Asked by: John Cooper (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Scotland Office has spent £5,416.25 (excluding VAT) on media training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.
Asked by: Alison Taylor (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving (a) rail and (b) bus routes in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have regular meetings with the Deputy First Minister, where we discuss local economic growth as one of the key missions of this Government. Our two Governments effectively work together to deliver the Glasgow City Region Growth deal, which provides £1 billion of infrastructure funding to the region to deliver local priorities.
The planning of local and national rail and bus routes in Scotland is a devolved matter, however, and therefore the responsibility of the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities.
Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2024 to Question 9830 on Scotland Office: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Scotland Office has incurred no costs on new furniture and fittings or other refurbishment (including moves) of Ministerial offices during the period 4 July 2022 to 4 July 2024.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether Ministers in his Department have met with representatives of the alcohol industry since July 2024.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.
Asked by: Lord Cameron of Lochiel (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to make an order under section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998 to enable pre-existing marriages to become civil partnerships.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK Government is currently engaging with the Scottish Government and considering their proposal. We will keep Parliament informed of any developments.
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to alcohol duties on Scotch whisky at the Autumn Budget 2024 on the Government’s plans for Brand Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I am proud to champion Scotland’s products and services, including whisky, globally through Brand Scotland. I have just returned from a visit to South East Asia where I was pleased to support the Scotch Whisky industry at a range of meetings with industry and Government in this key market. 90% of Scotch Whisky is already exported and therefore pays no duty. Increases on duty are in line with inflation and under the previous Government, duty was increased by 10.1% following the duty review. This does not detract from my support of the industry and I will continue to work closely with it to maximise opportunities and growth through Brand Scotland.
Asked by: Joani Reid (Labour - East Kilbride and Strathaven)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help create defence jobs in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
Scotland’s defence industry is vital to the UK’s security and economy. The newly published Defence Industrial Strategy is clear that this government will prioritise UK-based defence firms, including those in Scotland.
As part of Brand Scotland, I have been promoting the Scottish defence industry in Norway and in South-East Asia, where I visited HMS Spey, constructed by BAE Systems on the Clyde.
I welcome the announcement by BAE Systems that they will be investing £1 billion in education and skills across the UK, which will lead to more than 200 jobs in Glasgow.
Asked by: Torcuil Crichton (Labour - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent progress he has made with Cabinet colleagues on the green energy transition in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have been working closely with my cabinet colleagues to achieve our clean energy Mission.
Scotland has a huge role to play, not least through GB Energy - headquartered in Aberdeen and backed with £8.3bn. It will work to deliver clean energy, lower bills, and bring the jobs of the future to all parts of Scotland.
This is on top of the largest ever Contracts for Difference round and the National Wealth Fund, which will mobilise billions into our world-leading clean energy industries.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of recent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment on pensioners in Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government is supporting pensioners through increasing pension credit uptake and protecting the triple lock. This means an increase in the state pension for a million Scottish pensioners of up to £470 next year, on top of up to £900 this year.
This year marks twenty five years since the previous Labour Government delivered devolution in Scotland, one of its proudest achievements. I understand the SNP Government plans to use some of their record budget settlement to make different choices on this devolved policy area - that’s devolution in action. The Honourable Gentleman may wish to ask himself how he can justify voting against Scotland getting that record settlement.
Asked by: Chris Murray (Labour - Edinburgh East and Musselburgh)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent progress he has made with Cabinet colleagues on the green energy transition in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have been working closely with my cabinet colleagues to achieve our clean energy Mission.
Scotland has a huge role to play, not least through GB Energy - headquartered in Aberdeen and backed with £8.3bn. It will work to deliver clean energy, lower bills, and bring the jobs of the future to all parts of Scotland.
This is on top of the largest ever Contracts for Difference round and the National Wealth Fund, which will mobilise billions into our world-leading clean energy industries.