Speeches by Sullivan.

“GB Energy’s mission includes both accelerating clean energy deployment and reducing bills for consumers. How realistic is it that you can achieve both those objectives simultaneously?”

“These job losses are not new; we know that the decline has been happening over many years, with approximately 75,000 jobs lost between 2016 and 2024. Can you tell me what Great British Energy is going to do now to address this employment gap?”

“This Committee’s report on the future of Scotland’s oil and gas industry concluded that the loss of jobs in oil and gas is not being matched by the new jobs coming online. Do you agree with that? Do you recognise that situation?”

“Does that mean that there will be some engagement, for example, with local climate action networks that are already established in the country?”

“You have been very clear about the expertise that exists around the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas, but do you envisage job opportunities potentially arising across the central belt from supply chains that could potentially support the skilled workforce in and around the industrial cluster at Grangemouth?”

“Just to follow on from that briefly, part of it will be around building capacity within local communities, from what you said.”

“It directly relates to employment opportunities.”

“Coming back to the issue of youth unemployment, we are hearing from the workforce—and this Committee has heard in many evidence sessions—about the skill shortage that industry is facing. Often it is hampering growth because they cannot attract the people they need to fulfil the positions to push on. At the same time, y…”

“I believe that young people in Scotland should have access to the same opportunities that people do in the rest of the UK, so thank you for that. How do you respond to the Resolution Foundation’s concerns about the UK Government’s plan to abolish youth rates within the minimum wage and that it may cause young people to…”

“Thank you. You answered my second question. However, I want to touch on the last point you made to recognise that skills are devolved in Scotland. The DWP still retains levers for unemployment. Given the gravity of the situation and the opportunities potentially lost to those one in six young Scots, is there anything m…”

“Secretary of State, you will be aware that one in six young Scots are not currently in education, training or employment. That is one in six young people who are losing out on vital opportunities to fulfil their potential and to thrive. Are the UK and Scottish Governments aligned in their approach to addressing youth u…”

“It is a lot of the same objectives in local communities.”

“Is it likely that the city region deal will form part of that? Has that not been determined yet?”

“Given you have mentioned Pride in Place—and I am very glad to hear that a large part of my constituency, West Lothian, will be a recipient of that funding—can you tell me how you believe that aligns with the objectives that the city region deal has looked to deliver?”

“Will there be specific information regarding the city region deals and whether more funding will become available?”

“Thank you, Secretary of State. Edinburgh has benefited quite significantly from that deal, but that is a conversation or debate for another day. The question that I have been asked quite a lot is: what comes next? A lot of partners in city region deals are looking for information and detail around what the next steps w…”

“Chair, I may have been remiss in not mentioning at the start that I was a signatory to the original Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region deal. As mentioned by the Under-Secretary, several deals are nearing completion, including for Aberdeen and Inverness. Could you explain what guidance the Government have iss…”

“Moving on to the subject of city region deals, you will be aware that in recent years there has been growing recognition of the importance of regional collaboration and the funding to support the delivery of regional initiatives. What assessment have the UK Government made of the progress and delivery of city region de…”

“Following on from that, the White House itself described President Trump’s visit as both a private and a working visit, which would suggest he was here in some kind of official capacity. What does this mean for determining which Government is responsible, or do you stand with the fact that given it was not at the invit…”

“To clarify, you believe the costs rest with the Scottish Government, given they are responsible for policing in Scotland?”