Scotland Office

The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland supports the Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland

 Portrait

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lords Spokesperson (Scotland Office)

Conservative
Lord Keen of Elie (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Advocate-General for Scotland
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Lord Bruce of Bennachie (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Scotland)

Conservative
Andrew Bowie (Con - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland

Scottish National Party
Stephen Gethins (SNP - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Scotland)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Cameron of Lochiel (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Scotland)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Kirsty McNeill (LAB - Midlothian)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Baroness Smith of Cluny (Lab - Life peer)
Advocate General for Scotland
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Wednesday 9th July 2025
Oral Answers to Questions
Oral Questions
Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 2nd July 2025
15:00
Select Committee Inquiry
Thursday 13th February 2025
Industrial transition in Scotland

The Committee’s work on industrial transition in Scotland has two parts. The first part of the inquiry considers Scotland’s industrial …

Written Answers
Thursday 10th July 2025
Devolution: Scotland
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether funding will be made available to devolved Governments under the Barnett …
Secondary Legislation
Wednesday 13th September 2017
Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2018
The Order makes provision in consequence of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”).
Bills
Thursday 28th May 2015
Dept. Publications
Friday 20th September 2024
16:29

Scotland Office Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Jul. 09
Oral Questions
Jul. 02
Westminster Hall
Jul. 18
Adjournment Debate
View All Scotland Office Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Scotland Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Scotland Office has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament

Scotland Office - Secondary Legislation

The Order makes provision in consequence of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”).
View All Scotland Office Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petitions with most signatures
Scotland Office has not participated in any petition debates
View All Scotland Office Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Scottish Affairs Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Scottish Affairs Committee
Patricia Ferguson Portrait
Patricia Ferguson (Labour - Glasgow West)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 12th September 2024
Jack Rankin Portrait
Jack Rankin (Conservative - Windsor)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Harriet Cross Portrait
Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Kirsteen Sullivan Portrait
Kirsteen Sullivan (Labour (Co-op) - Bathgate and Linlithgow)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Elaine Stewart Portrait
Elaine Stewart (Labour - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Susan Murray Portrait
Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Douglas McAllister Portrait
Douglas McAllister (Labour - West Dunbartonshire)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Angus MacDonald Portrait
Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Lillian Jones Portrait
Lillian Jones (Labour - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Maureen Burke Portrait
Maureen Burke (Labour - Glasgow North East)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Dave Doogan Portrait
Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Scottish Affairs Committee Member since 16th June 2025
Scottish Affairs Committee: Upcoming Events
Scottish Affairs Committee - Oral evidence
Industrial transition in Scotland
16 Jul 2025, 9 a.m.
At 9:30am: Oral evidence
Tom Chant MBE - Chief Executive at Society of Maritime Industries
At 10:15am: Oral evidence
Graeme Thompson - Chief Executive at Ferguson Marine

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Scottish Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
Renewable energy in Scotland Access to cash in Scotland Impact of closure of City Link on employment Coronavirus and Scotland My Scottish Affairs 2020 Devolution of welfare in Scotland inquiry The EU Referendum and its impact on Scotland inquiry The demography of Scotland and the implications for devolution inquiry The renewable energy sector in Scotland inquiry Revising Scotland's fiscal framework inquiry English Votes for English Laws inquiry Scotland's place in Europe inquiry Sustainable employment in Scotland inquiry Sustainable employment in Scotland inquiry European Union (Withdrawal) Bill: Implications for devolution inquiry Work of the Scotland Office inquiry My Scottish Affairs inquiry Immigration and Scotland inquiry Digital connectivity in Scotland inquiry Impact of HMRC's reorganisation in Scotland inquiry Scotland and the High North inquiry Jobcentre Plus closures in Scotland one-off session Inter-governmental co-operation on social security inquiry Welfare policy in Scotland inquiry Access to Financial Services inquiry Problem drug use in Scotland inquiry Immigration and Scotland: follow-up inquiry The work of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland inquiry Fisheries Bill hearing City Region Deals inquiry BBC Scotland inquiry The relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments inquiry The future of Scottish agriculture post-Brexit inquiry RBS branch closures inquiry Delivery charges in Scotland inquiry Scotland and Brexit: Trade and Foreign Investment inquiry ATM Network in Scotland inquiry The future of the oil and gas industry inquiry Video Games Industry in Scotland Postal Services in Scotland Supporting Scotland's Economy Scotland Bill Health and safety in Scotland Crown Estate in Scotland UK Border Agency and Glasgow City Council A Robust Grid for 21st Century Scotland Impact of the Bedroom Tax and other changes to housing benefit in Scotland inquiry Power Outages in the West of Scotland Land Reform in Scotland Zero-Hours Contracts inquiry Remploy Marine Fife The Referendum on Separation for Scotland inquiry Blacklisting in employment Crown Estate in Scotland: Follow-up Scotland Office Annual Report 2013-14 Our Borderlands - Our Future Compliance with the National Minimum Wage in Scotland Post study work schemes inquiry Work of the Scottish Affairs Committee Creative industries in Scotland inquiry English Votes for English Laws inquiry Scotland Office Annual Report and Accounts and the work of the Scotland Office inquiry Telecommunications in Rural Scotland Sports Direct: employment practices and the sale of USC inquiry The Smith Commission: Proposals for further Devolution to Scotland Welfare policy in Scotland Promoting Scotland internationally Firearms licensing regulations in Scotland Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Scotland Coronavirus and Scotland follow-up Science and Scotland Scotland's space sector Intergovernmental relations: 25 years since the Scotland Act 1998 Intergovernmental Relations: The Civil Service City Region and Growth Deals The Financing of the Scottish Government GB Energy and the net zero transition Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch Industrial transition in Scotland Scotland and the Shared Prosperity Fund Access to Financial Services The future of Scottish agriculture post-Brexit BBC Scotland Scotland and Brexit: Trade and Foreign Investment Fisheries Bill Immigration and Scotland: follow-up Immigration and Scotland The work of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland The future of the oil and gas industry Problem drug use in Scotland The relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments Welfare in Scotland Welfare policy in Scotland

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

3rd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether funding will be made available to devolved Governments under the Barnett formula from the NHS England Ten Year Plan.

The UK Government announced last month that the Scottish Government will receive an extra £9.1 billion in funding following the Chancellor's Spending Review. This includes £5.8 billion in health-related Barnett consequentials.

Funding for devolved health services in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is determined independently through the Barnett formula. While the UK Government’s NHS England Ten Year Plan does not directly allocate funds to devolved Governments, the Barnett formula ensures that funding remains consistent with respective devolved budgets.

The devolved Governments retain responsibility for the management and delivery of health services within their jurisdictions.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based.

The Scotland Office has no staff working remotely from a non-UK location.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of border control posts in Scotland on levels of trade between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

I know the Honourable Member will share my firm desire not to see borders erected between the different nations of our United Kingdom.

We have been clear that there will be no border control posts at Cairnryan.

The UK Government is unequivocal in its commitment to ensuring unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s goods to the rest of the UK internal market and in coming weeks, as I advised the House at a previous Scottish oral questions, I will be meeting with NIO counterparts in coming weeks to discuss what more we can do to promote Scotland-NI trade.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government's policies on child poverty on children in Scotland.

The Honourable Member will be aware of recent announcements about Best Start Family Hubs, free school meals and affordable childcare - actions made possible because of a budget he and his colleagues voted against.

A key way to tackle poverty is through decent work which is why I'm proud that more than 4,000 workers in Dundee got a pay rise through this government’s plans to Make Work Pay. The Child Poverty Taskforce is considering all available levers to give every child the best start in life as part of the strategy.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Government’s clean energy mission on Scotland.

The Secretary of State and I are proud proponents of the government’s Clean Energy mission and this government is taking real action - whether that’s providing the £8.5 billion of funding for Aberdeen-based GB Energy, supporting our world leading workforce through the Energy Skills Passport, or providing £200 million towards delivering the Acorn project - crucial in our bid to decarbonise Scotland’s future.

That’s mission delivery in action.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on businesses in Scotland.

Properly funding public services and restoring economic stability required difficult decisions, which is why we are asking employers to contribute more.

Stabilising the public finances is the only way to create long-term stability businesses need to thrive.

We are protecting the smallest businesses by more than doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of small businesses will either gain or be unaffected.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last three years.

The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. However, contractual homeworking is a type of flexible working arrangement where an employee and the department agree to change the employee’s designated place of work to their home address. The Civil Service position on contractual home working agreements is that these are not routinely approved other than for a very small number of relevant roles, or where a workplace adjustment is agreed in respect of a disability under the Equality Act or occasionally as a redundancy mitigation. Civil servants are expected to spend at least 60 percent of their time in the office or on official business, which can include conducting site visits or meeting stakeholders.

The Scotland Office is required by The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 to ensure that workstation users, including those who work from home, perform a suitable and sufficient analysis of their workstation. Before purchasing equipment, users must complete mandatory health and safety training, a homeworking checklist, a Display Screen Equipment self-assessment, and obtain line manager approval.

The Scotland Office spent:

● £110.45 in Financial Year 2022/23;

● £742.85 in Financial Year 2023/24;

● £0 in Financial Year 2024/25.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what support his Department provides to local authorities in Scotland to encourage the flying of the Union Flag.

The UK Government issues flag flying guidance for UK Government buildings across the UK. Local Government is a devolved matter in Scotland. The Scottish Government issues its own guidance for Scottish Government buildings in which it states that local authority buildings and schools in Scotland are not affected by these guidelines. The matter of flag flying remains one for individual local authorities in Scotland to determine.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what information his Department holds on the number of local authorities in Scotland which fly the Union Flag on public buildings.

The UK Government issues flag flying guidance for UK Government buildings across the UK. Local Government is a devolved matter in Scotland. The Scottish Government issues its own guidance for Scottish Government buildings in which it states that local authority buildings and schools in Scotland are not affected by these guidelines. The matter of flag flying remains one for individual local authorities in Scotland to determine.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote the Union Flag as a symbol of unity.

The UK Government issues flag flying guidance for UK Government buildings across the UK. Local Government is a devolved matter in Scotland. The Scottish Government issues its own guidance for Scottish Government buildings in which it states that local authority buildings and schools in Scotland are not affected by these guidelines. The matter of flag flying remains one for individual local authorities in Scotland to determine.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of public bodies not adopting Government guidance on the Union Flag on national cohesion.

The UK Government issues flag flying guidance for UK Government buildings across the UK. Local Government is a devolved matter in Scotland. The Scottish Government issues its own guidance for Scottish Government buildings in which it states that local authority buildings and schools in Scotland are not affected by these guidelines. The matter of flag flying remains one for individual local authorities in Scotland to determine.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has had recent discussions with local authorities in Scotland on the Union Flag.

The UK Government issues flag flying guidance for UK Government buildings across the UK. Local Government is a devolved matter in Scotland. The Scottish Government issues its own guidance for Scottish Government buildings in which it states that local authority buildings and schools in Scotland are not affected by these guidelines. The matter of flag flying remains one for individual local authorities in Scotland to determine.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill on the Scottish Government's block grant.

Universal Credit is a reserved matter, while in Scotland Adult Disability Payment, a devolved benefit, replaced Personal Independence Payments.

This Government will deliver the first permanent, above-inflation rise in the Universal Credit standard allowance since the 1970s, meaning nearly 4 million households will receive an income boost worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household 25 or over. Individual block grant adjustments linked to individual policy decisions will be published in due course.

The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnett consequentials over that time period.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of a reduction in spending on asylum would have on the Scottish Government's block grant.

Phase 2 of the Spending Review confirmed that devolved expenditure by the UK Government on Justice and Home Affairs will generate £451 million of additional Barnett funding for the Scottish Government over 2026/27-2029/30.

The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnett consequentials over that time period.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Court of Session’s judgment on the Petition of the Scottish Ministers for Judicial Review of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, published on 8 December 2023.

The Scottish Government confirmed in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 22 April 2025 that it has no plans to bring back the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on Scotland.

In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In addition, an estimated 260,000 jobs are supported by the auto industry in the wider economy.

The Government remains focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible.

The Scotland Office will continue to work with the sector to understand the impacts, including the Scotch Whisky Industry.

The Government is continuing discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

The Scotland Office will continue to support the ongoing negotiations with the US, led by the Department for Business and Trade.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions his Department had with the Scottish Government on the planned visits of the Scottish Government's (a) Minister for Business and Employment to China and Japan in April 2025 and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan in June 2025.

The Scotland Office, in coordination with the FCDO, regularly engages with the Scottish Government to discuss and coordinate overseas ministerial visits. This ongoing engagement ensures alignment with UK foreign policy objectives. Discussions of this nature took place in relation to the planned visits mentioned by the Hon. Member.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on support for oil and gas workers in Scotland.

This Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to play a central role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. We recently published guidance on Scope 3 emissions in response to the Finch judgment, and soon we will publish our consultation response on the future of North Sea oil and gas licensing. Nonetheless, clean energy is our future, and many oil and gas workers have transferable skills for offshore renewable jobs. The Government’s commitment to investing in clean energy industries will ensure opportunities are created for oil and gas workers to thrive. Recently, we committed development funding to the Acorn carbon capture and storage project in Aberdeenshire, which, subject to business case, will prepare the project for delivery.

Scotland Office Ministers remain in regular contact with DESNZ Ministers regarding this issue. We also continue to engage with a variety of stakeholders from across the energy sector, including oil and gas producers.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish government on the new commission into grooming gangs and child exploitation.

The sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs is a horrific crime, and vulnerable young people have been let down time and time again. This government is fully dedicated to delivering justice for all victims through a national inquiry, as was set out by the Home Secretary.

None of the action we are taking will work unless everyone works together to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice - that includes authorities across the country cooperating and sharing best practices, including on devolved issues.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed disability benefit reforms on claimants in Scotland.

Universal Credit is a reserved matter in Scotland, so the changes to Universal Credit will apply in Scotland. Personal Independent Payment (PIP) is an extra costs disability benefit and is a devolved matter in Scotland. By the time the Personal Independence Payment changes come into effect, PIP will have been fully replaced by the Scottish Government’s Adult Disability Payment. The changes to PIP eligibility therefore will not apply in Scotland.

The interactions between the reserved and devolved systems in Scotland will need to be considered before these reforms are implemented and officials are already engaging on this.  DWP has engaged with the Scottish Government on the reforms set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, at both an official and Ministerial level. They will continue to work closely as they develop detailed proposals for the White Paper.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to ensure that changes for claimants who depend on both reserved and devolved social security are understood.

UK Government Ministers regularly meet with their Scottish government counterparts to discuss social security and claimants. Scotland Office Ministers also attend the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare, alongside Ministers from the Department of Work and Pensions and Scottish Government Ministers. The most recent meeting was held on 18 June 2025.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper states that interactions between the reserved and devolved systems in Scotland will need to be considered before reforms are implemented. Officials are already engaging on this.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in spend on Carers Allowance on Scotland’s Block Grant.

In Scotland, Carers Allowance is a devolved benefit.

Individual block grant adjustments linked to individual policy decisions will be published in due course.

The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnet consequentials over that time period.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions in Personal Independence Payment on Scotland’s Block Grant.

In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment, a devolved benefit, replaced Personal Independence Payment.

Individual block grant adjustments linked to individual policy decisions will be published in due course.

The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnet consequentials over that time period.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
13th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department. We are aware of the following events that these networks organised in May 2025:

Network

Date of Meeting

Parent and Carers Network

7th May 2025

LGBT+ Network

8th May 2025

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
11th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many permanent civil servants in his Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

No permanent civil servants working in the Scotland Office had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
3rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the research presented to the Scottish government on ultra high frequency electronic identification technology in livestock.

Farming policy is a devolved matter, and the Government has not formally assessed the impact of the Scottish Government's decision. Defra officials are working closely with devolved administrations to ensure compliance with the UK Internal Markets Act (2020).

In the recent UK-EU joint statement, the Government committed to building on the Windsor Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to reduce trade barriers.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
3rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Scottish government’s decision to use ultra high frequency electronic identification technology for animals on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

I am aware of the Scottish Government’s decision to adopt ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology for animals, and the Government is committed to understanding its potential implications for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

We will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that any developments are closely monitored and that robust livestock traceability is maintained across the UK.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
4th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most recent period for which data is available.

The Scotland Office has no permanent civil servants without assigned posts and no staff are placed in the referenced categories.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
22nd May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Scottish Government on support for students who where studying at the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television when it went into administration.

I was shocked and saddened to hear that the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television had gone into administration. My sympathy goes out to the staff that worked there and to the students who are facing considerable uncertainty over the future of their studies.

As education is a devolved matter, I would urge the Scottish Government to work with the administrators and the wider sector to ensure that affected students are able to continue their degrees.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
22nd May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-India free trade agreement on Scotland.

Our trade deal with India is great news for Scotland, increasing exports, growing our economy and securing jobs.

Scottish products will benefit from significant tariff reductions. That includes whisky, where the current 150% tariff will be halved from day one, and reaching just 40% after 10 years. The Scotch Whisky Association has described this as ‘a once in a generation deal and a landmark moment for Scotch Whisky’.

Other Scottish exports including chocolate, biscuits and salmon will reduce from a 33% tariff to 0%.

And did the SNP back this transformation deal for Scotland? Of course not. They didn't back the US or EU deals either.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
22nd May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support Scotland's rural economy.

Our recently announced trade deals will benefit key industries in rural, coastal and island communities, such as whisky and salmon.

Our forthcoming Industrial Strategy and drive to clean energy will ensure good quality jobs across Scotland.

Project Gigabit is improving broadband connectivity for homes and businesses, and only last week we announced thirteen upgraded phone masts to transform rural connectivity across the Scottish countryside.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
20th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve broadband (a) connectivity and (b) speeds in Scotland.

Our Plan for Change recognises the importance of ensuring people across Scotland have access to the fastest broadband networks on the market to level the playing field and realise our mission to boost economic growth and improve living standards.

Earlier in May, we announced the largest single UK Government Project Gigabit contract to date with Openreach: £157 million to bring gigabit-capable internet to 65,000 homes and businesses across the Highlands, Outer Hebrides and other hard-to-reach areas across Scotland.

In February, the Hon Member for Rhondda and Ogmore announced the first Project Gigabit contract signed in Scotland. 11,000 homes and businesses in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will benefit from the Scotland-wide roll out with further contracts planned for other parts of Scotland this year.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many civil servants in his Department are employed in (a) Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, (b) Dover House on Whitehall and (c) other locations in London.

As at 31 March 2025, the Scotland Office had 47 civil servants based at Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh and 38 civil servants based at Dover House, Whitehall, London. The Office does not have civil servants based at any other locations.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to StandWithUs' report entitled StandWithUs UK Report: Voice of Students 2024/25 Report, published in May 2025, if he will have discussions with vice chancellors of universities in Scotland on antisemitism on campuses.

The Scotland Office and I meet regularly with Scottish universities on a wide range of issues and this Government utterly condemns antisemitism in the strongest possible terms. We are committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for all students while upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom on campus.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
13th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across the civil service to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes initiatives like supporting the Government’s commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.

Additionally, there is a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), which will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether a government representative will visit Scotland for St. Andrew’s Day on 30 November 2025.

There are 37 Government MPs representing Scottish Constituencies. On Sunday 30 November, many will be in their homes and constituencies in Scotland engaged in a variety of activities to mark the day.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
25th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the total cost to his Department was for sending a delegation to New York's Tartan Week in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Tartan Week in New York is the most significant annual event celebrating Scottish-US links across business and culture. This year, the Scotland Office engaged in a significantly expanded programme of business and investor engagement in New York, focusing on economic growth in Scotland.

Given the success of the Scotland Office’s participation in 2023 and 2024, which I saw first hand in my previous capacity as the Shadow Secretary of State, our goal was to expand our footprint in 2025 and take full advantage of the opportunities available in New York to grow Scotland’s economy. This was subsequently enabled by HMT’s decision to approve the Scotland Office’s Brand Scotland Business Case. This programme, a manifesto commitment announced at Autumn Budget 2024, provides the Scotland Office with a specific budget to expand its international trade and business engagement and take steps across the world to secure economic growth.

In New York, Scotland Office officials and I attended a total of 16 events over three days-most of which were planned and delivered by the Scotland Office under the Brand Scotland programme and fully paid for from the Brand Scotland budget. The US is Scotland’s second largest trading partner, playing a vital role in driving our economic growth. Strengthening this relationship will boost exports in key sectors such as food and drink, renewable energy, technology, and financial services - bringing high quality jobs, and delivering long-term benefits for communities across Scotland.

In 2023, one Minister, one Special Adviser and four Officials from the Scotland Office attended New York Tartan Week. In 2024, one Minister, no Special Advisers and five Officials attended. In 2025, one Minister, two special advisers and five officials attended.

The total costs of flights and accommodation for the Scotland Office’s ministerial delegation to New York Tartan Week in 2023 was £13,803.60, in 2024 it was £5,704.54 and in 2025 it was £17,710.11.

Local subsistence costs for each individual member of each respective delegation are not included. The time it would take to retrieve this information for 2023 and 2024 exceeds the time available to answer the Honourable Member’s questions.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
25th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials from his Department attended New York's Tartan Week in (i) 2023, (ii) 2024 and (iii) 2025.

Tartan Week in New York is the most significant annual event celebrating Scottish-US links across business and culture. This year, the Scotland Office engaged in a significantly expanded programme of business and investor engagement in New York, focusing on economic growth in Scotland.

Given the success of the Scotland Office’s participation in 2023 and 2024, which I saw first hand in my previous capacity as the Shadow Secretary of State, our goal was to expand our footprint in 2025 and take full advantage of the opportunities available in New York to grow Scotland’s economy. This was subsequently enabled by HMT’s decision to approve the Scotland Office’s Brand Scotland Business Case. This programme, a manifesto commitment announced at Autumn Budget 2024, provides the Scotland Office with a specific budget to expand its international trade and business engagement and take steps across the world to secure economic growth.

In New York, Scotland Office officials and I attended a total of 16 events over three days-most of which were planned and delivered by the Scotland Office under the Brand Scotland programme and fully paid for from the Brand Scotland budget. The US is Scotland’s second largest trading partner, playing a vital role in driving our economic growth. Strengthening this relationship will boost exports in key sectors such as food and drink, renewable energy, technology, and financial services - bringing high quality jobs, and delivering long-term benefits for communities across Scotland.

In 2023, one Minister, one Special Adviser and four Officials from the Scotland Office attended New York Tartan Week. In 2024, one Minister, no Special Advisers and five Officials attended. In 2025, one Minister, two special advisers and five officials attended.

The total costs of flights and accommodation for the Scotland Office’s ministerial delegation to New York Tartan Week in 2023 was £13,803.60, in 2024 it was £5,704.54 and in 2025 it was £17,710.11.

Local subsistence costs for each individual member of each respective delegation are not included. The time it would take to retrieve this information for 2023 and 2024 exceeds the time available to answer the Honourable Member’s questions.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications posts there are in his Department; and what the salary band is for each post.

In the Scotland Office communications team, there are a total of 16 Full Time Equivalent Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, 5 work in the media discipline which covers press and media responsibilities.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he last met with Scottish Power to discuss the future of the former generating station at Longannet.

I am in contact with Scottish Power on a range of issues relating to the UK’s transition to Net Zero. I last met with them in March, at a stakeholder forum hosted by my department, where the topic of clean energy jobs was discussed. The representative from Scottish Power did not raise the future of the former generating station at Longannet but my door is always open to the energy sector in Scotland.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to help strengthen links between Scotland and Malawi.

I recently hosted a Scotland-Malawi Partnership delegation as part of the wider events marking six decades of Malawian independence. The roundtable looked at ways of strengthening the already deep relationship between Scotland and Malawi.

As you will know, the UK Government remains committed to creating a world free from poverty on a liveable planet, working in partnership with international partners such as Malawi to support their development. As the UK transitions to an Official Development Assistance budget of 0.3 per cent of gross national income globally, we will continue to prioritise aid effectiveness and targeting assistance where it can have the greatest impact.

One of my priorities is promoting Scotland on the global stage. This includes supporting more Scottish businesses to export and attract inward investment.

The Scotland Office is looking at a potential trade mission to Southern Africa within the next two years where we can highlight the positive role Scottish industry can play in driving both economic growth at home and development overseas.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to paragraph 2.28 of the Office of Budget Responsibility's publication entitled Economic and fiscal outlook, published in October 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the change in overall trade intensity on Scotland.

In its latest economic outlook, the OBR expects the level of overall exports to recover in 2025 and return to growth over the period 2026 to 2029. The European Union is an important trade partner for the UK, with total trade in goods and services of £813 billion in 2024.

A closer, more co-operative relationship with the EU is in the UK’s national interests and the Prime Minister and President of the European Commission have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the UK and EU.

The UK-EU Summit on 19 May will provide an opportunity to make further progress on areas which will deliver tangible benefits working with the EU to identify areas where we can strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit, such as trade and the economy.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024.

No phones, laptops, or other electronic devices have been reported lost in the Scotland Office since 5 July 2024.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on next steps in relation to the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw oil fields.

This Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy security for decades to come. The Government has consulted on revised environmental guidance to take into account emissions from burning extracted oil and gas, and is working towards publication of finalised guidance as soon as possible.

Scotland Office Ministers remain in regular contact with DESNZ Ministers regarding the issue. We also continue to engage with the industry and listen to companies’ specific concerns.

Ian Murray
Secretary of State for Scotland
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he is having with the Scottish Government on support for the hospitality and tourism industry in Scotland.

Hospitality and tourism play a huge role in the cultural and economic well-being of Scotland. Indeed, the Secretary of State was a publican himself. The Scotland Office has regular engagement with key stakeholders in the sector, such as the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Scottish Hospitality Group.

I continue to engage with counterparts in the Scottish Government on a range of issues, including support for these vital industries, and we remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure the sector can thrive now and in the future.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for the farming industry.

We have been working hard to positively reset relations. Earlier this month, I joined the Scottish Government’s Employment and Investment Minister, at the opening of a dairy innovation centre. This was the first project to be delivered through the joint Borderlands Growth Deal, providing new collaboration opportunities to progress the dairy sector towards a more sustainable and profitable future.

The Secretary of State meets with the Deputy First Minister on a regular basis, and the Inter-Ministerial Group on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs convenes regularly to discuss important issues, including agriculture.

I look forward to meeting with Scottish farming stakeholders alongside Scottish Government and Defra Ministers at the Scotland Office’s upcoming Food and Farming roundtable.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the implementation of the National Wealth Fund's strategic partnership with the Glasgow City Region.

We meet regularly with the Scottish Government to discuss economic growth, which is this Government’s top priority. To achieve our growth mission, mobilising private investment alongside public sector financing is vital. In January, the Chancellor announced the National Wealth Fund’s Strategic Partnership with Glasgow City Region, which will provide enhanced support to help the region secure long-term investment opportunities.

From 2014 to 2022, the Greater Manchester economy grew by almost 50%.

If the Glasgow City Region had achieved that same level of growth, it would be £7.7 billion larger today. The Glasgow city deal has been a success story, with over £1 billion invested by the UK, Scottish, and local government. But getting devolution right in Manchester has taken it further, and there is much that Scotland’s cities and regions can learn from that model
Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Scottish offence of domestic assault in tackling violence against women and girls.

There can be no place in our society for violence against women and girls - and this Government was elected on a commitment to halve such violence over the next decade.

Tackling domestic abuse is a core part of this mission.

That is why last year the Secretary of State and I signed the “White Ribbon Pledge” to help end these atrocious crimes.

Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)