Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strength of the Union

Wednesday 27 January 2021 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Scottish Government received 8.6 billion in pandemic support from the UK Government.
  • The UK Government respects the democratic outcomes of the 2014 independence referendum and the 2016 Brexit referendum.
  • The Secretary of State believes the Scottish Government should focus on defeating the pandemic and economic recovery rather than pursuing a divisive separatist agenda.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Linden SNP
Scotland Democracy & Elections
Context

No specific event or incident prompted this question. It is a general inquiry about the strength of the union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Question

What recent assessment has his Department made of the strength of the Union?

Answer from Alister Jack

Scotland benefits greatly from being part of a strong United Kingdom. The most obvious recent examples are the unprecedented economic support offered to people and businesses in Scotland and the rapid supply of vaccinations to all parts of the United Kingdom currently taking place. Neither of these would have been possible if Scotland was not part of the United Kingdom.

Partly answered
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Q2 David Linden SNP
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP referenced a specific incident where Finland provided better financial support to workers compared to the UK, questioning the strength of the Union.

Question

Finland has been paying workers' benefits equivalent to their full pay if they are required to self-isolate. Why does Scotland receive such less support (£95/week) from the Union?

Answer from Alister Jack

There has been unprecedented support through various schemes like furlough, self-employment income support, business interruption loans and grants. The Scottish Government received £8.6 billion in pandemic support from the UK Government.

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Q3 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Scotland
Context

The MP expressed concern that the Scottish Government is prioritizing an independence referendum over dealing with the pandemic in his constituency.

Question

Does my right hon Friend share my concern about Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government focusing more on another independence referendum than fighting the pandemic?

Answer from Alister Jack

I absolutely agree with my right hon Friend. People in Scotland want politicians across the UK to focus on defeating the coronavirus through partnership, and now more than ever we should be pulling together to strengthen our country instead of separating it.

Answered
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Q4 Mhairi Black SNP
Scotland Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP mentioned Holocaust Memorial Day to condemn the lack of responsibility shown during the Brexit referendum process.

Question

On this Holocaust Memorial Day, let us remember those persecuted. Why is he afraid to test the strength of the Union with another independence referendum?

Answer from Alister Jack

First, I align myself with remarks about the holocaust. The 2014 referendum was a democratic outcome respected by the UK Government; similarly for Brexit in 2016. We respect democracy.

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Q5 Mhairi Black SNP
Scotland Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP cited changes since the last independence referendum, including leaving the EU against Scotland's will and a majority of people now supporting independence.

Question

Given that he is defender of democracy, how can Scottish people secure their preferred choice of independence after 20 polls show majority support?

Answer from Alister Jack

Scotland receives over £1,600 more in support per person than the UK average. Added to that is £8.6 billion of extra coronavirus support and furlough support. An independent Scotland would face austerity with high deficits and break member state rules.

Not addressed: The MP's request for a referendum based on democratic majority support was not addressed directly.

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Q6 Douglas Ross Con
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP highlighted that the SNP focuses more on an independence referendum than vaccine roll-out and economic recovery.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that focusing on a divisive separatist agenda rather than recovery shows nationalists' priorities are wrong?

Answer from Alister Jack

I could not agree more. The Scottish Government should be working with us to defeat the pandemic and recover our economy rather than wasting time on a divisive separatist agenda.

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Q7 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP asked how the Scottish people could now secure a referendum on independence based on democratic polls.

Question

How do the Scottish people democratically acquire the right to have what they want in a referendum given 20 opinion polls showing majority support?

Answer from Alister Jack

Now is not the time. Now is the time to focus on rebuilding our economy and protecting jobs. The hon Gentleman is beginning to sound like a broken record with his repetitive calls for independence.

Not addressed: The MP's question about how to secure a referendum was not addressed directly.

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Q8 Neale Hanvey
NHS Scotland
Context

The MP criticized the Prime Minister's handling of the pandemic, questioning the Secretary of State's backing of a trip to Scotland despite public health advice.

Question

Why is the Secretary of State risking lives by backing the PM's Union-Jackery trip to Scotland against public health advice when he knows that the PM has insulted our intelligence?

Answer from Alister Jack

That is ridiculous. The Prime Minister is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and wherever he needs to go in his vital work against this pandemic, he will go.

Not addressed: The MP's question about risking lives was not addressed directly.

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