Christine Jardine
Main Page: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)Department Debates - View all Christine Jardine's debates with the HM Treasury
(1 week, 2 days ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Darren Jones
Today we have announced that the Office for Investment, which partners with foreign direct investment into the UK, will be given a line of sight to opportunities across the country, and not just to the large project that the Government are interested in on a particular day. Working with mayors in our combined authorities will be a great way to bring together a prospectus of investable propositions for investors across the country. Let me reassure my hon. Friend that the blockers to delivery are not permanent, because we voted them out at the last election.
Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)
I am sure that the Chief Secretary will correct me if I am wrong, but the only three words about Scotland in his statement are “Glasgow city region”. They are welcome, but does he appreciate that while the Scottish Government may have received its biggest settlement, every UK Government statement that has come out of this place since the general election has undermined support in Scotland for this Government? In my city of Edinburgh, we are concerned that every statement on investment in AI and research leaves us out. Down the line, expansion at Heathrow will mean more air traffic over our city, and there is no emissions management plan in place. Will the Chief Secretary reassure my constituents that there is something in this for Edinburgh?
Darren Jones
I am not sure I agree with the premise of the question. We do not seek to undermine Scotland, but to enable it, as an important part of the United Kingdom. That is why we have put significant money into the Scottish Government, why GB Energy will be based in Scotland, and why exciting plans on energy infrastructure have already been announced. I am sure there will be more to come, not least for Edinburgh, given its expertise in the technology space, which we are very aware of. I encourage the hon. Lady not to be so gloomy. We are here to support Scotland as much as England, Wales and Northern Ireland.