Young People in Scotland: Employment Opportunities

Lord Jack of Courance Excerpts

Monday 14th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sarwar (Lab)]

I wholeheartedly agree with my noble friend. Let me again demonstrate how important these reforms are. In April 2026, the Government strengthened statutory sick pay, introduced day-one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, and launched the Fair Work Agency. Further measures will be delivered in phases through 2026 and 2027, giving businesses and workers time to prepare. Let me emphasise a point I have not had a chance to make so far. The significant rise in the national minimum wage for young people is good, I believe, for employers and workplaces and for employees. I think it is perfectly fair that if a person is doing the same work, they should rightly expect to have the same pay.

[Lord Jack of Courance (Con)]

I welcome the Minister to his place. I know him well and I have done business with him in the past, and he is very welcome in this House. Does he agree that increasing taxes is a drag not only on job creation but also on growth?

[Lord Sarwar (Lab)]

Let me first emphasise that that was political business in the past, in case I get in trouble with the relevant authorities about my entry in the register of interests. Of course, you have to look at all these areas with the right balance to make sure we have the right fiscal arrangements in place, the right levels of pay and the right conditions. We also have to make sure that there is a more joined-up approach. To give an example, it is right that we increase the pay for young people—most disproportionately, young people working, for example, in the hospitality and retail sector; but if we are honest, nor is there a balanced or level playing field in our business rate system for the retail and hospitality sector.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

Lord Jack of Courance Excerpts

Thursday 4th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

My Lords, we remain committed to our high agriculture and food standards. As the Trade and Agriculture Commission report has confirmed, all food and drink products imported into the UK will still have to meet our existing import, food safety and biosecurity requirements. We have not lowered our standards to join the CPTPP. For example, hormone-treated beef and ractopamine—I knew I would fall when attempting to pronounce that—pork remain banned in the UK, as will other products affected by pesticides. We will maintain our existing food standards.

[Lord Jack of Courance (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

My Lords, these issues are, as ever, discussed at the CPTPP ministerial meetings. We have assured all those partners that we will maintain our existing agricultural standards, as I have confirmed.

[Lord Jack of Courance (Con)]

My Lords, our membership of CPTPP is facilitated by our ownership of the Pitcairn Islands. Can the noble Baroness confirm that the Government are not planning to give that island away as well?

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

The answer to that is no.