Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas McAllister Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alexander]

I gently remind the shadow Secretary of State that there is a difference between abuse and argument, and in relation to his substantive arguments, of course I am happy to be Scotland’s voice at the Cabinet table. That is why only next week I will be meeting a range of energy companies based in Aberdeen and listening directly to them. That dialogue has already started. I think we can do better than his question.

[Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)]

3. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support regeneration in Scotland through the pride in place programme.

[Pamela Nash (Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke) (Lab)]

12. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support regeneration in Scotland through the pride in place programme.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Kirsty McNeill)]

The Scotland Office is backing Scotland’s communities with our £292 million pride in place investment. The plan will support grassroots movements that restore local people’s power, boost national pride and help people get on in life. It will revitalise our high streets, create jobs and improve safety and security. More than that, it will give expression to this Government’s core belief that communities are powerful and that in every corner of our country, we find millions of so-called ordinary people doing their best and doing their bit to transform the places they love for the people they love.

[Douglas McAllister]

The UK Government are investing more than £41 million of funding in my constituency, including the recently announced pride in place award. That will unlock the potential of my West Dunbartonshire constituency, matching the level of ambition I have to regenerate our town centres and communities and make them fit for the future. Does the Secretary of State agree that this is in stark contrast to the SNP, which has given up on our communities right across Scotland and in West Dunbartonshire?

[Kirsty McNeill]

I commend my hon. Friend on his ambition for his seat and his sterling advocacy for it. He is right that this funding will help revitalise our high streets, create jobs and improve safety and security in Scotland. He is also right that the SNP is desperately out of touch with its squabbling over independence while services across Scotland are at breaking point.