Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth: Scotland

Wednesday 30 October 2024 · 7 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on supporting economic growth in Scotland will be highlighted in the upcoming Budget.
  • Regular meetings between Cabinet members and Scottish Government officials aim to produce collaborative results despite differing views.
  • The Secretary of State emphasized the importance of the upcoming Budget announcement for various projects and initiatives in Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP seeks information on recent discussions among Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Scotland.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting economic growth in Scotland?

Answer from Ian Murray

The Budget, which will be announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor shortly, will herald a new era of investment and growth in Scotland. In our first 100 days, we announced the headquarters of GB Energy in Aberdeen, launched the national wealth fund and announced the biggest upgrade of workers' rights in a generation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific discussions with Cabinet colleagues, but the response focused on future announcements rather than past discussions.

How: Focused On Future Announcements

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Q2 Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP inquires about the importance of resetting relationships for economic growth.

Question

Can the Secretary of State outline how resetting the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments is important for economic growth up and down our United Kingdom?

Answer from Ian Murray

We do not agree with the Scottish Government on everything—or, indeed, very much at all—but Scots expect us to work together to produce results, and that is what we have tried to do. Yesterday I had my regular meeting with the Deputy First Minister, and this morning I spoke to the Finance Secretary ahead of the Budget. Economic growth is a key area, and I am delighted to highlight shared work on energy, our bringing the Commonwealth games to Glasgow, and the jointly funded £100-million package for the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked specifically about resetting relationships, but the response focused more broadly on collaboration without detailing how this benefits economic growth.

How: Broad Statement Of Collaboration

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Q3 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland
Context

The MP challenges the existence of a £150-million investment fund mentioned by the Secretary of State.

Question

Does this Scottish Schrödinger's funding exist, or is it perhaps part of another fund like the levelling-up fund?

Answer from Ian Murray

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman was keen to ask a question, given that he did not apply for one in the shuffle—nor did any other SNP Member. It is also surprising that he, with all his experience in the House, wants to spend his time in this new Parliament defending the previous Tory Government's reckless gambles with the economy.

Not addressed: The MP asked about the existence of funding, but the response was a personal critique rather than an answer.

How: Personal Criticism

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Q4 Patricia Ferguson Lab Glasgow West
Economy Children & Families
Context

The MP seeks support for a local project funded by the levelling-up fund.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Drumchapel levelling-up fund bid and the project following would promote economic and social growth in the area?

Answer from Ian Murray

My hon. Friend has been a doughty campaigner for the Drumchapel project. She will not have long to wait, as the Chancellor will come to the Dispatch Box shortly and announce the Budget. I am hopeful that all these projects, including some of the anti-poverty projects that my hon. Friend has championed for years in her constituency, come to pass.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific agreement on the project's benefits, but the response was more general and future-looking.

How: Future-Focused

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Q5 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP asks how to convince SNP colleagues of a successful UK Labour Government.

Question

What is the Minister doing to make that happen, and to convince my SNP colleagues sat in front of me of the best way forward?

Answer from Ian Murray

The best way to keep the United Kingdom together is to make sure that this is a successful UK Labour Government, and that is what we are determined to do. May I point the hon. Gentleman to the row in front of him? There are nine SNP MPs left, and we have 37 Scottish Labour MPs.

Not addressed: The MP asked for actions convincing SNP members, but the response was a comparison of political representation numbers.

How: Comparison Of Mps

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Q6 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP questions the economic impact of a new Labour Budget.

Question

What will grow: tax burden on Scots, number of pensioners choosing between heating and eating, or number of Labour broken promises?

Answer from Ian Murray

The hon. Gentleman had a second opportunity to apologise for the Conservative party crashing the economy, and the dreadful £22-billion black hole that we inherited, which was hidden from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Not addressed: The MP asked about economic impacts, but the response criticized previous government actions instead of addressing current budget plans.

How: Criticism Of Previous Government

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Q7 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Context

The MP questions whether the new Labour Government will follow previous broken promises.

Question

Are this Labour Government not just the same as the SNP?

Answer from Ian Murray

I thought the shadow Secretary of State was just describing his previous Government.

Not addressed: The MP asked about policy continuity, but the response was a personal critique rather than an answer.

How: Personal Criticism

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