Leaving the EU 2020-02-12
2020-02-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Inquiry into the impacts of UK leaving EU on Scotland's economy and society. Includes assessment requests for economic and social aspects.
What recent assessment has been made by his Department regarding the economic and social impact on Scotland from the UK's departure from the European Union?
Now that we have left the European Union, we are free to determine our own future. We want 2020 to be a year of economic and social growth for Scotland and the rest of the UK.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any specific assessment or statistics on the impact of Brexit on Scotland's economy and society
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Concern about the prioritisation of the UK internal market over future trade deals, specifically mentioning a commitment to ensure provision for developing this market.
The Secretary of State has stated in the Chamber that the UK internal market represents the majority of Scotland's total export market, and it is therefore vital that he makes provision to develop and strengthen that market. Will he confirm that the Government will prioritise the UK's internal market over any future US-UK trade deal?
I absolutely can because the UK internal market is so important for this country and Scotland. The Secretary of State has mentioned some figures today, and Scotland does 1.5 times more in trade with the rest of the UK than it does with the EU and the rest of the world combined.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern about the impact of future trade negotiations on various sectors of Scotland's economy, especially financial services.
The financial services sector is a major employer in my Chelmsford constituency, as well as in Scotland. Will my hon. Friend ensure that all parts of the Scottish economy are preserved and cared for in our future trade negotiations?
Absolutely. The future of Scotland's economy and the UK economy will be buoyant, and as we leave the European Union we want to ensure that all our sectors continue to thrive. I assure my hon. Friend that we in the Scotland Office will do everything possible to facilitate those discussions.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific commitments or actions for ensuring preservation and care of Scottish economy during trade negotiations.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Discussion about the impact of border checks due to Brexit, with mention of SNP's declining popularity in polls.
The response we have heard from the Government Front Bench today might explain why the Minister has lost half his Scottish colleagues, why the SNP is at 51% in the polls and why the majority of the Scottish people now want independence. In the real world, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster says that border checks are now inevitable for almost everybody because of the Government's disastrous Brexit. How will this help Scottish business?
The hon. Gentleman mentions the real world, so let us look at the real world in Scotland where the SNP is in power: we have bridges that people cannot get across; we have hospitals that it cannot open; and we have an education system that is failing. That is the record that the Scottish Government and the SNP will have to go to the people in a little over 15 months' time. I look forward to that election, when what the Scottish Government and the SNP have done to Scotland since 2007 will have an impact on the result.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address how border checks would help or hinder Scottish businesses.
Criticised The Opposition
Response accuracy