Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Investment Zone in Scotland

Monday 27 March 2023 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial colleagues are in constant contact with Scottish Government counterparts to discuss investment zones in Scotland.
  • Discussions have been positive so far between officials to co-create an approach towards investment zones in Scotland.
  • The Minister emphasized cooperation across Scotland and the UK, rejecting division between east and west coasts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Scotland
Context

Discussions about creating an investment zone in Scotland are ongoing. The question seeks clarity on how the UK government will collaborate with Scottish authorities.

Question

What discussions his Department plans to hold with the Scottish Government and local authorities on proposals to create an investment zone in Scotland?

Answer from Michael Gove

My ministerial colleagues and I are in constant contact with our counterparts in the Scottish Government. My officials have had positive discussions so far with the Scottish Government to co-create an approach towards investment zones in Scotland and we will continue to work together to develop an investment zone, or zones, that build on existing Scottish strengths and our shared national strategies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked specifically about discussions with local authorities but the response did not address this aspect directly.

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Q2 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Scotland
Context

The MP is concerned that previous investment went to the east coast of Scotland, which contradicts historical norms. He asks for assurance regarding an Inverclyde Council bid.

Question

Given that both the green ports went to the east coast of Scotland, which flies in the face of the well-known convention that west is best, can the Minister assure me that when Inverclyde Council puts together its bid for an investment zone, the Minister will balance that against the devastation caused in the area by the lack of investment over decades by consecutive Labour and Conservative Governments?

Answer from Michael Gove

Greenock and Port Glasgow are two of the most attractive communities on the west coast of Scotland, but I do have to say that pitting east against west within Scotland is as bad as pitting Scotland against the rest of the United Kingdom. Scotland succeeds when all of us work together. The new Leader of the SNP is simultaneously a Glaswegian and a Dundonian, which is one of his many achievements, and I do believe that we should work together east and west, north and south, in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.

Not addressed: The MP asked for assurance regarding Inverclyde Council's bid but the answer shifted focus to unity within Scotland and avoided addressing the specific request.

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Q3 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Scotland Local Government
Context

Council leaders in Scotland have warned of devastating impacts due to SNP cuts, resulting in job losses and service reductions. The MP seeks clarity on the impact of these cuts and distinguishes between Tory and SNP policies.

Question

A total of 7,000 council jobs in Scotland are under threat from SNP cuts to local government. Council leaders across Scotland have written to the former First Minister warning of the devastating impact of those SNP cuts—huge job losses and vital local services across Scotland slashed. Can the Minister confirm what the impact of those job losses will be on people in Scotland, and can he say what the difference is between Tory and SNP cuts to councils, or are they just two sides of the same coin?

Answer from Michael Gove

Talking of the same coin, we have the same coins in England and Scotland because we are one United Kingdom, and it is the SNP that wants a separate currency for Scotland as part of its plans for separatism. I have to say that there are excellent SNP councillors in Scotland, but they are being let down by the Scottish Government. The hon. Lady is absolutely right: the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is up in arms at the way in which the Scottish Government have undermined local authorities, in contrast to here in England where we are working in partnership with local government to devolve more power to the frontline.

Not addressed: The MP asked for confirmation on job losses and distinctions between policies but the response focused on criticism of SNP's separatist agenda and did not address specific impacts or policy differences directly.

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