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Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
15 December 2020
Lead MP
James Davies
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmploymentClimateEnergyBusiness & TradeChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 53
At a Glance
James Davies 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
EconomyTaxationEmploymentClimateEnergyBusiness & TradeChildren & Families
Government Response
Stated that £240 million will be invested through the net zero hydrogen fund and a comprehensive hydrogen strategy will be published early next year. Emphasised job creation in green industries as a priority for the government. Responded positively to questions regarding COP26 engagement with young people and schools. Agreed on publishing a comprehensive net zero strategy before November next year. Government initiatives such as Made Smarter are expanding to support technology adoption in manufacturing. The Green Homes Grant provides economic stimulus and energy bill savings. The hydrogen strategy aims for 5 GW production capacity by 2030 and will consider regional benefits like HyNet's potential to deliver 80% of the target. Small modular reactors play a significant role in nuclear future plans. A comprehensive assessment of SMR siting requirements is planned next year. Green recovery supports highly skilled jobs across various green industries. The ministers addressed concerns raised about job cuts, support for hospitality businesses, assessment of emissions, alcohol duty review, small business support under tier restrictions, life sciences sector support and mis-sold Green Deal loans. The Secretary of State outlines various initiatives taken by his department, including the extension of furlough schemes and additional grants for businesses required to close due to restrictions. He also emphasises ongoing dialogue with stakeholders such as landlords, tenants, and Royal Mail. We call out British Gas and other employers if and when they are using unfair pressure in negotiations, but we do say that we need to retain flexibility as well, so that big companies can save as many jobs as possible in difficult times.
I know the hospitality business in York has been affected, as it has around the country. Yes, we will continue to look at this and, when the data allows, we will move York and other areas into more forgiving tiers. For the hospitality sector—as I say, it welcomes Government support, largely, but wants customers—this is what is going to help the pubs, bars and restaurants in York and beyond to be able to survive and thrive.
Asked about the development of hydrogen energy and its potential to create thousands of jobs in his region, specifically mentioning the HyNet project.
Inquired about the opportunities for blue hydrogen manufacturing at Bacton gas terminal in his constituency, focusing on job creation and low-carbon initiatives.
Asked for a commitment to prioritise green hydrogen production over blue hydrogen using the net zero hydrogen fund.
Inquired about steps being taken to support employment growth in low-carbon industries, particularly focusing on coastal communities like Lowestoft and Waveney.
Asked about the financial support provided for hospitality businesses under tier 3 restrictions during the Christmas period.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Questioned the government's self-employment income support scheme, highlighting flaws in the original scheme and requesting a review to ensure excluded individuals receive necessary support.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Asked for an assessment of how tiered public health restrictions affect businesses' ability to trade and requested increased grants for wet pubs struggling under these rules.
Alex Norris
Lab Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
Echoed the concerns about the impact of tiered restrictions on businesses, specifically mentioning the lack of support offered to pub and brewery owners.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Asked about steps being taken to promote climate action ahead of COP26, highlighting the importance of global leadership on this issue.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Asked how the UK Government will engage with schools in Scotland and across the United Kingdom to promote COP26.
Responded that the UK government is committed to working closely with young people and schools ahead of COP26, including hosting a youth event for delegates from around the world. Agreed that the UK should publish a comprehensive net zero strategy before November next year.
Greenwich and Woolwich
Asked if the Government agrees it is necessary to demonstrate a plan to deliver net zero, as the gap between promises and actual policies remains significant according to Climate Action Tracker.
Questioned whether discussions have been had with devolved Administrations on the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill. Also asked how Scottish Rolls-Royce jobs will be protected if the Bill is passed.
Asked about recent discussions held with the devolved Administrations regarding the UKIM Bill and expressed concern over the Government's rejection of amendments aimed at salvaging the devolution settlement.
Critiqued the Bill for extending Westminster’s control into areas previously managed by devolved Governments, stating that this is an assault on Scotland’s democracy and business productivity.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Asked about steps being taken to support businesses during the pandemic and in relation to green job creation as part of the energy White Paper announcement.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Expressed appreciation for Small Business Saturday events and urged continued Government support for local high streets as they recover from covid-19's impacts.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Asked about steps being taken to support businesses during the pandemic, emphasising the importance of small business support.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Of the £5 billion of new online spend because of the pandemic, 40% has gone to Amazon. Many small businesses are afraid they will not make it through the winter due to a lack of Government support. The speaker asks for concrete plans to help businesses invest in new technologies and target procurement towards net zero businesses.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
Asks about steps taken to ensure value for money and environmental benefits from the Green Homes Grant scheme. Also queries the inclusion of solar thermal systems but not solar PV panels in the grant scheme.
Questions the progress on introducing hydrogen energy networks in the UK, highlighting the existing gas network's potential for retaining jobs and delivering environmental benefits through systems like HyNet.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Inquires about recent developments and introduction of small modular nuclear reactors, emphasising their quick development and cost-effectiveness. Urges the minister to accelerate proposals for clean energy creation and job creation.
Asks what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure a green economic recovery from the covid-19 outbreak, focusing on job creation in the short term while supporting long-term environmental goals.
Inquires about increasing renewable energy capacity and how Rampion wind farm's plans can be supported to improve air quality and meet carbon neutral targets by 2030.
Asks about practical steps being taken to support the development of tidal energy projects like the Mersey tidal project, which could transform local economies and create jobs.
Questions steps being taken by his Department to reduce dismiss and re-engage tactics by employers, highlighting specific cases of British Airways and Centrica where employees face threats of termination for renegotiation.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
He criticised companies such as Heathrow, British Airways, and Rolls-Royce for using abusive tactics to cut pay and conditions of their workers. He questioned why the Government did not make retaining jobs a condition when providing financial help.
Asked about the effectiveness of covid-19 financial relief in supporting growth in the hospitality sector, she raised concerns over self-employed and sole traders being left out of government support, calling for further assistance to cover their overheads.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Asked about the level of greenhouse gas emissions generated by imports and exports from the UK, expressing concerns over the country's ability to meet its climate emergency responsibilities without addressing these factors.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Inquired about discussions with the Chancellor on alcohol duty review aiming to address binge drinking culture exacerbated by supermarket offers, asking for steps taken in this regard.
Asked what steps are being taken to support small businesses under tier 2 restrictions and further asked that the Minister use his influence to reduce West Dorset from tier 2 to tier 1 due to its impact on local businesses.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Asked for an assessment of the availability of the Local Restrictions Support Grant in areas under tier 2 restrictions and highlighted the importance of prompt payment of these grants, especially to pubs.
Inquired about steps being taken by his Department to support the life sciences sector, specifically addressing concerns regarding future international relationships post-Brexit negotiations.
Asked for steps being taken to support people mis-sold a Green Deal loan more than six years ago and questioned why victims are not granted access to the extra three-year rule and justice.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Raises concerns about the lack of support for hospitality venues, particularly regarding rent debts and the need for a model to share the rental debt burden among tenants, landlords, banks, and the Government.
Asks the Secretary of State to work with Cornish colleagues to help put Cornwall at the heart of the green industry by unleashing geothermal energy, lithium, floating offshore wind, and their vital supply chains.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
Critiques the current support for the hospitality sector as inadequate given the situation faced by many businesses in tier 3 areas. Also questions whether businesses are being let down by a lack of preparedness and communication regarding Brexit.
Asks about additional support for the events industry, which may face months without earnings due to the economic crisis.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Raises concerns regarding increased costs for exporting businesses and questions discussions with Royal Mail about recent price hikes.
Supports the push for a renewable energy manufacturing facility in Workington, highlighting its potential to benefit local and national economies.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Congratulates Kevin Sinfield on his marathons for charity and asks the Secretary of State to commit to properly investing in medical research for diseases like dementia, MND, and cancer.
Asks for representations to be made to ensure that businesses in High Peak, despite having a case rate lower than average, are not unduly penalised by tier 3 restrictions.
Critiques the scrapping of the £1,000 per employee job retention bonus and requests clarity on when and how this scheme will be replaced to support businesses financially.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Calls for a meeting with the Treasury to put together a pathway and package of support for industries most affected by social restrictions, such as weddings, events, office conferences, and travel.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
The GMB, Unite and Unison trade unions are fighting hard for workers who are being fired and then rehired on worse terms and conditions. What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that companies such as British Gas are negotiating in good faith with the workforce, not imposing these completely unacceptable practices on them?
With the imminent review of tiers, can Ministers reassure me that they are pushing firmly within Government on the fact that many businesses, especially in places such as York, where the virus is very low, are at the stage where they can no longer be subsidised for low footfall or to stay closed, but need to be able to trade as normally as possible ultimately to survive?
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Many freelancers and self-employed people have had little or no financial support. They do not qualify for furlough, for the self-employed scheme or for business grants. With billions of pounds being returned in tax relief for business rates by the major retailers, why are Ministers not using that money, as the retailers are suggesting, to support those hundreds of thousands of people who have had little or no financial support so far?
Many businesses are linked to the NHS supply chain, such as Zimmer Biomet, one of the largest employers in my Bridgend constituency. What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with ministerial colleagues about getting NHS non-urgent, non-critical procedures back up to pre-covid levels?
What measures can the Minister take to ensure that GB businesses do not use the Northern Ireland protocol as an excuse to refuse to do business with companies in Northern Ireland? Some are already saying that after 31 December they can no longer supply goods to those companies, and some are using the situation as an opportunity, because of the additional bureaucracy and paperwork, to increase prices.
Whistleblowing is valuable to organisations and society. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to prepare for ISO 37002, the new international standard for whistleblowing, and can he reassure my constituents that whistleblowers in the UK will enjoy enhanced protection to the same degree as, or greater than, that provided by the forthcoming EU directive?
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
The furlough scheme is really important for young workers—for young people—but when the scheme ends many are worried that we will see large-scale youth unemployment, so what is the Department’s input into the kickstart scheme and exactly how many jobs will be created by March next year to help young people?
On Thursday, I had the pleasure of taking my hon. Friend the Member for Derby North (Amanda Solloway), the Minister for science, research and innovation, to Greencore’s Springfield Meadow development in my constituency, where it is building not just net-zero homes but carbon-positive homes and selling them to Sovereign Housing at precisely the same cost as for any other kind of home. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating Greencore on this innovation and does he agree that it is exactly the sort of thing we need more of to hit our 2050 goal?
Jon Trickett
Lab
Normanton and Hemsworth
After 10 years of this Government, before covid, constituents of mine were averaging £100 a week less in earnings than the average for the rest of the country; now a third of them are on furlough, which means a further £100 less per week—£10,000 a year less than the average. Will the Minister understand that when the Government talk about levelling up, in an area like mine people will say it is time that Ministers got out of their privileged bubbles and did something for communities all over this country, where millions of people are living very precarious lives?
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