To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the geographical location of the Long Duration Energy Storage projects on Ofgem's ‘minded-to’ decisions list for cap & floor support in the context of the concentration of intermittent renewable generation capacity operating...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the geographical location of the Long Duration Energy Storage projects on Ofgem's ‘minded-to’ decisions list for cap & floor support in the context of the concentration of intermittent renewable generation capacity operating...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of substation works associated with the Beauly to Denny transmission upgrade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her Department’s latest estimate is of the completion date of substation works associated with the Beauly to Denny transmission upgrade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the potential for Pumped Storage Hydro in ensuring grid stability and reducing constraint payments in respect of renewable energy generated in the south and south west of Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the potential for Pumped Storage Hydro in ensuring grid stability and reducing constraint payments in respect of renewable energy generated in the south and south west of Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Scotland Act to provide that a referendum be arranged in the situation where there is a consensus in Scotland for independence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Scotland Act to provide that a referendum be arranged in the situation where there is a consensus in Scotland for independence.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment she has made of the potential opportunities for Scottish industries arising from the Government's commitment to increase domestic procurement.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment she has made of the potential opportunities for Scottish industries arising from the Government's commitment to increase domestic procurement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans in Scotland into employment after leaving the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans in Scotland into employment after leaving the armed forces.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of families in Scotland eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and not receiving it.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of families in Scotland eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and not receiving it.

What discussions she has had with the Scottish Borders Council on the Cross Border Connection.

What discussions she has had with the Scottish Borders Council on the Cross Border Connection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an impact assessment of the decision to agree to the English Whisky Guild application for a Geographical Indication for English Whisky on the Scotch Whisky sector and the Single Malt Scotch Whisky category.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an impact assessment of the decision to agree to the English Whisky Guild application for a Geographical Indication for English Whisky on the Scotch Whisky sector and the Single Malt Scotch Whisky category.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with UNESCO on support for World Heritage Sites in Scotland, including New Lanark.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with UNESCO on support for World Heritage Sites in Scotland, including New Lanark.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) access to cash and (b) the level of cash acceptance in towns and rural communities in Scotland.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) access to cash and (b) the level of cash acceptance in towns and rural communities in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement her Department has had with the Scottish Youth Parliament on the proposed under-16s social media ban.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement her Department has had with the Scottish Youth Parliament on the proposed under-16s social media ban.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on employment opportunities for young people in Scotland.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on employment opportunities for young people in Scotland.

My Lords, the Government have published a comprehensive assessment of the Employment Rights Act in consultation with experts. The assessment shows that the Act could benefit 18 million workers across the UK and could increase employment. Our analysis further shows that young workers stand to be amongst the biggest beneficiaries of these reforms. Scotland is also expected to benefit more significantly, with around 55% of workers projected to gain from the Act.

My Lords, the Government have published a comprehensive assessment of the Employment Rights Act in consultation with experts. The assessment shows that the Act could benefit 18 million workers across the UK and could increase employment. Our analysis further shows that young workers stand to be amongst the biggest beneficiaries of these reforms. Scotland is also expected to benefit more significantly, with around 55% of workers projected to gain from the Act.

I begin by warmly welcoming the Minister to his first Question at the Dispatch Box. In the latest labour market trends published by the Scottish Government, the unemployment rate of those aged 16 and over in Scotland was estimated at 5.1%, up 1.4% over the year, and above the UK rate of

4.9%. We know that the Employment Rights Act will take effect over the coming months. The views of these Benches on the deficiencies in that legislation are well-known. What contingency measures are Ministers putting in place, should the Employment Rights Act lead to even higher levels of unemployment among young people in Scotland?

I begin by warmly welcoming the Minister to his first Question at the Dispatch Box. In the latest labour market trends published by the Scottish Government, the unemployment rate of those aged 16 and over in Scotland was estimated at 5.1%, up 1.4% over the year, and above the UK rate of

4.9%. We know that the Employment Rights Act will take effect over the coming months. The views of these Benches on the deficiencies in that legislation are well-known. What contingency measures are Ministers putting in place, should the Employment Rights Act lead to even higher levels of unemployment among young people in Scotland?

I thank the noble Lord for the question. He and I debated these issues in a very different Parliament not so long ago, and I am sure that neither of us imagined we would be debating in this Chamber today. As he knows, a lot of these responsibilities are devolved, so we have to make an assessment of the impact of the Employment Rights Act; but let us not forget that the Scottish Government are responsible for schools, high schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeships, the apprenticeship levy rates and so much more. Therefore, although we are confident that the Employment Rights Act will not have a detrimental impact on young workers, we need fundamental reform in Scotland in those other areas.

I thank the noble Lord for the question. He and I debated these issues in a very different Parliament not so long ago, and I am sure that neither of us imagined we would be debating in this Chamber today. As he knows, a lot of these responsibilities are devolved, so we have to make an assessment of the impact of the Employment Rights Act; but let us not forget that the Scottish Government are responsible for schools, high schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeships, the apprenticeship levy rates and so much more. Therefore, although we are confident that the Employment Rights Act will not have a detrimental impact on young workers, we need fundamental reform in Scotland in those other areas.

My Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that numerous tax and regulation actions are undertaken by both the UK Government and the Scottish Government that have an impact on job prospects for young people in Scotland, yet both Governments operate separate, unconnected programmes in Scotland to address youth unemployment? Would it be better if the two Governments worked together to find ways of jointly attacking the problem of youth unemployment, and, given that the Minister has experience of both this House and the Scottish Parliament, is he not the right Minister to lead that initiative?

My Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that numerous tax and regulation actions are undertaken by both the UK Government and the Scottish Government that have an impact on job prospects for young people in Scotland, yet both Governments operate separate, unconnected programmes in Scotland to address youth unemployment? Would it be better if the two Governments worked together to find ways of jointly attacking the problem of youth unemployment, and, given that the Minister has experience of both this House and the Scottish Parliament, is he not the right Minister to lead that initiative?

I thank the noble Lord for that question. He can pay me all the compliments he likes—I will happily take them. Of course, on principle we should work together whenever it is in the national interest, and there will be different responsibilities of the Government here at Westminster and the Government in Scotland. For example, we have responsibility for the Employment Rights Act and the campaign to make work pay, along with increasing the national minimum wage for young people. We have the jobs guarantee scheme, and we have committed an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years to the youth guarantee scheme, as well as reforming the growth and skills levy. Of course, responsibility for how that levy is spent in Scotland is for the Scottish Government. Therefore, I accept the principle of the argument the noble Lord is making, and we stand ready to work with the Government in Scotland to deliver for Scotland’s amazing young people.

I thank the noble Lord for that question. He can pay me all the compliments he likes—I will happily take them. Of course, on principle we should work together whenever it is in the national interest, and there will be different responsibilities of the Government here at Westminster and the Government in Scotland. For example, we have responsibility for the Employment Rights Act and the campaign to make work pay, along with increasing the national minimum wage for young people. We have the jobs guarantee scheme, and we have committed an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years to the youth guarantee scheme, as well as reforming the growth and skills levy. Of course, responsibility for how that levy is spent in Scotland is for the Scottish Government. Therefore, I accept the principle of the argument the noble Lord is making, and we stand ready to work with the Government in Scotland to deliver for Scotland’s amazing young people.

My Lords, the unemployment figures for young people in Scotland make pretty grim reading—the NEET figures are going up. In the West Highlands and Islands of Scotland, there are great employment opportunities, whether it is renewable energy, fishing, tourism or dry dock facilities. However, there is very little infrastructure, there are very few houses, and there seems to be an ignorance of the problems facing the area. Can my noble friend mobilise his department and other Whitehall departments

and work, as the noble Lord, Lord Bruce, has said, with the Scottish Government to make sure that those sins of omission are corrected?

My Lords, the unemployment figures for young people in Scotland make pretty grim reading—the NEET figures are going up. In the West Highlands and Islands of Scotland, there are great employment opportunities, whether it is renewable energy, fishing, tourism or dry dock facilities. However, there is very little infrastructure, there are very few houses, and there seems to be an ignorance of the problems facing the area. Can my noble friend mobilise his department and other Whitehall departments

and work, as the noble Lord, Lord Bruce, has said, with the Scottish Government to make sure that those sins of omission are corrected?

I thank my noble friend for that question and agree with her wholeheartedly. I repeat what I said to the noble Lord: we stand ready to work with the Scottish Government on these issues. I will give the example of an area that is of course of real importance to my noble friend: the Western Isles. There we have a particular challenge, with a ferry service that is not competent, meaning that there is loss of trade almost every week. Services are being taken away—for example, around our skills system—and resources are being taken away from the university based there and in the highlands. In addition, too many young people are being forced to leave the Western Isles because they cannot get adequate housing to bring up their young families. This shows that we need a joined-up approach, and the Government stand ready to do that. However, I again urge the Scottish Government to take much more action on all these issues, rather than undertaking stunts in other parts of the country such as the one they engaged in today.

I thank my noble friend for that question and agree with her wholeheartedly. I repeat what I said to the noble Lord: we stand ready to work with the Scottish Government on these issues. I will give the example of an area that is of course of real importance to my noble friend: the Western Isles. There we have a particular challenge, with a ferry service that is not competent, meaning that there is loss of trade almost every week. Services are being taken away—for example, around our skills system—and resources are being taken away from the university based there and in the highlands. In addition, too many young people are being forced to leave the Western Isles because they cannot get adequate housing to bring up their young families. This shows that we need a joined-up approach, and the Government stand ready to do that. However, I again urge the Scottish Government to take much more action on all these issues, rather than undertaking stunts in other parts of the country such as the one they engaged in today.