Scottish Affairs Committee

Scrutinising the interests of Scotland and how they are affected by Westminster legislation and administration, the Scottish Affairs Committee operates in the House of Commons with power to take oral evidence from witnesses. As a select committee, it investigates matters of reserved competence and devolved issues where UK-wide policy intersects Scottish concerns. Recent inquiries have focused substantially on Scotland's infrastructure resilience and energy transition, with multiple sessions examining fixed broadband connectivity, subsea cable vulnerabilities, and the role of GB Energy in Scotland's net zero ambitions. The committee has also prioritised Scotland's defence sector, holding sessions on how colleges and universities support defence skills development and investigating defence jobs across the country. Additional scrutiny has targeted grid upgrade planning through evidence from NESO and Ofgem, and explored energy affordability across Scottish households and island communities.