Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Elaine Stewart Excerpts
Wednesday 4th December 2024

(1 week, 1 day ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kirsty McNeill Portrait Kirsty McNeill
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I can give my hon. Friend the firmest of assurances that we will continue to prioritise shipbuilding on the Clyde, and indeed defence jobs across Scotland.

Elaine Stewart Portrait Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)
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3. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve living standards in Scotland.

Douglas McAllister Portrait Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)
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11. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve living standards in Scotland.

Ian Murray Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)
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Our economic growth mission will raise living standards in Scotland. Our new deal for working people will disproportionately benefit Scots. New protections such as guaranteed hours will help shift workers with up to £600 a year. We are also delivering an annual pay rise of £1,400 for hundreds of thousands of full-time workers in Scotland, and we have committed to the triple lock, which means an extra £470 for pensioners next year. Last week, we paid the first instalment to 7,000 former Scottish miners with their full pension. We will improve living standards through better public services and pay driven by economic growth.

Elaine Stewart Portrait Elaine Stewart
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Does the Secretary of State agree that community benefit funds from wind farms contribute to improving living standards for communities? Will he join me in praising the work of the nine community council groups in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock as a model of the fair distribution of funds to support local apprenticeships and improve living standards across the Cumnock and Doon Valley areas?