Strength of the Union 2022-02-02
2022-02-02
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
MP asked about steps taken to strengthen the Union.
What recent steps has the Department taken to help strengthen the Union?
This Government are committed to upholding and strengthening the United Kingdom. My Department works closely with our partners across Government and with Scottish stakeholders. This Government are delivering record investment in Scotland and are ensuring that the many benefits of the Union are shared across the United Kingdom.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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MP inquired about the impact of negative comments made by a government leader.
Does the Secretary of State believe that describing the Scottish Conservatives' leader as 'a lightweight figure' helped to strengthen the Union?
I have made my position very clear: I do not think that Douglas Ross—[Interruption.] Well, I made it very clear in the Scottish media, which hon. Members may not have noticed, but that is fair enough. He is the leader of the Scottish Conservatives and was put there by the membership, and we are a constitutionally devolved organisation. He is doing a very good job and holds Nicola Sturgeon to account, and he has my full backing.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address whether derogatory comments helped strengthen the Union.
Changed Subject To Leadership
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
MP questioned about freeport creation in Scotland and its benefits for the Union.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the creation of at least one freeport in Scotland will result in investment and thousands of jobs, demonstrating why our Union is so effective at delivering for communities?
I am pleased to say that, after a lot of initial opposition and resistance, we are close to agreeing two freeports with the Scottish Government. My hon. Friend is a great champion for Wales, and I hope that the Welsh Government will also accept a freeport.
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Changed Subject To Wales
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Q4
Direct Answer
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MP asked about the Prime Minister's conduct and its impact on the Union.
Does the Secretary of State think that the Prime Minister, in refusing to resign after damning reports and multiple police investigations, is good for the Union or helps those who want to break it up?
The Prime Minister is resolute in opposing a second Scottish independence referendum and therefore very good for the Union.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
MP questioned about the UK Government's response to rising energy costs.
Why are Scotland's two Governments refusing to take any action to help Scots with spiralling energy costs, given that Labour voted to give every household support?
The UK Government are taking action. The energy price cap is being maintained and will be renegotiated—that is ongoing work for the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. We are providing a £140 rebate on energy bills for 2.2 million households with the lowest incomes, and we have the £300 winter fuel payment for pensioners.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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MP asked about the Secretary of State's response to the Prime Minister being under investigation.
If given evidence that the man running his company was incompetent, dishonest, subject to a police investigation, would he let him carry on in the role?
As has been said many times at this Dispatch Box, the Prime Minister is very sorry for what happened—he has apologised. He has said that if he could have done things differently, with hindsight, he would have done. It is also the case that no one has said that he is the subject of a police investigation. The police are looking into the events that have been passed on to them by Sue Gray, and we will wait for the outcome of that inquiry.
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Deflected Question
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
MP inquired about the Secretary of State's actions regarding the Prime Minister given the allegations against him.
What would it take for the Minister to ask for the Prime Minister's resignation, as Scotland's only representative in Cabinet?
The Prime Minister is doing a fantastic job. He is focusing on the things that matter: delivering on the recovery from this pandemic, the vaccine programme that he backed early on, the booster programme that he led before Christmas, trade deals that will improve outcomes for Scottish food and drink, and many other things. He is a very good leader. The hon. Lady is absolutely prejudging the outcome of the police inquiry.
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Changed Subject To Pm'S Performance
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a reference to confidence by Mhairi Black regarding the levelling-up White Paper. The publication highlights the Government's commitment to decentralising the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to local areas in Scotland and Wales.
Following the reference to confidence by the hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, I welcome the publication of the levelling-up White Paper, and the Government's commitment to decentralising the UK shared prosperity fund to local areas in Scotland and Wales. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is an example of confidence in local decision-making, of real devolution and of good Union working?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right—I know that he is a great champion of the Union. The levelling-up paper, which will be launched today, will contain a lot of initiatives and show that we are using structural funds to practise real devolution by giving that money directly to local authorities.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not explicitly address the specific ask about confidence in local decision-making or provide detailed commitments on decentralisation.
Response accuracy