Ministers from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy were taking questions in the Commons. Subjects covered
included...
To read any of these in greater detail, either click on the link
above or see below.
Tourism Sector Deal
(North Devon) (Con)
1. What plans he has to establish a tourism sector deal under the
Industrial Strategy. [911951]
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy ()
This summer we should recognise the vital role that visitors play
in the UK economy—particularly, I might say, overseas sporting
visitors. Overseas visitors spent nearly £150 million in Devon
last year, supporting jobs and growth throughout the county. Our
new sector deal with the tourism industry was published last
month, and includes commitments to an additional 10,000
apprenticeships annually and an extra 130,000 hotel rooms.
As the Secretary of State will know, the best place to visit as a
tourist is, of course, North Devon. I welcome the publication of
the tourism sector deal, but will he look favourably on the
granting of tourism zone status to my constituency? Will he also
join me in thanking all those who work so hard at this time of
year in the tourism and hospitality industries, especially the
North Devon Marketing Bureau, which does such good work in
ensuring that people know that North Devon is the place to come
to?
Mr Speaker
Including the Woolacombe Bay Hotel.
That is a great endorsement, Mr Speaker.
I certainly join my hon. Friend in recognising that what is a
time for holidays for many people is a time of intense work for
people in the hospitality and tourism industries throughout the
country. I also recognise North Devon’s bid to become one of the
tourism zones. As my hon. Friend knows, the sector deal includes
an investment of more than £26 million in the English coastal
path, one of the most beautiful and popular attractions in his
very beautiful constituency.
(Westmorland and Lonsdale)
(LD)
20. Given that 20,000 non-UK staff work in tourism in the Lake
District, there is a desperate need for home-grown talent,
whether we leave the EU or not. However, the Government have
watered down the already delayed catering and hospitality
T-level, which no longer includes hospitality. Will the Secretary
of State undo that backwards move, and fast-track a catering and
hospitality T-level to next year? [911972]
If the hon. Gentleman looks at the sector deal, he will see a
great commitment to the development of careers in the hospitality
industry, including 30,000 apprenticeships a year. The new
T-levels have been developed in conjunction with the sector. I
hope the hon. Gentleman will acknowledge that that is a great
step forward, and that they will be available as a result of the
commitment that has been made.
(St Austell and Newquay)
(Con)
I am tempted to say that the best thing about Devon is that it is
the place that one drives through on the way to Cornwall, which
has again been recognised as the UK’s best and favourite holiday
destination. I welcome the announcement of the tourism sector
deal, but more than 50% of international tourists visit only
London. What extra help can the Government give to get more of
them out of London, and into places like Cornwall?
I am fearful that I shall find myself in an invidious position,
given the competing claims of west country Members. All I will
say is that, on this day of the 50th anniversary of the moon
mission, my hon. Friend will know that Newquay’s unique claim to
be in pole position for a UK spaceport adds to the already
considerable attractions of his constituency.
(Sefton Central) (Lab)
During last week’s Westminster Hall debate, the Under-Secretary
of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the hon.
Member for Rochester and Strood (), was enthusiastic when she
told us that Amazon was leading the retail task group. I dread to
think who the Secretary of State might have in mind for
tourism—Airbnb, perhaps?
It is Labour that is standing up for the crucial sectors in our
economy, not the likes of Amazon, with its exploitation of
workers and undercutting of other businesses, not to mention its
sweetheart tax agreements. When will the Government stop the
gimmicks, and deliver not only hospitality deals but the retail
deals that are so badly needed by those vital sectors of the
economy?
That is a strange point for the hon. Gentleman to make, given
that our tourism sector deal—the subject of this question—has
been hailed by the industry as a pivotal moment for it. Of course
it is right to engage with all retailers of all sizes, but
colleagues who represent rural communities will know that the
outlets, national and international, that web-based platforms
such as Amazon give to small rural businesses are very important
to retailing. It is vital for that perspective to be part of the
deal.
Zero-carbon Economy
(Cardiff North) (Lab)
2. What steps he is taking to ensure a smooth transition to a
zero-carbon economy. [911952]
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
10. What steps he is taking to implement the Government’s net
zero carbon target. [911960]
The Minister for Energy and Clean Growth ()
We have made world-leading progress, cutting our emissions by 42%
while growing the economy at the fastest rate of any G20 country
since 2000—a point recognised by the International Energy Agency
in its recent report. The Committee on Climate Change is clear:
our clean growth strategy and industrial strategy provide the
right frameworks for delivering net zero. I hope Members will
welcome the recent launch of the green finance strategy as a
clear demonstration of how seriously the Government take net
zero.
The Government are failing to act quickly and robustly enough to
tackle the climate emergency, particularly in solar and onshore
wind. Will the Secretary of State welcome the actions of the
peaceful Extinction Rebellion protesters across five cities in
this country, including my own of Cardiff, to disrupt business as
usual and send that important message?
What I welcome is that our legislating on net zero—we are the
first country in the G7 to legislate for net zero by 2050—marks a
catalytic moment for everyone to recognise that we need a
whole-of-society approach to this. I welcome all action, whether
from the Climate Coalition, whom I met recently, or businesses
and industries: organisations such as Tesco and Marks &
Spencer, for example, have committed to net zero. We all have a
part to play.
In light of the Government’s abysmal progress on carbon
reduction, last year the Committee on Climate Change issued 25
policy recommendations; the Government delivered just one. What
clear steps will the Government take in the next six months to
ensure that we get back on track for the fourth and fifth carbon
budgets?
On the work the Committee has taken forward in its recent report,
we welcome that the Committee acts as a critical friend. Now that
we have net zero in place, we must go much further much faster.
We have over-achieved on carbon budgets 1 and 2, we are on course
to meet budget 3, and we are 90% there on carbon budgets 4 and 5,
but I admit that we must do much more. I look forward to going to
the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee later to
discuss this in greater detail, but the net-zero commitment now
gives the opportunity to move on this.
(Gordon) (Con)
Three times as much energy is delivered by the gas grid and
electricity grid, so what is the Department doing to support
moves to hydrogen from natural gas?
Hydrogen is a really interesting source of energy and we need to
explore it further. There are lots of opportunities that other
countries, in particular France, are taking forward, such as by
looking at hydrogen supply and how we can combine that with the
gas grid. That makes the point that innovation here is crucial.
We make up 1% of the world’s emissions; if we are going to be
able to make a real difference worldwide, it will be by
innovating in this country—innovating in areas such as hydrogen,
where we can make a far greater impact across the world.
(Corby) (Con)
Given our abundance of tides as an island nation, it seems to me
that we could be doing more to utilise them for sustainable
energy generation. What does the Minister think?
I think we have the opportunity to look at alternative sources of
all energy and power. The latest round for contracts for
difference opened in May and will close on 18 June. We have
looked at alternative sources of power and we want to be able to
explore that. But this is also about creating a market mechanism
by which we can look at establishing new technologies, moving
away from subsidies and ensuring that we have a proud record for
the future on renewable energy supplies.
(Leeds West) (Lab)
The most recent report from the Committee on Climate Change shows
that we are moving in the wrong direction in terms of meeting our
fourth and fifth carbon budgets. We have now rightly strengthened
those objectives to achieve net zero, but without a single policy
to help us get there. The long-awaited energy White Paper has
still not been published, so can the Minister confirm today that
that White Paper will be published before the summer recess and
that it will include policies to get us there with onshore wind,
solar technology, battery storage and electric vehicles?
The hon. Lady mentions electric vehicles and battery storage. The
Prime Minister made a significant announcement yesterday at her
business council, attended by the Secretary of State: £500
million-worth of export finance will be provided for electric
vehicles. There are also the guarantees on looking at charging
points. The White Paper is due this summer; I cannot give any
more guarantees beyond that, but it is absolutely critical as the
next milestone going forward that we have the legislation in
place for net zero, and we now need to set out a plan. The clean
growth strategy was set out earlier—late last year. We are on
track to meet 90% of carbon budgets 4 and 5, and we will do more
to ensure that we meet them.
(St Ives) (Con)
Publicly owned buildings such as schools and hospitals can access
interest-free loans in order to retrofit their buildings and put
on solar panels and so forth. What consideration will be given to
allow that kind of scheme to be available to small businesses?
I entirely agree that taking a local, bottom-up approach is the
way in which the Government want to go. For instance, the rural
communities energy fund has recently been established—an extra
£10 million has been made available there—and we have the smart
export guarantee when it comes to looking at renewable sources of
power for small businesses or other small community buildings—
But you have raised VAT on solar.
The hon. Lady just carries on chuntering. She has asked her
question and I have given her an answer. She should allow me to
respond to other Members of Parliament. She needs to accept that
this Government—[Interruption.]
Mr Speaker
Order. The Minister is right. The hon. Lady has asked her
question and it was answered. It might not have been answered to
her satisfaction, but it was answered and that is the end of it.
Please be quiet.
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend the Member for St Ives
() that when it comes to looking
at how we should be creating new schemes, this is the direction
in which we need to go. We will do more and I am happy to discuss
with him the opportunity to involve small businesses. This will
be part of the energy White Paper, and we recognise that we need
to make significant strides to ensure that small businesses are
able to retrofit their properties.
(Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch
and Strathspey) (SNP)
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has shown
that, as if being hostile to onshore wind and destructive to
solar were not enough, the Department will not achieve its
climate ambitions due to its ambivalence over carbon capture and
its failure to emulate Scotland on energy efficiency measures.
The net zero 2050 target was imposed by the Prime Minister above
Ministers’ heads. As they prepare to leave their posts, will the
Minister admit that his Department lacks the policies to achieve
that target, and that his legacy will be one of abject failure?
No. If anything, I think that my legacy will be as the Minister
who signed the legislation ensuring that we were the first
country to achieve net zero by 2050.
I also hope that our legacy will be a successful partnership bid
with the Italians for COP26. The Italian ambassador came to meet
Members of Parliament here yesterday. I did not see the hon.
Gentleman there, but never mind about that—[Interruption.] He
might not recognise that we had the Italian ambassador here to
cover our COP26 bid, but he would have been welcome. An email was
sent to him, inviting him to attend, but unfortunately he did not
turn up. Our commitment must be UK-wide and we are making UK-wide
schemes available, including recently ensuring that we can
subsidise energy supplies for the north of Scotland, which
demonstrates the benefits of the Union in delivering net zero.
Mr Speaker
The key is not to speak more quickly but to use fewer words.
With bizarre and rubbish answers like that, it is no wonder that
the polls in Scotland are showing greater support for the
Scottish National party and for independence than ever before.
Will the Minister do just one thing? Will he rule out serving
under the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip
() and vote against a no-deal
Brexit to prevent further harm?
This is what it always comes down to. Here we are in BEIS
questions talking about clean growth and, yes, about how the
Government need to make more progress on net zero, but what is
the hon. Gentleman’s No. 1 priority? Independence for Scotland.
He wants to divide and rule as usual—[Interruption.]
Mr Speaker
Order.
In fact, it is being within the United Kingdom that has allowed
Scotland to benefit from 16 contracts for difference projects
recently, allowing for 2.6 GW of green energy. Also, £4 million
was recently announced for Project Acorn in Scotland for carbon
capture, utilisation and storage projects. The hon. Gentleman
never mentions the policy benefits of the Union or the investment
that it delivers in Scotland. No—all he wants to talk about is
independence. But let us look at what the Scottish people had to
say about—
Mr Speaker
Order. We are grateful to the Minister. He has spoken with
considerable force and alacrity, and I am sure that he is very
pleased with his own words, although we have had enough of them.
(Salford and Eccles)
(Lab)
Does the Minister agree with the TUC that, while decarbonisation
presents exciting economic opportunities, the lack of a
comprehensive and just transition policy and a coherent
industrial strategy means that many well-paid, highly skilled
unionised jobs are under threat?
I will half-agree with the TUC on this point. It is concerned
about reaching net zero through a just transition. We are living
through a revolution, and we are going to need to take the
population with us when it comes to jobs and job security. We
have 400,000 green jobs now, and there is a potential for 2
million by 2030. We need to work with the unions and to ensure
that when we look at the future of the world of work, we take the
entire population with us.
I do not believe that the Minister provided any specifics in that
answer. What is his plan for the workers in the closing coal
plants? Why are yards in Fife losing out to international rivals
for wind farms that are only a few miles away? Why has Dyson, a
British company, chosen Singapore over the UK for the production
of its electric vehicles? Germany is investing €1.5 billion in
battery production; this Government’s measly £246 million comes
nowhere near that.
The truth is that the party that devastated the UK’s industrial
heartlands in the 1980s does not have a just transition plan.
Will the Minister put ideology and laissez-faire economics aside
and work with us on this side to make a real green industrial
revolution a reality?
The hon. Lady seems obsessed with talking about the 20th century.
I want to talk about the 21st century—about what will be going on
when we get to 2030. Why did she not talk about Jaguar Land
Rover’s announcement yesterday that it will be investing in
building electric vehicles here, in the midlands? Why did she not
speak about the fact that electric Minis will now be rolling from
plants in Oxford? These are positive investments for the United
Kingdom, which demonstrate that we can make the change towards
net zero and clean technology by having clean growth—by investing
in the economy and in jobs and ensuring that we have record
levels of new green jobs going forwards.
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr Speaker
Order. Shorter questions and shorter answers are required.
Consumer Protection
(Thirsk and Malton)
(Con)
3. What recent steps his Department has taken to protect
consumers. [911953]
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy ()
In June, the Government announced steps to ensure that consumers
will not be punished for their loyalty. We are giving increased
powers to the Competition and Markets Authority to fine companies
that breach the law and to enable consumers to take control of
the data that businesses hold on them.
Mr Speaker, when you stay at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel, you may be
paying 20% too much, because online agencies such as Booking.com
use brandjacking clauses to colonise search results, and rate
parity clauses, which mean that even if you go direct, you still
pay 20% more than you need to. Other EU nations have banned this.
Will we?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise that point. The
Competition and Markets Authority is taking enforcement action
against the major hotel booking sites precisely because of those
concerns. It has already secured binding commitments from those
companies, which will protect consumers in exactly the way that
he recommends.
Mr (Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
Why can we not protect consumers from having their goods
delivered by companies such as Amazon in filthy, dirty, polluting
vehicles? Why will the Secretary of State not step in and do
something about that?
We have already had exchanges across the Chamber on the move to
electric vehicles. The investments of recent days are moving us
towards a clean and green fleet. With his industrial interests, I
know that the hon. Gentleman welcomes that.
Mr Speaker
Pithiness personified: I call Mr .
Mr (Kettering) (Con)
Is not the best way to protect value, service and price for
consumers through the promotion of competition?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend.
(St Helens North) (Lab)
Consumers can sign up to long-term financial commitments for
broadband, television and mobile phone services by clicking a few
buttons online, but to cancel those services they have to fill
out arduous forms, make numerous phone calls or even write to the
companies involved. Will the Secretary of State look at that
anomaly, to ensure fairness, and to provide the same mechanism
for getting and stopping?
For precisely those reasons, the issue is already being looked at
by the Competition and Markets Authority. It is important that
people are not penalised and do not find it difficult to extract
themselves from commitments that are easily entered into. There
needs to be fairness and transparency, and that is precisely what
the CMA is engaged in.
Two-factor Payment Authentication
(Streatham) (LD)
4. What assessment he has made of the effect of two-factor
payment authentication on (a) consumers and (b) businesses.
[911954]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
The implementation of strong customer authentication, which
mandates two-factor authentication for some online payments, will
introduce more secure payments for individuals and businesses.
That was introduced by the second payment services directive. The
Treasury published an impact assessment on the implementation of
that EU directive in 2017.
I am staggered that the Government are not doing more about this
ticking timebomb for online retail, which is on track to cause
major disruption. The British Retail Consortium estimates that
75% of retailers are unaware that it is coming into effect in
September. It is the same for consumers. The implementation is
forecast to lead to the failure of nearly a third of e-commerce
transactions from September, due to poor access to a proper phone
signal or wi-fi. Will the Minister ensure that no enforcement
action will be taken for at least 18 months, to give our retail
sector breathing space to adapt to the new rules?
I point out that there was £309 million-worth of fraud in
e-commerce in 2016 versus £13.6 million in 1998. The hon.
Gentleman will know that the European Banking Authority published
an opinion on readiness for implementation and the Financial
Conduct Authority published a statement in June. They are working
on mitigations past the September implementation date. They are
working with industry and providers to make sure that the essence
of the changes prevail, which is to make it safer for merchants
and consumers.
Sustainable Energy: Somerset
(Somerton and Frome)
(Con)
5. What steps his Department has taken to develop sustainable
energy in rural communities in Somerset. [911955]
The Minister for Energy and Clean Growth ()
I thank my hon. Friend for his local interest in taking action on
climate change. I am pleased to say, as I mentioned earlier, that
we have recently reopened the £10 million rural community energy
fund. It has already supported over 150 rural communities,
including through the installation of a solar capacity project in
my hon. Friend’s constituency of Frome. We have also established
five local energy hubs across the country, including in the
south-west, providing support to local authorities that are
planning green energy projects.
I met a large group of people from Somerset the other day at the
Time Is Now rally in Westminster. It is clear that people from
every walk of life are keen for the Government to lead the way in
environmental sustainability, yet reductions in feed-in tariffs,
a lack of incentives to use brownfield resources and a lack of
obligations on new build houses make the going tough. How will
the Department change this?
The feed-in tariff scheme achieved its objectives in support of
over 3,000 installations in my hon. Friend’s constituency. Its
successor, the smart export guarantee, will be a smarter, more
market-driven mechanism that will help to deploy without subsidy
as costs continue to fall. I can reassure my hon. Friend that the
Government have set a clear ambition for new homes to be energy
efficient and to embrace low-carbon technologies through the
buildings mission and the 2025 future homes standard commitment
announced by the Chancellor in the spring Budget.
(Bristol East) (Lab)
The Minister is a constituency neighbour of mine. If he has time
during the summer break, may I urge him to visit Wyke farm in
Somerset for an example of a business that prides itself on being
100% green? It has used pulp from the cider mills to supply its
anaerobic digesters and is doing really interesting things on
waste water. It really shows how a farm can be at the heart of
the local community, using its waste and farming in a sustainable
way.
I thank the hon. Lady for that suggestion. I would be happy to
come and visit during the recess. I pay tribute to her leadership
on this issue locally and nationally. She has made significant
commitments to this agenda for a long time and I have learned a
lot from her.
Onshore Wind: Scotland
(Cumbernauld, Kilsyth
and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP)
6. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State
for Scotland on support for onshore wind. [911956]
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
(SNP)
11. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of
State for Scotland on support for onshore wind. [911961]
The Minister for Energy and Clean Growth ()
BEIS Ministers regularly discuss a range of issues with their
counterparts in the Scotland Office, and just last week I met
with the Scottish Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the
Islands at the British-Irish Council in Manchester to discuss
energy and the environment. It was an incredibly productive
meeting, in contrast to what I often find with Opposition Members
in this place. The Government will continue to work with Scotland
on a range of issues, including strengthening the city region
deals in six areas, including Glasgow, Stirling and Aberdeen.
Research published today by Vivid Economics estimates that
proposals by the Committee on Climate Change for increasing
onshore wind capacity to 35 GW by 2035 would reduce the cost of
electricity by 7%. Ahead of the energy White Paper, can the
Minister confirm whether the Secretary of State for Scotland has
made the case for onshore wind to receive contracts for
difference support, just as that new report suggests it should?
It is a little known fact that we have 13.8 GW of onshore wind
capacity installed in the UK already—enough to power over 7.6
million UK homes—which includes 8.1 GW in Scotland. I understand
that there are new projects close to the hon. Gentleman’s
constituency in north Lanarkshire, with 46 MW of onshore wind
projects planned. I am not necessarily interested in what the
Secretary of State for Scotland has to say on this issue; I am
interested in what the Scottish people have to say and in
securing local community support for ensuring, whatever our range
of energy supply, that we commit to renewables of all forms in
meeting our net zero commitments by 2050.
It is interesting that the Minister seems not to care what the
Secretary of State for Scotland says, but wants to listen to the
people of Scotland. That is good going forward. The Vivid
Economics report shows that supporting onshore wind will create
2,300 jobs in Scotland. Will the Minister confirm that the
blocker to those jobs and investment in Scotland is the Scottish
Secretary of State and that he put his ideological objections in
writing to the BEIS Secretary?
I understand that the hon. Gentleman has a particular issue with
the Scottish Secretary of State; and I am sure that he will be
happy to take up some of those issues with him at Scottish
questions. All I can say is that the hon. Gentleman has made a
freedom of information request to the Department. The Government
have replied and that is the Government’s official response.
When it comes to renewables, let us take the positives. Let us
get away from the SNP’s negativity and endless griping. There are
Scottish MPs on the Government side of the House who are
committed to delivering positive action to the benefit of the
Scottish people—putting politics and discussions of independence
aside, getting down and doing the job, delivering for the people
of Scotland, and ensuring that we have offshore wind, onshore
wind or whatever supply is most appropriate for Scotland.
Mr (Glasgow North East)
(Lab/Co-op)
18. Does the Minister not share my concern that, as we try to
build an effective industrial base for renewables in Scotland, we
are seeing—because of a change in the rules for the delivery of
60% of through-life content, instead of 60% of manufactured
content—that contracts for manufacturing components have been
sent to Indonesia, whereas BiFab’s yard is a mere 10 miles from a
potential wind farm? What conversations has he had with the
Scottish Government on these issues? [911968]
Boosting local and national content is a key issue, and, taking
up the point raised by the hon. Member for Salford and Eccles
(), the Government are
determined to ensure the delivery of local green jobs. The
offshore wind sector deal has obviously committed to 60% content
by 2025 or 2030. I cannot remember the exact date, but I am happy
to come back to the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Mr
Sweeney) on that.
It is important that, as we go forward with the contract for
difference proposals, we make sure that we bring local suppliers
with us. That is a key part of the Government’s industrial
strategy.
(Southampton, Test)
(Lab)
If the Minister had an opportunity to look at today’s report from
RenewableUK on onshore wind, he would see that there has been a
complete collapse in planning applications for onshore wind, in
Scotland and in the UK as a whole, yet the report indicates that
customers could have substantially saved on their future energy
bills if that collapse had not happened.
Does the Minister agree that the policy of banning onshore wind
in England, through planning restrictions, and in the UK as a
whole, through discrimination in support, is now completely
indefensible? If he does agree, what is he doing to reverse this
policy?
When it comes to renewables, we now have a record high of 52% of
our electricity being generated from low-carbon sources, with 33%
from renewables. We have seen with offshore wind that, actually,
the reduction in our prices demonstrates that we can move towards
effective renewables for the future. As I mentioned, we have 13.8
GW of onshore wind delivering for 7.6 million households. We have
the local planning processes in place for the future, which was a
commitment in the 2015 Conservative manifesto, but we want to
make sure that we take local communities with us. That is also
the case with net zero. It has to be a transition on which we
have the confidence of the entire population. There is no point
trying to impose green technology on local communities if they do
not support that technology for the future.
Product Safety
(Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)
(Lab)
7. What steps he is taking to improve product safety. [911957]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
We are providing £12 million a year of new funding through the
Office for Product Safety and Standards to strengthen national
capacity for product safety enforcement. The OPSS provides
specialist expertise, scientific advice, support and training for
trading standards, and it leads on national product safety
challenges to protect consumers.
I recently attended an Electrical Safety First event on the
dangers of buying second-hand electrical goods. The reality is
that many people buy second-hand electrical goods, sometimes not
by choice, so will the Minister commit, in the light of the
Whirlpool recall, to a public awareness campaign on how to buy
and use electrical products safely?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that question. Last week
we took part in a Westminster Hall debate secured by the hon.
Member for Swansea East (). The OPSS is currently
working with Electrical Safety First on various campaigns, to
which we have an ongoing commitment. Consumer protection and
consumer education are important.
(Stirling) (Con)
Given the difficulty of tracing the whereabouts of half a million
potentially faulty Whirlpool tumble dryers, what discussions has
the Minister had with the OPSS on developing a proposal for
product registration at point of sale?
Again, I thank my hon. Friend for his question. In last week’s
Westminster Hall debate I committed to developing and testing the
ability for mandatory registration of electrical products, which
is something we are looking at. It was initiated in a discussion
at the Consumer Protection Partnership last Thursday, and we are
hoping to get outcomes in the near future.
(Hammersmith) (Lab)
The Government have known for four years that there were 5.5
million Whirlpool tumble dryers in homes across the UK that were
liable to catch fire. Last month, the Minister gave notice that
she intended to order the recall of those dryers still in use,
but now she has agreed a voluntary recall with the company. Will
she reconsider that and use the powers she has? If she does not,
how will we know that Whirlpool is taking this seriously?
I recognise the hon. Gentleman’s concern in this regard. He is
absolutely correct to say that we issued a notice of intent to
recall on Whirlpool. It submitted its proposal, which we
assessed. We also took advice from an expert panel, comprising an
independent QC and chief scientific officers from the Health and
Safety Executive, the Home Office and the Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. We decided not only to
accept the proposal, which has been published, but to issue a
regulation 28 notice with regard to further information that
needs to be shared with the OPSS, so that we can review the
recall process.
Used Electrical Goods: Online Sales
(Swansea East) (Lab)
8. What plans he has to improve the regulation of second-hand
electrical goods online. [911958]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
I have recently written to online platforms to make clear the
priority I place on consumer safety. The hon. Lady will know,
after her Westminster Hall debate last week, that the Office for
Product Safety and Standards is undertaking specific projects to
tackle the risks of second-hand and online sales, including
targeting those goods entering the UK via fulfilment houses.
I appreciated the Minister’s letter this weekend on the online
sales of second-hand recalled tumble dryers. Currently, it is
possible to upload details of such products on to online
platforms without recall notices, or model or display numbers.
Her letter states that she has written to these online platforms,
but it fails to say which ones. Will she commit to publishing
these letters and any advice she has given, in the interests of
clarity?
I would like to reassure the hon. Lady that I have written to not
just one online platform, but all the online platforms in
relation to this. I would just like to clarify that some
platforms have been advertising certain models and Whirlpool has
used the same model number for a number of machines, so it is not
correct to assume that all models will be subject to recall. As I
have outlined, if any platform is selling products that are part
of that recall, the organisations are being alerted and the
products are being taken down as soon as possible.
Strategic Transport Infrastructure Projects: Essex
(Witham) (Con)
9. If he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for
Transport to discuss the potential benefits to (a) businesses and
(b) the implementation of the industrial strategy of funding
strategic transport infrastructure projects in Essex. [911959]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
Our national productivity investment fund of £37 billion will
increase investment in areas important for economic growth, such
as transport. The Government are also committed to deliver the
Lower Thames crossing with an estimated cost of £5.3 billion. I
will happily discuss infrastructure projects in Essex with the
Secretary of State for Transport, when I next see him.
Last week, I chaired key investment meetings with businesses in
Essex for the Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce and on the
dualling of the A120. Those two projects alone would contribute
£5 billion to the regional and national economy. Will the
Minister and the Secretary of State encourage the entire
Department to work with us to get behind this and get to the
Treasury in particular to get the investment that is needed to
get those schemes moving?
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s tireless championing of the case
for improved road and rail in Essex, and I am happy to lend my
support to her campaign. The county has a vibrant, enterprising
economy, but greater investment in connectivity would deliver
more jobs, housing and opportunities right across the region.
UK Automotive Sector: No-deal Brexit
(Ellesmere Port and Neston)
(Lab)
12. What steps he plans to take to support the UK automotive
sector in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
[911962]
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy ()
The industrial strategy chose to invest to make Britain a leading
location for the next generation of vehicles, irrespective of
Brexit. This month, we have worked with Jaguar Land Rover to
secure the electric XJ at Castle Bromwich. Last week, I launched
the new electric Mini, to be built in Oxford. Immediately after
these questions, I am unveiling Lotus’s Evija , the UK’s first
all-electric hypercar, made in Norfolk. I am determined that
Britain’s automotive strength will flourish through the next
generation of vehicles.
As the Secretary of State knows, Vauxhall Motors in Ellesmere
Port has a future if we can avoid a no-deal Brexit. In recent
weeks, members of the Government have been falling over
themselves to endorse a no-deal Brexit, despite the damage that
will do to the automotive sector. Will he not put his own job
ahead of those of my constituents—will he rule out a no-deal
Brexit today?
I am sure the hon. Gentleman welcomes the commitment given by
Vauxhall’s owners to invest in Ellesmere Port, but he is
absolutely right that they have said that that depends on a
successful resolution of Brexit that means Vauxhall can continue
to trade without tariffs and friction with the rest of the
European Union. That reinforces how vital it is to secure such a
deal.
Fuel Cell Manufacturing
(Loughborough) (Con)
13. What steps the Government are taking to help improve the
viability of fuel cell manufacturing in the UK. [911963]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
We provide support through Innovate UK for early-stage fuel cell
technologies, and through the Advanced Propulsion Centre and the
energy entrepreneurs fund as those technologies mature towards
the market. Our £23 million hydrogen for transport programme is
expanding refuelling infrastructure, and fuel cell vehicles are
eligible for consumer incentives, which helps to increase demand.
Two weeks ago, I was at No. 10 with Intelligent Energy, a company
in my right hon. Friend’s constituency, considering further
opportunities for fuel cell deployment.
I thank the Minister very much indeed for that answer; it sounds
almost as if he knew I was going to raise Intelligent Energy,
which is based in my constituency and, as he obviously knows,
manufactures hydrogen fuel cells, having developed the
technology. Will he confirm that the Government are technology
neutral when it comes to identifying future technologies? To
follow on from the previous question, do the Minister and the
Department appreciate the opportunities for factories where
diesel engines are no longer going to be manufactured to get into
the manufacture of the next generation of engines, which should
be fuelled by hydrogen fuel cells?
I agree strongly with my right hon. Friend: there is huge
potential for the auto sector. The Government are committed to
policies that are technology neutral as we achieve the ambitions
that we set out in the Road to Zero strategy around a year ago.
The Government support the development of hydrogen as a transport
fuel and we are in step with international progress. However, we
acknowledge that we need to go further and faster in all
different types of technologies.
(Strangford) (DUP)
We have certainly had some impressive improvements since the
Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill in 2017, but will the
Minister outline what recent steps have been taken to secure this
manufacturing facility, which was so central to the Bill and its
goal?
I missed the manufacturing facility that the hon. Gentleman
referred to, but I am more than happy to work with him and
others. I have been working closely with colleagues in Northern
Ireland on a range of issues, and I am keen to meet the hon.
Gentleman who is a tireless champion on behalf of industry in his
part of the United Kingdom.
Recycling Nuclear Submarines
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
14. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for
Defence on extending the provisions of the Energy Act 2004 to
include recycling nuclear submarines. [911964]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
Officials in my Department have had several discussions with
their counterparts in the Ministry of Defence on how the
expertise and resources of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
can best assist the submarine dismantling programme. However, we
do not believe that extending the provisions of the Energy Act
2004 would provide an appropriate addition to that support.
I thank the Minister for his reply, but it is disappointing that
that is the first time a Minister has said no to the cross-party
request to extend the civil clean-up of nuclear sites to include
old nuclear submarines, of which there are 13 in Devonport and
six in Rosyth. Will the Minister lend the same support as his
predecessor did and agree to meet the cross-party campaign? We
have to find a way to safely recycle the submarines.
The disposal of nuclear submarines is a complex and challenging
undertaking that I last discussed with the Minister for defence
procurement, the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon.
Friend the Member for Pudsey (), yesterday. As the hon.
Gentleman will know from the meeting he had earlier this year,
the Government have an established programme of work in place and
are committed to the safe, secure and cost-effective defuelling
and dismantling of all decommissioned nuclear submarines as soon
as practically possible. I am more than happy to meet the hon.
Gentleman to discuss the matter further.
Manufacturing Output
Mr (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op)
15. What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the
Exchequer on trends in the level of manufacturing output.
[911965]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
We have regular discussions with Treasury Ministers on a range of
subjects, including the importance of the manufacturing sector to
the UK economy—it is the fourth largest in the EU and supports
2.7 million jobs. We are taking several measures to support
manufacturing growth, including £141 million for the Made Smarter
industrial digitalisation programme and £600 million for the
high-value manufacturing catapult.
Mr Bailey
Notwithstanding the welcome news from Jaguar Land Rover, overall
manufacturing production is contracting, export and domestic
orders are down, investment is paralysed and employment is
dropping. This has huge implications for the public finances.
What discussions is the Minister having with the Treasury on the
implications of all that for the delivery of the Tory leadership
contenders’ tax and spending plans?
The latest Office for National Statistics index of production
figures show that, despite strong fluctuations in recent months,
the level of manufacturing output in May 2019 was the same as it
was in May the previous year, and the level of the three months
to May 2019 was actually higher than it was in the same period in
2018. That stands in stark contrast to the situation under the
Labour Government, when we saw more than 35,000 manufacturing
businesses cease to exist and 1.7 million manufacturing jobs
lost.
Mrs (Saffron Walden) (Con)
MetalMin is a manufacturing business in my constituency and part
of the British Steel supply chain. Will the Secretary of State
meet the directors of the company to discuss what specific
support the Department is providing to British Steel suppliers to
ensure that they can stay in business?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. She will know that the
Secretary of State and I are actively involved in the British
Steel support group, which meets weekly. We will raise the
concerns of her local business at that support group and I will
come back to her.
(Brent North) (Lab)
The Minister will know that last month’s statistics on foreign
direct investment show that new projects are down by 14%, new
jobs are down by 24% and existing jobs safeguarded by new
investment are down by 54%. That is an 80% drop in FDI over the
past five years. What discussions has he had with the Chancellor
about the effect of that on manufacturing output?
I am proud that we remain one of the most attractive destinations
in the world for foreign direct investment. UK unemployment has
now fallen below 3.8% for the first time since 1974, average
wages are growing twice as fast as inflation and by the fastest
rate in over a decade, and all while we borrow half as much as
Labour did in the five years before the crash.
(Cleethorpes) (Con)
Can the Minister give an update on negotiations in reference to
Scunthorpe steelworks?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. As he will know, that
is in the hands of the official receiver. I am seeking to keep
him and other local Members of Parliament updated regularly with
what is going on, but I know that my right hon. Friend the
Secretary of State has left no stone unturned and is meeting with
various bidders and other people to secure the long-term future
of steelmaking in his region.
Automotive Industry
(Angus) (Con)
16. What recent steps he has taken to support the automotive
industry in the UK. [911966]
(Stafford) (Con)
17. What recent steps he has taken to support the automotive
industry in the UK. [911967]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
Yesterday, the Prime Minister chaired a roundtable with
automotive companies to discuss how the Government can best
continue to support the industry through this period of
unprecedented change. The Prime Minister announced a £500 million
loan guarantee to support Jaguar Land Rover’s design, manufacture
and export of the next generation of electric vehicles, with
similar support also available to others in the sector. Through
our industrial strategy and landmark automotive sector deal, we
remain committed to keeping the UK at the forefront of new
technological development.
I thank the Minister for that answer and declare that I am
vice-chair of the all-party group for fair fuel.
The automotive industry is moving apace to ensure that it can
help reach the Government’s ambitious targets for electric
vehicles, but of course we need to have the infrastructure in
place to supplement that as well. Will the Minister outline what
his Department has done to help rural communities such as Angus
with that?
Our UK-wide grant scheme and the £400 million public-private
charging infrastructure investment fund will see thousands more
public charge points installed across the UK, including in rural
areas. Yesterday, the Prime Minister committed that all new rapid
and higher-powered charge points will provide pay-as-you-go debit
or credit card payment options by spring 2020 to enable access
for all in the community. We will continue to monitor whether any
significant gaps in infrastructure provision emerge in the medium
term and will consider whether further support is required.
I very much welcome the announcements by JLR and BMW. The
Minister will know that in the event of a no-deal, which I very
much hope will not happen, we will face not only tariffs, but the
implication of rules of origin. This was seen by BMW moving the
manufacture of engines for South Africa out of Hams Hall in the
west midlands to Germany. What discussions has he had with his
colleagues in Government over the implications of rules of origin
for future trade arrangements?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is right to say that
the decisions by JLR and BMW about the electric Mini are votes of
confidence in the workforce in the west midlands. However, we
must prepare for all scenarios, and we are fully preparing for no
deal and working with the industry to understand the potential
impacts, including, as he says, the impact of rules of origin. We
are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be a
competitive location for automotive under any scenario. Alongside
industry, we are investing almost £1.5 billion to ensure that we
are at the forefront of new automotive technologies.
Support for Growth in the Midlands
(Stoke-on-Trent South)
(Con)
21. What recent steps he has taken to support growth in the
midlands. [911973]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
We are supporting the midlands engine through the £250 million
midlands engine investment fund and £1.6 billion of local growth
funding. I congratulate the west midlands, which recently
published its local industrial strategy. I feel certain that this
will ensure jobs and growth for many decades to come.
The ceramic valley enterprise zone in Stoke-on-Trent has been
incredibly successful for our local economy by creating jobs.
Will the Minister support continuing the ceramic valley
enterprise zone and expanding it to include other sites in the
city?
Having had the privilege of visiting the ceramic valley
enterprise zone during a recent visit to Stoke-on-Trent, I am
delighted to confirm that, once completed, it will have created
over 7,000 jobs and redeveloped 140 hectares of former brownfield
land. I hope to continue to work with my hon. Friend, who is a
redoubtable campaigner for his constituency, to see what more can
be done to expand this hugely successful site.
Topical Questions
(Cardiff West) (Lab)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities. [911976]
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy ()
May I take this opportunity to say to the hon. Member for Salford
and Eccles () that although she and
I strongly disagree on various issues, including on the future of
modern capitalism, we should be proud to have a shared commitment
to reaching net zero emissions? Since our last oral questions
session, the UK has become the first major economy in the world
to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050,
and companies from around the world are choosing to develop green
technologies here in the UK. Last week I launched the new
electric Mini, built in Oxford; the week before, Jaguar Land
Rover announced that it is making a range of electric vehicles;
and in an hour’s time I will be launching Lotus’s new electric
hypercar. So, in keeping with what appears to be a new tradition
of sharing pre-holiday gifts across the Dispatch Box, I would
like to provide the hon. Lady with a small symbol—this model
Mini—of what I hope will be our efforts to support our automotive
industry, of which we are very proud, in its shift to a greener
future.
Mr Speaker
I call .
(North West Durham) (Lab)
rose—
Mr Speaker
I apologise; I am ahead of myself. I was so captivated by the
Secretary of State’s munificence that I neglected the hon. Member
for Cardiff West (), which I must tell all
observers is a very risky enterprise. Let’s hear from the fella.
I will not take it personally, Mr Speaker.
While the Secretary of State is in the mood for holiday gifts,
the latest Government statistics show that 61% of those working
in music, performing and visual arts are self-employed, so will
the Secretary of State update shared parental leave rules to
include self-employed people to prevent talented women from
having to leave their careers in the creative industries and
other industries when they have children?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We are evaluating the
responses we have had from the creative industries and others on
that issue. I fully recognise that it is an unresolved matter
that we will address during the months ahead.
(Thornbury and Yate) (Con)
T4. The introduction of the national living wage has helped to
raise the living standards of many of my constituents. What
assessment has the Minister made of the impact of increasing the
national living wage from 60% to 66% of median earnings and the
ability of the retail sector to continue to grow its workforce
considering that change? [911979]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
Given my hon. Friend’s background, I know that he has a keen
interest in the retail sector. In April, the increase in the
national living wage meant that nearly 1.8 million workers
received an above-inflation pay rise. The Government have stated
our ambition to end low pay in the UK. The national living wage
is on track to meet its target of 60% of median earnings by 2020,
and we will announce its future target later this year. In
setting a new target, we will work with the expert Low Pay
Commission to carefully consider the impact on businesses and
workers across all sectors.
Given the reported use of food banks by staff in the Secretary of
State’s Department, and given that the first ever indefinite
strike action of outsourced workers in Whitehall is happening
now, does the Secretary of State not see it as his duty at least
to ensure that BEIS contractors are not breaking legislation?
That includes potential breaches of regulation 7 of the Conduct
of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations
2003, whereby an employment business may not supply a temporary
worker to a hirer to replace an individual taking part in
official strike action. Can the Secretary of State please explain
to the House what action he has taken on the issue following the
Public and Commercial Services Union’s referral of the matter to
the Met police, and letters sent to him and his permanent
secretary on 10 July?
I value very highly everyone who works in my Department, whether
they are directly employed or employed through contractors. Of
course, we will always require our contractors to obey the law.
What we have done, and what I have acted to do, is make sure that
our contractor staff are paid at least the average level across
London for their employment. I know that that has been welcomed.
I take the issue very seriously and I am grateful to the hon.
Lady for raising it.
(North Devon) (Con)
T5. Do Ministers agree that improving the whole A303, A30 and
A358 corridor would remove a significant barrier to growth across
the south-west and North Devon? [911980]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
Yes, we agree that that is an important corridor for the
south-west, increasing resilience and providing alternative
routes. That is why the Government have already committed £2
billion to starting the project in the first road investment
strategy. Work is already under way on developing the first major
improvements. The Government’s intention is that subsequent road
investment strategies will fund the remaining improvements. As my
hon. Friend says, this is important to driving prosperity and
growth in the whole south-west.
(Delyn) (Lab)
T2. Do Ministers support the Treasury’s proposed VAT rise to 20%
for solar-based products, and what assessment have they made of
its impact on installations? [911977]
The Minister for Energy and Clean Growth ()
It is not the Treasury’s rise; it is the European Union’s rise.
In considering the reasons why he supports staying in the
European Union, the right hon. Gentleman has to address the fact
that these are EU regulations that we are putting in force while
we remain a member. We will have the freedom in future—and, I
hope, his support—to deal with such VAT issues once we are out of
the European Union.
(Mansfield) (Con)
T7. Hundreds of small businesses—particularly retailers,
perhaps—stand to benefit from Mansfield’s progress in the future
high streets fund. I know that the Minister has to be impartial,
although I am sure that behind closed doors Mansfield is his
favourite bid. Would he be willing to meet me to discuss the bid
and make sure that we get the right advice and the best possible
bang for our buck to support those businesses? [911982]
Of course. I will happily meet my hon. Friend. I pay tribute to
the work he is doing in driving forward the hopes and dreams of
those involved in the Mansfield bid for the future high streets
fund. Many areas across the country will not have succeeded in
going through to the business case of the first round of the
fund. I remind them that the fund will open again to applications
very shortly—[Interruption.] That includes the hon. Member for
Ashton-under-Lyne (), who is complaining from a
sedentary position on the Labour Front Bench. We will see what we
can do.
(Glasgow North) (SNP)
T3. Matthew’s Foods, which has served the Asian community in
Glasgow North for nearly 20 years, is being threatened with
electrical disconnection because it is disputing a £400,000 bill
on an emergency tariff from British Gas. Jobs are at risk, even
though the company tells me that it simply wants to pay a fair
price for the utilities it has used. What powers does the
Department or the regulator have to encourage both sides to come
to an amicable solution? [911978]
I am happy to take away that specific issue. I want to make sure
that the curry industry in Glasgow continues and that local
businesses continue to thrive. I am happy to take away the issue
and look at it in further detail. We work closely with the
regulator, Ofgem, to make sure that suppliers and individuals
continue to benefit from a flexible energy economy.
(Angus) (Con)
T9. The oil and gas industry has a vital role to play in
achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. One way of doing so
is by providing a commercial incentive for carbon capture and
storage. Will the Minister outline what steps the Department is
taking to see whether that could become commercially viable?
[911984]
We recently announced £26 million for, I think, 11 carbon
capture, utilisation and storage projects across the UK,
including Project Acorn in Scotland. I visited Tata Chemicals in
Cheshire, which is the largest project in the UK; it is 100 times
larger than other projects. The Committee on Climate Change
report is absolutely clear that 50% of our carbon emission
reductions will come from CCUS. We must continue to invest in
that more and then take those innovations across the globe.
(West Lancashire) (Lab)
T6. Could the Secretary of State respond to the findings of
Citizens Advice that utility companies have overcharged customers
by £24 billion over 15 years? [911981]
As I said in answer to earlier questions, the Competition and
Markets Authority has recognised the unacceptable position of
loyal customers being overcharged, and it is acting to correct
that, as we have done in this House when it comes to energy
bills.
(Copeland) (Con)
T10. Does the Secretary of State agree that nuclear energy must
be part of the decarbonisation of this country? Could he update
the House on progress made with the regulated asset base
financial model and the energy White Paper? [911985]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
I agree with my hon. Friend that nuclear power has a key role to
play in delivering the net zero target and acknowledge the
unrivalled nuclear expertise in Copeland, which I was delighted
to see on my recent visit to her constituency. We intend to
publish our assessment of the feasibility of the RAB model for
funding new nuclear shortly.
Mr (Glasgow North East)
(Lab/Co-op)
T8. The St Rollox railway works in my constituency will close
next Friday, with a loss of 200 jobs and ending 163 years of
operation. While the Scottish Government have refused to
renationalise the facility, Scottish Enterprise is actively
seeking a new buyer for the site. Will the Secretary of State
ensure that his Department is fully deployed to aid in that
effort at all levels of Government? [911983]
I work very well with not only the Scotland Office here but the
Scottish Government, and I am happy to take that up after this
session.
Ms (Tatton) (Con)
All forms of company are registered and incorporated with
Companies House. While it is a great resource if used properly,
it is open to misuse, abuse and fraudulent information. What
steps will the Secretary of State take to ensure validation
before companies are registered, so that the public can have
faith in the register?
rose—
Ms McVey
Secretary of State, please.
I am happy to respond to my right hon. Friend. The problem that
she identifies is a real and present one. We are taking steps to
require information given to Companies House, and therefore made
use of, to be validated. [Interruption.]
Mr Speaker
Someone chunters from a sedentary position, “Can she do
that?”—can the right hon. Lady demand that the Secretary of
State, rather than some other Minister, answers the question?
There is no prohibition. It is a matter of the force of
personality, which the right hon. Lady has just eloquently
exhibited, and it may well encourage copycat behaviour.
Mr (East Londonderry)
(DUP)
What better week than this to discuss the potential for a tourism
sector deal for Northern Ireland? After all, this week the sun
has got its hat on, Rory’s out to play, the Open has come to
Ulster—hopefully, it’s coming home to stay.
I did not have the hon. Gentleman down as a poet, as well as his
other accomplishments.
The sector deal that has been signed very much relates to the
whole United Kingdom, and I hope the manifold attractions of
Northern Ireland will be given a boost by the very good news that
this sector deal constitutes for the industry.
(Morley and Outwood)
(Con)
I recently visited Coca-Cola in my constituency. It will be
investing £50 million in its Wakefield plant this year, providing
jobs and apprenticeships to my constituents. Companies are
investing in Britain, demonstrating that the future will be
bright after Brexit. What is the Department doing to attract
further foreign investment?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. We work closely with the
Department for International Trade to secure more inward
investment into the UK, and we ensure through our industrial
strategy that we have one of the most competitive environments
for investment globally.
(Bristol West) (Lab)
What discussions is the Secretary of State having with his
relevant counterparts in other departmental teams about the
ability of people in the creative industries to travel around the
European Union if there is a Brexit of any sort? Secretary of
State, please.
You were right, Mr Speaker; this is becoming a habit. I am happy
to respond to the hon. Lady. The ability—especially in the
creative industries, but also in professional and business
services—for people to ply their trade by visiting and working in
other countries is essential. It is a big part of the
negotiations, which I hope will result in a deal that allows a
strong part of the UK economy to continue to flourish.
(Burton) (Con)
Some 900 jobs were put at risk when Kerry Foods announced the
closure of its plant in Burton. I know the Secretary of State has
been in touch with the managing director of Kerry to press it on
finding a new buyer. Will he commit to doing all he can to make
sure that a new buyer is found and that those jobs are protected?
I will indeed. I have been in touch with the owners of the site.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: the most important thing is
that a new owner should be found for that historic site in
Burton, so that it can continue its good track record of
employment.
(Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)
The chief executives of Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestlé and PepsiCo
are indirectly responsible for much of the 8 million tonnes of
plastic waste that ends up in our seas. Will the Secretary of
State meet those chief executives to encourage them to adopt more
sustainable packaging?
I am certainly happy to meet those chief executives. We are
working on projects to deliver sustainable packaging when it
comes to looking at future research and innovation on
alternatives to plastics, which I think will be critical. I would
like to thank this UK sector for looking at making adaptations
for the future. Everyone agrees that we have to rid the UK of
plastic packaging, and do so in a way that will not harm the
economy. Going forward, we need to have the support of companies
such as those the hon. Gentleman mentioned, and I will happily
meet them.
(Banff and Buchan) (Con)
In approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes, it will be exactly 50
years since the launch of the Apollo 11 mission to land a man on
the moon. Will my hon. Friend the Minister for Universities,
Science, Research and Innovation—if I may be specific—tell the
House how the Government are planning to commemorate the landing
of the first man on the moon this weekend?
The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation
()
It is nice to be top of the menu for once. Yes, at 2.32 pm, we
will have the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 11
moon mission. On the Government’s commitment to space, I will be
giving a speech at the Policy Exchange, setting out what we think
is a clear priority for the UK economy—not just in space
exploration, but in earth observation. To come back again to the
net zero target—it is not like we have talked about it enough
already—space technology is a key enabling technology that will
enable us to better detect changes in the earth. The future of
space is actually critical for our survival on earth.
(Birmingham, Erdington)
(Lab)
It was a privilege to stand with 1,000 Jaguar workers and hear
that the factory that built the Spitfire during the war and two
generations of Jaguar after the war—it nearly closed 10 years
ago—will now build the electric cars of the future. Will the
Secretary of State, in welcoming yesterday’s announcement, join
me in saying that we must now build the batteries in Britain so
that we have a vibrant British industry?
Will the Secretary of State also join me in paying tribute to the
remarkable man that was Lord Kumar for his championing of
manufacturing in Britain and his drive, intellect and ambition
for Britain and British workers? It is thanks to Kumar that the
Jaguar plant remains open.
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. It was a proud moment for
all of us to have the commitment that Jaguar Land Rover has made.
I know everyone is immensely proud not just of the history but of
the future of that great company.
I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to , the regius professor of
manufacturing at Warwick and the founder of the Warwick
Manufacturing Group. I can announce to the House that, in
recognition of his immense contribution, we are establishing two
awards. The first is the award for collaboration
between academia and industry, which will be a prize of £25,000
each year to the team who best show how industry and universities
can work together. Because was such a champion of
inclusion and helped so many young people enjoy flourishing
careers in engineering, we are establishing the engineering inclusion
programme, working with school and further education college
students in the west midlands. It will make available 80
bursaries a year for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to
study engineering, and it will also support extracurricular
activities to inspire the next generation of young people to
study engineering.
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr Speaker
Order. I am sorry, but demand exceeds supply, and we must move
on.
