Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Bowie this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 341 · this parliament
When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Transport Scotland.
Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.
When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.
When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.
Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.
When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of applying the duty-free allowance to people departing from Great Britain to the European Union.
Allowances are generally not applied to outbound passengers. Instead, goods will be taxed upon arrival in the destination country (subject to any duty free allowances available in that country).Inbound passengers to the UK are usually entitled to duty free allowances, which allow them to bring in goods up to certain limits without paying UK taxes, providing they are for personal use or to be gifted. Details of those allowances can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain
What estimate she has made of the revenue which would be accrued from applying Duty Free allowances to people departing from Great Britain to the European Union.
Allowances are generally not applied to outbound passengers. Instead, goods will be taxed upon arrival in the destination country (subject to any duty free allowances available in that country).Inbound passengers to the UK are usually entitled to duty free allowances, which allow them to bring in goods up to certain limits without paying UK taxes, providing they are for personal use or to be gifted. Details of those allowances can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain
How much her Department has spent on accommodation for asylum seekers by Scottish local authority.
This Government inherited an asylum system under exceptional strain, with tens of thousands of people stuck in limbo without any prospect of having their claims processed. At their peak use under the previous government, in the autumn of 2023, more than 400 asylum hotels were being leased by the Home Office, at a cost of almost £9 million a day.We took immediate action to resolve that chaos by restarting asylum processing, establishing the new Border Security Command to tackle the people-smuggling gangs, cracking down on illegal working across the country, and increasing the return and removal of people with no right to be here.Inevitably, due to the size of the backlog we inherited, the Government has been forced to continue with the use of hotels for the time being. This is not a permanent solution, and the small increase in the number in use at the end of last year was just a temporary but necessary step to manage pressures in the system, which is now in the process of being reversed. The number of hotels in use at present is 218. Since the General Election, there has been a net increase of six hotels in use; however, nine are scheduled for closure by the end of March 2025. It remains our absolute commitment to end the use of hotels over time, as part of our reduction in overall asylum accommodation costs. In the interim, we are also continuing to increase our operational activity against smuggling gangs and illegal working, and we have increased returns to their highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed in the first six months this government was in office. Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). This Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly, including reviewing all spending to ensure the best value for money for the British taxpayer.
What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of floating offshore wind farms on the Scottish fishing industry.
The UK and Scottish Governments share the ambition for Scotland to lead and fully benefit from the clean energy transition. But this change needs to be managed responsibly and in dialogue with a range of industries. Marine planning and fisheries are devolved matters and it is therefore for the Scottish Government to determine the optimal balance between the two, in line with their broader priorities. My Department remains in contact with Scotland’s fishing industry and the Scottish Government on a range of issues, as we manage the transition to net zero.
Whether she has made an assessment of the impact of changes to Agricultural Property Relief on Scottish farms.
The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that involve AIM shares. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected by these reforms. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on new nuclear power stations in Scotland.
New nuclear power stations will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. This Labour Government was elected on a promise to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector, including through Small Modular Reactors. The Scottish Government is responsible for energy consenting in Scotland, and is opposed to building new nuclear power stations using current technologies. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are committed to working closely with its ministers, to ensure communities in Scotland can benefit from this essential transition.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) reduce bureaucracy on and (b) help increase the competitiveness in international markets of Scotland's seafood industry.
Fisheries and marine policy are devolved matters and therefore for the Scottish Government to determine within Scotland. Promoting Scotland internationally is one of the Scotland Office’s four priorities. As demonstrated through the Secretary of State for Scotland’s recent trip to Southeast Asia, the Brand Scotland programme is all about championing Scotland's leading industries and export products in international markets, such as Scottish seafood. Meanwhile this government is developing a long-overdue industrial strategy, working to attract investment, and looking at measures to ensure regulation is proportionate and helps support businesses in Scotland and across the UK.
What discussions she has had with the National Farmers Union of Scotland on changes to Agricultural Property Relief in the Autumn Budget 2024 since 30 October 2024.
The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. The Government takes into account all representations, and HM Treasury officials and Ministers meet with stakeholders on a regular basis.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to balance the development of offshore renewable energy projects with the sustainability of Scotland’s fishing industry.
The UK and Scottish Governments share the ambition for Scotland to lead and fully benefit from the clean energy transition. But this change needs to be managed responsibly and in dialogue with a range of industries. Marine planning and fisheries are devolved matters and it is therefore for the Scottish Government to determine the optimal balance between the two, in line with their broader priorities. My Department remains in contact with Scotland’s fishing industry and the Scottish Government on a range of issues, as we manage the transition to net zero.
Whether he has had recent discussions with the Scottish fishing industry on negotiations with the EU on access to British waters by EU fishing vessels.
My Department is in regular contact with Scotland’s fishing industry and the Scottish Government on a range of issues. My colleagues at Defra are also committed to engaging with fisheries stakeholders across the UK, and to co-delivering its policies and programmes in partnership with them. We will also always listen to what the EU has to say on the matter, but we are absolutely determined to protect the interests of our fishers, including in Scotland, and continue to fulfil our international commitments to protect the marine environment.
What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion power plant at West Burton.
On 16 January 2025, the Government announced £410m of investment to accelerate development of fusion energy. This is to fund UK fusion programmes in 2025-2026, including STEP. On the same day, UKIFS – the UKAEA subsidiary that will deliver STEP – announced the shortlist of construction and engineering partners selected for the next stage of the STEP procurement process. Contracts for successful bidders are set to be awarded by early 2026. By involving private industry early, the programme will maximise development of the fusion supply chain and adjacent sectors. Other progress in recent months includes the formal transfer of the programme’s leadership to the delivery body, UKIFS.
What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on new Small Modular Reactors in Scotland.
New nuclear power stations will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. This Labour Government was elected on a promise to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector, including through Small Modular Reactors. The Scottish Government is responsible for energy consenting in Scotland, and is opposed to building new nuclear power stations using current technologies. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are committed to working closely with its ministers, to ensure communities in Scotland can benefit from this essential transition.
What discussions she has had with Aberdeenshire Council on increases in Employers National Insurance contributions in the Autumn Budget.
The Government takes into account all representations made ahead of the Budget, and meets with stakeholders on a regular basis, including officials and ministers from the Scottish Government. Funding for local authorities in Scotland, including support for additional employer National Insurance Contribution (NICs) costs falls under the devolved responsibilities of the Scottish Government. At Autumn Budget 2024, we set aside funding for public sector employers for additional NICs costs. This includes funding for the Scottish Government through the usual application of the Barnett formula. Funding resulting from the employer NICs policy change will be in addition to the £47.7 billion the Scottish Government is receiving in 2025-26, which already includes an additional £3.4 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula. This settlement is the largest in real terms since devolution. Decisions on devolved priorities, including local authority funding, are a matter for the Scottish Government. It is for the Scottish Government to determine how to allocate its budget across devolved areas and it is accountable to Scottish Parliament for these decisions.
When he expects the final investment decision to be taken in relation to Sizewell C.
A final investment decision on whether to proceed with the Sizewell C project will be taken in Phase 2 of the Spending Review.
What discussions she has had with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on increases to Employers' National Insurance contributions in the Autumn Budget.
The Government takes into account all representations made ahead of the Budget, and meets with stakeholders on a regular basis, including officials and ministers from the Scottish Government. Funding for local authorities in Scotland, including support for additional employer National Insurance Contribution (NICs) costs falls under the devolved responsibilities of the Scottish Government. At Autumn Budget 2024, we set aside funding for public sector employers for additional NICs costs. This includes funding for the Scottish Government through the usual application of the Barnett formula. Funding resulting from the employer NICs policy change will be in addition to the £47.7 billion the Scottish Government is receiving in 2025-26, which already includes an additional £3.4 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula. This settlement is the largest in real terms since devolution. Decisions on devolved priorities, including local authority funding, are a matter for the Scottish Government. It is for the Scottish Government to determine how to allocate its budget across devolved areas and it is accountable to Scottish Parliament for these decisions.
What plans his Department has for the Bradwell nuclear site.
The Bradwell site is privately owned, and it would be for the owner to set out their plans for the site.