Formal Minutes Nov. 06 2025
Committee: Scottish Affairs Committee (Department: Scotland Office)Oral Evidence Nov. 05 2025
Committee: Scottish Affairs Committee (Department: Scotland Office)Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the proposed closure of the Forth Valley College's campus at Alloa; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of such a closure on the delivery of Project Willow's objectives.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
While education policy is devolved to the Scottish Government, we recognise the importance of colleges to the economies and communities of Scotland’s towns and cities.
As the First Minister said at First Minister's Questions on 2 October, their Cabinet Secretary for Education is considering all options to protect the future of the Alloa campus. The Scotland Office continues to engage regularly with the Scottish Government on all matters relating to Grangemouth, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, alongside Minister Shanks, met with Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin on 21 October to discuss the progress of investment there.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The Scotland Office has not spent on social media advertising with influencers in the last five financial years.
The Office has spent the following on social media advertising over the past five financial years.
Financial Year | Organisation | Social media advertising spend |
2025/6 (to date) | Meta | 6,245 |
2024/5 | Meta | 17,725 |
2023/4 | Meta | 49,893 |
2022/3 | Meta | 39,818 |
2021/2 | Meta | 75,681 |
Asked by: Lord Cameron of Lochiel (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times (1) the Secretary of State for Scotland, and (2) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, met the Scottish Fishermen's Federation specifically to discuss the proposed fishing and coastal growth fund, and on what dates.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Decisions over how the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund is spent in Scotland are devolved, granting the Scottish Government discretion to allocate funding in line with local priorities and the specific circumstances of Scotland’s fishing and coastal communities. As fisheries overall is devolved, the Scottish Government also has an important role in engaging with industry and stakeholders.
The funds awarded sit in addition to the baseline funding provided to the Scottish Government through their block grant. The Scottish Government has received the biggest funding settlement since devolution, with Scotland generally receiving around 20% more per capita. This funding can be allocated to other priorities, including fisheries.
Asked by: John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The UK Government sees onshore wind as a key part of our clean energy ambitions. However, we are aware of the interference that onshore wind turbines can cause to seismological arrays, such as the one at Eskdalemuir, and the subsequent security concerns that this can create.
A key commitment of the UK Government’s Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy, published in July 2025, was to prioritise bringing forward a resolution to this issue. The UK Government has committed to consult on an updated methodology and guidance for the management of seismic interference, and we will also update the policy and regulations to ensure effective delivery. This consultation, which we intend to publish by the end of 2025, will also include consideration of whether legislation is required.
The UK Government is currently working closely with the Scottish Government and Wind Industry developers and supply chain companies to deliver these commitments, via the Eskdalemuir Working Group.
Asked by: John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The UK Government sees onshore wind as a key part of our clean energy ambitions. However, we are aware of the interference that onshore wind turbines can cause to seismological arrays, such as the one at Eskdalemuir, and the subsequent security concerns that this can create.
A key commitment of the UK Government’s Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy, published in July 2025, was to prioritise bringing forward a resolution to this issue. The UK Government has committed to consult on an updated methodology and guidance for the management of seismic interference, and we will also update the policy and regulations to ensure effective delivery. This consultation, which we intend to publish by the end of 2025, will also include consideration of whether legislation is required.
The UK Government is currently working closely with the Scottish Government and Wind Industry developers and supply chain companies to deliver these commitments, via the Eskdalemuir Working Group.
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the allocation of the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
I recognise Scotland’s key role in the UK fishing industry. The Scotland Office has engaged with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the allocation of the Fisheries and Coastal Fund. The funds awarded sit in addition to the baseline funding provided to the Scottish Government through their block grant. The Scottish Government has received the biggest funding settlement since devolution, with Scotland generally receiving around 20% more per capita. This funding can be allocated to other priorities, including fisheries.
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish fishing sector on the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund since 5cc Memb September 2025.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The Secretary of State for Scotland regularly engages with industry stakeholders in Scotland, including the fishing sector. Decisions over how the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund is spent in Scotland are devolved, granting the Scottish Government discretion to allocate funding in line with local priorities and the specific circumstances of Scotland’s fishing and coastal communities. As fisheries overall is devolved, the Scottish Government also has an important role in engaging with industry and other stakeholders.