Oral Answers to Questions

Elaine Stewart Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Foody (Cramlington and Killingworth) (Lab/Co-op)]

6. What steps she is taking to provide regional funding.

[Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

13. What steps she is taking to provide regional funding.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)]

I am very sorry to see your leg in such a way, Mr Speaker.

We are committed to driving growth everywhere. The Budget ensured that Scottish public services are fairly funded, with an extra £820 million for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula, on top of a record settlement in June this year. We are also investing in transport for city regions, and investing £5 billion in deprived neighbourhoods through the Pride in Place programme, with some of that money going to Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Rachel Reeves]

My hon. Friend has been a tireless campaigner for the Moor Farm roundabout, which holds back both commuters and businesses, and therefore both growth and prosperity. I will continue to work with her on this. I know that the roundabout is now being properly considered for inclusion in the road investment strategy and I would be happy to meet her to discuss that further.

[Elaine Stewart]

The Ayrshire growth deal, which was allocated £103 million of UK Government funds, has the potential to make a real difference to our economic prospects. Despite its clear potential, though, delivery on the ground remains far too slow in turning around real progress. What action can the UK Government take to drive momentum, sharpen the strategic direction of the deal and ensure that Ayrshire finally sees the benefits of this investment?

[Rachel Reeves]

This Labour Government are investing more than £250 million in economic development and regeneration in Ayrshire, including but not limited to the Ayrshire growth deal. My hon. Friend is a great champion of Ayrshire, and I look forward to working with her and my good friend Anas Sarwar in the months and years ahead to deliver for the people of Ayrshire and those right across Scotland.

Financial Inclusion

Elaine Stewart Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd October 2025 Westminster Hall

[Martin Rhodes]

I agree that the financial inclusion strategy is a very welcome step in developing, co-ordinating and implementing interventions to support financial inclusion in the UK.

Subsequent policy decisions stemming from the strategy will have to work for a broad range of groups in society. Many face financial exclusion for different reasons, including older people, disabled people and young people.

[Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important subject. In Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, 30,000 adults—40% of the population—are financially vulnerable. That is higher than the national average, and it is hitting older residents and carers especially hard. There are too many forgotten families struggling to access credit, savings and insurance. The upcoming financial inclusion strategy is a vital chance to make a change. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need to work with the Government to ensure that those communities have the financial safety nets they need to thrive?

[Martin Rhodes]

I agree that we need to make sure that all communities have access to financial services, wherever they are and whoever they are. Everybody needs access to those services. I will welcome hearing from the Minister later about the financial inclusion strategy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Elaine Stewart Excerpts

Tuesday 4th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

I agree that we need to get a grip of the welfare budget, which got out of control under the previous Conservative Government. Frankly, I am not going to take lectures from the Conservative party, which crashed the economy. Let me remind the House what the right hon. Gentleman said about the disastrous mini-Budget:

“I share entirely the free-market ideology that underpins the Chancellor’s statement…The Chancellor was right to be radical.”

He added:

“I rejoice at the two fingers the Chancellor has raised to socialist dogma and envy.”

I think that the financial markets and the British public have united in their view on the previous Government.

[Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

11. What steps she has taken to help increase economic growth in Scotland.

[Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)]

15. What steps she has taken to help increase economic growth in Edinburgh North and Leith constituency.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)]

Economic growth is the No. 1 mission of this Government. Scotland will play an important role. At the autumn Budget we announced that the Scottish Government will be provided with £47.7 billion in its 2025-26 settlement—the largest in real terms in the history of devolution. We also confirmed £130 million of targeted funding, including for city and growth deals.

[Elaine Stewart]

In Scotland, we have seen almost two decades of wasteful spending while public services get worse. Does the Minister agree that good public services are essential to economic growth, and that Scottish taxpayers are not getting good value for money under the SNP Government?