Written questions by Bowie.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure the job security of the 350 workers at Harland & Wolff’s sites in (a) Methil and (b) Arnish.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Navantia UK buy-out on the local economies of Methil and the Western Isles.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

What steps he plans to take to support the skills development of workers at Harland & Wolff’s Scottish sites, in the context of the Navantia UK buy-out.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

What discussions he has had with Navantia UK on future investment in Harland & Wolff shipyards in Scotland.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

Whether the Government has has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Navantia UK buy-out on shipbuilding capacity in Scotland.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

How much Industrial Strategy funding will be allocated to support the continued development of the Harland & Wolff shipyards in Scotland.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

What steps the Government is taking to ensure the buy-out of Harland and Wolff by Navantia UK aligns with (a) defence and (b) clean energy strategies.

The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.

What the average cost is to accommodate an individual asylum seeker by Scottish local authority.

This Government inherited an asylum system under exceptional strain, with tens of thousands of people stuck in limbo without any prospect of having their claims processed. At their peak use under the previous government, in the autumn of 2023, more than 400 asylum hotels were being leased by the Home Office, at a cost of almost £9 million a day.We took immediate action to resolve that chaos by restarting asylum processing, establishing the new Border Security Command to tackle the people-smuggling gangs, cracking down on illegal working across the country, and increasing the return and removal of people with no right to be here.Inevitably, due to the size of the backlog we inherited, the Government has been forced to continue with the use of hotels for the time being. This is not a permanent solution, and the small increase in the number in use at the end of last year was just a temporary but necessary step to manage pressures in the system, which is now in the process of being reversed. The number of hotels in use at present is 218. Since the General Election, there has been a net increase of six hotels in use; however, nine are scheduled for closure by the end of March 2025. It remains our absolute commitment to end the use of hotels over time, as part of our reduction in overall asylum accommodation costs. In the interim, we are also continuing to increase our operational activity against smuggling gangs and illegal working, and we have increased returns to their highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed in the first six months this government was in office. Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). This Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly, including reviewing all spending to ensure the best value for money for the British taxpayer.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Caledonian MacBrayne Limited.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet South East of Scotland Transport Partnership.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Transport Scotland.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

How much her Department has spent on accommodation for asylum seekers by Scottish local authority.

This Government inherited an asylum system under exceptional strain, with tens of thousands of people stuck in limbo without any prospect of having their claims processed. At their peak use under the previous government, in the autumn of 2023, more than 400 asylum hotels were being leased by the Home Office, at a cost of almost £9 million a day.We took immediate action to resolve that chaos by restarting asylum processing, establishing the new Border Security Command to tackle the people-smuggling gangs, cracking down on illegal working across the country, and increasing the return and removal of people with no right to be here.Inevitably, due to the size of the backlog we inherited, the Government has been forced to continue with the use of hotels for the time being. This is not a permanent solution, and the small increase in the number in use at the end of last year was just a temporary but necessary step to manage pressures in the system, which is now in the process of being reversed. The number of hotels in use at present is 218. Since the General Election, there has been a net increase of six hotels in use; however, nine are scheduled for closure by the end of March 2025. It remains our absolute commitment to end the use of hotels over time, as part of our reduction in overall asylum accommodation costs. In the interim, we are also continuing to increase our operational activity against smuggling gangs and illegal working, and we have increased returns to their highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed in the first six months this government was in office. Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). This Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly, including reviewing all spending to ensure the best value for money for the British taxpayer.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Transport for Edinburgh.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

How many hotels are being used to house asylum seekers in Scotland by local authority.

This Government inherited an asylum system under exceptional strain, with tens of thousands of people stuck in limbo without any prospect of having their claims processed. At their peak use under the previous government, in the autumn of 2023, more than 400 asylum hotels were being leased by the Home Office, at a cost of almost £9 million a day.We took immediate action to resolve that chaos by restarting asylum processing, establishing the new Border Security Command to tackle the people-smuggling gangs, cracking down on illegal working across the country, and increasing the return and removal of people with no right to be here.Inevitably, due to the size of the backlog we inherited, the Government has been forced to continue with the use of hotels for the time being. This is not a permanent solution, and the small increase in the number in use at the end of last year was just a temporary but necessary step to manage pressures in the system, which is now in the process of being reversed. The number of hotels in use at present is 218. Since the General Election, there has been a net increase of six hotels in use; however, nine are scheduled for closure by the end of March 2025. It remains our absolute commitment to end the use of hotels over time, as part of our reduction in overall asylum accommodation costs. In the interim, we are also continuing to increase our operational activity against smuggling gangs and illegal working, and we have increased returns to their highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed in the first six months this government was in office. Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). This Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly, including reviewing all spending to ensure the best value for money for the British taxpayer.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of applying the duty-free allowance to people departing from Great Britain to the European Union.

Allowances are generally not applied to outbound passengers. Instead, goods will be taxed upon arrival in the destination country (subject to any duty free allowances available in that country).Inbound passengers to the UK are usually entitled to duty free allowances, which allow them to bring in goods up to certain limits without paying UK taxes, providing they are for personal use or to be gifted. Details of those allowances can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain

When he (a) last met and (b) plans to meet ScotRail.

Transport is a devolved matter but the Secretary of State for Scotland and I meet stakeholders from a range of sectors in connection with transport and related matters, as needed. We have not met with any of the aforementioned organisations since taking office, nor do we have any upcoming meetings with any of them.