Angus MacDonald MP: speeches

Speeches

• 3 Sept 2025 · Hospitality Sector · Hansard source

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  Would the hon. Gentleman admit that what actually happened in the Budget was a transfer of 2% of GDP from the private sector to the public sector? That private sector is, to a significant extent, the hospitality sector.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Hospitality Sector · Hansard source

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  May I intervene, please?

• 3 Sept 2025 · Hospitality Sector · Hansard source

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  It is difficult to get a word in. [Laughter.] I am married; I know about these things. I have 100 staff members in the hospitality industry in the highlands, and I can say that all is not well in hospitality by any means. Those who are not on mains gas are paying for electricity, by and large, and we are paying four times as much for energy as people in the city. Moreover, we in Scotland do not receive the same business rates relief as the rest of the UK. [Interruption.] I thank my Scottish National party friends, who are sitting next to me. Our staffing costs, including employers’ national insurance contributions, have increased by 12.4%. So we have real problems, and I must say to the Minister that all is not well.

• 14 Jul 2025 · Northern Ireland Veterans: Prosecution · Hansard source

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  My son is a serving soldier, and he tells me that many are leaving the forces because of this issue. We are tens of thousands below our recruitment level. Does the hon. Member think he is right and that this is damaging our ability to defend our country?

• 9 Jul 2025 · Artificial Intelligence: Scotland · Hansard source

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  The transmission line from Skye to Fort Augustus has been approved. Due to a technicality, the people along the route will be deprived of £22 million. Will the Minister take this up with Ofgem?