Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
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.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
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.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Scotland Office:
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.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
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.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Scotland Office:
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.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for 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.
Asked by: John Cooper (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
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.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
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.
Oral Evidence Jul. 02 2025
Inquiry: GB Energy and the net zero transitionCorrespondence Jul. 02 2025
Committee: Scottish Affairs Committee (Department: Scotland Office)Correspondence Jul. 02 2025
Committee: Scottish Affairs Committee (Department: Scotland Office)Oral Evidence Jul. 02 2025
Committee: Scottish Affairs Committee (Department: Scotland Office)