To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will consider a public procurement initiative to increase (a) production and (b) jobs growth for British (i) manufacturers and (ii) workers.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings his Department has had with members of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the continued availability of British natural stone for heritage restoration projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) international trade practices and (b) foreign subsidies on the competitiveness of UK natural stone SMEs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of class action lawsuits on levels of (a) inward investment and (b) economic growth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with (a) trade bodies and (c) businesses on the potential impact of class action lawsuits on levels of (a) inward investment and (b) economic growth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to support UK (a) brands and (b) manufacturers with a potential influx of fast fashion, in the context of the UK-India trade deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the bioethanol industry on the UK-US trade deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to facilitate the onshoring of production to the UK for British (a) brands and (b) manufacturers in the context of proposed US tariffs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to support British (a) brands and (b) manufacturers in the context of proposed US tariffs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Government of purchasing covid-19 vaccines for residents in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the financial total of Start Up Loans issued in the Scottish Borders is as at 14 September 2021.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent progress he has made on introducing carer’s leave.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish an update on the UK’s covid-19 vaccine portfolio, including the number of doses secured with each manufacturer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress has been on the establishment of the Centre for Process Innovation that will support the creation of a library of mRNA vaccines to help protect against new variants of covid-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many workers in the Scottish Borders will benefit from the increase in the (a) National Living Wage and (b) National Minimum Wage from April 2021.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many people in Scotland are in receipt of the Warm Home Discount.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether covid-19 vaccine procurement has been carried out at a UK-wide level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of energy security in relation to the reported early closure of Hunterston nuclear power station.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the BBC on legal fees incurred in connection with President Trump.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the BBC on the level of legal fees that may be incurred in connection with the dispute with President Trump.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will commission an impact study on the potential impact of visitor levies on levels of inbound tourism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Sport, what engagement her Department has had with the national football associations across the UK regarding a joint bid for the UEFA European Championships in 2028.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Twitter representatives regarding disinformation tweeted by official accounts of the Russian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of replacing the proposed cap on the number of branded items with a monetary cap set by regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of time available to schools to implement the recent changes to school uniform guidance ahead of the proposed legislative cap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of allowing a longer implementation period for changes to school uniform policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation timetable for school uniform guidance on school procurement cycles and existing supplier arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what feedback her Department has received from schools on the practical application of the three-item cap on branded uniform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to review or clarify aspects of the school uniform guidance prior to the provisions of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill coming into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed cap on branded uniform items on curricular and extracurricular PE participation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed uniform cap on the overall cost of school uniform for parents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed cap on branded school uniform items on pupil behaviour and attendance in schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to school uniform policy on academic outcomes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed cap on branded school uniform items on specialist academies, including those with a particular sporting or technical focus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to launch the Multiply scheme in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will benefit from the Multiply scheme in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with the (a) Scotland Office and (b) Scottish Government on the promotion of new nuclear development in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what (a) discussions and (b) meetings officials in his Department have had with Xi Engineering on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Eskdalemuir Working Group will prioritise (a) the maintenance of national security and (b) international defence obligations when considering any new (i) regime and (ii) methodology for measuring seismic interference within…

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) homes and (b) businesses in rural areas have adequate energy supplies during the implementation of Great Grid Upgrade infrastructure projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to encourage people living in rural areas to use wood pellets for fuel in their homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allocating levels of funding to support the increased use of (a) heat pumps and (b) wood pellets based on levels of CO2 reduction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the UK remains a competitive destination for international investment in agricultural biotechnology compared to EU member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that future SPS alignment with the EU does not reintroduce regulatory barriers for precision-bred crops already permitted under the Precision Breeding Act 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his proposed ban on trophy hunting imports will include the (a) import and (b) export of hunting trophies, (c) enforcement of existing (i) national and (ii) international laws against trophy hunting and (d) enforcement…

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the bioethanol industry on the UK-US trade deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of import controls on horticulture businesses; and whether he plans to consider this impact in the context of proposals to amend plant health fees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) the border target operating model and (b) border control posts are adequately (i) resourced and (ii) equipped to ensure horticulture growers can import the required plant…

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of Scottish Government research on Ultra High Frequency electronic identification technology in livestock.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much correspondence his Department has received from individuals making representations on proposed changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax since October 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) letters, (b) emails and (c) other correspondence his Department has received supporting proposed changes to (i) Agricultural Property Relief and (ii) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental management protections in the comprehensive trade deal between the UK and New Zealand.

What steps he is taking to increase animal welfare standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the environmental benefits of banning microbeads in June 2018.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the National Farmers Union of Scotland on the free trade agreement with Australia.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress she has made with the US Administration on making the temporary suspension of tariffs on Scotch whisky, cashmere and other products permanent.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she will next meet with the US Trade Representative; and what will be discussed at that meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to engage with local communities in Scotland on the Community Ownership Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to take legal advice on whether introducing an exception to copyright for text and data mining with an opt-out is consistent with the UK’s international obligations under the Berne Convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much of the planned £5 million towards the feasibility study for the extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle has been released to Scottish Borders Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to the LNER timetable on (a) the local economy, (b) tourism, and (c) connectivity in the Scottish Borders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an estimate of the (a) number of people waiting and (b) the average waiting time to take a category F driving test in the Scottish Borders in the latest period for which data is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an estimate of (a) the number of people waiting for and (b) the average waiting time to take a category B driving test at (a) Duns, (b) Hawick, (c) Galashiels, (d) Kelso, (e) Peebles and (f) Berwick-upon-Tweed driving test…

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on mutual priorities for improving cross-border transport links following the publication of Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 by Transport Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many installations have been supported by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles as part of the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme in (a) the Scottish Borders, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many plug-in car grants have been issued in (a) the Scottish Borders Unitary Authority, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK; and what is the financial value of those grants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what engagement he has had with Scottish local authorities on the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Scottish Government on the easing of domestic travel restrictions during the covid-19 outbreak.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Transport Scotland on the recommencement of Category F driving tests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the Union Connectivity Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative estimate he has made of the number of driving tests taken between April and September at (a) Duns, (b) Hawick, (c) Peebles, (d) Galashiels, and (e) Kelso driving test centres, this year and in the previous three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has performance standards for clearance times for Personal Independence Payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what targets his Department has set for standard waiting times for new claimants of PIP to receive their first payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria her Department uses to assess performance standards for average clearance times for new claims made under normal rules for Personal Independence Payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress her Department has made on the roll-out of the Job Entry Targeted Support scheme in the Scottish Borders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people will benefit from the £20 uplift in universal credit; and what the value of that uplift is in monetary terms in (a) the Scottish Borders and (b) Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support she is providing to Galashiels Job Centre to further assist the unemployed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new job placements have been created in the Scottish Borders as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made on rolling out the Kickstart Scheme; and what discussions he has with the devolved Administrations on that scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department is taking to ensure brain tumour patients have timely access to whole genome sequencing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assistance his Department is providing to Public Health Scotland on the outbreak of monkeypox.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Government of providing covid-19 testing in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the rate of drug related deaths in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with the Scottish Government to develop plans for a coordinated rollout of covid-19 vaccines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of covid-19 testing in Scotland is provided by the UK Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking with the Scottish Government to develop a communications campaign to promote the uptake of covid-19 vaccines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether each approved covid-19 vaccine will be distributed across the UK according to population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the IAEA report, Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), what recent assessment his Department has made of…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of Hamas's military capabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking following Iran’s decision to suspend application of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Additional Protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the basis was for the UK’s financial aid to Iran of £16 million between 2013 and 2017; what assessment he has made of whether a proportion of that aid funded textbooks that reportedly promote extremism;…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how the UK is assisting the Overseas Territories and Crown dependencies with the roll-out of the covid-19 vaccine.

What recent steps he has taken to improve UK relations with Israel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support the Government provided to British Overseas Territories to help them tackle the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department had discussions with Peter Mandelson on the establishment of an inquiry into grooming gangs in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with Police Scotland on the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with Highland Council on the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Government on community safety and child welfare in connection with the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the deployment of military police around Cameron Barracks.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many small boats crossing the English Channel have been towed by French authorities into UK waters in each month from January 2022 to June 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much of the funding allocated to support (a) joint working arrangements and (b) enforcement plans agreed with French Government on 27 February 2025 to tackle people smuggling gangs has been used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her press release entitled New UK-French action to go after smuggler gangs, published 28 February 2025, how many of the 12 planned specialist intelligence officers to be part of the judicial police unit, the Groupe…

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) joint working arrangements and (b) enforcement plans to help tackle people smuggling gangs that were agreed with France on 27 February 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the remit for the commission into grooming gangs and child exploitation to (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on extending the remit for the commission into grooming gangs and child exploitation to include (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) resources and (b) funding her Department will provide to the new commission into grooming gangs and child sexual exploitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there will be a limit on the number of local inquiries overseen by the new commission into grooming gangs and child exploitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hotels in Scotland are being used to accommodate asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a bespoke immigration route for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a bespoke immigration route for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the Migration Advisory Committee on the potential merits of establishing a bespoke immigration route for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the compatibility of the Common Travel Area with Schengen Area membership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Hong Kong BNO visas have been issued; and what data her Department holds on where holders choose to live in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to roll out the Ask for ANI scheme to more independent pharmacies in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to offer support to Police Scotland during the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding has been provided to the Scottish Borders Council as part of the Syrian vulnerable person resettlement programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the British Transport Police on county lines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has deployed (a) military police and (b) other personnel to Cameron Barracks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers on army families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support employment in the defence sector in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that national security is prioritised in discussions on the future of the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) discussions and (b) meetings officials in his Department have had with the Eskdalemuir Working Group on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) discussions and (b) meetings officials in his Department have had with Xi Engineering on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to mark Armed Forces Day in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has been provided to organisations in the Scottish Borders Council area as part of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to ensure that local authorities recognise natural stone as a low-carbon material in planning guidance and local plan development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has with the Secretary of State for Defence on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array, in the context of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking ensure that people convicted of charges related to grooming gangs receive adequate sentences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on supporting the victims of cross-border grooming gangs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of funder-led litigation on the civil justice system; and whether her Department plans to introduce safeguards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of litigation funders (a) overriding and (b) challenging class representatives on claimant outcomes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase transparency on the (a) ownership and (b) control of litigation funders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) her Department and (b) the UK legal system support attracting inward investment, in the context of the Civil Justice Council’s review of the litigation funding sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to introduce mandatory reporting on overseas funding used for third-party litigation.

What progress he has made with the Home Secretary on bringing forward legislative proposals to support victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when Scotland Office ministers or officials last met with Peter Mandleson; and what was discussed at that meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions his Department has had with Highland Council and Police Scotland on the housing of asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prevent the overdevelopment of electricity infrastructure in rural communities in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish government on the new commission into grooming gangs and child exploitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will have discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential merits of banning first-cousin marriage in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what he last met with representatives of the Scottish farming sector in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he last met with representatives of the Scottish seafood sector in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what meetings he has had with Cabinet colleagues on increased Government defence spending in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on infected blood compensation payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Scottish Government’s proposals to adopt Ultra High Frequency electronic identification technology for animals on farming in the rest of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the impact of levels of taxation on people in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions his officials have had with Scottish Borders Council on funding of the feasibility study for the extension of the Borders Railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on funding of the feasibility study for the extension of the Borders Railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has with the Scottish Government on funding of the feasibility study for the Borders Railway extension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how often the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group has met since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group will next meet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to (a) implement and (b) cancel efficiency savings budgeted for by the previous Government for (i) his Department and (ii) departmental arm's length bodies; and what plans he has for further such efficiency savings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will provide a breakdown of underspend in (a) his Department and (b) departmental arm's length bodies in this (i) financial year and (ii) spending review.

The UK Government is now investing more than £2.9 billion across Levelling Up initiatives in Scotland. That's the equivalent of £538 per person in Scotland.I have personally seen how this funding is regenerating towns, creating jobs, and empowering communities to deliver directly on their…

The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments, where appropriate, to explore what options are available to develop an effective response to the inquiry's recommendations that delivers across the UK.

Despite what we hear from the SNP, the Scottish Government is well-funded.As a consequence of the decisions made by this UK Government, the Block Grant is now at record levels, with an additional £2.4 billion across three fiscal events.Scotland receives around 25% more per person than…

This Government is committed to supporting our seafood sector, which as my hon Friend knows first hand, is at the heart of many rural communities in Scotland.We have recently concluded successful quota negotiations for 2024; delivered a two-year extension to visa exemptions for Salmon well-boat…

My Department is working with the Home Office, the FCDO, the Scottish Government and Scottish Universities to support the efforts of the Norgrove Foundation. This is a complex issue and discussions remain ongoing to determine what pathway might be available to the students.

The UK Government will invest £140m over 10 years into seven Scottish towns that have been overlooked.This will breathe new life into these communities and empower them to take back control of their future by tackling anti-social behaviour, regenerating high streets, and improving local…

Connectivity between the Scottish mainland and islands is essential to the livelihoods and well-being of our island communities.The Scotland Office routinely engages with stakeholders on this and other matters impacting our islands. Indeed, my Ministerial colleague, Lord Offord, attended the first…

The Government has taken decisive action to support households and businesses across the UK, including in Scotland, through the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bills Discount Scheme. In the face of retail energy costs that are expected to remain high through the spring largely due to the…

Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, the UK Government has committed more than five billion pounds to ensuring that remedial works are carried out as soon as possible to affected buildings in order to protect residents facing the most serious safety risks. The Scottish Government has received…

The Scotland Office takes issues raised by businesses very seriously indeed. That is why we have listened to the concerns of businesses, particularly small businesses, in relation to the Scottish Government's Deposit Return Scheme. I hope that the new First Minister and the Scottish Government will…

There are many benefits of leaving the EU for Scotland.These include the ability to agree new trade deals and strategic partnerships; to ensure that regulation fits the needs of Scotland and the entire UK; to control our fishing waters; and to improve the competitiveness of our economy whilst…

It is my firm view and assessment that the Chancellor’s Budget will have a positive impact for Scotland, by stimulating the economy, attracting investment and creating jobs.This is in addition to providing the Scottish Government with an extra £320m in the Spring Budget, an extra…

Defence spend contributes significantly to delivering thousands of high-skilled jobs and investment in Scotland, not least through shipbuilding at which we are a world leader. The latest figures show that in 2021/22, MoD expenditure with industry and commerce in Scotland totalled more than £2…

The Government is investing around £300 million into family support and start for life services following my Rt Hon Friend’s Early Years Review. This will transform family support and help every child to reach their full potential. I would welcome my Rt Hon Friend to join me to look at…

Scotland Office Ministers have regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence on all matters relating to defence in Scotland.This includes the critical role of our armed forces’ presence at our strategic bases in Scotland, RAF Lossiemouth and Faslane, which are vital to maintaining the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress has been made in the building of new business units in Coldstream as part of the Borderlands Growth Deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what comparative assessment he has made of the impact on the Scottish economy of Scotland having (a) one and (b) two freeports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government to encourage a UK-wide covid-19 vaccine certification mobile app.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the levels of co-operation of (a) the Scottish Government and (b) Transport Scotland in providing technical data to the Union Connectivity Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what staffing resource has been provided by the UK Government to Food Standards Scotland since the end of the transition period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to increase local engagement with the Union Connectivity Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what covid-19 testing sites have been made available in the Scottish Borders since the beginning of the outbreak; and how long those sites have been operational.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of taxation levels in each of the next five years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the £625 million allocated for compensating Equitable Life with-profits annuity holders has been spent up to and including 2024-25; and how much was originally forecast to be spent on a (a) cash and (b) discounted basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review (a) tax and (b) energy cost burdens facing small quarrying businesses in rural constituencies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policy on the triple lock for the State Pensions of the report by the International Monetary Fund entitled United Kingdom: 2025 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and…

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the National Farmers Union of Scotland on changes to Business Property Relief in the Autumn Budget 2024 since 30 October 2024.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much correspondence her Department has received from individuals making representations on proposed changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax since October 2024.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) letters, (b) emails and (c) other correspondence her Department has received supporting proposed changes to (i) Agricultural Property Relief and (ii) Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department of the potential impact of changes to employer national insurance contributions on Scotland’s retail sector.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2021 to Question 187297 on National Savings and Investments, what estimate he has made of the date on which the NS&I Green Savings Bond will be available to customers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the likelihood that the consultation on the pensions charge cap will lead to higher returns for savers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses are affected by the VAT reduction for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions in (a) the Scottish Borders and (b) in Scotland.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress has been made on the National Savings and Investment's green savings product; and whether the Government has plans to offer that product to savers in summer 2021.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much Gift Aid has been paid to charities in the Scottish Borders in each of the last three years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the Soft Drinks Industry Levy has raised since that Levy was introduced.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on freeports.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of compensating people who were unable to claim child benefit due to delays in receiving their child's birth certificate as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on strengthening the Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps the Government is taking to work with the Welsh Government to deliver the Veterans Strategy Action Plan 2022-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Welsh lamb industry of the end of US restrictions on the import of British lamb.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment the Government has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.