MSP "dismayed" at Business Secretary's Holyrood no-show

The convener of a Scottish Parliament committee has criticised the UK Government for refusing to give evidence to committee members on its UK Internal Market Bill.

The UK Government says it regrets that Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, will not be able to appear before Holyrood’s Finance & Constitution Committee on account of the “tight legislative timeline” for the bill that is currently going through Westminster.

But committee convener Bruce Crawford says he is dismayed by the declined invitation, especially as the UK Government acknowledges “all aspects” of the Internal Market Bill will require the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Crawford said: “The UK Internal Market Bill will affect many people’s lives and livelihoods in Scotland. It will also have a profound impact on the devolution settlement and on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

“The UK Government already recognises and accepts that all aspects of this bill require the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament.

“I am genuinely dismayed, therefore, that the Secretary of State for Business will not make time to give evidence to our committee, as we consider whether or not to recommend that consent be given to this UK bill.”