She agrees with Andrew Griffith that Labour's policies are putting at risk the regeneration of town centres and community spaces. She cites venues such as pubs, restaurants, and cafes being affected by the cost of labour and business rates.

He notes that for the first time since 2012, the number of new businesses registered at Companies House has fallen. This is a sign that risk-taking behaviour necessary to grow the economy is not happening under current government policies.

He highlights the triple whammy of tax rises impacting pubs: an increase in minimum wage, removal of business rates relief for hospitality, and rise in national insurance contributions. He worries about fewer job opportunities for young people as a result.

He argues that Labour's approach to international wealth is undermining job creation by closing doors on golden visas and non-dom reforms, which do not raise money. He suggests reversing these policies at the next Budget.

The Bill poses a serious risk to seasonal jobs in her constituency. She asked if the Minister should withdraw the bill or conduct a proper impact assessment.

The Employment Rights Bill is a poor piece of legislation, as stated by the Government's own regulatory independent commission. The speaker agrees that the Bill needs to be reworked and supports revising it thoroughly before proceeding.

He argues in favour of free trade agreements reducing red tape and providing certainty for businesses, contrary to criticism about Employment Rights Bill. He asks the opposition if they believe these benefits are incorrect.

Disagrees with Andrew Pakes' view on trade agreements, highlighting that joining the common market/EU did not benefit fishing industry and argues against reversing measures affecting businesses broadly.

Expresses concern over day one employment rights, stating it would discourage hiring of young or less qualified individuals due to risk of unfair dismissal claims.

Challenges the opposition's stance on day one employment rights by asking if they are against these rights entirely, questioning whether this would be acceptable policy for Conservative party.

Encourages the shadow Minister to elaborate on criticisms of business acumen by ministers, noting disbelief that such measures impede business growth and wealth creation.

Dame Caroline expresses concern over a decline in apprenticeships in sectors like hair and beauty salons, adult social care, and early years education. She highlights the importance of opportunities for young people.

Sir Roger warns that government employment legislation is creating obstacles to initiatives by businesses and financial institutions aimed at creating jobs for young people. He urges the Minister to provide a substantive response.

Sir Ashley questions if the cumulative effect of recent government measures, such as employment legislation and business property relief removal, will lead to higher unemployment.

Jamie Stone acknowledges that there has been a positive impact on the seed potato industry due to Government policies. He contrasts this with broader economic challenges faced by other sectors.

Jerome questions the interpretation of GDP growth, suggesting that increases in electricity, gas, and water prices should not be counted as positive economic growth.

Jim highlights the importance of ensuring all regions of the UK have equal opportunities for business and economic improvement. He emphasises the need to support young people in Northern Ireland.

A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development shows business confidence at pandemic levels, with a quarter of businesses planning to lay off people. The government needs to listen and change course due to this lack of confidence.

Businesses feel that HMRC is a predator rather than a partner, reflecting the overall attitude of the Government towards business. The Government's approach to regulation and taxation is deterring investment and growth.

The oil and gas sector is experiencing an exodus of investors, taking skills and jobs with them due to the high cost of energy. The shadow Minister should propose measures to retain these industries in the UK.

Supports the Government's work on improving investment outcomes for the economy through equities rather than cash investments, but calls for clarity and action from the Government regarding regulatory boundaries.

Asked whether inflation at 3.5% is higher or lower compared to last July's rate of 2%.

Replied that current inflation rates are significantly lower than those under the previous government and emphasised the success of trade deals with India, US, and EU. He highlighted business investment growth of 5.9% in Q1 compared to when Conservatives left office.

Stated that while Conservatives support free trade, they do not agree with the current deals due to concerns about cost and lack of negotiation leverage. He warned about being seen as a soft touch in international negotiations.

Confirmed that recent deals have been successfully concluded in record time compared to previous attempts by the Conservatives, noting the deal with EU sticking to red lines and reducing costs for businesses. He defended the government's approach as pro-business.

Asked if the Minister was concerned about growth in Q1 being due to businesses making capital investments ahead of tariffs, suggesting this might not reflect sustainable investment.

Responded by mentioning that the government's business rates relief and international investment summit had secured £63 billion in commitments for UK, generating 38,000 jobs. He also highlighted endorsements from major businesses on UK's pro-growth agenda.

Asked the Minister to make representations for hospitality businesses in his constituency regarding national insurance rate changes. He also sought details of additional taxes raised and spending commitments in the Budget.

Responded that difficult decisions were taken in the Budget to fund NHS, schools, and police due to a £22 billion deficit left by previous government. He also mentioned reforming business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 1 April next year.

Challenged the effectiveness of growth policies given forecast growth of only 0.8% this year by Treasury's own survey. He questioned whether the government's strategy was working based on Bank of England and OBR forecasts.

Defended the growth forecast, stating OECD predicts UK will have second fastest growing economy in G7. He highlighted measures to tackle late payments for small businesses and reforms on business rates.

Asked the Minister to confirm how much additional taxes were raised and spending commitments made in the Budget. She urged him to provide an answer or write to her with details.

Employment statistics are really important. In the Minister’s constituency, unemployment has risen by a staggering 31% in the past year. In my constituency, it has gone up by about 10%. That will have a real impact.

The ONS numbers on employment show an extra 200,000 jobs in the economy since the general election, so I gently encourage the hon. Gentleman to look at a slightly wider range of statistics.

Let me remind the House that the reforms are about increasing job security for working people. They are about raising both the national minimum wage and the national living wage so that more than 3 million eligible workers receive a pay rise of up to £1,400; ending exploitative zero-hour contracts;

I hear what the Minister says about job security, but if businesses will not be providing jobs because of day one rights, as my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham has so eloquently laid out, there will not be more people in work.

With due respect to the hon. Lady, it is not one or the other: a pro-worker economy is a pro-business economy. That sentiment has been echoed by experts such as Simon Deakin, a professor of law at the University of Cambridge.

I share the bemusement of my hon. Friend the Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross that we on these Benches are being called the “other Government”. The Conservative party took people for granted.

Does my hon. Friend agree that we need a fundamental overhaul of the harmful business rates system so that small businesses in rural areas can survive and succeed?

The hon. Lady is talking about the effect of the Government’s winter fuel payment cuts. Does she agree that the cuts were not just cruel and unpleasant for the elderly people who have suffered, but economically illiterate because of the increased cost to the NHS from individuals becoming sick as a result of being cold?

Supports the idea of the Government reversing the family farm tax to address difficulties in rural communities.

Praises businesses in Harlow and highlights concerns about tariffs with EU import/export. Acknowledges support for employment rights but focuses on productivity, skills development, transport links, and economic transactions to boost the local economy.

Expresses concerns about high street closures in his constituency due to rising costs and poor footfall. Discusses international wealth creators leaving the UK, citing a New World Wealth report.

Questions the validity of Mr Mohindra's data source on wealthy individuals leaving the UK, suggesting it may have vested interests.

Mr Pinto-Duschinsky agreed with Mr Mohindra's assertion that businesses need certainty but argued that the Conservative party had created chaos through Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-Budget, which undermined business confidence.

Ms Brown-Fuller highlighted a local example of how increased national insurance contributions were affecting small businesses in her constituency, questioning whether these policies are sustainable and fair for such enterprises.

Mr Morello echoed Mr Mohindra’s concerns about business rates and their disproportionate impact on small businesses. He cited an example of a local business in his constituency that had seen its business rates skyrocket.

Dr Sandher challenged Mr Mohindra's position, arguing that the current government is creating a weaker and more divided nation with high costs for energy, housing, and childcare. He emphasised that too many people cannot earn a decent living under the Conservative government.

Emphasises the importance of small businesses in East Hampshire's economy, noting that only business can create wealth, jobs, livelihoods and generate tax revenue for public services. Critiques Labour's stance on taxes impacting people rather than just businesses, discussing national insurance contributions rise affecting customers or employees, with an emphasis on wage suppression and potential job losses, especially among the youngest and those furthest from the labour market. Raises concerns about family farm tax and business property relief measures, proposing alternatives for fairer systems.

Raises concern over a small business in her constituency having to reduce staff by four due to recent changes. Supports the idea that the Government should scrap the national insurance contributions rise and introduce a new funding system for rural economies and jobs.

Supports Hinds' argument about national insurance contribution effects on employment, highlighting the Office for Budget Responsibility's assessment. Discusses historical context of business property relief introduced by Labour in 1976 to level the playing field for family-owned businesses.

Challenged the Minister's claim that business rates have gone down for retail and hospitality businesses, highlighting the temporary reduction during COVID-19 that was not funded beyond those years.

Asked the Minister to comment on the shift from permanent to temporary contracts due to the Employment Rights Bill and its effect on NHS staffing.

Focused on trade deals, industrial strategy, and infrastructure as key areas for business growth. Emphasised the importance of the life sciences sector in her constituency and the benefits from recent trade agreements with the EU, US, and India.

Critiqued the Labour MP's speech for not addressing concerns about hospitality, leisure, retail businesses, and private schools. Highlighted that businesses are deeply worried about government policies impacting these sectors.

Family Business UK says that 55% of businesses have paused or even cancelled planned investments due to the Government’s plans to cap business property relief. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the Government should delay the planned BPR changes and conduct a thorough consultation and an impact assessment?

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief will raise relatively small amounts for the Treasury, but they will have a devastating effect on those businesses, and the reason they are being brought in is that Government Ministers have no idea how small businesses and farmers operate?

This is translating a theoretical loss into a real one guaranteed by the Treasury with taxpayers’ money.

As a member of the Business and Trade Committee, it has been a privilege to traverse this land from Exeter to Belfast and from Glasgow to Cardiff to speak with people on the frontline of business. They are a doughty, resilient lot, doing amazing things; Britain’s got talent, but heads are going down. The barrage of red tape is taking a toll. Costs are up, and I must reference the speech from the hon. Member for Loughborough (Dr Sandher), which probably owed more to the boards of the Globe theatre further along the Thames than to this place. In his highly colourful speech, I was not quite sure whether he was blaming Mrs Thatcher or gas prices for high energy bills, but he should really look towards his own Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, because much of the increase in energy prices, which hammer businesses right across this country, comes from carbon taxes applied by this Government. Critically, all this leads to expansion plans being shelved, as confidence slides. That means fewer jobs, especially for young people and those chasing that all-important first job. This Government’s boast is that they are putting money into working people’s pockets. Setting aside the questionable veracity of that claim, there is no doubt that if someone loses their job, or if they do not have a job in the first place, there is no extra money in their pocket. What this Government are creating is a hostile environment for some sectors. Yes, there are millions of pounds—maybe billions—for steel, plenty for unionised train drivers and no-strings pay boosts for NHS staff, but what about agriculture, which is the key driver of the economy in rural Dumfries and Galloway, my constituency? Farmers and many associated businesses might just about survive Labour’s urban-centric indifference, but the active harm it is doing by taking steps such as the upping of inheritance tax and the driving down of agricultural property relief is a disaster. The consequences of Labour’s avaricious increase in employer national insurance contributions are all too real. The Usual Place is a Dumfries charity that does amazing work helping young people with a host of mental and physical issues move into real jobs in catering. It is cutting back on those jobs because extra national insurance contributions put a bounty on each employee’s head, meaning jobs gone and life chances maimed.

The hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (John Cooper) is talking about the feedback that we heard on the Business and Trade Committee. Does he recognise that businesses also fed back about the political uncertainty under the previous Government and how that made it very difficult to create an environment in which they could expand?

This Government were elected on a promise to go for growth. They said that they had a costed programme and that everything else they wanted to spend money on could be paid for by increasing growth. Despite those promises, almost every single action that Labour has taken since entering office has been to stifle growth, not to improve it. Before the election, many businesses backed the new Government. They believed their promises on tax, stability and growth. Many of those businesses have now lost confidence in the Government, and who can blame them? The impact of the hikes in national insurance contributions and business rates, combined with the red tape of the Employment Rights Bill and the removal of business property relief, has totally undermined business.

The unnamed Member criticised the Deputy Prime Minister's policies, arguing that they are an attack on business and jobs. They cited statistics showing rising unemployment and warned about the impact of day one rights and tax rises on small businesses and job seekers.

Mr. O'Brien highlighted the negative outlook for business and the economy due to high inflation and rising unemployment. He cited specific examples of tax burdens on small businesses, including increased national insurance contributions and cuts in agricultural property relief. He also criticised the government's handling of family farm taxes and expressed concern over job creation under current policies.

Mr. Fenton-Glynn responded to Mr. O'Brien, pointing out that had the previous Conservative Government seen growth similar to what Labour achieved in the mid-2000s, people would be better off economically.

Ms. Bance provided context on economic recovery rates post-pandemic, noting that the UK's performance was at the bottom due to issues left by Liz Truss’s tenure.

Mr. Mayhew supported Mr. O'Brien, citing past successes in job creation despite inherited economic challenges from previous Labour Governments.

Criticised the Government's national insurance increase targeting low-income workers and argued that public services such as NHS, social care, nurseries, schools, universities, local government, charity sector have been inadequately compensated. Highlighted significant shortfalls in funding for education due to this policy.

Asked Neil O'Brien about his previous stance on social care while the Labour party was in power.

The hon. Member challenges Neil O'Brien, asking what decisions his party would take to address issues like police presence on the streets, fixing public services and improving living standards.

He declares his background in entrepreneurialism and criticises Labour Members for their lack of understanding of business confidence issues. He highlights the decline in business and consumer confidence since Labour's election and questions why there has been such surprise on the Government Benches that actions have been ill-received by businesses.

She argues that the previous Conservative Government misled businesses with promises of a Brexit that would remove red tape but ended up creating barriers instead.

The hon. Member points out that every business recognises Brexit as a principal drag on their profitability and growth, challenging the notion that Brexit has not made much difference to businesses' operations.

High costs and regulatory burdens are closing pubs in Mid Bedfordshire. Stellantis plant layoffs highlight the impact of Government policies on employment. Tax hikes and new regulations hinder job creation, leading to business closures and unemployment spikes.

Labour's economic performance has led to tax increases, rising energy bills, and job losses. Businesses are struggling due to a combination of taxes and red tape. 150,000 fewer payrolled employees since Labour entered office in July 2024. Employment forecasts predict 5% unemployment by 2027.

The Conservative party has called for a debate on productivity and economic growth, which is an important topic. Labour's fiscal policies have led to tax rises, lower growth forecasts, and higher unemployment.

Welcomed the debate but criticised Conservative inaction on economy. Highlighted the record of stagnation under previous government with lowest business investment in G7, flatlining wages, worst living standards in Parliament's history, and trashed public finances.

Challenged Labour to explain their economic record of higher unemployment, inflation, and slower growth. Questioned why no Labour Back Benchers were present in the debate to support their Front Bench.

Asked about benefits of trade deals for growth and investment. Poked fun at the Minister’s ability to predict economic forecasts accurately.

The hon. Gentleman questions the Minister's claim about wage increases in Scotland, noting that 91% of earners and workers were already earning more than the living wage level set by his Government.