Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening the Union

Thursday 17 December 2020 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Cabinet Office highlighted higher per capita spending in Scotland compared to other UK regions.
  • Minister praised the UK's unified effort in deploying covid-19 vaccines across all four nations.
  • Minister emphasized Scotland's current higher vaccination rates due to UK government support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland
Context

A poll showed that 58% of Scots would vote for independence, marking the 17th consecutive poll showing majority support. Chapman highlighted rising support across all age groups.

Question

Today, a poll revealed that 58% of Scots would vote for independence. This is the 17th consecutive poll to show a positive result and we are seeing a rise in support for independence across all age groups. The Cabinet Office can hoist as many Union flags as it wants, but what part of 'We are leaving' does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster not understand?

Answer from Michael Gove

Of course, surveys of opinion are always fascinating, but the figures that I am interested in are those which show that the UK Government are spending more per capita in Scotland than they are in other parts of the United Kingdom and that thousands of Scots are now being vaccinated thanks to the efforts of the UK Government. If we look at a map of the world to see which countries are having their citizens vaccinated, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England are ahead of the pack: stronger together.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind growing support for Scottish independence were not addressed.

How: Focusing On Facts About Uk Government Spending And Vaccination Efforts

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Q2 Ben Everitt
NHS
Context

Everitt highlighted the successful funding, deployment, roll-out, and creation of covid-19 vaccines as a strong example of the UK's union.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Perhaps he will agree that there can be no better example of the strength of our Union and of all four nations—the awesome foursome—working together than the successful funding, deployment, roll-out and creation of covid-19 vaccines, keeping communities safe across all four nations.

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend makes a vital point. Across all four nations of the United Kingdom people are being vaccinated thanks to the energetic efforts of the vaccine taskforce, my right hon. Friend the Secretary State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and, of course, our superb NHS. It is a source of particular pleasure to me that Scotland is enjoying that vaccine thanks to the efforts of the UK Government: proof that our NHS means that we are stronger together.

Answered
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Q3 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland
Context

A poll showed that 58% of Scots would vote for independence, marking the 17th consecutive poll showing majority support. Chapman questioned why this trend is occurring.

Question

You most certainly can, Mr Speaker, and thank you. I listened carefully to the right hon. Gentleman's answer, and yes, we are grateful for the vaccine, but I did not hear a response as to why he thinks that Scottish independence has now become the settled will of the Scottish people. This is not like him. He is usually quick to give his views about certain things, so why does he think that Scottish independence has sustained majority support, reaching a height of 58%, and is now the settled will of the Scottish people? Why is that the case?

Answer from Michael Gove

Why will he not engage with the facts? The facts show that, in Scotland, per capita spending including on our shared NHS is greater as a result of the broad shoulders of the UK Treasury. As I pointed out earlier, but as he declined to acknowledge, folk in Scotland are being vaccinated now, thanks to the efforts of the UK Government in a world-leading programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind growing support for Scottish independence were not addressed.

How: Focusing On Facts About Uk Government Spending And Vaccination Efforts

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Q4 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

A poll showed that 58% of Scots would vote for independence, marking the 17th consecutive poll showing majority support. Wishart questioned Gove's view on this trend.

Question

I am likely to be the ghost of Christmas future, because it is not going the right hon. Gentleman's way. Let me try to give him a few reasons. Let us see if he agrees with any of these: the disastrous Brexit that Scotland did not vote for; the attacks on our democracy; the undermining of our Parliament; and the Prime Minister—him. Maybe they are some of the reasons that we are now in the lead, but the main one is the arrogantly Trumpian way in which the right hon. Gentleman says no to a majority in a democracy. Does he think that constantly saying no to a majority in Scotland will drive support for independence down, or will it only further drive support for independence up?

Answer from Michael Gove

The Scottish Parliament is enjoying more powers now as a result of our departure from the European Union. Those powers allow the devolved legislature to have its own agriculture and environment policy, to supplement the leadership that it has been showing in other areas. As we move towards the elections that are coming next year, many people will focus on the record of the Scottish Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind growing support for Scottish independence were not addressed directly.

How: Focusing On Devolved Powers

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Q5 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

A poll showed that 58% of Scots would vote for independence, marking the 17th consecutive poll showing majority support. Wishart questioned Gove's view on this trend and its causes.

Question

I am likely to be the ghost of Christmas future, because it is not going the right hon. Gentleman's way. Let me try to give him a few reasons. Let us see if he agrees with any of these: the disastrous Brexit that Scotland did not vote for; the attacks on our democracy; the undermining of our Parliament; and the Prime Minister—him. Maybe they are some of the reasons that we are now in the lead, but the main one is the arrogantly Trumpian way in which the right hon. Gentleman says no to a majority in a democracy. Does he think that constantly saying no to a majority in Scotland will drive support for independence down, or will it only further drive support for independence up?

Answer from Michael Gove

Why will he not engage with the facts? The facts show that, in Scotland, per capita spending including on our shared NHS is greater as a result of the broad shoulders of the UK Treasury. As I pointed out earlier, but as he declined to acknowledge, folk in Scotland are being vaccinated now, thanks to the efforts of the UK Government in a world-leading programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind growing support for Scottish independence were not addressed directly.

How: Focusing On Facts About Uk Government Spending And Vaccination Efforts

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