Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Asked the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about steps being taken to support businesses facing insolvency.

Asked about additional measures Companies House is taking to support businesses at threat of insolvency beyond those outlined in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill.

Called for an extension to the furlough scheme and conversion or write-off of support loans, arguing that sectors hit hardest by the pandemic need long-term support to survive and rebuild.

Inquired about steps being taken to develop hydrogen technology in the UK and expressed dissatisfaction with current investment levels compared to other countries investing billions of pounds in similar technologies.

Asked about steps the Department is taking to tackle climate change, specifically concerning the role that nuclear power can play, including Wylfa Newydd in her constituency.

Called for publishing nationally determined contribution before COP26 summit and argued for basing it on a significantly enhanced 2030 target that puts the UK on track to achieving net zero.

Asked about steps being taken to support the sustainability of the post office network, highlighting issues affecting Scotland and urging for increased Government subsidy or commitment against privatisation.

Requested a judge-led inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal instead of a forward-looking independent review proposed by the Minister, arguing that it will not address key questions.

Asked about steps being taken to support businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Inquired about steps being taken to support the business economy during the covid-19 outbreak.

Asked about support for businesses in his constituency, particularly those in the automotive sector.

Inquired about assistance for her constituents affected by HMRC's real-time information uploading issues before the pandemic.

Concerned about support for shops as they reopen and mentioned visiting a market in his constituency that adhered to new guidelines.

Inquired about measures for fast-growing firms relying on equity finance.

Asked the Government to keep in mind the recovery needs of sectors such as tourism and creative industries, which require more time and notice for guidance changes.

Welcomed much support from the Government but expressed concern about the delay in targeted help for sectors like steel and aerospace. Raised issues related to hospitality, tourism, and creative industries struggling with furlough winding down.

Inquired about steps being taken to support the recovery of businesses in rural areas and market towns during the pandemic.

Asked about discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on high street businesses. Highlighted ongoing challenges faced by businesses in her constituency.

Asked about discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on high street businesses. Raised concerns over independent and family-run businesses falling between cracks of government support.

Responded to questions regarding discussions on impact of the virus on high streets, emphasising support measures like business rate relief, cash grants, and protection from eviction.

Asked about guidance for reopening non-essential businesses. Emphasised need for timely guidelines to prevent large-scale job losses and decimation of high streets.

Asked about steps being taken to ensure Chinese investment in UK businesses does not undermine UK intellectual property.

Responded that the Government has powers under the Enterprise Act 2002 and will bring forward legislation to strengthen these powers regarding national security grounds for intervention.

Asked about steps being taken by his Department to support vaccine manufacturing and the UK life sciences sector.

Announced investment in a vaccine manufacturing innovation centre, funding for rapid deployment facility, and leading international efforts on vaccine discovery and deployment.

Asked about commitment to third country full associate membership of Horizon Europe to maintain EU research collaboration contributions to British R&D.

Asked about recent discussions with representatives from the hospitality sector on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak. Raised concerns over unemployment figures.

Asked for clarity regarding reopening guidance for pubs and the brewing industry.

Emphasised the need for pubs to provide a safe and enjoyable experience, acknowledged Liverpool City Council's support distribution of £87.885 million, extended discretionary schemes for businesses with low rateable values, and noted the importance of working closely with the hospitality sector.

Expressed concern over the crisis in the hospitality industry due to disproportionate impacts on young, low-paid workers. Highlighted 11,700 employees furloughed in Liverpool and called for extending loans, grants and recovery planning.

Asked about steps taken by his Department to support start-up businesses during the pandemic.

Inquired about measures to help independent pubs return to profitability and become community hubs after the outbreak ends.

Questioned support for the manufacturing sector, emphasised the disparity in job protections compared to other countries like France and Germany.

Inquired about progress on a review of the Post Office IT system and current support for postmasters during ongoing issues.

Asked the Secretary of State to make a statement regarding departmental responsibilities, particularly highlighting opportunities in hydrogen technology for economic recovery.

Asked about potential benefits of tidal range barrages along the Cumbrian coast, including energy production security and wider socioeconomic benefits.

Responded to inquiries regarding various projects on rivers and estuaries. Emphasised openness to well-developed projects demonstrating strong value for money alongside other renewable generation.

Critiqued the CBILS scheme, highlighting high interest rates charged by some lenders as unfair profiteering. Called on the Secretary of State to ensure businesses pay no more than 2.5% interest.

Confirmed that over 49,000 loans have been approved under CBILS scheme for a total value of £10 billion. Opened dialogue on specific cases with Members seeking assistance.

Mentioned the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee's inquiry into the impact of covid on major industries. Asked about allocation from £22 billion for maritime innovation and tech.

Acknowledged the significant commitment to research and development funding, confirming that projects from maritime sector would be considered as they come forward.

Inquired about steel industry support in comparison with French and German sectors, questioning the delay in providing Government-backed loans to British steel companies.

Stated continued commitment to supporting a sustainable UK steel sector. Mentioned increased borrowing limits under larger CBIL scheme and willingness to discuss individual company issues directly.

Supported the current balance struck by Sunday trading laws, urging caution against changes that might risk small shopkeepers' livelihoods.

Acknowledged ongoing review of Sunday trading rules, noting temporary relaxation during London Olympics as an example. Emphasised balancing various interests.

Asked about support for disabled people returning to work or continuing to work from home, suggesting a tailored furlough scheme could be beneficial.

Reiterated employers' obligations towards disabled employees under current guidance and highlighted the need for tailored measures where possible.

Observed successful reopening of local shops, suggesting social distancing measures should be revised to below 2 metres to boost high streets.

Acknowledged ongoing review of social distancing rules and thanked the Member for efforts supporting local businesses in Bracknell.

Expressed concerns about pubs reopening under current social distancing measures, urging guidance on a specific date to aid planning.

Noted ongoing dialogue with employers and trade unions in producing reopening guidance for various sectors. Promised further guidance upon completion of discussions.

Inquired about the availability of contracts for difference funding to onshore wind farms in Scotland with local community support.

Acknowledged importance of local consent and Scottish Government's role in planning policies. Emphasised focus on local consent throughout processes.

Critiqued British Airways for redundancies and changes to employee conditions. Urged the Government to ensure fair treatment of employees when supporting aviation sector recovery.

Acknowledged distress caused by BA staff announcements, emphasised use of job retention schemes over redundancies. Stressed importance of commercial fairness and partnership in employment practices.

Highlighted burden shift from tenants to landlords due to Government requirements, noted limited payment holidays for commercial loans, urged the Secretary of State for similar forbearance measures.

Confirmed interest in addressing landlord and tenant issues. Mentioned CBILS and bounce-back loan schemes offering 12-month periods during which interest is paid on behalf of businesses.

Addressed rising youth unemployment, suggested a jobs and training package to avoid returning to high unemployment levels experienced in the 1980s.

Acknowledged importance of addressing skills during economic recovery. Suggested looking at such measures as part of restarting the economy.

Constituents are concerned about potential redundancies at Rolls-Royce and the impact on their livelihoods. The speaker is seeking reassurances from the government regarding support for affected workers, including plans to repurpose skills of highly-skilled professionals.

The constituency stands to benefit from offshore energy but faces challenges due to prejudicial grid charges and investment elsewhere. The speaker is requesting the end of discriminatory charging regimes and support for Scottish Government schemes that ensure Scotland benefits from its natural resources, similar to how it did with oil and gas.