(Ayr, Carrick and
Cumnock) (SNP): Businesses in Scotland have thrived under
devolution with the support of the Scottish Government, who are
better able to provide tailored policies specifically for Scotland.
An independent economics research organisation based at the
University of Warwickpublished figures just
yesterday that show that Brexit had already cost Scotland an
estimated £736 a head last year alone. With uncertainty over future
funding streams such as the so-called prosperity fund, which we
were promised details of two years ago, how does he think that the
greatest threat to devolution in its history—the current power-grab
by Westminster—presents continued membership of the United Kingdom
for business and the people of Scotland as a good option?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy (): I have weekly calls with my counterparts in the
devolved Administrations, including the Minister for economy and
fair work in Scotland. The most successful market is the UK
internal market—that is without doubt. That is what the Scottish
Government should support. It is a shame that my officials,
working with officials from Northern Ireland and, of course,
Wales, can move forward, yet the Scottish Government chose to
withdraw their officials back in March. I urge my colleague from
the SNP to ask the Scottish Government to reintroduce those
officials to the system. We would thrive as a United Kingdom.
