Business of the House

John Lamont Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Given the importance of this matter, I am sorry to hear of the concerns that my hon. Friend raises and the fact that things are taking time. I would go further than simply raising it with Ministers; I think she should seek a meeting with Health Ministers so that she can raise those concerns with them directly.

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

The Scottish Borders are being inundated with new energy infrastructure projects. SNP Ministers in Edinburgh blame the Labour Government here, and the Labour Government here blame the SNP Government in Scotland—frankly, it has become ridiculous. Ultimately, responsibility rests with the Scottish Government’s planning framework, which allows those energy projects to be imposed on local communities, even if there are concerns about grid capacity or the local council strongly objects. I would be very grateful to the Leader of the House if he facilitated a meeting between the UK Government Energy Minister, the Scottish Government and me, so that we can provide local communities and the environment the protection that they deserve.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that planning is a devolved matter. I remind the House—it would not be business questions without my doing so—that we have provided the Scottish Government with more than £50 billion a year, which is the biggest funding settlement since devolution began. I would be happy to facilitate the meeting that he requests.