Fiscal Policy Household Income (Scotland) 2020-12-01
2020-12-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from discussions about the impact of UK government policies on Scottish households.
What recent discussions has he had with his Scottish counterpart on the effect of his Department's fiscal policy on household income in Scotland?
This year, the Government have put in place an unprecedented package of support to protect incomes and jobs right across the UK. Analysis published earlier this year shows that our interventions significantly protected people's incomes, with the least well-off in society supported the most.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about discussions with a Scottish counterpart on fiscal policy impact, but the answer did not mention such discussions or specific measures for Scotland. Instead, it focused broadly on UK-wide support and income protection measures.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern about households not receiving government support, particularly in the context of a meeting with ExcludedUK group.
How are those who have been excluded from support so far seeing their household incomes protected when they are getting no support from this Government at all? What plans does the Minister have to meet members of the ExcludedUK group to make sure that those who have had no support at all can actually survive Christmas?
As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor set out a moment ago, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will be meeting that group, but we have also targeted the support, including on those who are majority self-employed. Through that targeting, we have been able to confirm an additional £2.4 billion of support for the Scottish Government.
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Assessment & feedback
While mentioning a planned meeting with ExcludedUK group and additional support for the Scottish Government, the answer did not directly address whether excluded individuals would see protection in their household incomes during Christmas.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) presented a bleak economic forecast regarding the impact of Brexit, especially in relation to Scotland.
In his spending review statement last week, the Chancellor failed even to mention Brexit, but the Office for Budget Responsibility was not quite so shy; indeed, it painted a particularly bleak picture. So can the Minister clarify this: does he accept the OBR's findings, and if so, does he therefore agree that Scotland's economic future will be detrimentally impacted by any Brexit on the watch of this Tory Government?
What economic analysis has always shown is that Scotland's trade with the rest of the United Kingdom is much more important than its trade with Europe. However, Government Members have always been clear that we seek a deal. The asks that the negotiating team have put forward are extremely reasonable, and Lord Frost and the team continue to work to that effect.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked for an acknowledgment of OBR findings and their impact on Scotland's economy, but the answer did not directly address these points. Instead, it discussed trade relations between Scotland and the rest of the UK and referenced ongoing negotiations.
Response accuracy