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Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
06 July 2021
Lead MP
Sarah Olney
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyEmploymentClimateEnergyBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 53
At a Glance
Sarah Olney raised concerns about business, energy and industrial strategy in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Response
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyEmploymentClimateEnergyBusiness & Trade
Government Response
Ministers provided updates on various issues including online scams prevention, discussions with GKN Automotive, marine renewables sector support, and the levelling-up agenda. Emphasised government investment in Scotland through various funds and confirmed £27 million for the Aberdeen energy transition zone. Rejected criticism of levelling-up efforts, stating that decisions are still being evaluated and funds are subject to scrutiny. Responds to queries regarding steel industry support, gig economy workers' rights, high street businesses recovery, and research and development. Emphasises actions taken by the Government such as trade safeguards for steel, consultations on future compensation schemes, encouragement of adherence to employment law, comprehensive economic response worth over £352 billion, extension of rent moratoriums, and plans to increase R&D investment. Ministers addressed concerns about early career researchers' funding issues, climate change policies including oil and gas projects, support for solar energy growth, discussions with automotive sector representatives, steps to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and the independence of open banking. The National Security and Investment Act 2021 delivers important reforms of UK investment-screening powers. The Government will work with the BEIS Committee to enable effective scrutiny of the Investment Security Unit by developing a memorandum of understanding to allow it access to secure premises for top secret documents. Provided updates on the pubs code review, addressed concerns about employment practices, aviation recovery, job loss acknowledgments, building material shortages, and renewable energy growth.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
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.
Gill Furniss
Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
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.
Mark Eastwood
Con
Penistone and Stocksbridge
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.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
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.
Stephen Hammond
Con
Twickenham
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.
Greenwich and Woolwich
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.
Craig Whittaker
Con
Calder Valley
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.
Stephen Morgan
Lab
Portsmouth South
Opposed the proposed AQUIND energy interconnector project and launched a petition against it, citing concerns about community disruption and murky financing.
Alan Whitehead
Lab
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.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
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.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
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.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
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.
Seema Malhotra
Lab Co-op
Feltham and Heston
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.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
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.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
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.
Gerald Jones
Lab
Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
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.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
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.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
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.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
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.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
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.
Alex Cunningham
Lab
Stockton North
Questions the Minister on plans for carbon capture and storage for decarbonising ammonia production at CF Fertilisers, an important local employer.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Asks about steps being taken to ensure new nuclear power stations are commissioned to meet energy needs and contribute to a clean energy programme.
Mary Glindon
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
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.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
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.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Asked about ensuring small builders can access building materials amid shortages.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
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.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
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.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
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.
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