Relations with Scottish Government 2026-02-25
2026-02-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussions on the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments. Mention of specific challenges like bovine electronic identification.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to pressing the Office for the Internal Market to investigate specifically
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Advocacy for a consistent HIV testing week in both England and Scotland to benefit from national focus.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to making specific representations or setting a consistent week for HIV testing in Scotland
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the new electric vehicle tax in Scotland, especially for rural areas with limited charging infrastructure.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details or commitments about improving charging infrastructure
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Reference to recent difficulties for Scottish Labour, questioning policy differences between the two.
Given that senior Scottish Labour politicians have no faith in this government, can you outline major policy differences?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific policy differences between Scottish Labour and the Government
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over ineffective relations between the two governments, specifically regarding bovine electronic identification.
What discussions have been had on the Scottish Government's approach to bovine electronic identification, which differs from the rest of the UK?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to pressing the Office for the Internal Market specifically
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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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.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's question about Labour party support was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy