Asked by: Kenneth Stevenson (Labour - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on public services in Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The budget delivered more money for public services in Scotland with the largest real terms budget in the history of devolution.
People now expect delivery from the SNP government in Edinburgh, especially in our NHS where over 100,000 Scots have been trapped on NHS waiting lists for more than a year. They have the money, they have the powers, there are no more excuses.
Asked by: Kenneth Stevenson (Labour - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of gross national income has been allocated to Official Development Assistance spending for the next three financial years; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of such spending in the last three years.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government remains committed to international development. This is why we allocated £13.7 billion to ODA in 2025/26 at Autumn Budget 2024. We will restore Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending to the level of 0.7 percent of GNI as soon as the fiscal circumstances allow. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact scrutinises all UK aid spending to ensure it is spent effectively, and all reports are available on their website. The Chancellor announced Phase 2 of the Spending Review at Autumn Budget, which is the process by which ODA allocations for future financial years will be decided.Asked by: Kenneth Stevenson (Labour - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he last met with the Scottish Government; and what issues were discussed at this meeting.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have had a number of discussions with Scottish Government Ministers since my appointment, as have many of my Ministerial colleagues, including the Prime Minister.
My most recent meeting was with the Deputy First Minister, on Tuesday 1 October, who I am meeting regularly. We have discussed a range of issues such as our joint plan to secure the industrial future of the Grangemouth site, following confirmation of Petroineos’ decision to close the oil refinery next year.
This Government is committed to working with the Scottish Government. By working collaboratively together, we will deliver the change that the people of Scotland expect.