Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Written Statement on Contingencies Fund Advance, 29 October 2021, HCWS359, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the £12 billion advance from the Contingencies Fund; and for what reason the advance is required.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 29 October, the £12 billion contingencies fund advance will meet the Scottish Government’s cash requirement in advance of parliamentary approval at Supplementary Estimates 2021-22, at which point this advance will be repaid. The Scottish Government is operating within its budgets, so this does not represent additional expenditure, but ensures they have the cash they need on top of what was included at Main Estimates.