High Street Businesses
(Sheffield Central)
(Lab)
1. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on
supporting high street businesses.(900967)
(Ashford) (Lab)
3. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on
supporting high street businesses.(900972)
(Hendon) (Lab)
11. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on
supporting high street businesses.(900985)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
Revitalising our high streets is a priority for this Government,
and I and the Secretary of State have spoken to colleagues across
Whitehall to ensure that we are working together to create better
conditions over the long term for high street businesses to
thrive. That means addressing antisocial behaviour and crime,
rolling out banking hubs, stamping out late payments, empowering
communities to make the most of vacant properties, strengthening
the post office network, reforming the apprenticeship levy and,
as the Chancellor confirmed yesterday, reforming business
rates.
There are just short of 5,500 businesses in Sheffield Central,
and more than 80% of them are micro-businesses employing fewer
than 10 employees. These are the engines of local economic growth
in our area, and they provide vital services in our community.
Many businesses in my constituency welcome yesterday's
announcement of permanently lower business rates for hospitality,
retail and leisure properties from 2026-27. Will the Minister
outline what further steps he is taking with the Chancellor to
create a fairer business rates system, so we can ensure that our
high streets thrive permanently?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question, and I think
this is the first time I have had the chance to congratulate her
on her election to this House. She is absolutely right that if we
are to see our high streets thrive, we need to ensure there is a
genuinely level playing field for businesses online and those on
the high street. As the Chancellor announced yesterday, to
deliver that pledge we intend to introduce permanently lower tax
rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties from
2026-27. To fund that, we intend to introduce a large business
multiplier from 2026-27, which will apply a higher rate on the
most valuable properties. That will capture the majority of large
distribution warehouses, including those used by the online
giants. However, we want to go further, so the Chancellor
published a discussion paper yesterday asking businesses for
further ideas on the reform of business rates.
Small and independent shops are the lifeblood of our high
streets, and they make the communities in my Ashford constituency
special. Far too many high street businesses have been feeling
the squeeze over recent years, which has led to empty units being
an all too familiar sight. I welcome the measures announced in
yesterday's Budget, particularly the reform of business rates.
Will my hon. Friend update the House on what the Government are
doing to empower local communities to acquire empty units?
Again, I congratulate my hon. Friend on his election to this
House. Colleagues across Whitehall are bringing forward plans to
introduce high street rental auctions, which will bring vacant
units back into use. That should make town centres more
accessible and affordable for tenants. We will also take steps to
crack down on antisocial behaviour. We saw a huge increase in
antisocial behaviour and crime in our high streets under the
Conservative party, and we are determined to take steps to crack
down on that.
I thank my hon. Friend for his previous answers. We are blessed
with some fantastic high streets in Hendon, such as Mill Hill
Broadway, Station Road and the High Street in Edgware, Watling
Avenue in Burnt Oak, Brent Street in Hendon and Vivian Avenue in
West Hendon. However, when I talk to business owners, they all
too often tell me that they are struggling to find and retain the
staff they need to grow successfully. What steps is the
Department taking to make sure small businesses can get the
skilled staff they need not just to survive, but to thrive?
I welcome my hon. Friend's question, and I know the high streets
in his constituency that he mentioned, as they are very close to
Britain's greatest constituency. He will be aware that we have
already taken steps to help businesses recruit more skilled
staff. It is one of the reasons why we have established Skills
England. We have also taken steps to reform the apprenticeship
levy, and earlier this week the Prime Minister brought forward
plans to help people get back to work.
(East Grinstead and Uckfield)
(Con)
The anti-growth coalition on Mid Sussex district council, led by
the Lib Dems, Labour, independents and Greens, is bringing in
Sunday, bank holiday and evening town centre parking charges on
top of a 30% rise, and there is the sword of Damocles of possible
village car parking charges. Will the Minister reiterate to
councils that are determined to derail his growth mission that
such draconian measures on our high streets will do exactly the
opposite of what he and his Budget are apparently looking to
achieve, and will he perhaps meet them?
I gently suggest to the hon. Lady that those making up the
anti-growth coalition are sat on her side of the House, and I
gently point out to her that the highest number of businesses to
go bust for 30 years was under the Conservative party last year.
I would also happily ask her to use her influence with the
Conservative-led council in my constituency, which is bringing in
parking charges that will certainly damage the night-time
economy.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I welcome some things that the Minister has referred to regarding
high street businesses, and I thank him for that, but there are
many other matters. For example, in Newtownards family businesses
make up a great many of the attractive high street businesses,
such as Wardens, Knotts Bakery and the family butcher, and they
are important, as they are in Ballynahinch. Has the Minister had
the opportunity to talk to the chamber of trade in Newtownards,
which is working well? Other chambers of trade in my constituency
can also contribute, so has there been an opportunity to speak to
them to get their ideas about the way forward?
The hon. Gentleman is an assiduous champion for his constituency
in this House. If he wants to bring his chamber of commerce to
meet me to discuss issues in his constituency in more detail, I
will happily make time to meet him and them.
Mr Speaker
We are 10 minutes gone and still on Question 1. We need to speed
up a little bit. If the Minister could look at me, that would be
helpful, so that we are going through the third person. I know
that Mr Shannon is popular, but even so, it should go through me.
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
(Wokingham) (LD)
In my constituency, the number of people shopping on our high
streets has not returned to pre-covid levels, and we have lost
anchor stores such as Marks & Spencer, and several banks. The
Government urgently need to save our high streets, but the
reduction in retail, hospitality and leisure business rates
relief from 75% to 40% will come as bad news for thousands of
businesses. When will the Government deliver a fundamental reform
of business rates to save our high streets and end the penalising
of productive investment?
I am grateful for your guidance, Mr Speaker. While the hon.
Member for Strangford () is popular, you are much more important.
I gently point out to the hon. Member for Wokingham () that we have started the
process of reforming business rates. We are introducing
permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure from
2026-27. We have listened to businesses and kept business rates
relief, and we are opening up opportunities for businesses to
come forward with ideas for future reform of business rates.
Sectoral Collective Bargaining
(Blyth and Ashington) (Lab)
2. If he will take steps to increase the use of sectoral
collective bargaining.(900969)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
The Government are committed to strengthening the collective
voices of workers and restoring the principle that work should
always pay. That is why we introduced the Employment Rights Bill,
which will restore the school support staff negotiating body and
introduce a framework for a fair pay agreement in adult social
care. Combined with other measures in the Bill, that will empower
workers, unions and employers to come together to negotiate fair
pay, terms and conditions.
I thank the Minister for that answer. It was fantastic of the
Labour Government to bring in the Employment Rights Bill within
their first 100 days—an absolutely brilliant achievement. Experts
say that sectoral bargaining is a force to be reckoned with for
both employees and employers, so what plans might the Government
have to extend sectoral collective bargaining in other sectors of
the economy?
My hon. Friend is right to say that there is plenty of evidence
worldwide that collective bargaining improves terms and
conditions and the overall vitality of the economy, but we must
start somewhere. About 5% of the entire working population are
employed in adult social care, and with a 25% turnover rate and
rampant abuse of zero-hours contracts and the minimum wage laws,
we felt that that sector needed the most attention first. We must
make a concerted effort to drive up working conditions, because
those who work in that area have been undervalued and
underappreciated for far too long, and that has to change. We
must focus on getting it right in adult social care, and we will
see where that takes us.
(Dumfries and Galloway)
(Con)
Undoubtedly, Government legislation is empowering the unions—we
saw that this week when the Secretary of State for Scotland was
unable to meet CBI Scotland, an important body, because he could
not enter his own building because of a picket line. We read in
the papers this morning that ASLEF, a rail union, insists on
using fax machines and will not allow its members to use email.
How is that helping collective bargaining?
I have to educate the hon. Member on what trade unions do. ASLEF
is not a union in the adult social care sector, which is what we
are talking about here. We want to work on a tripartite
basis—business and workers, together with the Government—to get
terms and conditions right. Given that we had the lowest increase
in living standards on record under the Conservative Government,
I would have thought that he would want to support that too.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Orpington) (Con)
The Government's impact assessment for the adult social care
sector confirmed that collective bargaining will be very costly
for business. If pay awards match those of junior doctors, the
cost of the increased wage bill will be £5.8 billion, driving up
business rates, reducing employment or hours, and imposing
further costs on business. Can the Minister confirm when further
collective bargaining will be rolled out, to which sectors, and
by how much those businesses can expect to be clobbered?
If the shadow Minister is complaining about the state of the
adult social care sector, he should look to his own party and how
the sector was left to rot for 14 years. The impact assessment
says that the overall cost to employers will be 0.4% overall and,
as the economic analysis says, the make work pay package will
help to raise living standards across the country and create
opportunities for all. I think 0.4% is a fantastic achievement to
get such a deal. If he does not want to support improved working
conditions for people, an end to fire and rehire and better
maternity protections, he should continue to vote against the
Employment Rights Bill, but I do not think his constituents will
thank him for that.
Industrial Strategy
(Hexham) (Lab)
4. What recent progress he has made on developing a new
industrial strategy.(900974)
The Minister for Industry ()
We have made significant progress in developing a new industrial
strategy and I am delighted to report to the House that we
published a Green Paper on 14 October, setting out our plans for
a modern industrial strategy. We have set our sights higher than
the previous Government, we have thrown off their ideological
shackles and we have worked in partnership with business and our
colleagues across the nations and regions to set us on a path to
a credible 10-year plan, delivering the certainty, drive and
ambition that businesses need to invest in the UK.
For 14 years, businesses in rural communities such as my
constituency were ignored and neglected by the Conservatives in
government. Will the Minister elaborate on how the industrial
strategy will allow rural communities to share in the proceeds of
growth?
The difference between a Labour Government and a Conservative
Government is that we believe that growth needs to be felt in our
communities, not just measured on a spreadsheet. I know that my
hon. Friend is working hard in his constituency and is already
campaigning on issues such as banking services, which are so
important for our rural communities. He is right: the industrial
strategy needs to be designed and implemented in lockstep with
local leaders, mayors and devolved leaders across the country,
alongside our wider plans for housing and skills, which of course
will be part of the picture. I look forward to working with him
on identifying the barriers to growth in rural communities so
that we can break them down.
Mr (Orkney and Shetland)
(LD)
The development of marine renewable energy is getting close to
commercial deployment. If we are able to get it across the line,
it will bring with it a supply chain that we can build and hold
in this country, with a view to exports across the world. That
would surely be a great result for any industrial strategy. What
will the Government do to ensure that their industrial strategy
helps marine renewables reach full commercial deployment?
The right hon. Gentleman makes a really good point, and I would
be happy to have a proper conversation with him about it. Marine
renewables are a huge opportunity for us. We can build the supply
chains across the country and, of course, Scotland is uniquely
placed to take advantage of that. I would love to have a
conversation about it.
Greg (Mid Buckinghamshire) (Con)
When it comes to an industrial strategy, in the Labour
Government's first few months they have effectively shut down UK
virgin steelmaking capacity, with no commitments to primary steel
in yesterday's Budget of broken promises. Unlike the United
States and the European Union, the Government have failed to
protect our car manufacturers against Chinese state aid. They
have massively increased the costs to the very drivers of
industry—real businesses—of employing people. Should the
Government not call it their deindustrialisation strategy?
The challenge we have is that we have inherited the worst living
standards growth during a Parliament in modern history. We have
inherited huge challenges that we have to overcome, but we are
looking to the long-term with our industrial
strategy—[Interruption.]
Mr Speaker
Order. I do not need any more. Do we understand each other?
I do not know whether the hon. Member for Mid Buckinghamshire
(Greg ) has been paying attention, but we
are developing a steel strategy, which the previous Government
failed to do, with £2.5 billion of funding. We put a boost of £2
billion into our car industry only yesterday in the Budget,
alongside £1 billion for the automotive sector and money for life
sciences. We are developing an industrial strategy for the long
term for the first time and we will not follow the Conservative
party, which let our industries suffer and get to the crisis
point that we are now having to deal with.
Greg
The Minister mentions the car industry. Yesterday, after the
Budget of broken promises, talking about the industrial strategy,
Mike Hawes of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
said:
“Delivering that strategy depends on the UK being globally
competitive. Additional National Insurance Contributions will put
massive pressure on the automotive supply chain which is
predominantly SMEs.”
He described the lack of substantive measures to support the new
car market as “hugely disappointing”, concluding that,
“the cost will soon be felt in reduced UK investment, economic
growth and jobs.”
With such dire warnings so early on, is this not more evidence
that Labour just does not get business and that its industrial
strategy is in tatters before it has even begun?
For a Government who do not get business, it is surprising, is it
not, that we got £63 billion of investment through the
international investment summit—twice what the previous
Government managed after two years of planning it? The Government
are working very closely with the automotive industry. We know
that the global situation is very difficult and I talk to Mike
Hawes very often, which is why we put £2 billion of funding into
the Budget yesterday. It is also why we are working very closely
with the sector to create the conditions we need to transition to
electric vehicles and to protect our industry in a way that the
previous Government, frankly, failed to do.
E-bike Battery Fires
(West Ham and Beckton)
(Lab)
5. What recent steps he has taken to help prevent e-bike battery
fires. (900975)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
The Office for Product Safety and Standards within my Department
has been working across Government and industry to protect
consumers and understand the causes of any safety issues. That
has included giving consumers clear information that enables them
to purchase, use and charge products safely; assessing the
compliance of manufacturers and importers to ensure that products
are safe when placed on the market; and a programme of work to
address the sale of non-compliant products available through
online marketplaces, including e-bikes and their batteries. Last
week, I visited the OPSS's Teddington laboratories, where we
launched the Department's new “Buy Safe, Be Safe” consumer
campaign.
Two weeks ago, there was a fire in a 10th floor flat in Plaistow
in my constituency. Thankfully, the quick reaction of the
residents and neighbours and the good work of the London Fire
Brigade meant that they were all able to be evacuated quickly and
there were no serious injuries. Clearly, this could have been
worse. Does the Minister agree that it is a perfect example of
why we need to continue to work to make these batteries safer and
run awareness campaigns, so that residents understand the safety
issues and how they can be mitigated, and how the batteries can
be disposed of if they need to get rid of them?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Manufacturers must already
ensure that products are safe and provide instructions for safe
use, including safe charging. I pay tribute to the London Fire
Brigade for the work it is doing on this issue. Unfortunately, as
we have heard, there are far too many fires. That is why we
launched our awareness campaign last week. We are hoping, through
the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, to make sure we have
powers to keep up with technological developments and ensure that
e-bikes can be sold safely to consumers in the UK.
Make Work Pay Programme
(Watford) (Lab)
6. What progress his Department has made on delivering the make
work pay programme.(900976)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
As the Chancellor announced yesterday, the national living wage
will rise to £12.21 an hour, meaning that a full-time worker can
earn an extra £1,400 a year. We have also announced the stopping
of the use of minimum service levels and tackled late payments
for the self-employed. Of course, we have now introduced the
Employment Rights Bill, which will raise living standards across
the country and provide better support for businesses engaged in
good practice. It also makes good on our promise to the British
people that we will now make work pay.
I thank the Minister for his answer. In my constituency of
Watford, many people are employed in the hospitality, retail and
construction sectors and, with a big hospital, in the health and
social sector. Will the Minister confirm that the Government's
Make Work Pay plan will bring long-lasting benefits to them and
to other workers?
Absolutely. We are determined to ensure that the particular
sectors that my hon. Friend mentioned, where low pay and
insecurity are rife, will benefit. We are working closely with
businesses and employers across the spectrum to ensure that we
get the proposals right because, for too long, insecurity and low
pay have been rife in the UK economy. That has to change.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Broadland and Fakenham)
(Con)
After receiving millions from the trade union paymasters for its
election, Labour is rewarding them with a package of 1970s,
French-style workplace regulations, which will increase the cost
of doing business in the UK to the tune of £5 billion a year,
disproportionately falling on SMEs. That is before the £25
billion body blow to business delivered by the Chancellor
yesterday in her anti-business Budget of broken promises. Does
the Minister agree with the Office for Budget Responsibility that
this Government's decisions will make workers poorer, not richer,
as increased employment taxes are passed on in lower wages, and
that business investment will fall, not rise, as a direct result
of this Government?
I find it incredible that the Opposition quote French-style
labour laws, because when they introduced the minimum services
legislation, they always held up France as the example of where
that works already. I wish they would make their minds up. The
implication behind the question about trade union funding says
rather more about their attitude to how legislation is made in
this country than ours. We do things because we believe in them.
If he looks carefully at what the OBR is saying, £1,400 into
people's pockets as a result of the national living wage increase
is a fantastic achievement that we should all be proud of.
Small Businesses: Scaling Up
(Folkestone and Hythe)
(Lab)
7. What steps he is taking to help support small businesses to
scale up. (900979)
(Shipley) (Lab)
10. What steps he is taking to help support small businesses to
scale-up. (900984)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
Our plan for small businesses will help them to scale up and
increase productivity and growth. We are doing that by creating
opportunities for businesses to compete and access the finance
they need to scale, export and break into new markets.
Furthermore, at yesterday's Budget, we announced a small business
Command Paper next year, which will set out more detail on how we
will support small businesses.
I welcome the Minister's answer. One way that we can support
small businesses to scale up is through infrastructure
investment, so that businesses can get their goods to market more
quickly. Will the Department support my campaign to shift more
freight from trucks to trains, starting with the channel tunnel
in my constituency, where only 10% of its freight capacity is
being used at present?
Let me take the opportunity to congratulate my hon. Friend on his
election to this House. I remember well, as I am sure he does,
the problems that the people and businesses of Kent had to endure
when the M20 became a lorry park, thanks to a combination of poor
planning by the last Government and the poor-quality trade deal
they negotiated with Brussels. We certainly support the expansion
of rail freight, not least as it helps to build the resilience of
supply chains. I would be happy to meet him or facilitate a
meeting for him with Transport Ministers, to hear more about his
campaign.
Small businesses such as the Greek Corner in Shipley have
benefited from Bradford council's business growth programme,
funded by the towns fund, which provides capital assistance for
businesses to create new jobs. The support measures announced
yesterday in the Chancellor's Budget for local authorities and
small businesses will be vital to revitalising our high streets.
Does the Minister agree that local authorities working with local
communities are best placed to direct investment, to help SMEs
grow?
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate my hon. Friend on
her election, too. I agree that local authorities working with
local communities are fundamental to supporting SMEs in local
economies. That is one reason why, as well as backing local
authorities in yesterday's Budget, we are backing , the excellent Mayor of West
Yorkshire, with funding to support the priorities of local
communities in constituencies such as that of my hon. Friend. It
is also why we are introducing measures such as high street
rental auctions and a powerful community right to buy, so that
local communities can start the process of reviving their high
streets.
(North West Hampshire) (Con)
I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the Register of
Members' FinancialInterests. The Minister mentioned that access
to finance is vital for small business, but I hope he knows that
the past few days have seen chaos in the motor finance market,
with a number of major lenders suspending lending entirely in
response to a judgment in the appeal court. This has caused
consternation across the entire business lending sector. Can the
Minister reassure us that the Government are fully engaged with
the industry and the Financial Conduct Authority in sorting out
an issue that could have a very, very significant impact on the
entire sector and its supply chain?
We are certainly looking at the issues that have arisen for the
industry from the judgment. More generally on access to finance,
I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will welcome our launch, at
the investment summit referenced by the Under-Secretary of State
for Business and Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere
Port and Bromborough (), of the British Growth
Partnership, which is aimed at unlocking investment in businesses
that want to scale up.
(Honiton and Sidmouth)
(LD)
Economic growth happens when micro-sized businesses become small
businesses. We learned yesterday that micro-businesses that
employ up to four full-time workers on the national living wage
will be exempt from employers' national insurance. Yet small
businesses that employ five workers or more will be subject to
employers' national insurance. How will that measure help small
businesses in the south-west to scale up and bring economic
growth to the region?
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman welcomes, I think, the measures
we took in the Budget to raise employment allowance to help the
very smallest firms. The Federation of Small Businesses said
yesterday that it will be a very big help for small firms. On his
wider point about the Budget, I gently say to him, as I am sure
he knows only too well, that the economic inheritance the
Government face has led to our having to make some very tough
decisions. If he does not support the measures we have set out in
the Budget, he needs to say how he would finance the extra
investment in the NHS and in industry that we have set out.
Mr Speaker
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
(Wokingham) (LD)
Wokingham has one of the highest rates of business survival when
compared with the averages for the south-east and Berkshire, but
yesterday's announcement that the Government will raise
employers' national insurance throws that into doubt. The hike
is, plain and simple, a tax on jobs that will deal a hammer blow
to our small businesses. What will the Government do to mitigate
the impact on small businesses in my constituency and across the
country?
I say very gently to the hon. Gentleman that if he and his party
are determined to oppose the measures we took in the Budget,
including on employers' national insurance contributions, they
need to set out how they would fund the extra investment in the
NHS, the investment in the automotive and aerospace sectors, and
the measures to protect and raise living standards.
International Investment Summit
(Sefton Central) (Lab)
8. What assessment he has made of the potential implications for
his Department's policies of the outcomes of the international
investment summit. (900980)
The Minister for Industry ()
We held, as we have said, an international investment summit on
14 October, 100 days after we formed the new Government. We
secured £63 billion of investment, which is twice the level of
the previous Government's investment summit. The investment will
create high-quality, high-skilled, well-paid jobs across the
country, and represents a huge vote of confidence in this new
Government.
As my hon. Friend quite rightly said, the Labour party is now the
party of business without any question. Does she agree that the
measures committed to in yesterday's Budget on clean energy,
carbon capture and storage and hydrogen—which were backed up, by
the way, with a commitment from a Canadian investor of another
£1.8 billion in offshore wind—show how much this Government are
in tune with the business community? We are attracting investment
and building on the investment summit, and we will deliver jobs
for our constituents and our communities up and down the
country.
I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend. I also agree with the
former Chancellor, , in his article yesterday. I
quote:
“Conservatives, like myself, should be honest”
and
“Reeves is cleaning up our mess”.
Night-time Economy
Mr (Wimbledon) (LD) [R]
9. What steps he is taking to support the night-time economy. [R]
(900982)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
We recognise the important role that night-time economy
businesses play in supporting local economies and communities.
Healthy night-time economy businesses not only support our
creative industries, including musicians, DJs and performance
artists, but bolster tourism and day-economy businesses. We are
focused on our five-point plan to breathe life back into
Britain's high streets. That work will ensure that our high
streets are great places for our businesses, supporting economic
growth across the UK, including in the night-time economy.
Mr Kohler
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members'
Financial Interests. The hospitality industry is a crucial aspect
of the night-time economy. It already faces an existential
crisis, with post-Brexit labour shortages, covid debt and wage
and commodity inflation. What advice would the Minister give to
the hospitality industry and businesses that now face a hike in
national insurance costs and, despite the headlines, a more than
doubling in last year's business rates?
I would gently point businesses in the night-time economy to a
series of measures that we took in yesterday's Budget, including
to reform business rates for the long term, from 2026-27. We
listened to businesses, including those in the night-time
economy, and did not abolish the business rates relief. Under the
measures that we have taken, for example, the average pub with a
rateable value of almost £17,000 will save over £3,300 next
year.
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
Last Saturday night I had the opportunity to go out in York with
the police. It was incredibly interesting and I am so grateful
for the work that they do, and it gave me an opportunity to speak
to employers. We know that, as employers, our traditional pubs
are really struggling because the pubs code is not working
properly. Will the Minister meet me and the Campaign for Pubs to
discuss how we can improve things for those businesses?
I will be very happy to meet my hon. Friend. I know from talking
to pubs that they are also very worried about the rise in
antisocial behaviour and crime in our high streets and town
centres. She and the pubs and other members of the night-time
economy that she works with will, I hope, be reassured by some of
the measures that we have taken in the Budget to begin the
process of cracking down on antisocial behaviour.
Fair Trade
(Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
12. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support
fair trade for producers. (900989)
The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr )
I can assure my hon. Friend that the United Kingdom is committed
to advancing both free and fair trade around the world that is
inclusive, sustainable and seeks to reduce poverty. The UK's
aid-for-trade programmes, including the new Trade Centre of
Expertise announced by the Prime Minister on 24 October, build
the capacity of producers, businesses and Governments in
developing countries to participate in, and prosper from, global
trade. I can assure my hon. Friend that the UK is committed to
making the world a safe and more prosperous place through
strengthening our international development work, as set out in
our recent manifesto.
Children from Timothy Hackworth primary school in Shildon wrote
to ask me to raise fair trade with the Minister as part of their
fair trade week. They included Ashton, who reminded me of the
privilege that we have to serve in this place. They would also
like to know whether the Minister has met representatives of the
Fair Trade Foundation since his appointment, and whether he
considers that Britain's leadership on fair trade policies can
make a meaningful contribution to reducing poverty in sub-Saharan
Africa.
Mr Alexander
First, let me commend my hon. Friend for his work with the local
primary school. I know how assiduous he is in advancing the
interests of his constituents. I can assure him that we fully
understand the importance of fair trade. I have met a
representative of the Fair Trade Foundation in recent weeks, and
I pay particular tribute to the work that Fairtrade is doing with
the Co-op. Thousands of farmers producing goods such as tea,
coffee, sugar and flowers are helped by Co-ops in our high
streets across the country. It is now the UK's largest seller of
fair trade products, and it deserves our commendation too.
Inward Investment: Scotland
(Glasgow East) (Lab)
13. What steps he is taking to attract inward investment into
Scotland. (900991)
The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr )
The international investment summit, about which we just heard,
secured more than £63 billion, including for two significant
projects in Scotland. Scottish Power, owned by Iberdrola,
committed £24 billion to upgrade the UK's energy infrastructure
over the next five years. Floating offshore wind developer Green
Volt has selected Aberdeen for its headquarters and plans to
invest £2.5 billion. That, of course, comes on top of this
Government's establishment of GB Energy.
I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. Yesterday saw the
largest Budget settlement for the Scottish Government in
devolution's history. The Labour party's commitment to Scotland
runs through this Government. Last week, the highly respected
Strathclyde University's Fraser of Allander institute reported
that only 9% of Scottish businesses agree that the Scottish
Government understand the business environment in Scotland. Does
my right hon. Friend agree that Government understanding of
business is crucial in driving investment and growth in Scotland,
and that it is critical that the Scottish Government improve
their understanding of the business environment?
Mr Alexander
Frankly, businesses in Scotland have been let down by two failed
Governments. We have had a decade of division and decay in
Scotland, and I am glad to see that we now have political
stability, with Labour having a majority in Scotland, Wales and
England. At the same time, we are committed to genuine
partnership and working with the Scottish Government. I know that
my hon. Friend has particular expertise in energy policy, given
his past professional work. Tomorrow I will be in Torness, in my
constituency, to meet EDF Energy—just one example of a business
that, frankly, is being held back by the policy and approach of
the present Scottish Government.
(Dundee Central) (SNP)
I am not surprised in the slightest to hear the disparaging
comments from those on the Government Benches about business in
Scotland, so I will bring the House up to speed. For the ninth
consecutive year, Scotland, under the SNP Scottish Government, is
the UK's top-performing area outside London for foreign direct
investment, yet Brexit has reduced the attractiveness of the UK
as a base for exporting to EU markets, resulting in its being
overtaken by France as the leading destination for foreign direct
investment in Europe. Does the Minister recognise that reversing
what he seems to be married to at the moment—the Tories' hard
Brexit—is the most significant step that this Government could
take to increase inward investment and boost growth in
Scotland?
Mr Alexander
As I was saying, let me deal with both the failed Governments who
have been letting Scotland down in the last decade. Frankly, if
the hon. Gentleman wants to advance the case that there has been
a decade of prosperity in Scotland, good luck to him. The reality
is that it is very hard to think of a single aspect of Scottish
public life that has improved over the last 10 years. Take the
case of ferries. Take the case of hospitals. Take the case of our
schools or, indeed, the broader business environment.
On Brexit, I recognise that there is a need for a fundamental
reset with the European Union, and in recent days I have been
taking forward that work. I welcome the work that the Prime
Minister has been undertaking, but that is the task of a Labour
Government. As so often on so many issues, the SNP talks and
Labour delivers.
Topical Questions
(Clapham and Brixton
Hill) (Lab)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities.(900992)
The Minister for Industry ()
In little more than 100 days in government, this Department and
its Secretary of State, who is flying to Doha today, have set
about delivering on the promises made in our manifesto. We have
turned up the dial on growth and published our Green Paper on the
modern industrial strategy, which will channel support to key
sectors, work across our nations and regions with the private
sector, and deliver the conditions for investment and good jobs.
We have delivered a huge vote of confidence in the UK by securing
£63 billion of investment at our international investment summit,
boosted by investment ploughing into our aerospace, automotive
and life sciences sectors, as announced in yesterday's Budget. We
have also kept our promises by publishing the Employment Rights
Bill, which represents the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in
a generation. We are a pro-innovation, pro-worker and pro-wealth
creation Government, and are investing all our time in growing
the economy for the long term and turning round 14 years of
failure.
A four-day week with no loss of pay has proven to have benefits
for employers and employees alike, and a recent report by the
Autonomy Institute and Alda suggests that it can have a hugely
positive impact on the economy. The report concludes that
Iceland's economy has outperformed most of Europe since adopting
a shorter working week, and now has one of the lowest
unemployment rates. With even more UK businesses beginning a
four-day week trial on Monday as part of the 4 Day Week
Campaign's autumn pilot, what assessment has the Department made
of the Icelandic report and of the potential impact that a
four-day week could have on UK businesses and our economy?
The Government have no plans to undertake any trials on a
four-day week for five days of pay. It is for employers and
employees to reach agreements that fit their specific
circumstances, but we want to get the balance right and make sure
that we work with employers and employees. That is why the
Employment Rights Bill will support both parties to reach
agreements, where they are feasible.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Thirsk and Malton)
(Con)
If Labour Members going back to their seat this weekend were
thinking of going to a local pub for a pint and a chat with local
farmers, I would think again. A publican with a mid-sized pub
contacted me last night to say that because of yesterday's
changes, he would be £120,000 a year worse off, moving him from
profit to loss. Labour said that its plans were fully costed and
fully funded. Yesterday was a massive broken promise, was it
not?
The hon. Gentleman oversaw the worst Parliament for living
standards in modern history. We did not choose that inheritance,
and we have made choices. Would he rather we did not compensate
for the infected blood scandal? Would he rather we did not
compensate the Horizon victims, for whom there was no money in
the Budget, on his watch? Would he rather we did not invest in
the health service? Would he rather we did not increase the
minimum wage? Would he rather we did not support carers? Would he
rather we made the choices that he made, such as cutting national
insurance for workers when there was no budget for that? This
Government are fixing the foundations, so that we can have a
bright future for all our country.
The Government's choice was to hit businesses, and that is
because there is not an ounce of business experience among them.
Labour's death taxes will hit farms and businesses. Families with
a typical farm will have to find hundreds of thousands of pounds
or see their farms broken up and sold. The Environment Secretary
said 10 months ago that he had no intentions of putting death
taxes on businesses. That was a broken promise, was it not?
I will not take any lectures from the Opposition, who said “eff
business”. Conservative Members have some cheek to come at us
when we are clearing up the £22 billion black hole that we
inherited, and setting in train stability. I spent quite a lot of
yesterday, as the hon. Gentleman would expect, talking to and
having meetings with businesses about the Budget and its
implications. We talked about the potential for growth, long-term
stability, and changes that this Labour Government are
making.
(Montgomeryshire and
Glyndŵr) (Lab)
T3. A study published by the Disability Policy Centre this week
suggests that improving support to get disabled people, those
with long-term health conditions and unpaid carers into work, and
keeping them in employment, could save the Treasury £38 billion.
Paying a higher rate of sick pay has been shown to increase
employee retention and is key to reducing economic inactivity.
What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of the
current rate of statutory sick pay on employee
retention?(900995)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we need to get more
people back into work, and need to support them to return. In the
Employment Rights Bill, we are looking to increase the scope of
sick pay to include people below the lower earnings limit, and to
introduce payments from day one. We have no plans to increase the
rate of statutory sick pay, but when we get the reforms through,
we will no doubt look at how we can reform it for the better. My
Department for Work and Pensions colleagues will consider that in
due course.
Dr (Hinckley and Bosworth)
(Con)
T2. After yesterday's Budget, those running small and
medium-sized businesses will see their national insurance rise
and their wage bill increase. Those in hospitality, running a pub
or restaurant, for example, will have a 35% reduction in their
business rate relief. To top it off, the Employment Rights Bill
will bring more red tape for businesses. Those massive changes
are happening very quickly. Does the Minister agree with the
Institute of Directors that it is a “perfect storm” of higher
taxes, higher wages and more red tape?(900994)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
()
No. I gently point out to the hon. Gentleman the difficult
economic inheritance that his party left this Government to sort
out. We are determined to walk towards all the tough decisions
his party refused to face up to in government. If he is against
the increase in employers' national insurance contributions, he
needs to say how he will fund the investment we announced
yesterday in the aerospace and automotive sectors, and how he
would fund the extra investment that we will make in the NHS and
other public services.
(Rugby) (Lab)
T4. We will take no lectures from the Conservative party about
business. Plenty of us have experience of business, and I am one
of them.Many high street businesses want to continue accepting
cash. Just as importantly, so do many of my residents,
particularly the elderly, disabled and vulnerable. I have spoken
to the citizens advice bureau, which is hearing how concerned
elderly residents are. What steps are the Government taking to
ensure that the Post Office can better offer banking services on
the high street to cater for the spenders and recipients of
cash?(900996)
Mr Speaker
Order. These are topical questions, and they are meant to be
short and punchy, not speeches. I am sure we can find time for an
Adjournment debate for the hon. Gentleman.
Given that almost 9,500 bank branches closed over the past 14
years, on the Conservative party's watch, it has increasingly
been left to the Post Office to provide vital banking services on
the high street. I am sure the banking industry recognises its
responsibility to work with us to ensure that sub-postmasters,
whose pay has not increased for a decade, and the Post Office
have what they need to help meet the critical cash and banking
needs of all our constituents.
(Brigg and Immingham)
(Con)
Although yesterday's announcements may dampen businesses'
expansion plans, many businesses in my constituency and elsewhere
find it difficult to expand because of national grid connections.
What are Ministers doing to engage with the Department for Energy
Security and Net Zero and National Grid to ensure that
connections are available?
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman asks what we are doing to
engage with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero,
because I sit across that Department and the Department for
Business and Trade. The entire point of my role is to make sure
that we join up the two Departments, so that we can crack some of
these problems. The grid is No. 1 on our list.
(Blyth and Ashington) (Lab)
T5. I warmly welcome the £10 billion investment in a data
centre in Cambois in my constituency, but I share the concerns of
many residents who believe that it is fast becoming a plug-in
centre for huge infrastructure programmes. Does my hon. Friend
agree that when we have huge infrastructure programmes in certain
constituencies, residents should benefit from local jobs and
community facilities?(900997)
I agree with my hon. Friend. It is essential that local
communities see the benefits of landmark investments. I am
pleased that Blackstone is investing £110 million in a fund to
support local skills training and transport infrastructure. I am
happy to have a conversation with my hon. Friend about what more
can be done.
(Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale
and Tweeddale) (Con)
Farming and agricultural businesses employ thousands of people in
my constituency, and they make a huge contribution to the local
economy. Can the Minister set out exactly how yesterday's Budget
will help them to develop and grow?
The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr )
Farmers, like any other business people, need the stability that
will be delivered as a consequence of our fixing the foundations,
as we set out yesterday. I too represent a constituency with a
number of farmers, and I am aware of the concerns that have been
raised about inheritance tax, but, frankly, difficult choices had
to be made yesterday because of choices that were not made by the
Government in which the right hon. Gentleman served.
(Clwyd East) (Lab)
T6. Business owners in Clwyd East, in north Wales, want a
Government who are serious about getting long-term, sustainable
jobs into our economy—a process that we started yesterday. Our
unique geography sees us lead on wind power and carbon capture,
and we have a proud manufacturing base, which is already
benefiting from our two Governments working together, and from a
long-term sustainable plan for the future. Will the Minister work
with me to ensure that businesses are well placed to invest in
north Wales, both now and in the future?(900998)
Yes, I will work with my hon. Friend. We are delighted with the
£1 billion investment secured to transform the Shotton mill site.
I think that a Labour Government in Westminster and a Labour
Government in Wales can work together to deliver great
things.
(Eastbourne) (LD)
Some 29% of jobs in Eastbourne, the sunniest town in the UK, are
connected to the hospitality sector, but many businesses in that
sector have expressed concerns about yesterday's Budget, which UK
Hospitality has described as the “latest blow for hospitality”.
Will the Minister meet me and local hospitality businesses to
discuss those concerns? I declare an interest as the patron of
the Eastbourne Hospitality Association.
I would be very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and the
Eastbourne Hospitality Association to discuss the concerns that
he has articulated. I gently say to him, as other Ministers have
pointed out, that we faced a tough economic inheritance, and had
to make very difficult decisions in the Budget yesterday.
Mr (Slough) (Lab)
T7. I want to see Slough High Street thrive, but doors are
closing, businesses are struggling and antisocial behaviour has
been on the rise, especially after over a decade of neglect and
lack of support by Tory Governments. What practical steps are the
Government taking to ensure that high streets such as ours, in
Slough, are revived?(900999)
When we were in opposition, we set out a five-point plan to help
with the revival of high streets. We are working to bring forward
that plan. My hon. Friend will see more detail in the small
business strategy Command Paper that we are committed to
publishing next year.
(Spelthorne) (Con)
We have an anomalous situation in Spelthorne whereby people can
use an oyster card to pay for six different red buses, but not
the train. That is crippling small businesses and people going
into London. Will Ministers in the Department use their combined
might to lobby on my behalf and get me a meeting with the
Minister for Rail, so that we can get Spelthorne into the correct
zone?
I admire the hon. Gentleman's ability to shoehorn in a question
on a subject that is not in the Department for Business and
Trade's remit, but we are of course happy to help with his
endeavours to talk to Ministers in the Department for
Transport.
Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)
T8. The all-party parliamentary group on eye health and
visual impairment, which I chair, recently published its report,
“Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives”, looking at employer
attitudes towards blind and partially sighted people. We found
that nearly half of employers do not have accessible recruitment
processes, which means that they miss out on a wealth of talent.
Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can create a step
change in employer attitudes towards blind and partially sighted
people?(901000)
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. Under the “Get
Britain Working” plan, more disabled people and people with
health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work,
and I am happy to discuss with her how we can achieve that
aim.
(Bognor Regis and
Littlehampton) (Con)
The Government's own impact assessment suggests that measures in
the Employment Rights Bill could cost businesses up to £4.5
billion annually and increase the number of strikes by 54%. Does
the Minister expect that legislation to enhance or undermine
investor confidence?
I gently point out to the hon. Lady that that represents a 0.4%
increase on businesses' total costs—a small price to pay for what
the impact assessment says
“will strengthen working conditions for the lowest-paid and most
vulnerable in the labour market, increasing fairness and equality
across Britain. It will have significant positive impacts on
workers who are trapped in insecure work, face discrimination, or
suffer from unscrupulous employer behaviour like ‘fire and
refire' practices”.
If the hon. Lady does not support that, I am sure that she can
talk to her constituents about why.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Business and Trade Committee.
(Birmingham Hodge Hill and
Solihull North) (Lab)
On Tuesday, we will hear from Sir Alan Bates and other victims of
the Horizon scandal, which continues to deepen. In September, we
learned that there will be 100 more convictions quashed than we
originally thought, and yesterday the bill for redress went up by
half a billion pounds. Have all the victims now come forward, and
are there any gaps left in the schemes for redress?
I welcome the decision by my right hon. Friend's Select Committee
to take a further look at the issue. It is a priority for the
Department to speed up the compensation process. Victims are
still coming forward, and we are actively looking at whether all
those who come forward are covered by the compensation schemes.
We have asked the Post Office to write to all those
sub-postmasters who have not yet come forward to see if they are
eligible for compensation.
(North West Hampshire) (Con)
We should all welcome the work of both Governments that resulted
in the announcement of £63 billion of inward investment into the
UK. However, since then, as a number of Members have pointed out,
we have had significant new regulation in the labour market and
massive new taxes on businesses. If any of those investors now
change their minds, will the Secretary of State come to the House
and inform us, please?
We will of course keep the House updated on the results of the
investment summit, but the £63 billion, as I said earlier, was a
massive show of confidence in this new Government.
(Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
(Lab)
I am grateful to the Minister and the Secretary of State for the
work that they have put in to secure a future for the Harland
& Wolff yard at Arnish in my constituency, and indeed at
Methil, Appledore and Belfast. I understand that talks are
commercially sensitive, but, as workers are anxious about their
future, can the Minister update us on how the talks are
going?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for the work that he
is doing to represent his community. We are working extensively
with all parties to find an outcome for Harland & Wolff that
delivers shipbuilding and manufacturing in Belfast, Scotland and
Appledore in Devon. I cannot comment further, as he says, due to
commercial sensitivities, but we are working extensively with
everyone to get the right deal.
(Dundee Central) (SNP)
The International Court of Justice judgment from 19 July this
year ruled that it is the duty of third-party states not to aid
or assist Israel's “unlawful occupation” of Palestinian
territory. In the light of this, will the Minister tell us
whether the Department for Business and Trade has obtained legal
advice, or whether it is in the process of doing so, on the
legality of the UK's existing trade relations with Israel, and if
it has, will he share it with the House, please?
Mr
I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we work closely with our
colleagues in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
who are responsible for the international humanitarian law
assessment. My good and right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary
has updated the House on the changed advice received by the
Government, and I think that I should leave it there.
(Great Grimsby and
Cleethorpes) (Lab)
Will the Minister meet me to discuss how the Government could
further develop an industrial strategy to bring up to 10,000 jobs
in the offshore wind supply chain over the next 10 years?
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend often and regularly,
as we do, to talk about these matters. Of course, the offshore
wind supply chain is incredibly important. We have two big
announcements to that end, which she mentioned, in relation to
Orsted and Greenvolt, and there is much more that we can do
through the industrial strategy to keep that area growing.
(Strangford) (DUP)
What discussions have there been with Invest NI in relation to
supporting small Northern Ireland businesses in the digital
evolution, to help them adapt and make improvements with digital
technology to ensure the smooth running of their businesses?
We have held discussions with a range of organisations on exactly
that issue. I promised the hon. Gentleman earlier that I would
meet him. If he wants to add that to the list of subjects that we
talk about, I am happy for him to do so.
Mr Speaker
You do like Mr Shannon.
(Doncaster Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
In Doncaster, we have an innovative chamber of commerce and a
fantastic set of local businesses. As well as the much-needed
upgrade to workers' rights, can the Minister update the House on
what we are doing to kickstart a skills revolution for businesses
in Doncaster and across the country? Can he also update the House
on what he is doing to work across Departments to ensure that
happens?
As others across Whitehall have already set out, we have
established Skills England and begun the process of reforming the
apprenticeship levy to help businesses get better access to the
skills they need.
Mr Speaker
I call for the final question.
(Camborne and Redruth)
(Lab)
I have more than 30 years of business experience, so the
Conservative party's claims that there is no business experience
on the Government Benches carries about as much weight as their
industrial strategy. Can the Minister confirm that prior to the
election there were extensive consultations with business
experts, which I bet the Conservative party wished they had done
over the past 14 years.
Yes, indeed. I can reassure my hon. Friend that, on this Front
Bench, there are Members, including me, who do have private
sector experience, and who have run businesses. Of course we have
had very strong relationships with businesses, both in the run-up
to the election and now, and we will continue to build on those
strong relationships for the benefit of all the people across our
country.
