Oral Answers to Questions

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Wednesday 29th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

I quoted earlier the chief executive of Tesco, the largest retailer in the United Kingdom. In the paper yesterday he made the very good point that there is one drinks industry across the United Kingdom and we should have one solution to the recycling problem.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

2. What recent assessment he has made of the strength of the Union.

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

3. Whether he has made a recent assessment of public support for the Union in Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

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

My assessment is that the Union is strong, as is support for the Union. [Interruption.] Oh yes, strong—very, very strong. People want to see their Governments delivering, and that is what we are doing, from levelling up to tackling the cost of living and working with the Scottish Government on delivering freeports, investment zones and city and region growth deals.

[Robbie Moore]

Opinion polls clearly show that the people of Scotland want the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to take Scotland forward, rather than going back to the divisions of the past. Does the Secretary of State agree that the new SNP leader should focus on Scotland’s economy, the NHS, schools and creating jobs, rather than going back to another divisive independence referendum?

[Mr Jack]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I would call on the new First Minister to seize this opportunity to do things differently. Rather than confrontation, let us have collaboration for a change.