Devolved Administrations: Industrial Strategy

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale Excerpts

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, as I said before, we will of course be sharing information with all devolved Administrations.

[Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale]

My Lords, are the Government aware that unemployment has gone up in Scotland today, while it has gone down elsewhere in the United Kingdom? Will the Government have immediate discussions with the Scottish Government to ensure that the uncertainty that will now exist in Scotland over the next two years as we lead up to the referendum on Scottish independence does not lead to higher unemployment in Scotland due to uncertainty over investment?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, there are regular discussions; and, in fact, there has been an increase in total employment of 54,000 people in Scotland since the general election.