Speeches by Baxter.

“Very quickly following that up—I am conscious of time—I am pleased that job security and progression was referenced in those responses because those are key pillars of what is good work. The other thing that is crucial to that is the role of the line manager, because, as we know, most line managers are promoted to mana…”

“Thank you for joining us this morning. While appreciating the challenges that businesses face, a number of my constituents will raise an eyebrow at descriptions of their hard-won improvements to their employment rights being described as causing indigestion for employers. Can you tell us how the Government can ensure t…”

“I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and the clarification that participation in the scheme will not be compulsory to access public services. Will he say a little more about how he will persuade people that this tool will make their everyday lives easier? Will he also say what discussions he has had with the devo…”

“Last year, the SNP Government in Holyrood funded nearly 9,000 fewer apprenticeships than colleges and industry asked for, robbing thousands of Scots of opportunities and starving businesses of skilled workers. Meanwhile, youth unemployment in Scotland is rising; more than one in eight young people in Scotland are unemp…”

“As a former trade union official, I know all too well the concern that people have around the impact of pay rises and the interaction with their benefits, so what you are saying is interesting. On your recommendation to the Department that it publish standards for the Department and its customers, it has said that it a…”

“Do you think that the Department adheres to the charter in how it communicates with its customers? I understand that you don’t think that it is a very strong document in the first place.”

“Just on that, are the demographics of carers in Scotland different from the rest of the United Kingdom, which would justify some of those additional measures?”

“How significant an impact will the Government’s decision to link the earnings limit on carer’s allowance to 16 hours at the national living wage have on carers’ ability to combine caring and employment? I don’t know who wants to go first.”

“Are there any other mechanisms you think the Department could use to help carers who wish to be in work, other than the taper?”

“Good morning, everybody. Emily, you referenced earlier the situation in Scotland, and we know that carers in Scotland receive additional support through the carer’s allowance supplement, which is soon to be the Scottish care supplement. Can you say a little bit more on the impact that supplement has had on carers in Sc…”

“It doesn’t sound unreasonable. On the basis that the charter is there, the Government have said that that is what exists. You recommended something else. Given that the charter is there, and it is currently not adequate in your view, what would you like to see built into it that would more reflect some of the standards…”

“I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement, and her commitment to growth in all parts of the United Kingdom. Could she set out in a little more detail what Barnett consequentials arise from her statement? Does she agree that it is increasingly important that, in May, we elect a Government who will spend that money wise…”

“Too often when women in particular raise concerns or sound the alarm about concerning behaviour, their concerns are dismissed or go unheard. Can the Minister set out what further actions this Government will take to ensure that victims and survivors of sexual abuse are heard by those in power?”

“On Saturday evening, I joined more than 500 members of the local community at Paisley town hall for a spectacular evening of Gaelic music, song and celebration as we celebrated 10 years of Fèis Phàislig. The Fèis provides a fun and welcoming space for young people across our area to learn and share Scotland’s Gaelic cu…”

“You have said that the consultations happened, and so on. When do you think you will be coming to us with a view?”

“We would welcome that, but on the consistency point, is it that some employers were using the scheme to fund adjustments that they should perhaps have been funding themselves, or is it concerns about third parties securing disabled people access to funding for support workers and then providing those support workers th…”

“The official stats show there was a 10% decrease in the number of people who had an Access to Work support element approved between the financial year-end 2024-25, and there are anecdotal reports of cuts to award values. Can you explain that?”

“My questions are on Access to Work. We have seen the National Audit Office report on the Access to Work scheme, which makes it clear that demand has doubled; the number of full-time equivalents working on it has more than doubled. On top of that, the Department says it has improved the productivity of case managers. At…”

“Okay, thank you. Ruth, by comparison have you experienced any problems finding enough people with the right skills that you need to deliver the No One Left Behind programme?”

“Thank you both for joining us this morning. We have heard about workforce shortages in the employability support sector. First to David, in respect of Connect to Work, have you been able to secure the necessary expertise that you require and how are you managing workforce pressures as demand for support grows?”