Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 19th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

The purpose of the JMC is to bring together the UK Government and the devolved Administrations, and to work together to formulate our position as we go forward in the negotiations. I very much regret the fact that the Northern Ireland Executive have not been able to be politically present in recent times—we all want that situation to be brought to a conclusion—but the meetings have been robust and, I believe, certainly in terms of the actions that have flowed from them, constructive.

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

4. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on their new tax powers.

[Mr Ranil Jayawardena (North East Hampshire) (Con)]

8. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on their new tax powers.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

The UK and Scottish Governments continue to engage closely on the devolution of new tax powers. The Scottish Government are now responsible for setting the rates and thresholds of income tax. It is of course incumbent on them to use their powers to make Scotland an attractive place to live and work.

[Chris Davies]

Now that the Scottish Government have unprecedented power to shape the economy of Scotland, will my right hon. Friend join me in calling on the Scottish National party to start delivering jobs and economic growth in Scotland, rather than focusing on a second independence referendum? [Interruption.]

[David Mundell]

The shouts from Opposition Members just highlight the complacency of the SNP in relation to the Scottish economy, which contracted by 2% in the fourth quarter of 2016 while the UK economy grew by 0.7%. No Scot can be proud of that comparison.