Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dave Doogan and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 4th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) (SNP)]

Unbelievably, the Secretary of State has just doubled down, in the House, on the falsehood that he advanced on 21 July on “Channel 4 News” that pollution levels are worse in Scotland than they are in England. I am sure that the Secretary of State does not want to mislead the House. Will he take the opportunity to correct the record—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. “Falsehood” is not a word we would use. I am sure more constructive wording could be used.

[Dave Doogan]

Thank you for your guidance, Mr Speaker.

The Secretary of State has inadvertently advanced the same argument that he did on 21 July on “Channel 4 News”. Will he clarify that pollution levels under publicly owned Scottish Water are substantially better than those under privately owned English water companies? Will he recognise that Scottish bill payers pay lower bills and that Scottish Water’s borrowing is sustainable and consistent with the value and quality of Scotland’s water?

Business of the House

Debate between Dave Doogan and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 12th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) (SNP)]

When the Bank of Scotland branch closes later this year in Pitlochry, the town will desperately need a banking hub. That is why I was disappointed that the independent assessor and Link assessed only access to cash, not access to banking. I challenged Link on that, and it said that that is because of the mandate set for it by the Financial Conduct Authority; so I challenged the FCA on that, and it said that that is because of the regulatory framework in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; so I challenged the Treasury on that and asked it to change its regulatory framework and imposition on the FCA. The Treasury said it will not do that. In opposition, Labour tabled an amendment to the Financial Services and Markets Bill that would have mandated a survey of access to banking services, not just access to cash. Can we have a debate in Government time about how we fix this utter guddle?

[Mr Speaker]

We have just had the debate!

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dave Doogan and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 4th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The Minister gives a very good answer to a non-question.

[Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) (SNP)]

We can listen to the braying of Labour MPs from Scotland or we can look at the fact that the Scottish economy grew 12% more than the UK economy in 2024. That is because of the SNP Scottish Government’s forensic focus on making Scotland the most attractive place in the UK for foreign direct investment year after year, having a progressive taxation system, rewarding our public sector workers properly and investing in our communities. What difference does the Minister think agricultural property relief and business property relief will have on the Scottish economy—positive or negative?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dave Doogan and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 5th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dave Doogan]

That’s the same answer you gave the last time.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr Doogan, I want no more.