Speeches by Murray.

“It is really important to be clear, Madam Chair, that the £5 billion reduction that has been touted is a £5 billion reduction in the increase, not £5 billion from the current Budget. That is why the impact on the Scottish budget is zero, in terms of what is being produced. Going forward, those figures will be announced…”

“You are probably going to be able to tell me, but it is probably somewhere in the region of 300,000.”

“It is higher than the rest of the UK.”

“You have answered your own question, if you don’t mind me saying, because adult disability payments are devolved. The funding of that is subsequently devolved. The decisions about adult disability payments in Scotland lie with the Scottish Government, not the UK Government. Therefore, the certainty you are demanding fo…”

“The answer to that question depends on which is the higher, but I would have thought that linking it to inflation means that over the course of time it maintains its value, rather than being linked to something that might be lower than inflation and decreasing in value. I would have thought that that would have a real …”

“Essentially, all 12 growth deals that now cover the whole part of Scotland are fully funded. Obviously, all 12 have moved at different paces; some are still struggling a little while others are actually coming to maturity. That funding over that period of time will be drawn down as and when is required.”

“Yes and no. The city growth deals are the 12 individual deals that were put together in partnership between the UK Government, the Scottish Government, local government and third-party stakeholders, universities and the private sector. The levelling-up funding is slightly separate to that for different projects that ar…”

“I could not possibly tell Madam Chair how to run the Committee, but the SFA has a wonderful presentation of the 104 pitches and facilities that it has done already, right across Scotland, from the very tip of Shetland right down to the borders. This £8.6 million, along with the plans that it has through the SFA, will b…”

“I had the most tremendous answer for you as well, but the bells beat me.”

“I heard it was six.”

“Yes.”

“It is a great pleasure to be back at the Scottish Affairs Committee. I am sorry the democratic process has delayed us somewhat, but we are very delighted to be here. Of course, we are joined by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Kirsty McNeill, and our director of the Scotland Office, Laurence Rockey. In terms of …”

“I would be very cautious about a number of things. One would be undermining the longevity of the Barnett formula, in terms of what it does in the Scottish context. We know the figures are quite clear that it is £120 in Scotland for £100 in the rest of the United Kingdom, so that is a clear issue. In order for a needs-b…”

“When I read that evidence, Madam Chair, I was quite shocked, actually. Of course, 40% of Scotland’s budget is actually self-financed through income tax and the other devolved parts: council tax and so on, income tax being the big one. I was shocked to read that that was the Scottish Government’s proposal, because I tho…”

“Obviously, it was part of the Smith Agreement in the 2016 Scotland Act and therefore something to be implemented. Both Governments are working very closely together to try to implement this. It is hugely complicated. The priority has been given to getting other taxation elements, including the aggregates levy, over the…”

“Is it part of the £1.4 billion additional? I think it is. Laurence, is that correct?”

“The Scottish Government and SNP Members seem to think that defending the defence industry is done on Twitter. This Government inherited not just a fiscal crisis but an industrial one, because we have had well over 10 years without a clear industrial strategy. I was pleased recently to meet the chair of the Industrial S…”

“Sorry, Mr Speaker. I lost the thread of that question about halfway through, but one thing I did take from it is that it was absolutely identical to the question from the Tory shadow Secretary of State. That tells you all you need to know.”

“I am very surprised the hon. Gentleman did not take the opportunity to apologise for his Twitter rantings at the weekend on foreign policy with regards to the Prime Minister. He said: “The UK has left itself in an utterly isolated position.” I think the hon. Gentleman left himself in an utterly isolated position. This …”

“Scottish universities punch above their weight internationally. They are one of the jewels in the crown of the Scottish economy, and of the Scottish and UK education system. Of course, Edinburgh University is the best university in the world—the House would expect me to say that as the MP in Edinburgh and as an alumnus…”