s lives better through co-operation and partnership by pooling and sharing resources. I am proud to have been a founding member of the Scottish Constitutional Convention responsible for the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, and a Member of the Holyrood progress group which oversaw the building of the Parliament. The Committees did largely fulfil some of their intended functions during the first 12 years of the Parliament but the advent of the SNP Government in 2011 changed that dynamic, leading to bad legislation such as the ill-fated deposit return scheme.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
The hon. Member is making a very good speech. As a fellow Member of the Scottish Parliament for 10 years, I concur completely with his comments regarding the Committee structure. There are many faults about the other place, but it is significantly better at scrutinising Government, holding Government to account and improving legislation than the Committees in the Scottish Parliament.
Glasgow West
Celebrated the legacy of Donald Dewar in promoting a Scottish Parliament. Highlighted the Labour party's efforts under Blair in establishing devolution and the Scotland Act, which led to the creation of the Scottish Parliament within two years of Labour returning to power in 1997. Mentioned positive initiatives such as free personal care for the elderly, university tuition fees, smoking ban, repeal of discriminatory clause 2A, Golden Jubilee hospital integration into NHS, Fresh Talent initiative, international development fund, National Theatre of Scotland, and hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Questioned the efficiency of electronic voting systems in the Scottish Parliament, citing issues with verification processes after votes.
Agreed that remote electronic voting is not ideal and emphasised the importance of maintaining physical voting in Westminster.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Supported the idea of modernisation but noted that Members' attitudes might be resistant to changes like electronic voting. Mentioned that legislatures can learn from each other, particularly during the pandemic.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
Discussed Donald Dewar's vision for a stronger Scottish Parliament in terms of privilege and order, questioning if it would be beneficial now. Noted the smaller scale of the Scottish Parliament which impacts its operation differently.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Mr. Cooper asserts that the current devolution model is failing, with the SNP actively undermining joint working between Westminster and Holyrood to advance their agenda of independence. He points out the absence of scrutiny on Scottish Government spending and criticises the Secretary of State for Scotland's lack of engagement in safeguarding devolution.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Mr. Logan challenges Mr. Cooper by asking him to comment on the Brexit vote, which he suggests created a significant divide between Scotland and England.
Chris Kane
Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
Mr. Kane discusses the stall of devolution when it comes to local government and the centralisation of powers that have been stripped away from councils, advocating for more fiscal autonomy for councils and a new phase of devolution.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Mr. Leadbitter reminisces about the early days of devolution in Scotland, mentioning key figures like Donald Dewar and Annabel Goldie who were involved in the constitutional convention that led to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Acknowledged the work done by charities in campaigning for the Scottish child payment, which was initially opposed by the Scottish Government.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Asked Graham Leadbitter to acknowledge that the Scottish Government cut employability funding for disability schemes in 2024-25.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Inquired whether PIP is devolved in Scotland, leading to a discussion on the impact of UK Government decisions on social security budgets in Scotland.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Asked Graham Leadbitter if he recognised that this Westminster Government have given the Scottish Government the largest funding settlement in the history of devolution, questioning where the money has gone.
Called for more control of the Crown Estate to be devolved to local communities like Shetland.
Katrina Murray
Lab
Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Critiqued the SNP's failure to make devolution work despite extra powers and a record £52 billion settlement, citing health issues in her constituency where many constituents are on NHS waiting lists for over two years.
Katrina Murray
Lab
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Murray argued that NHS staff in Scotland face higher income tax rates and pension contributions compared to England. She highlighted the case of a football player who waited five hours for an ambulance, illustrating healthcare issues. She also mentioned the Scottish Government's failure to meet targets such as 95% cancer treatment within 62 days since 2012.
Melanie Ward
Con
Ward pointed out that Scotland has not met its target of 95% patients being treated for cancer within 62 days since 2012, raising questions about the effectiveness of Scottish Government's policies.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Cross criticised devolution in Scotland as a fight for power without responsibility. She highlighted that 53% of planning decisions appealed to the Scottish Government are overturned by Ministers compared to 70% upheld locally in England. The merging of police forces into one nationalised body led to station closures, creating policing deserts. Business rates relief was delayed and less generous than elsewhere in the UK. Education standards have declined; PISA scores have dropped significantly since SNP governance began. She also pointed out inconsistencies between different policies such as lower-income pensioners receiving winter fuel payments while workers are taxed more.
Airdrie and Shotts
Stevenson expressed pride in the Labour commitment to devolution and its delivery of the Scottish Parliament. He acknowledged his predecessor John Smith's efforts to bring decision-making closer to home.
Airdrie and Shotts
Stevenson supports devolution and criticises the SNP for failing to deliver on promises. He mentions issues such as NHS waiting lists, GP shortages, high rail fares, and funding cuts in further education colleges. He emphasises the need for investment in AI and vocational training.
Melanie Ward
Lab
East Dunbartonshire
Ward agrees with Stevenson's point about the crucial role of further education and highlights regional disparities in funding, noting that Fife colleges are receiving real-terms cuts while other areas see increases.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Gethins acknowledges the need for learning across different parliaments but criticises Westminster's handling of issues such as accountability. He defends the Scottish Parliament, noting achievements like reducing child poverty despite limited resources.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Moray
He criticises the Conservative party for significant cuts to local government funding in England, comparing it unfavorably to Scotland's situation. He advocates learning from other regions but also emphasises that Scottish local government is better funded than its English counterpart due to fewer cuts by both Conservatives and Labour parties.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
She highlights the historical significance of the 1997 referendum, which established a Scottish Parliament with tax-varying powers. She criticises the SNP's management of significant funding resources, stating that they are not making substantial differences in people’s lives. Ward points out issues such as long NHS waiting lists, hospital overcrowding, and educational attainment gaps.
North East Fife
Chamberlain raises concerns about the proposed downgrading of neonatal intensive care units in Dundee and Fife, questioning whether this will force patients to travel further for critical care.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Stone warns that once the SNP gained power, they downgraded consultant-led maternity services in Wick, causing mothers to have to travel great distances to give birth. This is presented as a historical example of what could happen under continued SNP rule.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Dundee East
Baxter discusses the issue of dental deserts and long waiting times for orthodontist appointments, illustrating how lack of access to NHS services is forcing people into private healthcare. She emphasises that this situation is unacceptable.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
The MP discusses serious issues affecting Scotland such as rising drug deaths, police numbers falling, and the need for more devolved action to tackle antisocial behaviour. He criticises the SNP's mismanagement of these problems.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Dr Arthur acknowledges the positive achievements under Scottish Labour but criticises the current stagnation and decline in various areas under the SNP Government. He highlights issues such as housing shortages, tourism benefits not reaching local communities, and healthcare waiting times.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon commends the hon. Member for including positivity but emphasises the importance of unity in the UK to avoid Scotland becoming poorer. He supports devolution's benefits in tourism connections between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Arthur
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
It is fantastic that the contracts came from Norway to the UK, and they will keep households in jobs for many years to come. It is a fantastic vote of confidence in that workforce and the whole supply chain, but the very, very quiet thank you from the Scottish Government was utterly shameful.
Maureen Burke
Lab
Glasgow North East
Devolution has been an overwhelming success on a technical test of its structure and principles. However, although there are successes, those holding devolved power have not always used it for good. Child poverty rates are just as bad today as they were when the SNP Government took power in 2007.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
The SNP Government have delivered free tuition, free personal care, and other substantial achievements for Scotland. The Scottish Parliament has become a symbol of Scottish life, and the second test of delivery is not about failure of devolution but rather about the failure of the SNP in power.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Dumfries and Galloway
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
The Scottish Parliament has established itself as the fulcrum of Scottish political life. It has remedied a democratic deficit that would have been an outrage over the 14 years under the last Conservative Administration, with little Scottish representation.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
It is time to devolve power from Edinburgh to regions like the highlands and islands to focus on transport, housing, depopulation and economic and cultural growth in rural areas of Scotland.
Agrees with the hon. Member that quangos have reduced power to the Scottish Parliament, preventing MSPs from advancing their own policies and leading to a culture of gesture and tokenism instead of meaningful policy change.
Chris Murray
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Agrees that Labour's 1999 policy agenda was focused on tangible reforms while the SNP’s focus on independence has hindered effective policy development. The Scottish Parliament's potential remains unfulfilled due to lack of action.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Congratulates Jamie Stone for initiating this debate, highlighting the achievements since 1997 under Labour’s Scotland Act. However, criticises SNP's failure to devolve power to local communities despite centralising it at every turn. Highlights poor economic growth, education system decline and NHS issues in Scotland under SNP governance.
Expresses gratitude towards Richard Baker for his significant role in saving jobs at the Methil yard by securing its purchase by Navantia UK, thus preserving 200 skilled workers and apprenticeships.
Brian Leishman
Ind
Alloa and Grangemouth
Acknowledges that devolution has been a let-down due to the failure of local authorities to drive meaningful improvements. Emphasises the need for properly funded councils by the Scottish Government to empower communities.
Euan Stainbank
Lab
Falkirk
Welcomes the debate on devolution's successes and failures. Emphasises support for a Scottish Parliament democratically elected by Scots, but criticises SNP Government’s performance over 25 years. Discusses issues such as child poverty, further education sector collapse, underfunded councils, and industrial decline in Scotland.
Llinos Medi
PC
Ynys Môn
Asks if the collapse in support for Labour in Wales due to high levels of child poverty there is a reason why people will turn to Plaid Cymru tomorrow. Highlights that the problem with closing the attainment gap and loss of trust in politics are due to budget cuts imposed on local authorities.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Supports friend's argument that when the Government says independence is the answer to every challenge, it shuts down thinking on actual solutions. Criticises SNP for blaming other nations' poverty as a justification for their own failures.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Celebrated Labour's role in delivering devolution to Scotland. Criticised SNP for prioritising independence referendums over governance, leading to a housing crisis, underfunded NHS, and local council funding cuts. Cited examples of budget cuts affecting frontline services and vulnerable communities.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
Thanked the lead MP for securing the debate. Stressed that further devolution is important for Scotland, particularly for city regions like Glasgow. Highlighted successful city deals in Glasgow but criticised SNP's reluctance to pass power and funding to local communities. Called for more responsibility to be given to city regions to tailor policies to community needs.
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
Expressed appreciation for the debate on Scottish devolution. Recalled Liberal Democrats' role in pushing for a Scottish Parliament and taking decision-making closer to people. Emphasised the importance of effective governance and better local outcomes.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
The Scottish nationalists are not delivering for Scotland. Under them, Scots face the highest tax burden anywhere in the UK, with little to show for it. Education and health outcomes lag behind England despite more funding per child and higher healthcare spending per capita.
Kirsty McNeill
Con
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
The debate is about how we deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland. The Government welcomes discussions on improving devolution and ensuring that power is used to benefit communities.
Kirsty McNeill
Lab
Glasgow North West
Labour is proud of its role in devolution and supports the Scottish Parliament's ability to reflect Scotland's needs while being part of the UK. Kirsty McNeill acknowledges that a vote for a Scottish Parliament was her first ballot cast and expresses continued support for this arrangement. She reiterates Labour's commitment to accountability, highlighting issues with quango chiefs outnumbering MSPs in Scotland and underscoring the importance of elected Members holding those who deliver public services accountable.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East
Chris Murray was mentioned but did not contribute directly to the debate content provided.
Euan Stainbank
Lab
Falkirk
Euan Stainbank was mentioned but did not contribute directly to the debate content provided.
Katrina Murray
Lab
Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch East
Katrina Murray spoke movingly about the challenges faced by patients in her area due to long waiting lists, emphasising the importance of addressing health service issues in Scotland.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Melanie Ward also spoke movingly about patient experiences in her constituency, highlighting the need for improvements in healthcare services.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Stephen Gethins argued that the debate should focus on accountability issues within Scotland's governance structures. He pointed out the existence of more quango chiefs than MSPs, questioning the effectiveness of current systems in holding public service providers accountable.
John Cooper
SNP
Dumfries and Galloway
John Cooper accused Labour of focusing too much on trade promotion rather than addressing critical issues like healthcare. He noted that paused capital health spending affects his constituency negatively, suggesting the SNP's policies are more effective.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Andrew Bowie asked Labour to unequivocally support the United Kingdom but also highlighted the need for them to focus on delivering for Scots and rectifying issues left by their predecessors.
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
Patricia Ferguson agreed with Kirsty McNeill's argument that having more Labour Scottish Ministers than SNP Members present indicates the priorities of the current Government compared to previous administrations.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Johanna Baxter pointed out Scotland’s economic underperformance relative to the UK as a whole, suggesting missed opportunities under SNP leadership.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness and Sutherland
Recalled his first day at Holyrood where Donald Dewar enquired about him. Emphasised the importance of honouring Donald Dewar regardless of differing views on devolution's purpose.
Informed Jamie Stone that a request to place an image of Donald Dewar in this place has been rejected by the Art Committee. However, she noted that support for reconsidering this decision might be forthcoming.
Government Response
The Minister outlined Labour's achievements since taking office: securing trade deals, investing in clean energy, job creation initiatives, and securing funds for industrial projects. She emphasised the importance of focusing on delivery rather than division and highlighted the underperformance of Scotland’s economy compared to the UK.
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