Asked by: Alister Jack (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution to the economy of (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) Scotland of the Port of Cairnryan.
Answered by David Mundell
Dumfries and Galloway are one of five local authority partners who have jointly submitted a proposition for the Borderlands Growth Deal. The Borderlands proposition has been developed to tackle the economic challenges across the area, need for population growth, and improved productivity all within the context of the emerging economy.
Whilst Dumfries and Galloway’s economy was worth nearly £3 billion in 2016, 2.2% of Scottish total, the economic output per person was lower than the average across Scotland (£24,876), at £19,826. It is positive that Dumfries and Galloway outperforms the national average in terms of labour market outcomes. Employment rate in Dumfries and Galloway stood at 76.1% in the year to end September 2017 (73.9% in Scotland overall). Unemployment stood at 3.3% (4.3% in Scotland overall).
The Borderlands Growth Deal proposition also calls for investment in transport infrastructure to create a platform for inclusive growth, this includes the upgrading of the A75 as part of the “South West Scotland and Northern Ireland Strategic Growth Corridor” and a proposal to duel the A75 from Dumfries to the M74. This would further support traffic going to the Port of Cairnryan, which provides crucial ferry services to Belfast.
Asked by: Alister Jack (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps his Department is taking to attract Foreign Direct Investment to Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scotland Office works closely with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to promote investment opportunities in Scotland to a global audience. Next week I will travel to Hong Kong and Japan to promote trade and investment opportunities for businesses in Scotland.
As part of the UK Government’s goal to rebalance the UK economy, we are ensuring that foreign investors know about the strengths of all parts of the UK, including Scotland. DIT, through contracted partners from the Investment Services Team (IST), owns and manages the national pipeline of potential investments into the UK. These are sourced from staff posted overseas in the UK’s diplomatic and consular network across the globe in over 100 markets.
DIT reports that in 2016-17, Scotland secured 183 FDI projects, creating around 5,500 jobs. This is the best ever performance by Scotland and shows an increase of 75 projects compared to the previous year.
Asked by: Alister Jack (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on export opportunities for Scottish businesses in trade agreements with other countries after the UK has left the EU.
Answered by David Mundell
I am in regular discussions with the Secretary of State for International Trade on a number of matters, especially how to support promote Scottish exports both now and after the UK has left the European Union.
The UK Government is committed to developing a UK trade policy that benefits business, workers and consumers across the whole of the UK. The Scotland Office engages regularly with the Department for International Trade and promotes the interests of Scottish businesses as the Government explores the best ways of progressing our trade and investment relationships.
Asked by: Alister Jack (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps his Department is taking to support an increase in the number of apprenticeship opportunities in Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
The UK Government has set an ambitious target of 3 million apprenticeship starts in England by 2020. In Scotland, Skills Policy is devolved, therefore the provision of apprenticeship opportunities is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.
The UK Government have also provided funding to the Scottish Government through an increase in the block grant from the Apprenticeship Levy, implemented on the 6th April 2017. Devolved Administrations receive a population share of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s apprenticeship levy forecast. The Scottish Government decide how to allocate this funding to their devolved responsibilities.
The Jobcentre Plus network in Scotland also promotes the many benefits of apprenticeships to both employers and claimants.
Asked by: Alister Jack (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has a role in the (a) administration, (b) funding and (c) running of Scotland House, Victoria Embankment, London.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scotland Office has no role in the administration, funding or running of Scotland House, Victoria Embankment, London.
Asked by: Alister Jack (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps his Department is taking to support trade links between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Answered by David Mundell
The UK Government is committed to building an economy that works for the whole of our United Kingdom, and our Industrial Strategy is a vital part of that plan.
The Scotland Office has been working closely with other UK Government departments, including the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Northern Ireland Office to shape that strategy.
The Scotland Office has also been engaging with stakeholders across Scotland, to ensure that this Strategy aligns with the strategic priorities of Scotland, maximising opportunities to boost trade and investment opportunities across the whole of the UK.