Higher Education Regulatory Approach
Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Scott Arthur(2 weeks, 4 days ago)
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Dr Scott Arthur (Edinburgh South West) (Lab)
As someone who was an academic until about 5 am on 5 July last year, I thank the Secretary of State for her statement and for the leadership she has shown on this issue. I will ask a question in the context of my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.
I am proud of all the universities in Edinburgh and how they attract students from all over the world, but last year when I visited the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, which is the main synagogue in Edinburgh, I was ashamed to hear of the intimidation that Jewish students were facing in university. I was pleased to hear that universities are taking that seriously and I know that the Edinburgh faith forum is too. Freedom of speech is an important right, but that should never extend to bigotry and hate. Does the Secretary of State agree that students should be free to practise their faith, always, and able to display their faith publicly, no matter what it is, without fear of intimidation?
Migration and Border Security
Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Scott Arthur(2 months ago)
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Rail Performance
Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Scott Arthur(2 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)
I call Select Committee member Dr Scott Arthur.
Dr Scott Arthur (Edinburgh South West) (Lab)
I thank the Secretary of State for her statement, and for the leadership that she is showing to get our railways back on track—sorry for the pun. I am pleased that she mentioned LNER and Lumo, which do a fantastic job of connecting Edinburgh and London, and of providing a stress-free alternative to flying. When she first took up her post, she was clear that she wanted HS2 to get a grip of costs. Does she feel vindicated, given the reports over the weekend of more than £100 million being spent on a single structure, despite some of those involved saying that they were not aware of the need for it?