Asked by: Kirstene Hair (Conservative - Angus)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in the level of investment in the Scotch Whisky industry and (b) the effect of that investment on the UK economy in the last five years.
Answered by Lord Jack of Courance
Scotland's Whisky industry plays a vital role in both the UK and Scottish economy.
The Scotch Whisky industry invested more than £500 million in capital projects over the last five years and for every £100 of added value the industry produces, another £45 is generated in the broader economy. Overall, this industry is estimated to have contributed £5.5 billion to the UK economy in GVA in 2018. This is a 10% increase when compared to the industry's GVA in 2016.
The industry continues to support 42,000 jobs across the UK. This includes 10,500 directly in Scotland, and 7,000 in rural communities. Globally, a record high of over £4.7 billion of Scotch Whisky was exported in 2018 to around 180 countries.
Asked by: Kirstene Hair (Conservative - Angus)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the Scotch Whisky industry to tourism in the UK.
Answered by Lord Jack of Courance
The Scotch Whisky industry is strategically important to the economy of Scotland.
As a result of continued industry investments, Scotch Whisky tourism saw record numbers of visitors in 2018. Over 2 million tourists from over 20 different countries visited Scotch Whisky distilleries for the first time. Also, spending at visitor centres was up by 12.2% to £68.3m - additional £7.4m compared with 2017, and 154% more than in 2010.
Collectively, Scotch Whisky distilleries remain the third most visited attraction in Scotland.
Asked by: Kirstene Hair (Conservative - Angus)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions his Department has had with stakeholders on the Tay Cities Deal.
Answered by David Mundell
Since the Tay Cities Heads of Terms were signed on 22 November my officials have met with local partners on a number of occasions to progress the Tay Cites Deal. My officials will continue to engage at a pace set by the local partners.
A further meeting is planned for 5 February with Angus Council to hold further detailed discussions on the conditions of the ring-fenced fund for Angus.
Asked by: Kirstene Hair (Conservative - Angus)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps his Department is taking to ensure an equitable distribution of Tay Cities growth deal funding to (a) urban, (b) rural and (b) local government areas that are part of the deal.
Answered by David Mundell
My officials have been working closely with local partners since proposals were submitted to Government in 2016.
It is important to note that the decision on which projects to include in any Deal is a matter for local partners in the first instance. From there, the Government is keen to deliver an equitable Deal that improves economic prospects across the whole region.
The UK Government contribution of £150 million ensures this with a package of measures to deliver transformational economic change across the whole of the Tay Cities Region.
In Dundee, we will invest in a centre of expertise for forensic science at the University and a Cyber Security Centre of Excellence at Abertay University. We will also support the Aviation Academy for Scotland.
We are supporting three projects at the Eden Campus at Guardbridge in North East Fife to strengthen both business and academia.
I was also pleased to announce a wide ranging package of support for Perth & Kinross, with projects ranging from the iconic Perth City Hall to the cutting edge research at the James Hutton Institute. Other investments here include digital connectivity and plastics recycling.
In the absence of enough suitable proposals in the Angus area, as part of the Heads of Terms agreement for the Tay Cities, the Government has agreed to ring-fence an Angus Fund and to hold further discussions over the next 12 months with Angus Council and local partners to identify proposals that will help to achieve that equitable distribution by investing in the Angus economy.
Asked by: Kirstene Hair (Conservative - Angus)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the (a) eligibility of and (b) support for Dundee's bid to be European City of Culture.
Answered by David Mundell
I regularly discuss matters of interest to Scotland with Cabinet colleagues and have expressed my support for Dundee’s bid to the DCMS Secretary of State and ministers at every available opportunity.
The UK Government is in discussions with the European Commission about the position it has taken on UK participation and is also in discussions with the five cities that submitted bids to host the European Capital of Culture 2023.
I would be happy to meet with the honourable Member to discuss this in more detail.
Asked by: Kirstene Hair (Conservative - Angus)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress he has made on negotiations with the Scottish Government and local partners on the next phase of the Tay Cities Deal; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
The UK Government continues to press ahead with discussions with the Tay City partners and I can confirm that further talks took place at the end of August.
Local partners have put forward a large number of proposals, and the next step is to scrutinise these proposals rigorously to identify together which can deliver transformational change for the economy of the Tay Cities region.