Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Relations with Scottish Government

Wednesday 25 February 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government met with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland to discuss differing approaches to bovine electronic identification, which impacts costs for auction houses and hauliers in border areas.
  • The UK Government supports HIV testing initiatives and advocates for consistency in timing with Scotland, despite healthcare being a devolved matter.
  • Discussions have taken place regarding the new EV tax and the need for improved access to charging stations in rural Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
Scotland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Discussions on the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments. Mention of specific challenges like bovine electronic identification.

Question

What discussions have been had with the Scottish Government on their approach to bovine electronic identification, which differs from that of the rest of the UK, leading to increased costs for auction houses and hauliers in constituencies such as mine?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

The UK Government met with the Deputy First Minister earlier this month. I am troubled by the Scottish Government's choice to diverge from the rest of the UK and Europe, which could lead to higher costs for auction houses and hauliers. The Office for the Internal Market produced a report on this issue in 2025 and recognised potential difficulties faced by businesses such as larger livestock auctions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to pressing the Office for the Internal Market to investigate specifically

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Q2 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
NHS Scotland
Context

Advocacy for a consistent HIV testing week in both England and Scotland to benefit from national focus.

Question

Could the Secretary of State make representations to the Scottish Government so that there is an HIV testing week in Scotland, ideally at the same time as in England?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

The right hon. Gentleman's advocacy over years has been commendable. The UK Government recently launched an HIV action plan for England, with a focus on public knowledge and identifying undiagnosed cases. While healthcare is devolved to the Scottish Government, we support initiatives ensuring people across the UK receive needed testing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to making specific representations or setting a consistent week for HIV testing in Scotland

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Q3 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Taxation Transport Scotland
Context

Concerns about the new electric vehicle tax in Scotland, especially for rural areas with limited charging infrastructure.

Question

What discussions have been had on the impact of this new EV tax? Will you work with the Scottish Government to improve access to charging stations?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Many find difficulty accessing adequate charging stations across rural Scotland. The new EV excise duty is designed fairly, addressing costs from road use and congestion. As we transition to electric vehicles, it's necessary to look at appropriate taxation for EV drivers. While those in rural areas often drive more but have home chargers offering lower costs, we continue discussions with the Scottish Government on various issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or commitments about improving charging infrastructure

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Q4 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Scotland
Context

Reference to recent difficulties for Scottish Labour, questioning policy differences between the two.

Question

Given that senior Scottish Labour politicians have no faith in this government, can you outline major policy differences?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

I associate myself with colleagues' remarks about Jeane Freeman. The SNP's failure to build ferries, declining education standards, and inability to address waiting times are significant issues. We have had difficult decades under the SNP, avoiding a third decade of their failures.

Not addressed: Did not outline specific policy differences between Scottish Labour and the Government

How: Changed Subject

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Q5 Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Scotland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concern over ineffective relations between the two governments, specifically regarding bovine electronic identification.

Question

What discussions have been had on the Scottish Government's approach to bovine electronic identification, which differs from the rest of the UK?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

My hon. Friend raises an important point about ineffective relations between governments, leading to higher costs for auction houses and hauliers in her constituency. Although animal health is a devolved responsibility, I am troubled by the Scottish Government's divergence from UK standards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to pressing the Office for the Internal Market specifically

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Q6 Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
NHS Economy Scotland
Context

The MP criticises the Labour party for supporting controversial policies such as raising taxes on SMEs, scrapping the winter fuel allowance, and implementing a two-child benefit cap.

Question

Unsurprisingly, the Secretary of State has not been able to tell me that there are any differences, because the sad truth is that when it comes to every issue, the Prime Minister's most loyal supporters are in Scottish Labour. When it came to raising tax on small and medium-sized enterprises—no problem; when it came to scrapping the winter fuel allowance—no problem; when it came to the two-child benefit cap, they even kicked people out of the party—no problem. But when it comes to their own jobs, then there is a problem. Does the Secretary of State understand why Labour is falling so far and so fast?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

The hon. Gentleman talks about sad truths; the sad truth is that one in seven young Scots between the ages of 16 and 24 are not in employment, education or training. The Scottish Government, in which he served, also uphold another sad truth: it is hard to think of a single area of Scottish public life over the past 19 years where we have seen an improvement. Scottish schools used to be the envy of the world, but the hon. Gentleman's Government have delivered falling standards. The Scottish national health service, with brilliant staff, contrasts very badly with the level of progress on waiting lists that is being made by colleagues down here. Whether it is because of being weak on defence, inadequate on further education colleges, or generally just a secret and inadequate Government, there is a whole lot of change coming in May, I hope.

Not addressed: The MP's question about Labour party support was not directly addressed.

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