Oral Answers to Questions

Aphra Brandreth Excerpts

Wednesday 9th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ian Murray]

The energy profits levy was brought in by the former Energy Minister in the previous Government, who just so happens to be sitting across from me at the Dispatch Box today. We have the North sea transition consultation, which has closed. That sets out the pathway to a just transition in the North sea, which will protect jobs, and we want to get to clean power by 2030. Those are the jobs and the careers of the future, but that transition has to take those jobs with it.

[Aphra Brandreth (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Con)]

5. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on supporting Scottish agriculture.

[John Cooper (Dumfries and Galloway) (Con)]

14. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on supporting Scottish agriculture.

[Aphra Brandreth]

Like farmers in my constituency of Chester South and Eddisbury, farmers in Scotland feel let down by this Government’s disregard for agriculture and the countryside. We have seen Labour look the other way as the Scottish Government have delivered real-terms cuts to the agriculture budget. The Scottish Conservatives have set out a clear, multi-year plan to give farmers the certainty they need. Will the Secretary of State urge the First Minister to back that plan, which has strong support from the farming community, and help reverse the damage done to Scottish agriculture and our food security?

[Kirsty McNeill]

The Scottish Government have been given a record settlement in the devolution era, and it is for the devolved Governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit. They are accountable to their own legislatures and, indeed, the Scottish public. That is a key principle of devolution, and this Labour Government will respect it.