Speeches by Murray.

“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…”

“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?”

“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?”

“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.”

“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 …”

“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?”

“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…”

“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…”

“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…”

“What opportunities do you see the defence industrial strategy bringing to Scotland specifically?”

“Mr Malcolm, you have spoken before about the influence of the Scottish Government in this sector and the situation as it exists just now. After the Scottish election, if there is perhaps a coalition between the SNP and the Greens, what impact do you think that will have on the confidence of defence companies to come in…”

“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…”

“Do you think the UK Government are learning a lesson from this experience?”

“Earlier, we touched on skills training and reskilling. Do you think the Scottish Government are investing enough in the capacity of the area to reskill and upskill workers?”

“Ms Stevenson, how is this going to impact the local community and local businesses?”

“Ms Stevenson, what lessons can be learned from the closure of Mossmorran at this early stage? Is there anything particular that you would suggest could have been anticipated?”

“Is there connectivity for people to travel from that area to work in other locations?”

“Yes, that as well, because we know there is a general shortage of industrial trades and skills in Scotland. But now that there is potentially an additional number of people who will need to be retrained, do the Scottish Government recognise that there need to be the facilities and resources to do that?”