Oral Answers to Questions

Katrina Murray Excerpts

Thursday 24th April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Kenneth Stevenson (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking to strengthen co-operation with the devolved Governments.

[Katrina Murray (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) (Lab)]

9. What steps he is taking to strengthen co-operation with the devolved Governments.

[John Grady (Glasgow East) (Lab)]

15. What steps he is taking to strengthen co-operation with the devolved Governments.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Alexander]

The ruling upholds the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex and brings welcome clarity and confidence for women and, indeed, service providers. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, as Britain’s equality regulator, has already committed to supporting service providers with updated guidance. On the specific point raised by my hon. Friend, we will meet Scottish counterparts to discuss the implications of this significant judgment.

[Katrina Murray]

I thank the Minister for his answer to the earlier question. Events such as Tartan Day provide a vital opportunity for companies such as RSE in Cumbernauld to promote their products to international markets. RSE has repeatedly told me that it wants to be a part of Brand Scotland. Will the Minister outline how he will work with the Scotland Office and the Scottish Government to ensure that Tartan Day is an even bigger success next year to secure investment in the Scottish economy and create Scottish jobs?

[Mr Alexander]

Let me first pay tribute to RSE and all its brilliant work on water tech. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of representing Scotland in the United States along with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland at Tartan Week, where we met a range of businesses and investors to bang the drum for Scotland as a great place to invest and to work. It was, frankly, a powerful opportunity to show that Scotland has two Governments committed to its prosperity and wellbeing. As the UK Government committed to growth, we are more interested in new markets than old arguments, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State actively reached out to the First Minister seeking to co-operate by co-ordinating our presence.