Strengthening the Union 2021-06-23
2021-06-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern over how the UK Government can support and strengthen ties between England and Scotland.
What steps is he taking to strengthen the Union. The A68 links Darlington with Edinburgh and serves as an economic and cultural link between England and Scotland. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should be celebrating and strengthening connections between our two nations, and will he lend his support to the proposed improvements to the artery in my constituency as a means of strengthening our precious Union?
Yes, and Darlington has also been supporting the Scottish football team over the last few weeks. It is vital that we have good connectivity between all parts of the United Kingdom. Sir Peter Hendy, in his review, is looking at how we can improve that, and he will publish his report later this year, but I must say—I put it on the record again—that I was disappointed that the Scottish Government told their civil service not to engage in this work because, as ever, they want to put a grievance ahead of improving Scotland's economy.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly confirm his support for A68 improvements
Disappointed That The Scottish Government Told Their Civil Service Not To Engage In This Work
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK Government have provided significant financial support through Barnett funding and the furlough scheme to Scotland.
The UK Government have been unwavering in supporting Scotland through the pandemic, from providing £14.5 billion in additional Barnett funding to protecting nearly 900,000 jobs through our furlough scheme. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this shows how the UK Government and the Treasury have protected lives and livelihoods across every part of this country?
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The support provided by the broad shoulders of the United Kingdom Treasury is staggering and simply unprecedented in peacetime. As he said, there are jobs being supported by furlough and an extra £14.5 billion provided to the Scottish Government through Barnett funding, and I would point out that 530,000 claims have been made in Scotland under the self-employment income support scheme, so far totalling around £1.5 billion.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The vaccine programme has been successful in the UK.
Is it not the case that the success of our vaccine programme, which was a combination of successful UK Government procurement and then an NHS roll-out in the individual nations of the United Kingdom, is a fantastic example of the two Governments in Scotland—the UK Government and the Scottish Government—working together, which is exactly what we should see in the future? That demonstrates the strength of our Union, and we should fight to keep it in place.
I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. The vaccine programme has been a huge success, and it was UK-wide procurement delivering vaccines on a UK-wide basis.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a proposal to improve the A68 road linking Darlington with Edinburgh.
The A68 links Darlington with Edinburgh and serves as an economic and cultural link between England and Scotland. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should be celebrating and strengthening connections between our two nations, and will he lend his support to the proposed improvements to the artery in my constituency as a means of strengthening our precious Union?
Yes, and Darlington has also been supporting the Scottish football team over the last few weeks. It is vital that we have good connectivity between all parts of the United Kingdom. Sir Peter Hendy, in his review, is looking at how we can improve that, and he will publish his report later this year, but I must say—I put it on the record again—that I was disappointed that the Scottish Government told their civil service not to engage in this work because, as ever, they want to put a grievance ahead of improving Scotland's economy.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly confirm his support for A68 improvements
Disappointed That The Scottish Government Told Their Civil Service Not To Engage In This Work
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Government commissioned secret polling on people's feelings towards the Union using public funds.
My hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh East (Tommy Sheppard) successfully pursued a two-year campaign calling on this Government to publish the results of the secret polling that they commissioned, using public funds, to ask people in Scotland how they feel about the Union. Can the Secretary of State confirm that that information will be published in the next three weeks, as the tribunal has ordered the UK Government to do?
The hon. Lady makes a point that is one for the Cabinet Office to answer, but the Cabinet Office is very clear that it does not spend money on political polling or research.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if information will be published in next three weeks
One For The Cabinet Office To Answer
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Government have used emergency covid funds to publicly fund further polls on the Union, in a contract given to close associates of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
I will move on from that rather bizarre answer. Today, we learned that the UK Government have used emergency covid funds to publicly fund further polls on the Union, in a contract given to close associates of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Would the Secretary of State say that that is an appropriate use of emergency funds, and will he back the SNP's calls for an inquiry into this misuse of funds?
Again, I say that the hon. Lady should be at Cabinet Office questions asking the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to answer for his Department. Again, I have spoken to the Cabinet Office about this. It does not engage in political polling, and it is very clear about that.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if use of funds was appropriate
Should Be At Cabinet Office Questions
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Australia trade deal has been signed allowing UK market access for thousands of tonnes of beef and lamb.
It seems to me that this Government's plan to strengthen the Union is to first sell out the fishing industry and then betray Scotland's farmers. Can the Secretary of State explain how the Australia trade deal, which allows the UK market to be flooded with thousands of tonnes of cheap, factory- farmed, inferior-quality beef and lamb, is the golden opportunity the Prime Minister promised? How will it help Scottish farmers' business?
The SNP has never found a trade deal that it likes.
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Assessment & feedback
The Snp Has Never Found A Trade Deal That It Likes.
Response accuracy