Oral Answers to Questions

Johanna Baxter Excerpts

Monday 9th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

That is of course a hugely important industry for the UK. The hon. Member will be aware that a transition is taking place, but oil and gas will be part of the mix for a long time to come. The Chancellor met those in the industry last week, and I assure the hon. Member and her constituents that the industry’s importance is recognised and hugely valued by the Government.

[Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)]

Last year, the SNP Government in Holyrood funded nearly 9,000 fewer apprenticeships than colleges and industry asked for, robbing thousands of Scots of opportunities and starving businesses of skilled workers. Meanwhile, youth unemployment in Scotland is rising; more than one in eight young people in Scotland are unemployed. Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the solutions to that problem is electing a new Government in Holyrood in May, under Anas Sarwar of the Labour party?

[Pat McFadden]

I very much agree with my hon. Friend’s final point. I think Anas Sarwar would make an excellent First Minister, and I look forward to supporting him in the campaign to come. The youth guarantee, to which I have referred, extends to Scotland. We want young people in Scotland to have as many opportunities and as good opportunities as young people anywhere else in the UK, and in particular not to fall into the pattern of leaving education and going on to a life on benefits.