Oral Answers to Questions

Luke Graham Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

4. What steps the Government are taking to strengthen the Union.

[Luke Graham (Ochil and South Perthshire) (Con)]

5. What steps the Government are taking to strengthen the Union.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Oliver Dowden)]

The Government are committed to strengthening the links between the four nations of the Union. The Prime Minister is taking personal charge, as Minister for the Union, supported by the Cabinet Office. We have boosted spending across the Union, including a further £300 million of new growth deal funding, which will open up opportunities for cities and regions across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Anybody would think the hon. Member for Clacton (Giles Watling) had once been an actor.

[Luke Graham]

In a week in which we have seen a poll indicate that more voters support independence, threatening to split the Union, can my right hon. Friend tell me what work he is doing to build on the last Administration’s work to get UK Departments engaging with, and getting more of a presence in, the devolved nations?

[Oliver Dowden]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We have introduced new measures to ensure that the Union and devolved matters are properly considered as part of the process for developing and agreeing Government policy. Lord Dunlop’s independent review of UK Government capability will report in the autumn and make recommendations on how UK Government structures can continue to strengthen the working of the Union.