Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Richard Baker Excerpts
Wednesday 4th June 2025

(3 days, 17 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ian Murray Portrait Ian Murray
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There is a simple answer to that question: the SNP Scottish Government.

Richard Baker Portrait Richard Baker (Glenrothes and Mid Fife) (Lab)
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When my right hon. Friend discusses with SNP Ministers, through announcements made this week, the huge employment opportunities that this Government have created for young people in Scotland, will he impress on them the urgent need to finally tackle the persistent—and in some areas widening—attainment gap faced by pupils from poorer backgrounds, not only in Fife but in South Lanarkshire? These concerns are often raised by residents of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

Ian Murray Portrait Ian Murray
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The House may not know that last year, 1,351 pupils left high school in Scotland without a single qualification to their name, and one in six Scots is not in education, employment or training. That is the legacy of the SNP Scottish Government. What have they done about jobs and growth? They are against the defence industry and against the trade deals with the EU, India and the US. They are against young Scots in Scotland.