Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strength of the Union

Wednesday 13 September 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

  • Robbie Moore asked about the recent assessment of the strength of the Union, to which the response was that support for the Union is strong and collaborative work benefits all.
  • Robbie Moore criticized the SNP for focusing on independence while Scotland faces issues in healthcare, transport, and economy.
  • Angus MacNeil questioned why Scotland cannot build small hospitals on islands despite Norway and Ireland having budget surpluses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Democracy & Elections
Context

No specific context or event is mentioned, but it relates to general discussions about UK unity.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the strength of the Union?

Answer from Alister Jack

I believe that support for the Union is strong. The United Kingdom is one of the most successful political and economic unions in the world, and the foundation on which all our businesses and citizens are able to thrive. When we work collaboratively, we are safer, stronger and more prosperous.

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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Scotland
Context

The MP criticises the SNP for prioritising independence over addressing issues like NHS, ferries, and economy in Scotland.

Question

While the SNP's First Minister whips up grievance politics at independence rallies, Scotland's NHS goes backwards, Scotland's ferries do not work and Scotland's economy stagnates. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is about time that the SNP stopped obsessing about another independence referendum, and started delivering for the people of Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

I agree with my hon. Friend, and I could not have put it better myself.

Not addressed: The specific issues mentioned (NHS performance, ferry services, economic stagnation) are not addressed.

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Q3 Angus MacNeil SNP
Scotland
Context

The MP contrasts budget surpluses in independent nations like Norway and Ireland with Scotland's inability to construct hospitals on islands under current governance.

Question

Is the truth of the Union not that while we see independent Norway and independent Ireland in budget surplus—independent Ireland with a surplus this year of €10 billion, rising to €23 billion in the next three years—the Scottish Government cannot build small hospitals on small Scottish islands? Is the answer not for Scotland to remove the Westminster handcuffs and to get the independence and budget surpluses of Norway and Ireland, so that we can move forward and move away from the Brexit of the Tories and the Labour party?

Answer from Alister Jack

They always say independence will sort the problems. Scotland is not building hospitals on the islands because the Scottish Government are squandering the most generous settlement they have had since devolution began.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The budget surpluses and hospital construction issues are not directly addressed.

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