Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent progress the Government has made on improving transport connections between Scotland and the North West.
Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland
This Government is committed to forging and strengthening transport bonds that will create a more cohesive and connected United Kingdom. Connections between the North West of England and Scotland are a popular and indeed essential link for citizens on business and enjoying leisure time in many of our great cities and towns. The Government is grateful to Sir Peter Hendy for his independent Union Connectivity Review which details a number of recommendations that would improve links between Scotland and North West England. One example is the A75, a route of significant importance for people and businesses in terms of UK connectivity, linking Northern Ireland and North West England via Scotland.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of rail links between Scotland and Southport.
Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on a number of different issues, including the quality of transport links throughout the United Kingdom. The recently concluded Union Connectivity Review (UCR) assessed transport connectivity between the four nations of the UK, and the Government response to the UCR will be published later this year.
I recently met with my hon Friend to discuss how reopening the Burscough Curves could increase connectivity between Southport and Scotland, and I am committed to working with him and the Secretary of State for Transport on this proposal.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps his Department is taking to promote the Union and level up regional interconnectivity.
Answered by Iain Stewart
We have invited the Scottish Government to work in partnership to support the delivery of UK-wide transport infrastructure.
This is one aspect of how the government is levelling up regional interconnectivity, by improving travel in and between local communities so people can move more easily around the country and access jobs and opportunities.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on changes to the Block Grant over the current spending review period.
Answered by David Mundell
I have regular discussions with my cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer on important Scottish issues, such as measures taken at fiscal events.
As a result of the Government’s decisions at the last Budget, Scotland will benefit from a £950 million funding boost. And by 2020, our block grant to Scotland will have grown to over £32 billion before adjustments for tax devolution.
This means that Scotland’s budget will have seen a real terms increase over the spending review period.