Supporting households and the most vulnerable by tackling cost of living pressures remains a core priority for this government. That is why the UK Government has introduced a £108 billion package of support over 2022-25, worth an average £3,800 per household, to mitigate against these pressures. We are also making good progress against the Prime Minister\u2019s three economic priorities of halving inflation, getting the economy growing and reducing the national debt. Inflation is now at 3.2 percent - less than half its recent peak, and is expected to fall further to its 2 percent target one year earlier than expected.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-01T13:29:39.85Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cost of Living: Scotland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on trends in the cost of living in Scotland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4638", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Slough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"} ], "uin" : "23551"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1713014", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1713014/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Scotland Office Ministers have conducted one visit to the constituency of Midlothian in the past five years. This was by Iain Stewart MP, while Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Scotland Office, to Midlothian Council Projects on 4 February 2022.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-30T09:33:57.24Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Scotland Office: Domestic Visits"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will provide a list of ministerial visits to the Midlothian constituency in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4482", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Owen Thompson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Midlothian"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Owen Thompson"} ], "uin" : "23248"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1714821", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1714821/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is committed to protecting free speech.<\/p>
It is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament, working with Police Scotland, to ensure that the hate crime legislation is implemented and enforced in a way that protects freedom of speech and has the confidence of people in Scotland.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-01T11:01:07.353Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Freedom of Speech: Scotland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the protection of free speech in Scotland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4866", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alexander Stafford"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rother Valley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alexander Stafford"} ], "uin" : "902552"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715104", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715104/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I discuss the strengths and benefits of the Union with colleagues on a regular basis.<\/p>
This Government is committed to protecting the Union and promoting the strengths that have made it the most successful political and economic union the world has ever seen.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-01T13:24:43.46Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "United Kingdom"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the strength of the Union.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4501", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gerald Jones"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gerald Jones"} ], "uin" : "902560"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1712780", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1712780/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Discussions with Scottish Ministers on the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill have principally been led by the Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, Minister Hollinrake. I have not had discussions with the Lord Advocate regarding the Scottish Government\u2019s proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.<\/p>
<\/p>
Noting Scotland\u2019s historically separate legal jurisdiction and the unique role of the Lord Advocate and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in respect of prosecutions in Scotland, it is the UK Government\u2019s view that it is appropriate for the Scottish Government to bring forward proposals to address prosecutions on this matter in Scotland, and for those to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the Scottish Government in bringing forward its own proposals.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-29T08:00:53.357Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill: Scotland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Lord Advocate on the Scottish Government's proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "22933"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1712857", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1712857/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Scotland Office reported no cases of fraud or amounts lost due to fraud or error in any of the last three financial years. This is disclosed as part of the Annual Report and Accounts available on GOV.UK.<\/p>
The Government is determined to uncover fraud in the public sector and is proud of its record. As part of this, the Government established the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA).<\/p>
In 22/23, the PSFA set a target of delivering £180m of savings to the taxpayer. In fact, the PSFA far surpassed this within the first 12 months by preventing and recovering £311 million. As it enters its second year, the PSFA has a target of achieving £185 million of savings for the taxpayer.<\/p>
The Government has also announced an additional £34 million to deploy cutting-edge tools and Artificial Intelligence tools to help combat fraud across the public sector, saving £100 million for the public purse. This is in addition to existing partnerships between PSFA and the tech sector.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-26T12:09:17.08Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Scotland Office: Fraud"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he has taken to reduce the cost of fraud in his Department in the last three financial years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1541", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Llanelli"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dame Nia Griffith"} ], "uin" : "22929"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701499", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701499/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Scotland Office and Office for the Advocate General are currently in the process of finalising the department\u2019s figures for financial year 2023-24. These figures are subject to external audit and the department\u2019s Annual Report and Accounts for 2023-24 are expected to be available later this year. The budget for the department for financial year 2024-25 as agreed in Spending Review 2021 is £13.354m.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4619", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Alister Jack"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dumfries and Galloway"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Alister Jack"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-22T09:39:49.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Scotland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Scotland Office: Public Expenditure"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the cost to the public purse was of (a) staff and (b) running costs for his Department in financial year 2023-24; and how much he has allocated for 2024-25.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4482", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Owen Thompson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Midlothian"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Owen Thompson"} ], "uin" : "22078"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701509", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701509/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "