Oral Answers to Questions

Allan Dorans Excerpts

Wednesday 12th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

The hon. Member is conflating two issues. The reality is that the levelling-up funds, of which there are £200 million in the current round, are being well received across Scotland. That is real devolution in practice. All local authorities are engaging with the UK Government—and guess what? They are enthusiastic when it comes to applying for money to help local projects.

[Allan Dorans (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (SNP)]

5. Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on amending the devolution settlement with Scotland.

[Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)]

7. Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on amending the devolution settlement with Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

The Scottish Parliament is one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world and we believe that the devolution settlement strikes the right balance. We continue to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government to implement the Scotland Act 2016. This includes passing secondary legislation to deliver the extensive welfare and tax powers granted by the Act.

[Allan Dorans]

The vast majority of people in Scotland support the continued existence of the Scottish Government. Despite the settled will of the Scottish people for greater autonomy and self-rule, some senior Conservatives—there are Secretaries of State among them—are becoming even louder in their calls for the UK Government to claw back powers from the devolved Assemblies. Will the Secretary of State today commit before the House that the UK Government will not under any circumstances attempt to revoke powers devolved to the Scottish Government?

[Mr Jack]

Absolutely. In fact, since we left the European Union, we have given more powers to the Scottish Parliament. Actually, whenever asked, not a single Member of the Scottish National party has come up with one power that has been taken away. It is quite the contrary. We have given more powers and will continue to do that, because, let us be clear, we are the party that is strengthening devolution and the SNP wants to destroy devolution.