Scots to help decide topic of new Westminster inquiry

A Westminster committee is taking requests from the public on the topic it should explore in a new inquiry.

It follows a similar exercise in 2017 when more than 130 proposals were made to the Scottish Affairs Committee.

Digital connectivity was selected by MPs to form the basis of a full inquiry, which reported the following year.

Ideas should be submitted to the committee through an online form on its website by August 31, with some members of the public being invited to present to MPs later in the year.

The committee looks at matters that are reserved to Westminster and not those that are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Affairs Committee chairman Pete Wishart said: “Too often inquiries are top-down – MPs in Westminster deciding what policies will be scrutinised.

“While there’s space for this, it sometimes overlooks the immediate concerns of those on the ground suffering the consequences of policy gaps.

“We want you to help create an inquiry on subjects that mean a lot to you.

“What do you think Scottish Affairs Committee should be exploring this Parliament?”

He added: “Whatever walk of life you’re from we want your expertise or experiences put to the committee.

“Each and every person’s insight and perspective is unique, and we are eager to see what the best ideas are for us to take forward.”

Suggestions of possible topics could include areas of UK Government legislation that are not working for Scotland and how they could be improved or the effectiveness and possible improvements that could be made to the Scotland Office.