Living Standards 2024-12-04
2024-12-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the economic situation affecting living standards in his constituency and wider Scotland.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve living standards in Scotland?
Our economic growth mission will raise living standards in Scotland. Our new deal for working people will disproportionately benefit Scots. New protections such as guaranteed hours will help shift workers with up to £600 a year. We are also delivering an annual pay rise of £1,400 for hundreds of thousands of full-time workers in Scotland, and we have committed to the triple lock, which means an extra £470 for pensioners next year. Last week, we paid the first instalment to 7,000 former Scottish miners with their full pension.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not specify concrete actions or timelines beyond general initiatives and benefits
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP highlights the importance of community benefit funds derived from local wind farms for improving living standards.
Does the Secretary of State agree that community benefit funds from wind farms contribute to improving living standards for communities? Will he join me in praising the work of the nine community council groups in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock as a model of the fair distribution of funds to support local apprenticeships and improve living standards across the Cumnock and Doon Valley areas?
I congratulate not only the nine community councils in my hon. Friend's area on their initiative, but community councils up and down the country that do so much work on our behalf to ensure that the community benefit fund, derived from local wind farms, makes a tangible difference to local people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the number of Scots on zero-hours contracts and advocates for Labour's Employment Rights Bill to address this issue.
Some 100,000 Scots are on zero-hours contracts, with no guarantee of secure hours. Labour's Employment Rights Bill will address that. Does the Secretary of State agree that 100,000 Scots being in insecure work is a damning indictment of the state the Tories left our economy in and shows that we need a new direction in Holyrood?
Mr Speaker, you will not be surprised to hear that I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The Government inherited not just a fiscal crisis from the previous Government, but an industrial one too. We need more high-quality jobs in Scotland. Between our industrial strategy, our plan to get Scotland working and the employment rights legislation, we will help to deliver that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not provide specific commitments or timelines for addressing zero-hours contracts
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP criticizes the Labour Government's decision to cut winter fuel payments, contrasting it with Scottish Government actions.
I join the Secretary of State for Scotland in welcoming the shadow Secretary of State for Scotland to his place. I congratulate him on his appointment. Today, the Scottish Government will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society from the excesses of Westminster cuts. Instead of Tory cuts, it will be Labour cuts to winter fuel payments. Does the Secretary of State agree with the cut to the winter fuel allowance?
Mr Speaker, I am sorry for such a short response to the hon. Gentleman, but there are 4.9 billion reasons why that question is rubbish.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question about cutting winter fuel allowances was entirely avoided by calling it 'rubbish'
Deflecting The Question To A Different Topic
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP reiterates his criticism of the Labour Government's stance on winter fuel payments, contrasting it with Scottish Government actions.
I have to say I am not surprised. There is huge confusion in the Labour party about the winter fuel allowance. The Scottish Government are doing something about it; the UK Government are not. The Secretary of State did not even know the number of pensioners who would be affected by the winter fuel cut. Labour is now distancing itself from Labour. Vote Labour to stop Labour—is that the message his party is sending out, or should voters just vote for the party that is actually doing something about it?
I think what the hon. Gentleman is tending to forget is that the winter fuel payment in Scotland is devolved. It was the SNP Scottish Government who decided to means-test it as well. If it was not for the £4.9 billion extra delivered by our Labour Chancellor at this Dispatch Box to end austerity, which the Scottish Government will spend today, they would not be able to make any decisions whatsoever.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question about pensioners affected by cuts was avoided in favour of discussing devolved powers and funding issues
Deflecting The Question To A Different Topic
Response accuracy