Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Asked for guidance on raising awareness of online scams and the steps being taken to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises are well equipped to navigate online banking.

Provided information on government initiatives to combat online scams, including funding for advice websites for businesses and consumers.

Asked about discussions with GKN Automotive regarding the viability of its factory in Birmingham for electric vehicle production. Highlighted concerns over job losses and impact on the UK automotive sector.

Provided details of discussions with GKN Automotive, noting that repurposing the Birmingham plant was not commercially viable but stated government readiness to assist affected workers.

Inquired about steps being taken to support the marine renewables sector, specifically mentioning tidal stream technologies.

Discussed government funding for wave and tidal sectors, set targets for offshore wind capacity, and noted market appetite for developing more projects in coastal areas like Pembrokeshire.

Asked about increasing renewable energy production and efficiency in the UK. Inquired specifically about Kettering's contributions to these efforts.

Provided updates on planned auctions for new renewables, investment in improving building energy efficiency, and detailed statistics on renewable electricity production from Kettering.

Asked about steps to tackle minimum wage non-compliance and questioned the delay in appointing a director of labour market enforcement.

Emphasised government commitment to ensuring workers receive minimum wages, highlighted increased funding for enforcement efforts since 2015.

Inquired about steps being taken by the Department to support the Government’s levelling-up agenda and sought a visit from the Minister to discuss Bolton's bid for an Advanced Research and Invention Agency.

Asked similar questions about steps being taken to support the levelling-up agenda, focusing on investment in Bank Top station and Darlington services.

Asked about steps being taken by his Department to support the Government’s levelling-up agenda.

Asked about steps being taken by his Department to support the Government’s levelling-up agenda.

Called for support from the Minister for a £48 million joint levelling-up fund bid to improve the Penistone line, which would boost local businesses and create jobs in Kirkburton and Denby Dale.

Mourned 33 years since the Piper Alpha disaster and criticised the Government for cutting back on support, despite their levelling-up rhetoric. Highlighted the negative impact of reduced furlough funding and increased loan repayments for businesses post-pandemic.

Questioned the UK Government's handling of former coalfield communities' pension schemes, calling on the Minister to review the decision not to implement recommendations from a cross-party committee aimed at redressing an injustice against miners and their families.

Asked if the Government will publish its net zero strategy before COP26, seeking clarity on policy certainty for infrastructure investment to achieve the net zero goal.

Criticised the Government's progress towards achieving climate change targets as described in a Climate Change Committee report. Asked for confirmation that the upcoming strategy will be published ahead of COP26 and questioned whether it includes fair sharing of transition benefits and burdens.

Asked about plans to maintain skills in the nuclear sector, expressing concerns about potential job losses as contracts at Hinkley Point come to an end before Sizewell C funding is finalised.

Opposed the proposed AQUIND energy interconnector project and launched a petition against it, citing concerns about community disruption and murky financing.

Critiques a company's proposal for an interconnector with France, noting the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Suggests the Government should halt this project due to its dubious nature.

Asks about steps taken by the Department to support both the steel industry and steelworkers, expressing concerns over industrial energy costs. He emphasises that without action, steelworkers will face significant disadvantages compared to their French counterparts.

Questions the Minister about steps taken to improve employment rights for gig economy workers. Highlights that millions of gig economy workers lack basic statutory rights, urging the Government to enshrine these rights in law.

Asks about support for high street businesses, stressing the need for a proper debt restructuring plan. She highlights that additional support is necessary to safeguard local jobs and business futures.

Supports businesses in Ilford affected by the pandemic, seeking clarity on plans to alleviate rent arrears and financial burdens. He calls for discussions on legislative changes to support these businesses.

Concerned about the financial burden faced by hospitality businesses upon reopening, questions whether it is fair for them to face a large business rates bill. Urges extension of relief periods and reform of business rates.

Asks about support for UK research and development, specifically in the context of clinical trials and maintaining the UK's position as a world leader in this area.

Discusses the North East Technology Park (NETPark) and its role in innovation-led businesses. He suggests places like NETPark can serve as foundations for economic recovery and levelling up efforts.

Discussed the desperate conditions faced by early career researchers due to government funding abandonment, ending grants during covid, and lack of job security. Highlighted the Minister's failure in supporting science despite these issues.

Asked about the implications for oil and gas policies considering the International Energy Agency’s energy scenario aligned with the 1.5° C goal of the Paris agreement, pointing out that new investments in fossil fuel projects are against climate targets but UK might approve Cambo oilfield.

Inquired about plans to support solar energy growth, also mentioned the lack of support for community energy since 2016. Emphasised the need for meaningful support from the government.

Asked about discussions with representatives of the automotive sector, emphasised the importance of supporting all parts of the UK including Wales in the new opportunities for the automotive industry.

Inquired specifically about steps to achieve net zero emissions target, raised concerns over the Aquind scheme and its potential green job benefits as well as national security issues.

Asked about future plans for retrofitting existing housing stock in the UK towards achieving net zero emissions, highlighted the unsatisfactory outcomes of previous schemes like Green Deal and Green Homes Grant.

Asks how the BEIS Committee will be able to scrutinise top secret documents related to the Investment Security Unit. He inquires specifically about clearances and secure premises.

Inquires if he can make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Discusses optimism returning across the economy due to investment announcements by Nissan and Envision, as well as Stellantis’s announcement of over £100 million investment at its Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port.

Questions the Minister on the Climate Change Committee's report card, which found that policy is not there and that high-carbon choices are being made. He seeks clarity on who the Minister holds responsible for these findings.

Champions independent businesses in her constituency, highlighting the need to support such shops this summer to encourage people back to city centres across the UK.

Questions the Minister on plans for carbon capture and storage for decarbonising ammonia production at CF Fertilisers, an important local employer.

Asks about steps being taken to ensure new nuclear power stations are commissioned to meet energy needs and contribute to a clean energy programme.

Challenges the Minister on the Government’s decision to reject cross-party recommendations for tackling the injustice of raids on miners’ pensions, citing a promise made by the Prime Minister.

Inquires about benefits that £24.8 million investment in Dewsbury will have for retailers and other businesses in his constituency.

Asked the Government about implementing changes from their report on the statutory review of the pubs code and whether further statutory provisions are needed to protect tied tenants.

Questioned the Minister regarding companies that have received government support but now seek to fire and rehire staff, suggesting it is unacceptable.

Inquired about further help for the aviation industry after 19 July if certain restrictions remain in place.

Pressed the Government to acknowledge job losses and business destruction due to excluding millions of businesses from coronavirus support schemes.

Asked about ensuring small builders can access building materials amid shortages.

Expressed disappointment over the Government's refusal to act on recommendations for retired mineworkers and widows, demanding immediate uplift of their pensions from a reserve fund.

Commended recent investment by Nissan UK as post-Brexit confidence in the UK's manufacturing sector and sought assurances for future investments.

Requested a meeting to discuss regulatory barriers impeding community energy development with Government support.

Asked about the future viability of nuclear power baseload, expressing concern over existing plants shutting down early and new facilities taking too long to come online.

Raised a point of order regarding recusal from answering questions due to potential conflicts of interest, specifically concerning the Aquind project's national security implications.