Undermining the right to strike. Overruling the Scottish Parliament. Ripping up EU regulations. Levelling up by sending public money to wealthy Tory constituencies. Just a standard week in Westminster, leaving many wondering what Scotland gets out of our membership of this union.
On Monday, the Conservatives brought forward their anti-trades union legislation. The Tories claim this is about ensuring a minimum level of staffing on strike days, but the effect is to further restrict the right workers have to strike.
Under the legislation, a UK Government minister sets “minimum service levels”, and if trades unions and workers fail to comply, employees could simply be sacked.
This sweeping legislation would cover health services, fire and rescue, education, transport services nuclear decommissioning and border security.
This is an utterly draconian and unnecessary action: the reality is that life and limb cover already exists during strikes. If the UK Government really cared about ending the current industrial action, they would get round the table to work for a solution, rather than punishing those standing up for their rights.
Tuesday saw a heated debate over the Secretary of State for Scotland’s unprecedented decision to use a Section 35 order to overrule the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform Act.
Alister Jack eventually produced a Statement of Reasons for his decision; trans people are to be denied a simpler process of gender recognition due to inadequate HMRC software, second-guessing the number who might use the process, and hypothetical concerns about the impact on the very small number of single-sex private schools in Scotland.
The UK Government’s 2018 consultation clearly stated “gender recognition is devolved to Scotland. This means Scotland can have its own system for gender recognition if it wants to”.
Regardless of anyone’s stance on the legislation, the undermining of the democratically elected Scottish Parliament and of devolution itself is deeply concerning.
The Retained EU Law Bill on Wednesday was a further attack on devolution. The bill rips up nearly fifty years of protections for Scotland’s exporters, environment and workers’ rights, just because they have been agreed via the EU.
Any EU derived right is now subject to arbitrary and automatic deletion at the end of 2023 unless the UK Minister intervenes. Many of these laws are administered in Scotland, such as laws protecting food safety. Despite this, the Tories voted against an SNP amendment which would have stopped the bill from affecting Scottish legislation in devolved areas.
And on Thursday, the latest round of the Levelling Up Fund, which was meant to replace EU funding was announced. Despite strong bids, Glasgow was not awarded any funding, with suggestions that the rules had changed during the process.
The Glasgow Central bids included refurbishing the much-loved People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, and significant regeneration of the Charing Cross area. It is unclear why they were rejected, and what other options are open to the Council for funding these projects. Further austerity and hoping for crumbs from the Westminster table isn’t good enough.
The Scottish Parliament can oppose the anti-strikes legislation, reject the bonfire of EU regulations and protest the pork-barrel politicking of the levelling up fund, but it cannot change these decisions.
By contrast, the Secretary of State for Scotland can with the stroke of a pen overrule the democratic decisions of the Scottish Parliament. Under the current constitutional arrangements, the deck is always stacked in Westminster’s favour.
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
The Tory cost of living crisis is hitting businesses in my Glasgow Central constituency hard. I have heard from people working in the hospitality sector who are struggling to get by. Changed habits following the pandemic have meant that fewer people are coming into town, and those that do aren’t staying as long or visiting as many places.
During the pandemic, many businesses took on the loans which were offered, some going into debt for the first time. Their financial situation has been compounded by the soaring cost of energy, and inflation affecting both wages and food prices.
The UK Government’s package of energy support is reducing come April, with fewer businesses eligible for help. There must be more support to see businesses through, and the UK Government must challenge the energy companies on the eye-wateringly expensive contracts businesses have been forced to sign up to – some seeing their bills increasing six-fold.
For those that can still afford to, we need to do our bit to support these businesses; Glasgow has a wonderful cultural offering, especially with Celtic Connections on our doorstep this month. We need the musicians, the artists, the cafes, bars, and restaurants that make our city so vibrant.
SABIR ZAZAI
I was delighted to see the Scottish Refugee Council Chief Executive Sabir Zazai recognised with an OBE. Sabir has been a passionate advocate for refugees, and his journey shows what is possible when refugees are welcomed with compassion and allowed the opportunity to flourish.
Alison Thewliss is the SNP MP for Glasgow Central.
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