Oral Answers to Questions

Edward Argar Excerpts

Wednesday 1st March 2017 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Edward Argar (Charnwood) (Con)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on taxation powers.

[Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)]

11. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on taxation powers.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jane Ellison)]

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury attended a Joint Exchequer Committee with the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution in November. They discussed the ongoing work between both Governments to implement these and other powers. There are, of course, regular and ongoing discussions between officials from both Governments.

[Edward Argar]

Does my hon. Friend agree that these taxation powers, coupled with other powers that have been devolved to Holyrood, make it one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world? Does she also agree that, quite rightly, they make the Scottish Government accountable for their actions in respect of taxation, and that the Scottish Government are responsible for making Scotland the most highly taxed part of the United Kingdom?

[Jane Ellison]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. The new devolution settlement does indeed deliver one of the most powerful and accountable devolved Parliaments in the world, and the people of Scotland will look to their Government to use those tax powers wisely to make Scotland as competitive and attractive a place as possible in which to do business. We obviously want the Scottish Government to use those powers to deliver that and it is for them to choose how they use them, but they do have to account for their use to the people of Scotland.