Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the seafood sector in Scotland.
Answered by John Lamont - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government is committed to supporting our seafood sector, which as my hon Friend knows first hand, is at the heart of many rural communities in Scotland.
We have recently concluded successful quota negotiations for 2024; delivered a two-year extension to visa exemptions for Salmon well-boat crew; consulted on changes to medical certification for those already working at sea; and are supporting the industry following changes to immigration policy.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions his Department had had with representatives of the Scottish Government on future financial support for the expansion of the Scottish fisheries sector after the UK leaves the common fisheries policy.
Answered by David Mundell
The UK Government is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government on various matters in relation to fisheries as we look ahead to the opportunities for the Scottish fishing sector when we leave the Common Fisheries Policy. In December, the UK Government announced an extra £37.2 million of funding to boost the existing EMFF programme, to help the fishing industry prepare for the opportunities coming its way. This will equate to around £16.4 million for Scotland. It will be for the Scottish Government to decide how this is spent through the existing EMFF mechanism.
Asked by: David Duguid (Conservative - Banff and Buchan)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress has been made in the devolution of cold weather payments to the Scottish Government.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scottish Parliament have had legislative competence for cold weather payments since May 2017. DWP’s responsibility for cold weather payments in Scotland will transfer to Scottish Ministers from April 2020. We are awaiting details of how the Scottish Government intend to deliver their new scheme.