Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Scotland Office:
What steps he is taking to support the Scottish fishing sector.
Answered by David Mundell
The UK Government is committed to supporting the Scottish fishing sector as we look ahead to new opportunities when we leave the EU. On 10 December, the Environment Secretary announced £16.4 million of extra funding to prepare the Scottish fishing industry ahead of the UK becoming an independent coastal state from December 2020.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress has been made on the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
Answered by David Mundell
My officials continue to engage with the Ayrshire Partners to refine the Deal proposals and met with the Head of the Ayrshire Growth Deal Team in Kilmarnock on Thursday 6 September where progress with individual projects and the Deal timeline were discussed.
The UK Government began formal negotiations with the three Ayrshire Councils following an announcement by the Prime Minister on 29 March 2018.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the local economy of the construction and establishment of a UK spaceport in Ayrshire.
Answered by David Mundell
The UK has a strong small satellite manufacturing sector, and forecasts suggest that the global satellite launch and spaceflight industry could be worth as much as £25 billion pounds over the next 20 years. By establishing a spaceport to enable these activities, growth and skilled jobs will be created in regions of the UK that need them most.
The UK Space Agency is leading work across Government to enable the UK to play a leading part in the growing commercial space market. As part of this programme, the Space Agency is working with a number of different sites across the UK that have expressed interest in becoming a spaceport, and have recently invited proposals from partnerships of potential spaceports and space vehicle operators.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire has been looking into starting spaceport operations for some years now, working closely with the Space Agency to develop their plans. Any proposal for a UK spaceport will be assessed on both value for money and benefit – both local and national. I cannot discuss the details or identities of any bids as this is an on-going commercial process, but I will update the hon Member as soon as possible.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with business and local representatives on the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
Answered by David Mundell
I have had a range of meetings with business and local representatives about supporting economic growth in Ayrshire, covering individual projects within a proposed Ayrshire Growth Deal and looking at how the UK’s Industrial Strategy will deliver for Ayrshire.
In a significant step, on 9 August I was pleased to announce £3.5 million UK government investment to support the HALO project in Kilmarnock. This is a vital project that will strengthen Ayrshire’s economic prospects, create nearly 1000 jobs and benefit local businesses and residents.