Live Scotland Questions House of Commons

appropriation, brackets, Main Estimates, close brackets, act 2017.

Motion for an unopposed return. Thank you. Questions to the

Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil. Mr one Byrne

number one, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I am sure you will graduate me in

congratulating Jamie Murray and Gordon Reid to once again ensuring

we had Scottish champions at Wimbledon, where your enthusiasm for

tennis was once again in evidence. Mr Speaker, the Barnett Formula

applies to changes in UK Government funding and will not be impacted by

Scottish Government decisions on public sector pay. Mr Speaker, his

constituents and mine have benefited from the SNP, ending the public

sector pay cap. The SNP voted to help public sector workers in

England and across the UK by voting to end that public sector pay cap

too, however Scottish Tory MPs voted against helping workers in England.

Given that the S are helping workers in his constituency and

mine, are he and his colleagues not ashamed of voting not to remove the

public sector pay cap in England to help those workers? What has he got

against English workers? Mr Speaker, you wouldn't think from that

question that since 2007, the SNP government in Scotland has been

responsible for public sector pay, during most of which a public sector

pay cap has applied. As far as I am aware, the SMT government have not

lifted the public pay freeze in Scotland. They have announced a

cultivation. Tommy Sheppard. Thank you Mr

Speaker, might I just place on record the Scottish women's football

team, to wish them best in their endeavours. I don't think the

Secretary of State fully appreciates the sense of grievance in

hard-working public sector workers in Scotland at the pay gap. -- pay

cap. Will he argue within the United Kingdom government of the same

policy? Can I first welcomed the honourable gentleman to his new

place, although when the new SNP leader here at Westminster said he

was reluctant, I didn't realise he would be reluctant to do Scottish

questions and downgrade Scottish questions. I am quite clear, Mr

Speaker, on this issue, that hard decisions have to be taken in the

sector pay. And if the Scottish Government in their responsibilities

are saying that they are going to increase public sector pay, they

have got to identify where those funds are coming from. Mr Speaker, I

thank the Secretary of State for his kind words... LAUGHTER

He and I will get on a lot better in this process if he does move the

courtesy of answering the question. I asked him to state his intention

to argue within cabinet and the British government to end the pay

cap in Scotland so that workers in Scotland in the public sector will

get the same rate of pay for the job whether they work for the Scottish

Government for his government. Mr Speaker I think I did answer the

honourable gentleman's question, I think the government has struck the

right balance, in terms of pay, and ensuring continued employment, and

we see that in Scotland with the lowest unemployment figures on

record. It is better that more people are in work in the public

sector than we had changed the public sector pay cap in previous

years. Lesley Laird. First of all, I would just like to add my best

wishes to the Scottish women's football team for the night. I would

also like to congratulate our tennis players for a wonderful tournament.

I think it is a pity, however, that the SNP have bounced Labour's

proposal on lifting the public sector pay cap in November. At my

question to the secretary of state is, can you tell me what assessment

has been made of the government's pay cap on the living standards of

public sector workers in Scotland? And does he share the view of the

Chancellor, who reported recently that public sector pay workers are

overpaid? Mr Speaker, can I begin by welcoming the honourable lady to her

place, and congratulate her on her success in the election. I also pay

my best wishes to herb predecessor, Dave Anderson, who was one of the

members who voluntarily left this Parliament at the last election, and

of course, as I should have, in relation to the honourable member's

question, I do pass on my best wishes to the Scottish women's

football team. I agree with the Chancellor on the basis that we have

struck the right balance in public sector pay, in terms of being able

to ensure that 200,000 public sector jobs were able to be maintained in

this period difficult fiscal conditions. I thank the Secretary of

State for that answer, but what is very clear here is that the

government on this issue isn't complete disarray. Very much like

the SNP, who claimed they will abandon the public sector, despite

voting it down by a proposal in May. Is it not the case that public

sector workers in Scotland are being let down by two weak and wobbly

governments, both with the wrong priorities, and that only a Labour

government has the policies and the political will to lift the public

sector pay cap, Van austerity and stand up for public sector workers

and stand up for Scotland? Mr Speaker, whilst I might be tempted

to agree with the honourable lady's comments on the SNP Scottish

Government, the position with Labour is absolutely clear, in that no

funds have been identified to increase public sector pay the stop

the IFF has made it very clear that if you want to make a real

difference on public sector pay, you have to do something that hits

everybody, which puts a penny or two on the rates of income tax or VAT or

something like that, you can't make a big difference just taxing the

rich. So the Labour Party in Scotland, here in Westminster, they

have the sound bites but they don't have the ability to deliver what

they are promising. I would like to answer questions

two, four, six and 15 together. We would continue to provide excellent

support to those seeking work and those who cannot work through a

network of offices which are modern, accessible and meet requirements. As

yet, no quality impact has been published, can the government said

when it is planning to? In making these decisions, the apartment has

fulfilled our duties under the equality act and pay Djourou guard

to the impact of proposals. Given that government cuts to social

security and sanctions for low-paid workers are due to increase demands

for job centres, does the Minister agree with me it is reckless and

perverse to close them down? Mr Speaker, I would like to reassure

the honourable gentleman that of course in looking forward to the

needs we will have on the future, of course we plan for the expected

demand on job centres and of course allow for some contingency in that.

I would like to reassure him the rate of sanctions has been coming

down. As we are in Scottish questions, particularly relative to

note that the sanction for Scotland is lower than it is in the rest of

the UK. May I ask the Minister if he and his colleagues will consider the

term in which the access fares allowance will be paid to members of

the DWP across Scotland? They now must forcefully move office. The

department has refused to use their discretion to pave the EFA for five

years, and will only cover staff for three years, which contrasts with

the previous decisions made by the department. Mr Speaker, we do think

we have a fair and reasonable approach to relocation. Of course we

are seeing some staff to move their office and we try to do every thing

we can to facilitate that. Part of that is providing the access fares

policy that he mentions, which is greater in its extent than in many

other organisations, and we do think it is a reasonable approach. Sandy

Martin. The Minister says that there is a lower level of sanctions in

Scotland. However, if a substantial number of the job centres are

closed, will it not make journey times and routes more complicated,

leading to an increase in mist apartment and an increase in

sanctions? What mitigating factors will Hill deal with in order to ring

deal with that? Missing an apartment or being late for an apartment

doesn't automatically result in a sanction. We expect people to make

reasonable efforts to make it to appointments. And, as I said before,

the rate of sanctions has been coming down, but we do expect people

to have time available, the entire working week available, to be

seeking work, that involves going to job interviews, and also involves

having time available to visit the job centre. If you are an

able-bodied person without children, that would be up to 35 hours a week,

if you have caring responsibilities, correspondingly less time available.

Can the Minister reforms to the -- and the Minister confirm reforms to

the DWP will not be to a reduction in front line staff? I can get that

the sugars and every part of the UK, including Scotland, we are looking

to increase the number front line staff -- I can give that assurance.

We will move on. It is clear the Minister has put no

convincing assurance about the maintenance of access to job centre

facilities in Glasgow and Scotland. We have only seen a commitment to

cut the number of job centres in Glasgow by six in areas where

unemployment is twice the national average and were 35% of people

cannot access IT facilities. There is a clear issue about the vision of

footprint and we have seen the citizens advice bureau offering a

service with community hops and council services. As the minister

giving conservative -- given consideration to those mitigating

factors or is it merely a cost of effort to abandon unemployed people

making it harder to access the services? We do look at

opportunities to Colgate or services with other public sector services

and third sector services and continue to look at those

opportunities -- co-locate. Specifically in job centres where we

are moving more than three miles and 20 minutes we're looking at new

outreach facilities or I would also like to mention in Glasgow claimant

count for unemployment has gone down by 42% since 2010.

I was not actually standing, Mr Speaker. Self-awareness is quite an

important quality in the house. With the honourable lady -- at the

honourable lady does not wish to participate it is quite all right.

Number three. With permission I will answer three,

five and 12 together. I hold regular discussions with my Cabinet

colleagues on a range of matters and the Scottish Government is

responsible for Scottish Government pay.

I would like to give the Secretary of State for the opportunity to

clarify his view on the reported comments of the Chancellor at the

weekend. Does he agree public sector workers are overpaid?

I think the honourable gentleman would have seen what the Chancellor

said on Sunday, he said there are areas in the public servers with

recruitment and retention is becoming an issue and areas where

public sector wages and private wages are getting out of kilter and

the other direction and it is important we have discussion on

those issues. Yesterday in this chamber the

Treasury minister declined to answer the question on the grounds it was

way above his pay grade. Should we not be grateful to our public sector

workers they do not take this attitude and isn't that high time

they got the pay rise they deserve? I freely acknowledge the

contribution public sector workers make here and in particular in

Scotland and also across the UK and of course we will carefully listen

when the pay boards, forward with their recommendations.

66% of public sector workers in Wales and other devolved countries

are women and I suspect that is higher in Scotland. In light of this

is the Secretary of State agree the public sector pay gap is not

fundamentally unsustainable and it's not only in living standards of

women and families but also damaging the economy.

-- eroding standards. We are all concerned with the gender pay gap

and figures released within the last hour by a public sector organisation

would suggest there are a very significant gender pay gap issues at

the BBC. I set out previously my position, it is for the Scottish

Government to determine pay in relation to Scottish Government

employees and the Government position has also been set out.

Number seven, Mr Speaker. It is perhaps remiss of me not to

welcome new members to this house from Scotland and elsewhere,

particularly when answering questions from one of the potential

Scottish fathers of the house. Since the vote to leave the EU last year I

spoke regularly with the Scottish fishermen 's Federation and most

recently met with them in Peterhead on the 16th of June. I emphasise to

them we will take Scotland out of the field common fisheries policy

and extend control of our waters up to 200 nautical miles or the median

line with nearby coastal states. I hope he will join me in welcoming

to the news the MSC credits North Sea cod again as sustainable. The

recovery programme for cod sorts of the best and worst examples of

fisheries management. The best were those measures that came from the

industry and had credibility with the industry. They would at the cod

recovery programme and take the best examples of fishery management to

inform future policy? I absolutely welcome the announcement in relation

to cod can come from we will indeed look to the industry to help shape

the future of that industry. One thing is clear, this Government will

take Scotland and the UK out of the painted common fisheries policy but

the SNP would take us right back in -- the hated common fisheries

policy. Well the whole Scottish fishing

industry, processors and catchers included, have the opportunity to be

represented in the design of a new fisheries policy?

I very much welcome my honourable friend to this house, as the MP for

one of the most important fishing constituencies in the UK, where he

will be a strong advocate. As he knows I have the opportunity when I

visited Peterhead to meet processors and I take on-board fully the

important in shaping the industry outside the common fisheries policy.

News has reached Westminster this secretary of state has a new deputy

in the House of Lords. Will he instruct his deputy to procure a

copy of the Brexit and devilish and report the House of Lords yesterday

published stating any event the Government does not secure a UK wide

agreement that adequately reflect Scotland's specific needs, including

fishing, there is a strong political and economic case for making

preferential agreements for Scotland. -- differential agreements

for Scotland. I hope you'll forgive me for

laughing when I hear the SNP stand up in this chamber and extol the

House of Lords, which on other occasion they are condemning. The

reference... Mr Doherty Hughes, despite the fact you are behind the

face of Mr Callan, I can tell what you are up to. You are behaving in

your usual outlanders manner from which I hope you will now desist.

There will be no need for the provision to which he makes

reference in any event. This United Kingdom Government will deliver a

good deal on Brexit for Scotland and the whole of the UK.

Number eight. DWP officials regularly engage with

local authorities and this can include exploring opportunities to

share accommodation. We are introducing 14 new such

arrangements, three in Scotland, which can bring benefits for

customers and colleagues and the taxpayer and we shall explore more

opportunities. Kevin Hugel" in number of job

centres in the city does he not think he should at least sit down

with Glasgow City Council, who are concerned, and organisations like

SAMH and and others will have to pick up the slack of this in

supporting people into work. The needs to have this discussion.

We will continue to work with local authorities and third sector

organisations but I must remind them before this changes the city of

Glasgow had the greatest number of job centres opened last city in the

UK and after these changes it will still have the greatest coverage of

job centres of any large city in the UK. Whilst he is having discussions

with the city of Glasgow council can he pick up the phone to the city of

Edinburgh Council and explain why he can find ?1.5 billion for the DUP

but not a solitary opponent for the Edinburgh city region deals?

-- solitary penny. I am told he may have excitement coming soon.

Number nine. With permission I will answer questions at nine, 11 and 14

together. Like previous Northern Ireland support packages, and city

deals in Scotland and Wales this funding is targeted intervention to

address a specific set of unique challenges. As was the case for

those previous interventions, this exceptional funding will be made

outside of the normal ongoing Barnett funding system. There is

excessive noise at the chamber. I know at least one teacher is in the

precinct of the Palace of observing our proceedings and I think she

would want there to be a seemly atmosphere.

The running total given by the UK Government to city deals in Scotland

since 2014 is already dwarfed by the sun is given about local government

and the Scottish Government. If ?1.5 billion can be found for the DUP

deal to all together this Government when will he find money for the Tay

city 's deal, and the Perth deal as well.

Mr Speaker, I am surprised at the honourable lady's tone because this

Government has committed to deliver city deals across Scotland, there

will evidently be some exciting news in relation to Edinburgh and I would

have thought she would have welcomed that, rather than simply

politicking. I would also like to put on record

my best wishes everyone in these benches for the football team and I

am wearing the colours, I hope you do not mind. At least to play

alongside two of the National players at university, there

football career has obviously done better than mine. Livingston in West

Lothian and a low proportion of public sector jobs in Scotland, the

private sector is strong, what with the loss of picture Marci jobs --

Hitchin Marci jobs, wealthy come to my constituency and face up to the

reality of those job closers or at least received a delegation, as is

his duty as Secretary of State? I would be very happy to meet with

the honourable lady. May I remind the Secretary of State

of his own words, he would not agree to anything that could be construed

as back door funding to Northern Ireland. As Scotland's

representative in the Cabinet to be expected to fight for fiscal

fairness for Scotland and not be short-changed. Did he provide any

representations to the Prime Minister before or after the deal

was signed's I take my responsibilities for fighting for

Scotland's fiscal priorities very seriously and that is why two years

ago when the honourable gentleman was walking through the lobbies to

deliver full fiscal freedom and a 9 billion black hole to Scotland, I

was voting to keep the Barnett Formula.

An right honourable friend update the house on the benefits the. East

of Scotland what the UK Government's Aberdeen City Deal and does he share

my concern about the delay in the SMB improving journey times between

Aberdeen and the Central belt -- delay in the SMP.

Can I welcome my friends back to his place and he, as a noted council in

Aberdeen, played a significant role in bringing together that Aberdeen

city region deal which has been such a boost to the north-east of

Scotland will stop I am disappointed to hear what he says about the

actions of the SNP Government but, sadly, not surprised.

The Secretary of State could not be clearer, I am not going to agree to

anything that could be construed as back door funding to Northern

Ireland. This is not just back door, this is locked away in secure

accommodation. Can he detail in full what representations he made to the

Prime Minister and did he offer any objections?

On the 8th of June the people of Scotland delivered their verdict as

to which party in this house stands up for Scotland and Scotland's

financial arrangements. Scottish Conservatives 12 additional MPs,

Scottish National Party, 21