Young People in Scotland: Employment Opportunities

Debate between Lord Sarwar and Lord Purvis of Tweed

Monday 14th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sarwar (Lab)]

I emphasise again that of course, I and the First Minister of Scotland have a different view on the constitution of the UK and the constitution in Scotland. However, to be honest, the most meaningful thing the First Minister of Scotland, and indeed the First Minister of Wales and the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, can do is deliver for their populations. When in Scotland we have rising youth unemployment, ever-longer NHS waiting lists and too many children leaving school without the opportunities they deserve, those are the issues the Scottish Government should be grappling with every day, rather than gathering in Cardiff to sign a piece of paper and perform a stunt, acting against the interests of the good people of Scotland.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, I, too, welcome the noble Lord to his ministerial position; I think this House is greatly enhanced by people who served in the Scottish Parliament, personally, and I wish him luck in his role. The area where I live, the Scottish Borders, has the lowest average working wage, and we also have too high levels of outward migration of those in the workforce, including young people. Working across the border, businesses have to navigate both devolved and reserved legislation, and when Governments are not working together in an area such as the Scottish Borders, that exacerbates the problem rather than resolves it. What initiatives can the Minister take with his colleagues here to ensure that in the Border area, cross-border work is enhanced rather than diminished?