Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening the Union

Wednesday 7 October 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government emphasize the importance of the Union for safety, security, and prosperity.
  • The UK shared prosperity fund is seen as an opportunity to spread benefits of the Union.
  • A new UK Government trade hub in Edinburgh aims to support Scottish businesses internationally.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Gibson
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP is concerned about steps that can be taken to strengthen the relationship between different parts of the UK.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the Union?

Answer from Alister Jack

The Government have always stressed the importance of the Union. The UK is a family of nations that shares social, cultural and economic ties that, together, make us far safer, more secure and more prosperous. As we have seen throughout the covid crisis, it is the economic strength of the Union and our commitment to the sharing and pooling of resources that has supported jobs and businesses throughout Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for specific steps, but no concrete actions or initiatives were provided.

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Q2 Sally-Ann Hart
Economy Scotland Wales
Context

The MP is interested in the UK Government's commitment to spreading benefits through the Union and wants clarity on how the new fund will operate.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the UK shared prosperity fund is an opportunity for our UK Government to be more ambitious in their pursuit of spreading the benefits of being part of our Union? Will the UK Government show their funding in the same way as EU funding has been prominently displayed?

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes, I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Not only will the shared prosperity fund help, but thanks to the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, the UK Government will be in the place of the EU—where the EU previously spent money in Scotland and other parts of the UK, the UK Government will do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While agreement is stated, no specific commitment or detail on visibility of funding was provided.

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Q3 Alexander Stafford
Business & Trade
Context

The MP welcomes the new UK Government trade hub in Edinburgh and asks about its potential to boost Scottish exports, particularly of Scotch whisky.

Question

I welcome the launch of the new UK Government trade hub in Edinburgh, which will not only strengthen the Union but help to support Scottish businesses so that they can thrive internationally. Does my right hon. Friend agree that expanding the export of world-famous Scottish products, such as Scotch whisky, will help to give our economy a much-needed boost as we recover from the coronavirus across the whole UK?

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes, absolutely. I am pleased that we have announced a Department for International Trade hub in the new Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh. It will help our exporters in Scotland and build on the excellent trade deal that we have already agreed with Japan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement is provided, but no specific detail on export expansion or economic recovery was given.

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Q4 Peter Gibson
Transport
Context

The MP welcomes the independent Union connectivity review led by Sir Peter Hendy and seeks support for stronger railway links between Darlington and Scotland.

Question

Darlington is the birthplace of the modern railway. Stronger railway links between Darlington and Scotland will be vital for the success of our internal market. Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the independent Union connectivity review, led by Sir Peter Hendy, which will look at how we can improve our transport infrastructure to bring our communities closer and level up access to jobs and opportunities?

Answer from Alister Jack

I absolutely will. The Union connectivity review will explore ways to build back better. As I said, I met Sir Peter Hendy yesterday, and it is extremely disappointing—it is worth making this point again—that Transport Secretary Matheson has instructed his officials not to engage in the review, to the detriment of Scotland and her economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While expressing disappointment over another official's actions, no direct support for the review was explicitly stated.

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