Speeches by Murray.

“What you quite clearly said is that you are going to start the investment, work towards increasing that and produce a plan that justifies that further investment going forward.”

“That sounds really promising. The Scottish Government are funding this £14.2 million, and they have said they will fund it over two years. How is that progressing? How much have they funded so far?”

“Moving to the shipyard itself, Holyrood's Public Audit Committee has said that Ferguson Marine needs £25 million of investment to modernise the shipyard. Do you think that that is an accurate figure?”

“Would that give us an international competitive edge?”

“Do you think that that is an opportunity for both Governments—UK and Scottish—to help us?”

“What more can Government do to help shipbuilders with better finance and guarantees, and is there any opportunity for policy and regulation changes to help? You mentioned some of the novel fuels that are coming through, but is the industry looking forward to technology like nuclear power for maritime vehicles, and is t…”

“How effective has the Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme been in helping the civilian side of the industry?”

“I thank the hon. Member for Stroud (Dr Opher) for bringing such an important debate. I feel strongly about this matter, having trained as a dietician, and I understand the implications that a poor diet in early life can have for a child’s future. From health outcomes to educational outcomes, poor nutrition has a seriou…”

“I thank the hon. Member for Salford (Rebecca Long Bailey) for championing the cause of WASPI women, who have been utterly failed by successive Governments. I will not repeat what others have said, but it is clear that the Government should act on the ombudsman’s report after the maladministration of the DWP. I have spo…”

“T9. Following the Pensions Minister’s response to me about pensioner living standards, what specific measures announced in the Government’s pensions reforms will support pre-1997 defined benefit pensioners, who currently receive a minimal or no annual uplift?”

“We know how vital UK Government support is for Scotland’s launch sector, but public funding is lower in the UK compared with Europe. To what extent does the current level of UK Government support match the scale of the opportunity that is presented?”

“The increase in employer’s national insurance is not just hitting small businesses; it is hitting the charitable sector as well, where they are not employing people, and where they are losing jobs. That sector is the sector that, broadly, will help people back into jobs. You are creating a perfect storm where small loc…”

“The Committee has visited the spaceport and it is clear that transport links are one of the biggest challenges for the growth of the site, so what can the UK Government do to ensure that Scotland’s transport infrastructure supports the potential growth for all industries in Scotland?”

“We are aware that Scotland is facing increasing international competition on space launch. To what extent is the UK at risk of losing its first mover advantage? How can the UK Government ensure we excel in leading on this opportunity?”

“Moving on, how do you respond to the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland’s analysis that the average increase of 1.1% per year in the block grant is unlikely to meet Scotland’s ongoing fiscal challenges?”

“To some extent you have answered the next question, but do you see it as part of your role to secure a settlement that meets Scotland’s longer-term and structural fiscal challenges?”

“The hon. Gentleman is correct. Even in my constituency of Mid Dunbartonshire, we have dark spots where people cannot access wi-fi. That is an important point. A vital local resource, banks allow people to deposit cash and cheques, withdraw their money or check their details, and get help from staff. To allow the closur…”

“I thank the right hon. Member for making a good point for the Minister to consider. The closure of branches and their replacement with only 350 hubs represents nothing more than big banks trying to increase their profits further at the expense of their customers. That is not just a mild inconvenience; it presents a ser…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond. I thank the hon. Member for South West Hertfordshire (Mr Mohindra) for securing this important debate. I begin by acknowledging that my constituency does not fall within the boundaries of Hertfordshire; it is slightly further north. However, as we have heard,…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Vickers, and I thank the hon. Member for Mid Leicestershire (Mr Bedford) for securing this important debate. Small and medium-sized enterprises are not just crucial to our economy; they are its lifeblood, driving innovation, employment and local growth. In my consti…”