Speeches by Murray.

“So basically you are saying that we develop Scotland because it is a good business case.”

“Not really. I think the question has been answered in the fact that they do not have the figures yet. We will have to give them some time.”

“I note that your expenditure on radio is staying flat, so it will be really interesting to hear what the listening figures are in due course, once you get a chance to get a realistic—”

“For full disclosure, I had a very informative visit to BBC Scotland—thank you for that—and I am a huge consumer of BBC radio and of Sounds, as opposed to iPlayer. I do not seem to have enough time for television at the moment. The BBC has recently decided to overhaul “Good Morning Scotland”, the radio programme that is…”

“4. What recent steps he has taken to establish a digital identity system.”

“I welcome the Government’s U-turn on digital identity cards, but they must go further. We are now looking at a largely redundant system that is expected to cost nearly £2 billion. Will the Minister explain why this is the best use of public money and whether he agrees that the resources would be better directed to tack…”

“How can small businesses work with local authorities and communities to achieve this? You have argued in written evidence that local authorities need to do more to get local businesses' buy-in for regeneration initiatives. How do you think that can happen in practice?”

“How do your members feel about BIDs locally?”

“I am interested in those three steps, particularly the move from the garage or the van to taking a premises. We talk about how the high street will thrive on person-to-person contact and we have the nail bars, salons and these sorts of things. How do your members feel about people who are actually now moving from emplo…”

“Do you think there is going to be a problem in the future with schemes that cannot be removed because of the way that they are funded as pots of money?”

“We have heard you mentioning the town centre development, working across different groups, people working together, local councils and who is in charge. Local councils are clearly under a lot of different pressures at the same time. Of course, an issue that always comes up is parking charges. Do you feel that that is i…”

“Do you think that the Scottish Government’s town centre policy framework provides a helpful foundation for Scotland’s high streets to thrive? Are there any particular aspects of the policy environment in Scotland that may be different from the rest of the UK and create a more or less favourable environment on the high …”

“I am the MP for Mid Dunbartonshire where we have Kirkintilloch, which is quite well known for having a town centre redevelopment scheme that was funded by the Scottish Government. All over Mid Dunbartonshire, I am hearing exactly the feedback reflecting the comments that Professor Sparks was making about the environmen…”

“It has been mentioned in your answers but perhaps we could drill down a little on whether high streets across Scotland are facing the same challenges or there are differences depending on their geography and their location or are any other factors.”

“Can I just continue on that theme, Professor Sparks? Since you led the review of Scotland’s town centre action plan in 2021, how much progress do you think has been made on the recommendations?”

“What contribution can small businesses make to sustaining and revitalising high streets?”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Christopher. The SI updates UK social security law to reflect changes made by the Scottish Government to carer benefits, and accounts for updates to the carer support payment, which replaces the carer’s allowance in Scotland, and two new Scottish carer payments: the c…”

“Since the horrific attacks of 7 October 2023, we have seen a sharp and sustained increase in antisemitic abuse in Britain. Last year, a report commissioned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews found widespread failures to address anti-Jewish discrimination across public life, including in the NHS, education, the ar…”

“I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Manuela Perteghella) for securing this important debate. The covid-19 pandemic was undoubtedly one of the most impactful and damaging events to unfold in our lifetimes. Being told to stay inside was incredibly difficult for everyone; people were unable to see lov…”

“I congratulate the Government on the successful seventh round of the allocation of green energy in contracts for difference, nearly 20% of which are going to Scotland. It is good to see that, even amid their U-turns, a Liberal Democrat system from over a decade ago is still delivering. What discussions has the Secretar…”