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Category: Scotland

  • Stuart McDonald – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Legislative Competence of the Scottish Parliament

    Stuart McDonald – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Legislative Competence of the Scottish Parliament

    The parliamentary question on Stuart McDonald, the SNP MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East, in the House of Commons on 1 February 2023.

    Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP)

    What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential implications of an order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 for the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.

    The Attorney General (Victoria Prentis)

    As I said earlier, by convention, information on whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice and the content of such advice are not disclosed outside Government. That convention enables candid legal advice to be given.

    Stuart C. McDonald

    Why was the prospect of a section 35 order not raised at any time before the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was overwhelmingly passed by the Scottish Parliament? What alternatives did the Attorney General look at? When will she set out the changes to the Bill that she wants to see before the Government would revoke the section 35 order? Those are simple questions. If she cannot answer them, all we can conclude is that the Government have lost their last shred of respect for the Scottish Parliament.

    The Attorney General

    That would be absolutely the wrong conclusion to draw. The Attorney General’s convention is clear: the UK Government respect the Scottish Parliament’s ability to legislate within its competence on devolved areas. The Government are committed to working with the devolved Administrations and strengthening the Union of the UK.

  • Alex Chalk – 2023 Speech at the Steel Cutting of HMS Active

    Alex Chalk – 2023 Speech at the Steel Cutting of HMS Active

    The speech made by Alex Chalk, the Minister for Defence Procurement, at Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland on 24 January 2023.

    It is an enormous pleasure to be here in Rosyth today for my first official visit to a shipyard as a Defence Minister.

    And in doing so to meet some of the staff who will be working on this great vessel but also, as has already happened, to welcome our overseas visitors from Poland, Indonesia, Chile, Denmark, Ukraine, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States.

    I’m especially honoured to be asked to cut the steel.

    Although in case any future crews are watching this and are slightly concerned, I’m assured that all I have to do is press a button and the machine will do the real work.

    Now this vessel is the second of five Type-31 – or Inspiration-class –frigates for the Royal Navy.

    And ‘inspiration’ is the right word for three straightforward reasons.

    First, there is the inspiration offered by a cutting edge, highly capable vessel.

    Armed with SeaCeptor missiles and a 4D radar system, HMS Active has flexibility woven into its DNA.

    Not only will it be able today to do everything from intercepting illegal activity, gathering intelligence, providing humanitarian relief, but, as a modular and scalable platform, it will have the ability to adapt tomorrow to the ever-evolving threats of the 21st century.

    And that’s important because the great frigates constructed here in this yard will be part of a formidable fleet for years to come.

    And they are deliberately designed to evolve and modernise to respond to a changing world and a changing mission.

    And they will of course be operating alongside advanced destroyers and autonomous minehunters, supported by our new auxiliary ships and all led by the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

    Second, today provides inspiration for our industry.

    Not only does the construction of these ships directly support 16 different Scottish suppliers – including eight SMEs – with contracts totalling more than £65 million.

    Not only does it sustain around 2,500 highly skilled roles.

    But this represents lasting investment in Scotland and Britain’s manufacturing future.

    Take those 150 or so technical and digital apprenticeships that Babcock is supporting to ensure we have the niche skills required for decades to come.

    Or the fact that, come the Spring, this yard will be hosting its second Festival of Engineering – which sees graduates deliver fun, interactive activities for local school children in a bid to get them excited about STEM careers which can be so fulfilling for them.

    Or consider the pivotal role this project is playing in the revival of our nation’s great shipbuilding traditions.

    We all know, don’t we, that Scottish dockyards have a proud history of producing some of the world’s finest ships.

    And that in recent years, we’ve seen a renaissance in Scottish shipbuilding industry with the construction of everything from offshore patrol vessels to our flagship aircraft carriers.

    Now, thanks to a £60 million investment programme here in Rosyth, we’ve got world-class facilities to match, including the Venturer Building which I’m looking forward so much to seeing shortly.

    And with the T-31 frigates, we’re going to ensure the made-in-Scotland stamp is a worldwide mark of quality for years to come.

    Such a powerful tribute to so many of the men and women here today.

    And that brings me onto my third point – these frigates will act as an inspiration for our exports.

    I don’t want to steal too much of Minister Bowie’s thunder, but it’s fair to say these ships are garnering global interest before they’ve even taken to the water.

    And that’s because I know our allies appreciate and understand how the unique Arrowhead-140 flexible design can support so many different configurations.

    And it offers the potential for greater collaboration at an operational and industrial level.

    And that’s why Babcock has already signed an export contract with Indonesia and I’m not giving anything away I hope when I say there are other suitors too.

    And I do want to take this opportunity finally to pay tribute to this vessel’s predecessor and namesake.

    A Type-21 frigate which played a vital role in the Falklands War 40 years ago, from escorting supply convoys to San Carlos Water, to providing naval gun support to British forces in the Battle of Mount Tumbledown.

    And I’m particularly delighted that some of those who served with such distinction on board the last HMS Active are here today as the torch is passed to a new vessel.

    But historians among you will know these aren’t the only ships to have borne the name.

    During the Second World War, Active joined the hunt for the Bismarck.

    During the First World War, Active was with the Grand Fleet in the Battle of Jutland.

    And in 1762, Active captured a prize of £100 million worth of Spanish treasure. Happy to confirm that is no longer British foreign policy.

    Indeed, 11 different HMS Actives have written their own chapter in our nation’s great maritime history.

    But today’s warship will be more advanced than any of its predecessors.

    More adaptable, more flexible, more agile and more powerful.

    So, thank you to everyone involved in this important enterprise.

    Congratulations on what you have achieved so far and what you will achieve and deliver in the future.

    With a thriving Scottish shipbuilding sector behind it, the 12th HMS Active reflects the finest traditions of the Royal Navy and will write a new and exciting chapter in our nation’s maritime history.

    Thank you.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons on 18 January 2023.

    Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP)

    To promise is ae thing, to keep it is another. Well, the Scottish Government kept their manifesto promise to the people and, thanks to support from Members of all political parties in Holyrood, the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed. Surely in that context, the Prime Minister must recognise that it is a dangerous moment for devolution when both he and, indeed, the Leader of the Opposition seek to overturn a promise made between Scotland’s politicians and Scotland’s people.

    The Prime Minister

    Let me be crystal clear: the decision in this case is centred on the legislation’s consequences for reserved matters. This is laid out in the Scotland Act 1998, which established the Scottish Parliament—the hon. Gentleman talks about that and, at the time, it was supported by the SNP. This Bill would have a significant adverse effect on UK-wide equalities matters, so the Scottish Secretary, with regret, has rightly acted.

    Stephen Flynn

    Let me be crystal clear—[Hon. Members: “Ooh!”] This is the Conservative party seeking to stoke a culture war against some of the most marginalised people in society, and Scotland’s democracy is simply collateral damage. On that issue of democracy, let us reflect, because on Monday the UK Government introduced legislation to ban the right to strike, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government; on Tuesday, they introduced legislation to overturn the GRR Bill, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government; and this evening they will seek to put in place legislation that rips up thousands of EU protections, against the express wishes of the Scottish Government. Are we not now on a slippery slope from devolution to direct rule?

    The Prime Minister

    No, of course we are not. This is simply about protecting UK-wide legislation and ensuring the safety of women and children; it is not about the devolution settlement. I urge the hon. Gentleman and his party to consider engaging with the UK Government on the Bill, as we did before the legislation passed, so that we can find a constructive way forward in the interests of the people of Scotland and the United Kingdom.

  • Michael Gove – 2023 Statement on Green Freeports in Scotland

    Michael Gove – 2023 Statement on Green Freeports in Scotland

    The statement made by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in the House of Commons on 16 January 2023.

    On 13 January, the UK and Scottish Governments jointly announced that the Firth of Forth, and Inverness and Cromarty Firth have been successful in their bids to establish two new green freeports.

    Green freeport status will support the creation of over 75,000 new, high-skilled jobs, drive growth and level up areas that have been previously overlooked. These areas will be backed by up to £52 million in UK Government funding, and potentially hundreds of millions in locally retained business rates, to upgrade local infrastructure and stimulate regeneration. This is alongside a generous package of trade and innovation support for businesses locating there.

    Inverness and Cromarty Firth, and the Firth of Forth are excellent locations for these new green freeports, ensuring the benefits are felt right across Scotland. I wish to share my congratulations with the successful locations. Their strong bids demonstrated how they will regenerate their local communities, deliver decarbonisation, establish hubs for global trade and pioneer industries of the future.

    Freeports are at the vanguard of levelling up: driving growth, creating jobs and, in turn, transforming the communities that surround them. Green freeports in Scotland will build on the UK Government’s successful freeport programme in England, where all eight freeports are open for business, with sites in Plymouth and South Devon, Solent, Teesside, Liverpool and the east of England recently being granted final Government approval. Green freeports are a tangible example of what can be achieved and delivered when Scotland’s two Governments work together.

    This Government remain committed to ensuring that the whole of the UK can reap the benefits of our freeports programme. We will be making a freeports announcement relating to Wales shortly and we continue discussions with stakeholders in Northern Ireland about how best to deliver the benefits associated with freeports there.

  • Alister Jack – 2023 Statement on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

    Alister Jack – 2023 Statement on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

    The statement made by Alister Jack, the Secretary of State for Scotland, on 16 January 2023.

    I have decided to make an order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998, preventing the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent.

    After thorough and careful consideration of all the relevant advice and the policy implications, I am concerned that this legislation would have an adverse impact on the operation of Great Britain-wide equalities legislation.

    Transgender people who are going through the process to change their legal sex deserve our respect, support and understanding. My decision today is about the legislation’s consequences for the operation of GB-wide equalities protections and other reserved matters.

    I have not taken this decision lightly. The Bill would have a significant impact on, amongst other things, GB-wide equalities matters in Scotland, England and Wales. I have concluded, therefore, that this is the necessary and correct course of action.

    If the Scottish Government chooses to bring an amended Bill back for reconsideration in the Scottish Parliament, I hope we can work together to find a constructive way forward that both respects devolution and the operation of UK Parliament legislation.

    I have written today to the First Minister and the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer informing them of my decision.

  • Scottish Government – 2022 Comments on the Australia Trade Bill

    Scottish Government – 2022 Comments on the Australia Trade Bill

    The comments made by Scottish Government on 17 January 2022.

    UK-Australia Trade Agreement

    I am writing in response to the International Trade Committee’s Call for Evidence as part of its scrutiny of the UK-Australia trade agreement, which was signed on 16 December 2021. It is vital that the outcome of the deal reflects the interests and priorities of all four nations so I am keen that the Committee is aware of the Scottish Government’s engagement in this process and our views on how this agreement will affect people and businesses across Scotland.

    Engagement

    1. As with other trade agreement negotiations, the involvement of devolved administrations has been limited. Scottish Government officials have been in contact with officials from the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) throughout the process to represent Scotland’s interests, priorities and concerns, and have articulated these through detailed written comments. However information sharing has been constrained and we have only seen sections of the draft mandate, or draft chapter text prior to agreement, in areas that DIT consider relevant to devolved competence.
    2. Scottish Government officials received regular briefings from DIT on the progress of negotiations, which were useful. However, as I have made clear to the UK Government, information is not the same as involvement, and we had no say in the decisions taken by the UK Government throughout the negotiations and saw no detail on key parts of the agreement, such as tariffs and tariff rate quotas (TRQs), until after they were agreed. Nor were we given the underpinning analysis or rationale behind the decisions.
    3. I have frequently made the case to the UK Government that reserved matters such as tariffs impact on devolved responsibilities, such as agriculture, and the Scottish Government will continue to argue we should have meaningful engagement in these areas to ensure that Scotland’s interests are taken into account.

    Agri-food imports

    1. You ask about the likely impact of the deal on various sectors of the economy. I wrote to the UK Minister for Trade Policy, Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, in December to express our concerns at the agreement and in particular, the implications of this agreement on farming communities in Scotland. The significant level of market access that it provides for beef and sheepmeat imports is a particular concern. The year 1 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for beef imports is 35,000 metric tonnes, which is seven-times the current level of Australian beef imports to the UK, and this rises to 110,000 metric tonnes by year 10. This significant increase in quota volumes is exacerbated by the fact that quotas will be based on product weight which makes it more advantageous to Australian producers, who can increase imports of premium cuts that will receive a higher price than lower end cuts of a similar weight, with no added effect on TRQ utilisation. High value cuts are where Scottish farmers derive most value, so a potential increase in imports is a concern for Scottish industry. Beyond year 15, Australian agri-food exporters will enjoy unfettered access to the Scottish agriculture market.
    2. We were concerned that the original scoping assessment showed the agriculture and semiprocessed foods sectors as losing out as a result of an FTA with Australia. Now we have seen the final impact assessment, this has been confirmed.

    Animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

    1. We have consistently called for imports of Australian agri-food to be produced to the same animal welfare and environmental standards that Scottish producers are required to meet. Whilst the agreement contains a non-regression clause on animal welfare, we are not reassured that this will protect Scottish and UK farmers as Australian animal welfare standards are already lower. The World Animal Protection Index1 ranks Australia as D for animal welfare, while the UK is ranked B, and the RSPCA2 has highlighted a number of welfare practices in use in Australia, which are illegal in the UK, such as the use of barren battery cages for poultry, sow stalls, hot branding of cattle, and mulesing of sheep (with anaesthetic only required in the state of Victoria). This means Scottish farmers, crofters and food producers will not be competing on a level playing field with their Australian competitors.
    2. While we note that the agreement contains provisions on tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the detailed provisions do not go as far as we would have liked and represent a missed opportunity to have a meaningful impact on this significant threat to global health.

    Goods exports

    1. We recognise that the agreement removes the vast majority of tariffs on UK exports to Australia, and we expect this will benefit exporters, such as the whisky industry. It will be 1 World Animal Protection | Animal Protection Index 2 Protect UK farm animal welfare standards | RSPCA Scottish Ministers, special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See www.lobbying.scot St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.gov.scot important to ensure that Scottish companies can take full advantage of new opportunities that arise from this agreement. In addition to tariff reduction, the issue of an enforceable definition for Scotch whisky in Australia is important to the whisky industry in Scotland, so it is unfortunate that the UK Government was not able to secure a commitment within this agreement.

    Services exports

    1. We are keen for Scottish companies to be able to take advantage of the provisions in this agreement on trade in services, business mobility and government procurement. While these are likely to have benefits for companies trading with Australia, it remains the case that the size of the Australian market and geographical distance are likely to be limiting factors. These measures will not compensate for the loss of market access that Scottish companies have faced as a result of leaving the EU.

    Environment

    1. The Scottish Government already has an ambitious target to meet net-zero by 2045 and Scotland’s Vision for Trade makes clear that trade must support this goal. It is concerning that the UK Government’s impact assessment points to a significant increase, of between 31 and 40%, in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions as a result of this deal. While it is welcome that there is a reference to the Paris Agreement in the environment chapter, we would have preferred binding commitments to comply with the Agreement and to take action to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees.

    Impact Assessments

    1. It was helpful to see the final impact assessment, however it would have been useful to see interim analysis before the agreement was finalised. We also believe it is vital that the UK Government undertake more detailed sustainability impact assessments, including more detailed analysis of the impact on the different nations of the UK and on different groups within society. The impact assessment shows a small increase in UK GDP over the long run of 0.08%, but this will not compensate for the 4% decline in UK GDP, which Office for Budget Responsibility analysis suggests will result from leaving the EU.
    2. It is unfortunate that the focus on long run impacts means that we have no analysis of the short and medium term impacts of this deal. The Scottish Government would be keen to know what measures of support the UK Government will make available to Scottish sectors and producers adversely impacted by the deal.
    3. I hope these comments are helpful to the Committee’s consideration of the agreement and I would be happy to answer any further questions the Committee may have arising from these.
  • Alan Brown – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Energy Costs for the Struther Farmhouse Tea Room

    Alan Brown – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Energy Costs for the Struther Farmhouse Tea Room

    The parliamentary question asked by Alan Brown, the SNP MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, in the House of Commons on 9 January 2023.

    Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)

    The energy profits levy measures are predicted to bring in £56 billion and most of that money is coming from Scotland, yet businesses across Scotland are left struggling, particularly in the hospitality trade. The Struther Farmhouse Tea Room in my constituency is facing a 500% increase in its gas bill, with its gas and electricity up by £25,000 in a year. Despite what the Minister says, these businesses are now reaching a cliff edge because Government support is estimated to be a maximum of £2,000 against these increases. How many small businesses and jobs does he think will be lost under the guise of Government fiscal prudence?

    James Cartlidge

    I know that the Scottish National party struggles to understand the basic concept of fiscal prudence, but let me just explain this to the hon. Gentleman. When he talks about the £56 billion, it is not just for the energy profits levy; it also includes the energy generator levy, and we see that money as coming into the UK Treasury from across the UK to support the United Kingdom. It will support businesses in Northern Ireland, as we said earlier, as well as businesses in England, Scotland and Wales. Scotland has benefited from huge support, not just in the pandemic but through the increase in energy costs that has been seen across the United Kingdom. It has benefited from the fact that we are stronger together as a Union supporting every part of our Union.

  • Joanna Cherry – 2023 Comments on Gorgie City Farm and Energy Bills

    Joanna Cherry – 2023 Comments on Gorgie City Farm and Energy Bills

    The comments made by Joanna Cherry, the SNP MP for Edinburgh South West, in the House of Commons on 9 January 2023.

    Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP)

    A much-loved institution in my constituency, Gorgie city farm, is facing closure. Its energy bills for 18 months were previously £17,000, but its last bill for just eight months was £27,000—an increase of over 300%. Can the Minister not see that what he is offering is a drop in the ocean for charities like Gorgie city farm? How does he expect fantastic community institutions, such as the city farm in my constituency, to survive crippling costs when what is on offer is such a drastically reduced package?

    James Cartlidge

    I am grateful to the hon. and learned Lady for mentioning the charity in her constituency. As I said, I appreciate that the energy increase has been a challenge for every type of SME, charity and institution up and down the country. I am sorry to hear about the challenges for Gorgie city farm, which I have not had the pleasure of visiting but it sounds fascinating. Charities have shown huge resilience over the past two years and will continue to receive support with their energy bills from the latest iteration of the discount scheme. I emphasise that there is wider support to help them with their costs, including a reduction in VAT from 20% to 5% and an exclusion from the main rates of the climate change levy on some of the energy they use. The key point is that we are announcing a scheme that is still universal in nature and still includes charities. It is not as generous as before, but when we engaged with stakeholders about the £18 billion six-month scheme, what was interesting was the number of them who remarked that they had not expected that scheme to continue at that level of generosity. They could see the issue about sustainability for the taxpayer, which we all have to understand and address. It is in all our interests, and in the interests of every single business and charity, that this country has sustainable public finances.

  • David Linden – 2023 Parliamentary Question on the Strength of the Union

    David Linden – 2023 Parliamentary Question on the Strength of the Union

    The parliamentary question asked by David Linden, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, in the House of Commons on 9 January 2023.

    David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP)

    What assessment he has made of the strength of the Union.

    Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)

    What assessment he has made of the strength of the Union.

    The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Felicity Buchan)

    When we work together as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger and more prosperous. We are better able to tackle the big problems—from supporting families with the cost of living, to leading the international response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and to being a world leader in offering the vaccine to all our citizens. We are taking specific action in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including putting local voices at the heart of decision making.

    David Linden

    Oh—is it still Monday? Six of the last seven polls in Scotland have shown majority support for Scottish independence. What does the Minister think is driving up that support? Is it the ignoring of the majority of pro-independence MSPs? Is it the assault on workers through the anti-trade union legislation coming forward? Or it just 12 long, brutal years of Tory rule, for which Scotland has not voted since the 1950s?

    Felicity Buchan

    We respect the priorities of the Scottish people, who are focused on improving the NHS, on education, on tackling inflation and on getting a ferry that actually works and takes them to the islands. We will work in co-operation with the Scottish Government. We respect devolution and we want to work with them to implement the people’s priorities.

    Alan Brown

    If the Government and the Minister, as a proud Scot, respect the wishes of Scottish voters, surely they will respect the votes in the last Scottish parliamentary election, which elected a pro-independence majority in Parliament. Also, an opinion poll last year showed that 72% of Scots want to remain in the EU—what has happened to respecting that wish? If this is a voluntary Union, what is the mechanism for the people of Scotland to demonstrate their consent or otherwise to staying in it?

    Felicity Buchan

    I am very proud to be a Scots person. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the 2021 Holyrood elections: less than one third of the Scottish electorate voted for the SNP in that election.

    Mr Speaker

    I call the SNP spokesperson.

    Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)

    A guid new year tae yin and a’, and monie may ye see.

    The Minister talks about Administrations working together, so how is it working together when the Government propose unpopular and extreme legislation, such as the proposed anti-strike legislation that they have trailed in the media, which no devolved Administration support and which has not been consulted on? How is that strengthening the Union?

    Felicity Buchan

    This Government work tirelessly with the devolved Administrations. I have been in post for only a few months, and I have had two conversations specifically on Homes for Ukraine with the Scottish and Welsh Administrations. In the first three quarters of last year, there were more than 200 departmental meetings. The Prime Minister, within three weeks of taking office, met the First Ministers in Blackpool. That is the commitment of this Government.

    Chris Stephens

    If the devolved Administrations say no to the proposed anti-strike legislation, the Government will accept that then, will they not?

    Felicity Buchan

    We have established procedures in place. We are there to discuss.

  • Jim Murphy – 2009 Webchat on Scotland’s Future in the United Kingdom

    Jim Murphy – 2009 Webchat on Scotland’s Future in the United Kingdom

    The text of the webchat with Jim Murphy, the then Secretary of State for Scotland, on 8 December 2009.

    Quintin Oliver: Sitting here in Belfast, and pondering a Scottish referendum on independence (however unlikely), where would separation leave Ulster Unionism? Cleaving to England alone? or maintaining the East-West link and waving yet more Saltires over here?

    Jim replies: Hello Quintin

    Thanks for your message.

    Support for Scotland staying part of the UK has increased in recent months. It seems that the longer the current administration in the Scottish Government are in power the lower the support for their policy of separation becomes. If there were ever to be a referendum the polls show that most Scots support Scotland remaining part of the Union. So your concerns about Scotland’s place in the UK are shared by most Scots.

    john paterson: Can you please tell me why on earth we still have a Scotland Minister and what does the role entail, given we have a Scottish Government? thank you

    Jim replies: We made a mistake in making the job of Secretary of State for Scotland a part time role. Wales and Northern Ireland have full time Cabinet Ministers and Scotland is no less important than Wales and Northern Ireland. At a time of the recession it is crucial that Scotland has a voice in the Cabinet speaking up for Scotland. But ultimately it’s not for me to decide the value of the role. It’s for the people of Scotland. They will be the judge.

    JIM LAMB: I would like to see Scotland along with Wales And Northern Ireland.Go COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT from England.That means that they pay thier own pensions,social security payments,medical care,education.EVERYTHING A independent country has to pay for it’s OWN people.A mirgration system set up that a visa would have to be sort for people that want to live or work in England.But would exclude any unemployment or social bennifits. All health care would have to be paid for.This would apply to ALL imigrants to England.The English people are fed up of having to pay taxes to countries in this so called United Kingdom,that want independece,but still want billions of assistance from England.What free education does Scotland boast about,when the English pay for it?And when Scots go to English uni’s they get it free.When English students go to uni’s in Scotland they have to pay.That is rubbish and needs to stop.The English people want to be COMPLETLY INDEPENDENT,the United Kingdom needs to be disbanded as soon as possible.James A Lamb.

    Jim replies: Thanks for getting in touch James but I don’t agree with your view. The Union of the United Kingdom is a great success and has seen us through difficult times in the past. At these difficult economic times we are stronger together. The UK is the most successful Union of Nations in the world and despite the cultural differences we still have so much in common. We are better together and our best days can still be ahead of us.

    Ulysses: Why not have a devolved Parliament for the English?

    Jim replies: That’s up to the people in the regions of England and we had a referendum on regional assemblies in the North East of England and they voted no. So that hasn’t gone any further.

    Sam Harpendon: Isn’t there a tension in your white paper where on one hand further powers are being offered to Holyrood, but on another hand, you’re also seeking to take back a number of powers? What’s the message there?

    Jim replies: Thanks Sam.  The aim is to have the power exercised where it makes most sense. So we propose more financial powers for Edinburgh and further devolution in certain areas. You are also right to say some things are better being done again at a UK level which is why we are “re-reserving” them. The full list of proposed changes can be found at the Scotland Office website

    Ian Gordon: If Scotland does separate from the rest of the UK, will you take back all the Scottish MPs who were assigned to seats in the rest of the UK just because they were safe seats?

    Jim replies: Ian – Thanks.  My view is that most people north or south of the border don’t really decide about someone in business, politics or any other fields based on whether you are Scottish or English. There are 400,000 English people in Scotland and I think 800,000 Scots in England. Both countries are better because of that.

    kenn: Hi Jim With the PMs announce on Monday that more frontline services are to be available online, what investments are planned to resolve lagging Scottish broadband infrastructure in rural areas to ensure we can avail of these services? – Kenn

    Jim replies: Kenn – I was asked about this in the Commons recently and said that no one should be excluded from super-fast broadband because of geography or income. More information on government plans can be found at the Digital Britain website

    ross mclean: DO YOU THINK IT’S OKAY TO LOCK CHILDREN UP IN DUNGAVEL? WHAT IS THE UK GOVERNMENT DOING TO END THIS SICKENING PRACTICE?

    Jim replies: Ross. This is an important issue.  I have previously said that no one gets involved in politics to lock families up which is why we are trying to do something different by encouraging families to return home voluntarily. I hope that this is successful. But as I said when I announced this new approach there is a difficult issue about what you do about those people who simply refuse to leave the UK.

    Adam Lipman: Why should Scotland leave the union? Do you not believe it is beneficial for the whole country, not just Scotland, to stay together. After all the investment and subsidies the UK as a whole has put into Scotland, you want to leave when time get a little tough. I heard Alex talking about North Sea oil? one trillion pounds worth. The UK, not Scotland, pumped huge amounts of money into exploration and drilling for this oil. Why does Scotland deserve this when it is just about to dry up? Does your party only focus on the 5 million people who live just over the border, who have been treated very well since the union was formed or do they even consider the 50 million souls just south of the border? We must stay together in an ever changing world for many reasons!!

    Jim replies: Adam – I agree. I think that we all benefit from the four nations of the UK sticking together. We have so much in common and can achieve so much together in good times and in the more difficult economic times that we are now in. It makes sense economically and socially. Most Scots agree and I think most people across the UK know it is a good thing.

    Jack Thompson: How will the Calman recommendations protect Scottish banking? Scottish banks are regulated from London, not Scotland and nothing in these proposals change that.

    Jim replies: The crisis in banking isn’t caused by the constitutional arrangements of the UK, but by a failure in regulation. But what is clear is that it was only through the support of the British taxpayer that the Royal Bank and  Bank of Scotland were saved. If Scotland had been independent, people accept these banks would have broken an independent Scotland.

    Alistair Cook: Progressive politics should take power to the people. Why not more Devolved power? Devolution should be for people not a party.

    Jim replies: Alistair – We do propose more power to be devolved and I would like to go further in giving more power to the people on control over their public services. Power shouldn’t just be about election times.

    Jack Thompson: Are you saying that the people of Scotland will be able to elect their Secretary of State for Scotland or, decide for themselves if they even want the post? I know this is not a question on the White Paper but, I’ll take what I’m given.

    Jim replies: Jack I don’t think we are about to directly elect a Secretary of State for Scotland. It’s really only Presidents and Mayors that are directly elected and that isn’t the system we have for our Cabinet-based system, either in the UK or Scottish Government.

    Jack Thompson: One of the recommendations of the Calman Commission is to increase respect between Westminster and Holyrood. To date, you and your Government have spent a considerable amount of time putting down the SNP Government; in fact you spent most of your speech on this paper disparaging the SNP showing more respect to the Conservatives than to the SNP. Does this mean that your Government will show a greater deal of respect to the current Scottish Government? If so, how

    Jim replies: I want a better relationship with the Scottish Government but it takes two willing parties and often that doesn’t happen. The Calman Commission suggested a better way of doing this and I think we should make progress. The public won’t forgive politicians who squabble in the same old way during the recession. So I think things should improve.

    Jack Thompson: Thank you for that answer but, that means all of your arguments about staying together mean that when London experiences a serious market failure like the recession we all lose. How would these proposals help Scotland weather another economic storm?

    Jim replies: The RBS was the biggest bank  in the world and it was saved by taxpayers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The Calman Commission isn’t a plan to prevent global recession but it is a way of giving more power to the Scottish Parliament and having a much more accountable Parliament in Edinburgh.

    Jack Thompson: The Government plans on reducing expenditure to Scotland by the same amount as the 10 pence on the pound tax plans raise or lower. Does that not mean that the tax raising powers are in fact worthless as ANY Scottish Government as they can only reduce the income in garners as opposed to raising more than the rest of the UK?

    Jim replies: Jack, the Chancellor will make his announcements tomorrow in the Pre-budget Report but the new powers are about making the Parliament more accountable. At the moment the Scottish Parliament simply spends the money that the UK Government gives to it. In future it will have to decide on the size of its own budget. And because the decisions on the economy in Scotland taken by the Scottish government will impact on the tax income then there is a double accountability. 1. Accountable for a tax decision. 2. Accountable for economic decisions which affect employment and income through tax for the government.

    Adan Lipman: why should we have a union. Does Scotland cost the UK as a whole (England specifically) more than it produces? Subsidies etc?

    Jim replies: We all benefit in different ways from the Union of the United KIndom. The way in which public spending in the UK is decided is, as you know, through the Barnett formula and that has led to a 62 per cent real terms increase in government investment over the past decade in public services. However it is more expensive to run public services in Scotland. Scotland has only 10 per cent of the UK population but a third of the land mass and this is just one of the reasons why the services are more difficult to run in Scotland.

    Sally: Why are you delaying taking forward the recommendations from the Calman Commission? Even Kenneth Calman said it could be done quickly and easily.

    Jim replies: Sally.  Thanks for your question.  We are not delaying the work on Calman. We have produced our White Paper. The entire redesign of the way in which tax is paid in Scotland is an intricate issue which will require a huge amount of very detailed legal and technical work which we are now looking at. We are committed to introducing a Scotland Bill in the Commons early in the new Parliament.

    Ross McLean: Jim – you haven’t done anything about child detention. I read this weekend about a ten year old girl locked up. That can’t be right under any circumstances. Can you act before the General Election to make something happen. It’s just not right.

    Jim replies: Ross. We are trying to do things differently so that’s not a fair accusation. But in government you have got to try to design a system which provides help and support to those who need it. In an immigration process it’s inevitable that some people will be refused permission to stay. The big question is how do you support those who are willing to return home voluntarily and that is what we are trying to do. But the difficult question is what do you do in a  situation where someone just point blank refuses to leave the UK.

    Jack Thompson: Do you think that you can get all of the proposals in the White Paper through before the next General Election? As we all know Parliament’s time is running out, can you realistically make it?

    Jim replies: Jack – One question at a time!

    We won’t get it all through by the general election. We can make progress on better working relationships between the UK and Scottish Parliaments. I have met the Speaker of the Commons and the presiding Offcer of the Scottish Parliament about all of this.

    On the financial powers, that will require a lot more work, and we will work hard on that. As I mentioned earlier we will introduce legislation to put our Calman plans into law after the general election.

    Thanks to everyone for all their questions. Got to go now. Happy to try this again in the future.

    Jim.