Latest news with #ScotlandOfficeQuestions
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
John Swinney 'from age of Taggart rather than Department Q', claims Labour minister
Kirsty McNeill made the jibe about the two Scottish crime dramas in the House of Commons on Wednesday morning. John Swinney is "from the age of Taggart" rather than Department Q, a Scotland Office minister has said. Kirsty McNeill made the jibe about the two Scottish crime dramas in the House of Commons on Wednesday morning. Taggart ran from 1983 to 2010, while Department Q came out earlier this year. It comes after Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting branded the First Minister an "analogue politican" in a row over Scotland's NHS app. The comment was mentioned by Labour's Kenneth Stevenson during Scotland Office Questions. The Airdrie and Shotts MP said: "It's refreshing to have a UK Government to committed to investing in and developing AI, in comparison to John Swinney and the Scottish Government, stuck in an analogue age, unable to even provide patients and staff with a functioning NHS app." assessment. "I'm afraid the First Minister is from the age of Taggart, when what's upon us is the age of Department Q." There was little reaction from MPs in the chamber. Scottish ITV series Taggart was known as one of the UK's longest running shows. The hit programme, which had a total of 27 seasons, followed a group of detectives as they solved crimes around Glasgow. The show became well-know for lead actor Mark McManus' catchphrase, "There's been a murder. Edinburgh-based Department Q was released on Netflix at the end of May this year. It has several Scottish stars including Chloe Pirrie, Kelly Macdonald, Shirley Henderson, Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives. The programme follows detective Carl Morck, who sets up a cold case unit following a shooting incident in which he was badly wounded. Streeting blasted Swinney after it was announced England's NHS app it is expanding before Scotland has even managed to get its version off the ground. The UK Government announced proposals to improve England and Wales' NHS app last week - saying it would give patients a "doctor in your pocket". Scotland's version will only go on a limited trial earlier this year, with a full rollout not expected for till 2030. England's app came out six years ago and the plans will be implemented by 2028.
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP welcomes shortlisting of Selms Muir Hydrogen Project for Livingston in the House of Commons
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Gregor Poynton, MP for the Livingston constituency, has welcomed the shortlisting of the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project for UK Government funding, following his question to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, during Scotland Office Questions in Parliament. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In the House of Commons, Mr. Poynton highlighted the importance of a just transition for Scotland's energy sector, stating: 'The Secretary of State rightly outlines how important the oil and gas sector is to Scotland and to the workers and businesses that rely on it. But if we are to have a truly just transition, we need to invest in new technologies like hydrogen now. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "And therefore, will he join me in welcoming the shortlisting of the Selms Muir Hydrogen project in the Livingston constituency? It's been shortlisted for UK government support, and can he outline how this will benefit the Livingston constituency?' Gregor Poynton MP has welcomed the shortlisting for UK Government funding for the Selms Muir project in West Lothian. The UK Government announced on April 7 that the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project, one of eight Scottish projects, has been shortlisted for the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2). The project, a partnership between hydrogen developer Hygen and renewable energy leader European Energy, will deliver a 20MW electrolyser hub capable of producing six tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen daily. Co-located with the Selms Muir Solar Farm, it has the potential to power buses, construction equipment, and heavy vehicles across West Lothian, supporting the UK's goal of 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. In response, Secretary of State Ian Murray MP commended Mr. Poynton's efforts and affirmed the government's commitment to a thriving low-carbon hydrogen economy. The project is now undergoing due diligence and cost assessment, with further updates expected soon.
