Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian Murray and John Grady

Wednesday 4th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[John Grady (Glasgow East) (Lab)]

5. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the effectiveness of the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on winning Glasgow East. The people of Scotland want their two Governments to spend more time fighting for them than fighting each other, which is why resetting the relationship has been a priority for this Government and, indeed, the Prime Minister. I have had numerous productive meetings with Scottish Government Ministers, including the Deputy First Minister. We have had 17 days of visits across Scotland, and seven members of the Cabinet have already visited. There have been dozens of calls between Secretaries of State and Cabinet Secretaries. I look forward to working with the Scottish Government to deliver our shared priorities for the people of Scotland.

[John Grady]

Scotland’s official economic forecaster, the Scottish Fiscal Commission, has said of the Scottish Budget that

“much of the pressure comes from the Scottish Government’s own decisions.”

Does the Secretary of State agree that the Scottish Government must accept responsibility for the catastrophic state of Scotland’s public finances?