Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Industrial Strategy: Impact on Scotland

Wednesday 9 July 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Grady asked the Minister about discussions on the impact of the industrial strategy on Scotland, highlighting defence as a key industry.
  • Dave Doogan inquired about the Scottish Secretary's actions to attract foreign direct investment, noting Scotland's leadership in this area.
  • Andrew Bowie questioned the Minister on the industrial strategy's plan to replace jobs lost in the North Sea oil industry, referencing the Piper Alpha disaster anniversary.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Grady Lab Glasgow East
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the SNP Government's stance on defence investments in Scotland.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the industrial strategy on Scotland. The industrial strategy identifies defence as a key industry, which is a major employer in Glasgow and could create many good jobs for constituents. However, the SNP has banned Scottish National Investment Bank and Scottish Enterprise from investing in defence companies, potentially denying Glaswegians these job opportunities.

Answer from Ian Murray (Secretary of State for Scotland)

I agree with my hon. Friend. I was astonished to learn that the SNP was blocking investment in a national specialist welding centre on the banks of the Clyde, putting its own student politics before job opportunities for working-class young people, and doing so at a time when one in six are not in education, employment or training. Putting politics before people is just not good enough, but where the SNP stands down, Labour will step up and fund that centre.

Answered
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Q2 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Climate Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is questioning the Scottish Secretary's efforts to attract foreign direct investment into Scotland, noting that Scotland leads the UK for FDI.

Question

What has the Scottish Secretary ever done to get foreign direct investment into Scotland? With the exception of London, it is Scotland that tops the league for foreign direct investment. It is Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh that are among the top 10 cities in the UK for FDI, as they have been under SNP governance.

Answer from Ian Murray (Secretary of State for Scotland)

One of the key opportunities for investment in Scotland is the opportunity to invest in the renewable energy sector, so that we can realise our plan for clean energy by 030. Much of that will be capitalised by the national wealth fund and GB Energy, both of which the hon. Gentleman and his party voted against.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or initiatives to attract FDI, instead referenced renewable energy sector investment opportunities.

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Q3 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Scotland Energy
Context

The MP references the 37th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, an incident that claimed many lives in Scotland's oil and gas industry.

Question

On the 37th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, will the right hon. Gentleman please tell the House when the industrial strategy will replace the tens of thousands of jobs that are set to be lost in the North sea on his watch? Many jobs have already been lost due to industry transition.

Answer from Ian Murray (Secretary of State for Scotland)

I join the hon. Gentleman in paying respects on the 37th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, which left an indelible scar on Scotland but also catalysed safety improvements. The North sea transition consultation has closed and sets out a pathway to a just transition that protects jobs. We aim to get to clean power by 2030, securing future jobs and careers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or initiative to replace lost jobs in the North Sea oil industry.

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