Oral Answers to Questions

Alison Thewliss Excerpts

Thursday 21st July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

1. What discussions his Department has had with the devolved Administrations on the timescale for invoking article 50 of the treaty on European Union.

[Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)]

4. What discussions his Department has had with the devolved Administrations on the timescale for invoking article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Attorney General]

The people of the United Kingdom have spoken and their sovereignty must be respected. The people of the United Kingdom have made their decision on whether to leave the European Union, and we will respect it.

[Alison Thewliss]

The Prime Minister has indicated that she will not trigger article 50 in the UK until there is a UK approach to Brexit. Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that a legislative consent motion is required before the Government have the legal authority to trigger article 50?

[The Attorney General]

It is perfectly right, as the Prime Minister has made clear, that all parts of the United Kingdom, including the Governments of the devolved Administrations, should be able to participate in the process of developing the United Kingdom’s approach to these negotiations. That does not mean that any of the parts of the United Kingdom has a veto over this process: so, consultation most certainly, but veto I am afraid not.

--- Later in debate ---

[Justine Greening]

I have great news for my hon. Friend: there are plenty of fantastic women out there who are ready, willing and able to get into the top jobs, so I assure him there will be no compromise on merit—indeed, dare I say, Mr Speaker, that we might see a raising of the performance levels?

[Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)]

6. What assessment the Government have made of the effect on gender equality of their welfare policies.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Welfare Delivery (Caroline Nokes)]

The Government set out our assessment of the impact of the welfare policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, with similar assessments for previous changes. Every Government policy change is carefully considered in line with legal obligations.

[Alison Thewliss]

Engender has said that, since 2010, £26 billion of cuts to benefits, tax credits, pay and pensions have been made, and that 85% of that figure has come from women’s income. The statement made yesterday by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions confirms that the two-child policy and, presumably, the rape clause are carrying on. They will also have an effect on women’s incomes. What is the Minister doing to redress the balance?

[Caroline Nokes]

It is really important to reflect on the economic statistics. There are more women in work than ever before and the roll-out of universal credit will ensure that being in work pays. The reforms we have made are assisting people into work and ensuring that women are at the forefront of that.