Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Coastal Communities

Wednesday 2 February 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is investing 100 million over three years for seafood projects to rejuvenate coastal communities in Scotland.
  • Government is committed to supporting the petchem sector and further oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.
  • Scotland Office is exploring ways to fund renewable energy projects in Orkney through the shared prosperity fund.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cherilyn Mackrory
Economy Scotland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP asked about the government's actions to support coastal communities.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Government to support coastal communities in Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

Communities across Scotland have benefited from our focus on levelling up. We are investing a further £100 million over the next three years for transformative seafood projects that will help to rejuvenate our coastal communities.

Answered
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Q2 Jacob Young
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about government support for petrochemical and oil and gas industries, stressing their importance to coastal communities.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that this Government are committed to supporting our petchem sector and further oil and gas exploration in the North sea?

Answer from Iain Stewart

Yes, I can. The Government are committed to delivering a North sea transition deal that will support workers, businesses and the supply chain through this transition by harnessing the industry's existing capabilities, infrastructure and private investment potential.

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Q3 Cherilyn Mackrory
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP highlighted government's investment in the fishing industry and its benefits for coastal communities.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that only by boosting coastal communities and spreading opportunity to every corner of our country can we succeed in our mission to improve the lives of everybody in our great nation?

Answer from Iain Stewart

Indeed I do. The Government have gone well beyond their manifesto commitment to replace European Union funding, by investing an additional £100 million over the next three years for transformative seafood projects that will rejuvenate the industry and our coastal communities.

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Q4 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Climate Scotland
Context

The MP asked about the replacement of EU Interreg funding for organisations like EMEC, emphasizing its importance in renewable energy.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the UK's shared prosperity fund should be the source of replacement funding for organisations such as EMEC? What is the Scotland Office doing to make that case within government?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I had the pleasure of visiting Stromness last summer, when I saw for myself the huge potential that Orkney has to lead the country in renewable energy. I continue to speak to the leader of Orkney Islands Council to explore all the ways in which we can help to fund these exciting projects.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for agreement on using Shared Prosperity Fund and details on efforts by Scotland Office was not fully addressed.

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquired about the Secretary of State's actions towards introducing a direct ferry service from Scotland to export markets in Europe.

Question

What actions has the Secretary of State taken to assist in introducing a direct ferry service from Scotland to critically important export markets in Europe?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I was pleased to reply to a debate that the hon. Gentleman and other colleagues spoke in a couple of weeks ago on exploring the potential for restoring the Rosyth to Zeebrugge link, which ceased operating a few years ago. There are lots of potentials for reopening that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for details on actions taken and future plans was not fully addressed.

How: Vague Commitment

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Q6 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Climate Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP questioned the Scottish Government's demands for local procurement in awarding ScotWind contracts.

Question

What discussion has the Minister had with the Scottish Government about ensuring that the supply chain for ScotWind creates jobs in Scotland and across the UK?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I agree with the basic point the hon. Lady is making. If we look at renewable energy as a whole, we see that there are enormous opportunities to develop that technology in Scotland, through our contracts for difference round, which is as big as all the other rounds put together.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask on discussions regarding local procurement and job creation was not fully addressed.

How: General Principle

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