Written questions by Gethins.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on incentivising migrants to work in key industries in Scotland.

We are taking a joined up-approach across government, linking migration policy and visa controls to skills and labour market policies – so immigration is not used as an alternative to training or tackling workforce problems here at home. We value the important contribution made by workers from overseas, but we need to consider issues in the round, and work with industries to ensure they can attract the workforces they need for the future. To achieve this we are strengthening the Migration Advisory Committee, and establishing a framework for joint working with skills bodies across the UK, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

With reference to Section 2.28 of the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a 15% decrease in the UK economy on public finances.

The growth mission is the central mission of the government. Through the growth mission, the government is restoring economic stability, increasing investment, and reforming the economy to drive up prosperity and living standards across the UK. The government sets its fiscal policy on the basis of the official OBR forecast, which is a central case. The OBR confirms the government is on track to meet its fiscal rules.To clarify, section 2.28 of the OBR's latest Economic and Fiscal Outlook refers to a pre-existing judgement that has been captured in their forecasts for many years.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of leaving the European (a) Customs Union and (b) Single Market on growth.

The UK economy has experienced significant disruption in recent years due to a range of factors including Covid-19, supply chain disruption and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It remains challenging to separate out the effects of leaving the Customs Union and Single Market from wider global trends affecting the UK economy. It is for the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to provide independent and authoritative analysis and forecasting for the UK public finances. The OBR has estimated that productivity will be 4% lower in the long run than it would have been had the UK not withdrawn from the EU, and that imports and exports will eventually both be 15 per cent lower than had we stayed in the EU. The OBR estimated in March 2024 that 40% of this impact has already materialised.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Alongside our European allies, we continue to urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to utilise upcoming multilateral meetings to maintain momentum on the peace process to finalise a lasting peace agreement. Officials in London, Baku and Yerevan remain in regular close contact with European counterparts on peace negotiations. We regularly discuss these issues with our European counterparts.