Oral Answers to Questions

Lillian Jones Excerpts

Wednesday 10th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alexander]

I know better than most the limitations of an SNP-led Renfrewshire council, and I applaud my hon. Friend’s efforts to bring this initiative to the fore. As the UK Government Minister responsible for local growth in Scotland, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Kirsty McNeill), would be pleased to meet her to discuss how we can work with the council to deliver a vibrant and strong future for the town.

[Lillian Jones (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab)]

7. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues through the Pride in Place programme to support regeneration in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)]

The UK Government are committed to empowering local people to deliver neighbourhood regeneration across Scotland. Our Pride in Place programme is directly supporting many of our most-in-need communities to shape the future of their local area. We are investing up to £480 million in 24 Scottish neighbourhoods over 10 years, and that includes £20 million for Kilmarnock.

[Lillian Jones]

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker.

I was delighted that the Darvel Improvement Group was awarded £200,000 of Pride in Place funding, meaning that it can now progress its work to restore the Sir Alexander Fleming commemorative garden and create an educational memorial in Hastings Square. My right hon. Friend will know that 2028 marks 100 years since the discovery of penicillin, a world-changing breakthrough that has saved millions of lives across the world. For local people across my constituency, that is a source of deep pride—Scotland’s contribution to science from a man born in Darvel in Ayrshire, aka God’s country. Does my right hon. Friend agree that by putting power into the hands of local people, we are helping communities to deliver—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Secretary of State will have grasped the question.