Margaret Curran

Labour - Former Member for Glasgow East

First elected: 6th May 2010

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Defeated)


Margaret Curran is not a member of any APPGs
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
7th Oct 2011 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
8th Oct 2010 - 7th Oct 2011
Work and Pensions Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 2nd Nov 2010


Division Voting information

Margaret Curran has voted in 791 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Margaret Curran voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 29 Labour No votes vs 83 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 100 Noes - 331
View All Margaret Curran Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
David Mundell (Conservative)
(36 debate interactions)
Michael Moore (Liberal Democrat)
(29 debate interactions)
Maria Miller (Conservative)
(17 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Scotland Office
(81 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(48 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(30 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(8 debate contributions)
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Legislation Debates
Margaret Curran has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
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Latest EDMs signed by Margaret Curran

Margaret Curran has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Margaret Curran, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Margaret Curran has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Margaret Curran has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Margaret Curran has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Margaret Curran has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
7 Other Department Questions
18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment his Department made of the implications for his decision to pay subcontracted staff in his Department the living wage of the EU public procurement regime as set out in Directive 2004/18/EC and 2004/17/EC.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced back in April that the department would pay all of its employees the Living Wage from 1 April 2014. Legal advice was sought during consideration and implementation of this policy. At the time no implications in respect of the EU public procurement regime were identified.

Payment of the Living Wage may fall foul of European Community law, in particular the Posted Workers Directive (PWD). This point rests on whether payment of the Living Wage is mandated, in which case there is a risk of being in breach of the PWD, or achieved through voluntary agreement. Since from a contractual perspective the changes needed mutual consent, there was no option for DECC other than to negotiate with suppliers to gain their agreement. We are satisfied therefore that this policy is compliant with EC law.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received from the Scottish Government on the living wage; and if he will place in the Library any correspondence on this issue between his Department and the Scottish Government.

We have received no representations from the Scottish Government regarding the living wage.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received from the Scottish Government regarding the national minimum wage; and if he will place in the Library any representations so received.

We have received no representations from the Scottish Government regarding the national minimum wage.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of how many people earned less than the national minimum wage in Scotland in each year since 2010-11.

The most reliable estimates come from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. These are set out below for Scotland. However, there are limitations to the survey. In particular, there is limited scope to use the data to identify where the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate would apply, rather than the equivalent age rate, prior to 2013-14. The apprentice minimum wage rate is lower than for the equivalent minimum age rates for workers. Not taking into account when the apprentice rate would apply will therefore tend to over-estimate the level of non-compliance. An estimate for 2013-14 is also provided below taking into account where the lower apprentice rate would apply.

Year

Estimates of NMW non-compliance in Scotland

Not taking into account when the apprentice rate would apply

Taking into account when the apprentice rate would apply

2010-11

19,000

-

2011-12

20,000

-

2012-13

20,000

-

2013-14

16,000

11,000

Source: ASHE datasets for 2010-14

NMW rates are caclulated by taking age into account, data on apprentices is only available for 2013-14

The Government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. Individuals should contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of how many people earn exactly the national minimum wage in Scotland.

Using 2013-14 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, an estimated 85,000 people earn the National Minimum Wage in Scotland.

The most reliable estimate comes from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. However, there are limitations to the survey. In particular, there is limited scope to use the data to identify where the apprentice rate would apply, rather than the equivalent age rate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support the First Minister of Scotland has received from UK Trade & Investment ahead of his upcoming visit to the US.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in New York and San Francisco have worked closely with the First Minister's team in planning arrangements for his visit.

The Consul-General in New York hosted a lunch at his residence on 7 April 2014 in association with Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) for the First Minister and 17 Scottish companies in the accompanying trade mission, to which key business figures in the US were invited.

On 8 April 2014 SDI and mission delegates attended a UKTI briefing discussion on marketing in the US. Mission companies will have access to meeting rooms for one-to-one meetings throughout the week, as well as UKTI staff who will be available to discuss business opportunities in the US market. UKTI staff are also supporting a number of events during the week, including the US office launch on 5 April 2014, of Scottish based Smarter Grid Solutions and other events where mission delegates will be present.

For the visit of the Scottish Government's External Affairs and International Development Minister, Huzma Yousaf, UKTI contributed to the guest list for Mr Yousaf's Scotland Week reception in San Francisco. UKTI also contributed to energy sector invitees for the World Trade Centre-Northern California breakfast event for the Minister, as requested by the World Trade Centre.

5th Jan 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 7 January 2013 to Question 135835, on Dover House, whether building work on the first floor of 70 Whitehall has been concluded; and when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to vacate Dover House.

Under plans agreed prior to the 2010 General Election, 70 Whitehall is undergoing modernisation works. As a result, there are no current plans for the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to vacate Dover House.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many women over the age of 50 in Scotland have been classed as economically inactive in each of the last four years.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many women over the age of 50 in Scotland had been unemployed for six months or more in September (a) 2014, (b) 2013, (c) 2012, (d) 2011 and (e) 2010.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the rate of underemployment in each UK parliamentary constituency in Scotland in each of the last five years.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of people in England and Wales identified themselves as (a) British, (b) Scottish and (c) British and Scottish in the 2011 census.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the total loss to the economy as a result of underemployment in Scotland.

This is not a matter for Cabinet Office Ministers.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people aged 18 to 24 years old in Scotland have been unemployed for (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years and (d) more than two years.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, where each Jobcentre Plus office is in Scotland; when each office opened; and how many people have used each such office in each year since 2010.

There are 94 Jobcentres in Scotland. A full list of these Jobcentres is provided at Annex 1.

We do not keep a record of when each office opened, so I am unable to supply you with this information.

There are no official statistics kept which would provide you with the number of people who have used each office in each year since 2010. Many people, some of whom are already employed, use the jobpoints or Intranet Access Devices in our Jobcentres but may not make a claim to benefit or register unemployed. It would therefore be impossible to provide you with the total number of people using the Jobcentres.

Annex 1

List of Jobcentres in Scotland

East & South East Scotland

Alloa JC

Bathgate JC

Broxburn JC

Cowdenbeath JC

Cupar JC

Dalkeith JC

Dunfermline JC

EdinburghCity

Eyemouth JC

Falkirk JC

Galashiels JC

Glenrothes JC

Grangemouth JC

Hawick JC

High Riggs JC

Kirkcaldy JC

Leith JC

Leven JC

Livingston JC

Musselburgh JC

Penicuik JC

St. Andrews

Stirling JC

Westerhailes JC

Glasgow, Lanarkshire & East Dunbartonshire

Airdrie JC

Anniesland JC

Bellshill JC

Bridgeton JC

Cambuslang JC

Castlemilk JC

Cumbernauld JC

Drumchapel JC

East Kilbride JC

Easterhouse JC

Govan JC

Hamilton JC

Kirkintilloch JC

Lanark JC

Langside JC

Laurieston JC

Maryhill JC

Motherwell JC

Newlands JC

Parkhead JC

Partick JC

Rutherglen JC

Shettleston JC

Springburn JC

North of Scotland District

Aberdeen JC

Arbroath JC

Banff JC

Blairgowrie JC

Buckie JC

Dingwall JC

Dundee City JC

Elgin JC

Forfar JC

Forres JC

Fort William JC

Fraserburgh JC

Invergordon JC

Inverness JC

Kirkwall JC

Lerwick JC

Montrose JC

Perth JC

Peterhead JC

Portree JC

Stornoway JC

Wick JC

West of Scotland District

Alexandria JC

Annan JC

Ayr JC

Barrhead JC

Campbeltown JC

Clydebank JC

Cumnock JC

Dumbarton JC

Dumfries JC

Dunoon JC

Girvan JC

Greenock JC

Helensburgh JC

Irvine JC

Johnstone JC

Kilbirnie JC

Kilmarnock JC

Oban JC

Paisley JC

Port Glasgow JC

Renfrew JC

Rothesay JC

Saltcoats JC

Stranraer JC

5th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, where testing of samples from patients in Scotland suspected of having Ebola takes place.

Since 1 December 2014, Ebola testing facilities are being provided through NHS Lothian by the Scottish National Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Test Service, based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Prior to December, all samples were sent to the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory testing facility at Porton Down in Wiltshire.

5th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library copies of the protocols on joint working between the NHS in Scotland and England on Ebola.

There are no written protocols on joint working between the National Health Service in Scotland and England which focus specifically on Ebola. NHS England works very closely with colleagues in Scotland and other Devolved Administrations to ensure effective joint working to respond to a wide variety of issues, including Ebola.

NHS England works to the Service Specification for High Level Isolation Units, covering the two high secure units in England located at the Royal Free Hospital in London and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with both units serving the whole United Kingdom. This specification has been attached.

The Department and the Health and Safety Executive published the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens’ Guidance on “Management of Hazard Group 4 viral haemorrhagic fevers and similar human infectious diseases of high consequence” in November 2014. A copy has been attached.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2014 to Question 214210, what the cost to his Department was of providing support to the Scottish Minister for External Affairs and International Development on his visits to (a) Geneva in November 2014, (b) Brussels in July 2014, (c) Brussels in June 2014, (d) Vancouver and San Francisco in April 2014, (e) Vienna in February 2014, (f) UAE and Qatar in November 2013, (g) Pakistan in October 2013, (h) India, Delhi and Mumbai in October 2013, (i) Geneva in September 2013, (j) Latvia in July 2013, (k) China and Hong Kong in June 2013 and (l) Hanover in May 2013.

I refer to my previous answers (213577, 214210) on this matter. The UK’s global diplomatic network - employing over 14,000 people in 267 Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and other offices in 154 countries and 12 Overseas Territories around the world – works to achieve the international policy objectives that benefit the whole of the UK, including promoting Scottish companies and products, its culture, and Scotland as a destination for investment, tourism and study. However, the information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2014 to Question 214210, what the cost to his Department was of providing support to the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs on his visits to (a) Dublin in October 2014, (b) Brussels in October 2014, (c) Italy in October 2014, (d) Ireland in May 2014, (e) Poland in May 2014, (f) Paris in April 2014, (g) Helsinki in March 2013, (h) Paris in December 2013, (i) Denmark and Sweden in December 2014, (j) Brussels in November 2013, (k) Rome in October 2013, (l) Philadelphia in July 2013, (m) Venice in May 2013, (n) Dublin in May 2013 and (o) Berlin in April 2013.

I refer to my previous answers (213577, 214210) on this matter. The UK’s global diplomatic network - employing over 14,000 people in 267 Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and other offices in 154 countries and 12 Overseas Territories around the world – works to achieve the international policy objectives that benefit the whole of the UK, including promoting Scottish companies and products, its culture, and Scotland as a destination for investment, tourism and study. However, the information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2014 to Question 214210, what the cost to his Department was of providing support to the Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change on his visit to Chile in October 2014.

The Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change visited Chile in October 2014. Foreign and Commonwealth Office assistance for this visit largely consisted of support from the British Embassy in Santiago provided from within existing resources. Specific additional costs amounted to £398 for transport.
11th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2014 to Question 213577, which Scottish ministers made the visits in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014; and what the destination of each visit was.

Details of these visits are the responsibility of the Scottish Government. However, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds the information attached.

11th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2014 to Question 213577, when the cultural programme in Berlin for the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs took place; what engagements were part of that programme; what the cost to his Department was of providing support to the Cabinet Secretary on this programme; and if he will place in the Library correspondence relating to this programme.

Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs visited Berlin on 16-17 April 2013. Scottish Development International (SDI) Dusseldorf arranged and attended parts of the programme, with local support from British Embassy Berlin. The UK Government costs were met from within existing resources. Ms Hyslop met German State Minister Cornelia Pieper and the Europe Director General in the Germany Foreign Ministry. She hosted a lunch for Bundestag members from three parties. Ms Hyslop met Berlin based Glaswegian artist Douglas Gordon and visited an exhibition of his work as well as visiting the Neues Museum. The Embassy Residence hosted a trade focused dinner for Ms Hyslop. SDI sourced salmon, beef and whisky from Scottish suppliers for guests from the food and drink sector. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold any correspondence on this visit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the First Minister of Scotland has received from (a) the British embassy in Washington and (b) consular offices in the US ahead of his upcoming visit to that country.

The British Embassy in Washington, and the New York Consulate, have provided support for the visit this week of the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, to the US. The Consul General in New York hosted a lunch at his residence on 7 April, in association with Scottish Development International (SDI), for the First Minister and 17 Scottish companies from the First Minister's accompanying trade mission, to which key business figures were invited. The British Embassy in Washington worked with the New York Consulate to organise port courtesies for the First Minister, upon arrival in New York ,to allow the Scottish Affairs Office (based in the British Embassy Washington) to greet the First Minister at the airport and expedite customs and immigration procedures.

11th Feb 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers on the sharing of Scottish NHS data with HM Revenue and Customs.


Treasury ministers discuss a wide range of issues with their ministerial counterparts, including in the Scottish Government. In line with the practice followed by previous administrations, details of such discussions are not routinely disclosed.

11th Feb 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what safeguards he plans to put in place to ensure the security of Scottish NHS data shared with HM Revenue and Customs.

Any taxpayer data held by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is subjected to strict safeguards.

HMRC take their duty of confidentiality very seriously and cannot disclose any information acquired or held unless specifically provided for by law. All HMRC information is subject to stringent data security controls and unlawful disclosure of taxpayer information is potentially a criminal offence.

5th Jan 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the effect on oil and gas receipts of the fall in the price of Brent crude to $56 a barrel.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published forecasts for oil and gas revenues in the December 2014 Economic and Financial Outlook. The report shows that these tax receipts are expected to be £15.8bn over the forecast period. The March 2015 forecast will incorporate the impact of recent changes in the oil price.

The global fall in oil prices should provide a boost to the economy and support UK and global growth. Falling oil prices contributed to annual CPI inflation of 1.0 per cent in November, the lowest level of inflation in 12 years, and reductions in petrol and diesel prices, which are now at their lowest levels since September 2010. On 5th January 2015, diesel was down 18.28p/l on its July 2014 peak, at 117.93p/l, and petrol down 20.05p/l at 111.06p/l.

11th Dec 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he intends to respond to Question 213722 tabled on 6 November 2014.

I have done so.

6th Nov 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how adjustments to the Scottish block grant will be calculated following implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax.

The Government has agreed a block grant adjustment mechanism through the operation of the Barnett formula with the Scottish Government in relation to the Scottish rate of income tax.

During two or three transitional years, the deduction will reflect the tax generated by a Scottish rate of 10p. Following this transitional period, the first year deduction will again reflect the tax generated by a Scottish rate of 10p, and then in subsequent years this deduction will be indexed against growth in the UK non-savings non-dividend income tax base.

The Scottish Government’s overall funding will therefore be partly determined by the relative growth in the Scottish and UK non-savings non-dividend income tax base.

16th Oct 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Pensions Technical Group and Income Tax Technical Group established to examine issues arising from the introduction of a Scottish rate of income tax have completed their work.

The advisory groups set up by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to examine issues from the introduction of the Scottish rate of income tax have completed their work. The Government’s proposals for the detailed consequential changes needed to implement the Scottish Rate of Income Tax were set out in the Technical Note published by HMRC in May 2012. In December 2013 HMRC announced arrangements to ensure that from 2016 Scottish taxpayers will receive the appropriate tax relief on their pension contributions to relief at source schemes.

16th Oct 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many requests the Scottish Government has made using the powers of Part 3 of the Scotland Act 2012 for the addition of new devolved taxes.

The Scottish Government has not made any requests to create new devolved taxes under this power.

16th Oct 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many officials in his Department are working on the Scottish rate of income tax project.

I refer the hon member to the answer that I gave her on 13 June 2013 (OR,WA, COL: 390W).

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130613/text/130613w0001.htm#13061354000143

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the next meeting of the Finance Ministers Quadrilateral will take place; and what will be discussed at this meeting.

The last Finance Quadrilateral was held on 18 November 2013.

No formal minutes of the meeting were taken, but Ministers present discussed the general economic outlook for the UK and for each of the devolved administrations, as well as looking forward to the forthcoming Autumn Statement. Agreement was reached at the meeting regarding the framework under which the devolved administrations could carry forward Financial Transactions capital into future years.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Finance Ministers from the devolved administrations aim to meet regularly in Quadrilateral format, complimenting bi-lateral meetings and conversations throughout the year. It is anticipated the next Quadrilateral will take place over the coming months. No date or agenda has yet been set.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the last Finance Ministers Quadrilateral met; and if he will place in the Library the minutes of that meeting.

The last Finance Quadrilateral was held on 18 November 2013.

No formal minutes of the meeting were taken, but Ministers present discussed the general economic outlook for the UK and for each of the devolved administrations, as well as looking forward to the forthcoming Autumn Statement. Agreement was reached at the meeting regarding the framework under which the devolved administrations could carry forward Financial Transactions capital into future years.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Finance Ministers from the devolved administrations aim to meet regularly in Quadrilateral format, complimenting bi-lateral meetings and conversations throughout the year. It is anticipated the next Quadrilateral will take place over the coming months. No date or agenda has yet been set.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the annual cost to her Department is of providing UK border control services at (a) Paris Gare Du Nord station, (b) Bruxelles Midi station and (c) Calais port and Eurotunnel terminus.

The annual costs of providing UK border control services are as follow:
Paris Gare Du Nord station - £4.6 million
Bruxelles Midi station - £3.3 million
Calais port - £21.8 million
Eurotunnel terminus (Coquelles) – £21.2 million

The above resource costs are based on the last financial year's data(2013/14)
and are taken from the Home office accounting system Adelphi. These have not
yet been audited. Publication of the annual set of accounts will not present
these costs in this level of detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which companies have been awarded sub-contracts for construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales since June 2013; at which sites he expects work under each such contracts to be carried out; and what the monetary value is of each such contract.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 June 2013 (Official Report, column 1279W).

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many employment tribunals in Scotland have been processed by HM Courts and Tribunals Service in each year since 2010.

The Government is committed to working across the employment law (including the employment dispute resolution) system to help to make it easier for companies to hire and manage staff, while protecting workers' rights. This encourages employers to create new jobs, supporting enterprise and growth.

Workload before the employment tribunals is affected by several factors, including underlying economic performance trends, the impacts of reforms of employment legislation and tribunals process, and the number of collective disputes (for example involving insolvencies, and equal pay complaints) that lead to large-scale multiple claims.

The number of claims accepted by employment tribunals and processed by HMCTS in each calendar year, since 2010, is set out in the table below.

Employment tribunal claims accepted in Scotland for Calendar years 2010 to 2013, inclusive

Calendar Year

No. Claims Accepted

2010

18,795

2011

16,670

2012

12,533

2013

7,506

Source: ET Database

11th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many children in Scotland are living in (a) relative and (b) absolute poverty.

Estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative and absolute low income are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income series. These estimates are available as three-year averages to 2012/13, and show that in 2010/11-2012/13 the number and percentage of children in relative and absolute low income was 0.2 million (17%) and 0.2 million (18%) respectively.

11th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with (a) Ministers of the Scottish Government and (b) his ministerial colleagues on the sharing of Scottish NHS data with HM Revenue and Customs in relation to implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax.

The Scottish Government is consulting until the end of February on whether HMRC should be allowed access to NHS Scotland data (name, date of birth, postcode and gender data) to support the identification of Scottish taxpayers, who will pay tax at the Scottish rate of income tax from April 2016. Discussions have taken place between the two administrations and there will be further discussions after the conclusion of the consultation.

5th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the effect on employment in Scotland of the fall in the price of oil.

While sustained lower oil prices are challenging for companies active in the North Sea, it is important to recognise that the industry is cyclical. The majority of operators and investors make their assessments on long term outlooks taking into account potential fluctuations in prices.

The UK Government is committed to supporting this vital industry that creates jobs and generates investment. This support includes the full implementation of the Wood Review recommendations and the package of fiscal changes and initiatives announced by the Treasury in early December designed to ease the tax burden on the industry.

2nd Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2014 to Question 213288, what the name and job title is of each member of the programme board.

The members of the HMRC's Scotland Act Implementation Programme Board are:

Sarah Walker (HMRC, Senior Business Sponsor)

Geoff Yapp (HMRC, Senior Business Sponsor Stamp Duty Land Tax)

Angela Walker (HMRC, Senior Business Sponsor Scottish Rate of Income Tax)

David Swift (HMRC, Deputy Director - Strategic Finance Budget Controller)

Sean Neill (Scottish Government)

HMT, (Fiscal Devolution)

Scotland Office, (Economic Adviser)

HMRC, (Internal Audit)

HMRC, (Programme Manager)

HMRC, (Landfill Tax Policy)

HMRC, (Chief Digital Information Office).

Freedom of Information principles have been applied and names of staff below SCS grade are not released.

18th Nov 2014
Pay
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the relative pay of men and women among staff of his Department.

The Scotland Office does not employ staff; all staff that join, do so on an assignment, loan or secondment from other government bodies, principally the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice. Both of these bodies and other employers of Scotland Office staff hold information relating to pay and the diversity of staff. Additionally, information on the gender breakdown of staff by grade is published in the Office’s annual report. The annual report for 2013-14 is available in the House of Commons Library.

11th Nov 2014
Pay
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether (a) all staff in his Department's offices in London and Edinburgh and (b) contractors who provide services in his Departments properties are paid the living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. All staff that join the Office do so on an assignment, secondment or loan agreement from other Government bodies. All staff on such arrangements are paid more than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

The Scotland Office has one contract which provides security for the office in Edinburgh. The Scotland Office does not set the wages paid by the contractors to its workers; however, the wage paid by the contractor is above the national minimum wage. Otherwise, the Office uses framework contracts for building services held by the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he last met with his ministerial counterparts in HM Treasury to discuss implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax.

I have regular meetings with cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, where a wide range of topics are discussed.

Additionally, my officials are very actively engaged in a wide ranging work programme concerning the implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax. This includes working closely with UK Government and Scottish Government officials to support the timely introduction of all fiscal powers of the Scotland Act 2012.

4th Nov 2014
Pay
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has received from the Scottish Government on the living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation; and if he will place in the Library any such representations.

I have received no representations from the Scottish Government regarding the Living Wage.

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the number of children in Scotland living in poverty in each year since 2010.

Estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative low income are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. This information is captured using the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and has been reported since 1998/99. These estimates are available for each financial year up to 2012/13, the latest period for which estimates are available.

Average figures for three survey years have been combined for region and individual countries; this is because single year estimates are not considered to be sufficiently reliable for geographies at a lower level than the UK. The estimates for Scotland can be found below:

Estimated number (millions) and proportion of children in relative low income by country and region (Before Housing Costs)

Number (and percentage) of children in relative low income

2007/08 – 2009/10

0.2 million (20%)

2008/09 – 2010/11

0.2 million (19%)

2009/10 – 2011/12

0.2 million (17%)

2010/11 – 2012/13

0.2 million (17%)

(Source: HBAI 2012/13

4th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2014, HC Deb, 15 October 2014, column 286, what details regarding the implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax are still under discussion; when he expects those discussions to conclude; and which government department will have responsibility for providing information to income tax payers about changes to the tax system in Scotland.

Implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax is being led by an HMRC project with oversight provided by a programme board with representatives from HMRC, HM Treasury, the Scotland Office and Scottish Government. The project is progressing a range of issues associated with defining the detail of the implementation and operation of the Scottish rate and the project is on track to make the necessary changes in readiness for April 2016.

HMRC will have prime responsibility for informing tax payers about these changes and will work with the Scottish Government to ensure that individuals and business have access to the information they will need.