Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make representations to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure that all future energy transmission infrastructure projects in Scotland align with best practices for (a) environmental protection and (b) rural development.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I engage regularly with my colleague, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on a variety of issues.
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with all parts of the energy sector in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will have discussions with with (a) National Grid and (b) Scottish transmission operators on technological solutions to reduce the need for overhead pylons in Scotland’s rural landscapes.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with all parts of the energy sector in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has received representations from local authorities in Scotland on the proposed expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure in rural areas.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with local authorities in Scotland across a wide range of issues.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department plans to take steps to ensure that energy transmission projects in Scotland prioritise community engagement.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with all parts of the energy sector in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing Government support for mitigating the (a) visual and (b) environmental impact of new energy transmission infrastructure in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on (a) underground and (b) subsea cabling for energy transmission in rural Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I engage regularly with my colleague, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on a variety of issues.
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with all parts of the energy sector in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of new electricity transmission infrastructure on the (a) economy and (b) environment of rural Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
My officials work closely with colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure the needs of Scottish people are represented in policy development.
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with all parts of the energy sector in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and good jobs across the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) energy transmission companies on the impact of proposed electricity pylons on rural communities in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I engage regularly with my counterparts in the Scottish Government on a variety of issues.
My Ministerial colleagues and I continue to engage regularly with all parts of the energy sector in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to delivering our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will require investment in and expansion of our transmission network. We will work with all interested parties to deliver our plan, which will guarantee energy security, lower bills, and create good jobs across the UK. We will ensure that these changes are made in partnership with communities across Scotland.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of Northern Irish-Scottish connectivity by (a) road, (b) sea, (c) air and (d) rail.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
There is of course currently no direct road or rail travel link between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Air routes between Northern Ireland and Scotland are a commercial matter, however the UK Government recognises the importance of strong intra-UK travel routes and is committed to working with all parties as appropriate.
The Scottish Government, via Transport Scotland, holds policy responsibility for direct sea travel between Northern Ireland and Scotland. The UK Government respects devolution and is supporting the Scottish Government to deliver, with a record block grant of £47.7bn for 2025/2026 - with a further £3.4bn via the Barnett formula, the largest settlement in real terms since devolution began.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the future of military bases in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
Scotland’s military personnel and our strategic bases, including HMNB Clyde and RAF Lossiemouth, play a crucial role in defending the whole of the UK and our NATO Allies. Scotland hosts 17 regular Armed Forces sites, 7 Royal Navy operated sites and two key RAF bases, representing a significant portion of the UK’s defence estate.
I engage regularly with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on a range of issues and my department has a close, positive relationship with the UK Armed Forces in Scotland. I recently hosted a defence industry roundtable, together with senior members of the Armed Forces, to discuss sector priorities and opportunities, including regional economic development and employment.
Last year, the Prime Minister commissioned a Strategic Defence Review to examine the strategic and operational context for the UK’s defence. As part of that Review, I wrote to the Defence Secretary to highlight Scotland’s important and ongoing role in the UK’s defence capabilities, including the importance of our key military bases. The continued presence of the Armed Forces in Scotland will continue to be important to our overall security and defence.