Oral Answers to Questions

Margaret Ferrier Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right—I know that he is a great champion of the Union. The levelling-up paper, which will be launched today, will contain a lot of initiatives and show that we are using structural funds to practise real devolution by giving that money directly to local authorities.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the legislative remit of the Scottish Parliament.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

The UK Government remain focused on the issues that really matter to people in Scotland, including recovery from the pandemic. My Department continues to work closely with both the Scottish Government and UK Government Departments on the ongoing implementation of the Scotland Act 2016.

[Margaret Ferrier]

Yesterday, Holyrood backed a motion rejecting voter ID measures in the Elections Bill because they would disenfranchise Scottish voters. That is an indication of the strength of feeling for people across Scotland, and in my constituency, that the UK Government are not giving them due consideration through the legislative process. Can the Secretary of State confirm what plans the Government have to extend Holyrood’s legislative powers?

[Mr Jack]

We are respecting devolution with the Elections Bill: we are bringing in voter ID only for UK elections. We believe that stealing someone’s vote is stealing someone’s voice.