The UK Government has committed to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with plans to reach 3% in the next Parliament. Given Scotland’s significant role in the UK’s defence sector, this inquiry will explore how Scotland’s economy and job market can benefit, particularly through the creation of …
Asked by: Patricia Ferguson (Labour - Glasgow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the the potential impact of the contract to supply Norway with Type 26 frigates on Scotland's economy.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
This is the biggest British warship export deal in history and is a huge vote of confidence in the strength of our defence industry and in Scotland’s shipbuilding capability.
This strategic partnership with Norway will sustain more than 4,000 jobs, of which more than 2,000 are in Scotland, for at least 15 years. It is expected to benefit many UK suppliers, including Scottish small and medium enterprises.
Report Oct. 24 2025
Committee: Scottish Affairs Committee (Department: Scotland Office)Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of net zero policies on Scotland's oil and gas sector.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
I’m due to be in Aberdeen next week to meet a range of North Sea oil and gas operators.
The Government is clear that Scotland’s oil and gas industry will remain part of our energy system for decades to come.
We are also strengthening our energy security and making Scotland home to the green jobs of the future by investing in homegrown clean power through GB Energy.
GB Energy is already investing in Scottish renewables. This includes an investment of £200 million in solar and renewable energy projects on public buildings across the country, and in June, GB Energy also pledged £300 million of investment in offshore wind supply chains, as part of a £1 billion package in collaboration with industry and the Crown Estate.
Asked by: Ashley Fox (Conservative - Bridgwater)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of net zero policies on Scotland's oil and gas sector.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
I’m due to be in Aberdeen next week to meet a range of North Sea oil and gas operators.
The Government is clear that Scotland’s oil and gas industry will remain part of our energy system for decades to come.
We are also strengthening our energy security and making Scotland home to the green jobs of the future by investing in homegrown clean power through GB Energy.
GB Energy is already investing in Scottish renewables. This includes an investment of £200 million in solar and renewable energy projects on public buildings across the country, and in June, GB Energy also pledged £300 million of investment in offshore wind supply chains, as part of a £1 billion package in collaboration with industry and the Crown Estate.
Asked by: John Cooper (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of visits abroad by Scottish Government Ministers on UK trade policy.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Hon Gentleman, not the Scottish Government, can be assured that it is the UK Government that has delivered trade deals with India, the United States, the European Union. As the former trade policy Minister, I have some experience in these matters.
In every negotiation there is give and take. The President does not give gifts, he does deals and the negotiating counterpart of the United States is the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether their Department has run any (a) recruitment and (b) internship schemes aimed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups in the workforce in the last year.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
All staff that join the Scotland Office, do so on an assignment, loan or secondment from other Government bodies, principally the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government, who remain the employers. As such, the Scotland Office actively participates with the employers in any recruitment and internship schemes aimed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups in the workforce.
In the past year, the Scotland Office has participated in the Civil Service Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme.