Sanctions

Debate between Patricia Gibson and Elizabeth Truss

Monday 28th February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I do not have that figure on me, but I can get it to the hon. Gentleman. The point that I was making is that the action that we have taken on clearing is in conjunction with the United States, so between us we are able to cover 50% of that trade.

[Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP)]

Can the Foreign Secretary explain why the Russian ambassador to the UK is yet to be dismissed, and will she do all that she can to encourage the Governments of all Western democracies and the wider international community to similarly dismiss their Russian ambassadors in order to further underscore the isolation of Russia under Putin on the international stage?

[Elizabeth Truss]

It is very important in all that we do that we work with allies, and co-ordinated action is vital to send a message to Russia and the rest of the world. As I have said, nothing is off the table.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Patricia Gibson and Elizabeth Truss

Wednesday 24th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I am very clear that these practices are utterly abhorrent. I would point out that I have been in this job for a year and I have been working to make sure that the ban we put in place is enforceable. I have also dealt with a number of other long-standing issues, such as responding to the consultation on the reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to make the process simpler and kinder for transgender people, improving transgender health care and changing the blood donation criteria for gay men donating blood. We are also working on an international LGBT conference, entitled Safe to Be Me, to end discrimination across the world. It is always important with legislation to ensure that we get it right and that it is properly enforceable, and we will be bringing plans forward shortly.

[Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP)]

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on working parents.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Patricia Gibson and Elizabeth Truss

Thursday 18th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Dave Doogan (Angus) (SNP)]

What recent progress she has made on negotiating free trade agreements with (a) the US and (b) Japan.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth Truss)]

We have launched negotiations with both the US and Japan. We want to secure ambitious trade deals that benefit every part of the United Kingdom. Scotland is expected to be a particularly strong beneficiary from those deals.

[Patricia Gibson]

Despite what the Secretary of State said in response to previous questions, there are persistent concerns about the lifting of the ban on pathogen reduction treatments, which would permit chlorine washes over food as part of future trade deals. That would be bad for us and bad for animal welfare. To address those concerns once and for all, will the Secretary of State commit to enshrining minimum food standards into law? If she will not, will she devolve the necessary powers to Scotland to allow us to do it for ourselves?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I would point out that Scotland has its own food standards agency, which is responsible for upholding food standards in Scotland. I would also point out that the standards already are in the law and will continue to be in the law.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Patricia Gibson and Elizabeth Truss

Thursday 17th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP)]

T7. In the spirit of equality, the Electoral Reform Society has said that compulsory photo ID for voters will potentially leave millions of voters voiceless. Some 3.5 million voters have no photo ID at all, with the most affected being the elderly, ethnic minorities and those who are socially disadvantaged. Is it not the case that the suppression of voter participation is dangerous and will exclude many from exercising their democratic rights?

[Elizabeth Truss]

It is perfectly proper that we make sure that the right people are voting and that they bring ID with them to the polling to station. We have had issues with electoral fraud in this country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Patricia Gibson and Elizabeth Truss

Tuesday 9th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I hope to follow in the footsteps of former Chief Secretaries who have been keen to keep a tight rein on public spending and ensure that people can keep more of their own money, because ultimately every penny of public spending is money that people have earned and that they could be spending on other things.

[Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP)]

Some 55% of Scots pay lower income tax than they would pay if they lived in England. Does the Chancellor not agree that he should take inspiration from the SNP’s progressive Finance Minister by protecting public services and the poorest, rather than the better-off?

[Elizabeth Truss]

The reality is that the SNP Government are putting people off relocating to Scotland and earning higher incomes in Scotland, because those earning £50,000 have to pay an additional £1,500 in tax every year.