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The Economy
08 July 2020
Lead MP
Steve Barclay
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmploymentNorthern IrelandBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 84
At a Glance
Steve Barclay raised concerns about the economy 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
It is a privilege to open this economic debate, and to do so hot on the heels of a statement from the Chancellor that places the Government’s plan for jobs at the heart of our recovery. The past few months have tested our economy in a way that few of us, if any, have experienced before... The House will be familiar with the scale and scope of our economic response, which has included business rates reliefs and grants for the worst-hit sectors, uplifts in welfare support for families struggling to make ends meet and more than £70 billion of business loans and guarantees approved to date. Meanwhile, the coronavirus job retention scheme and the self-employment income support scheme have preserved many millions of jobs and livelihoods across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, demonstrating once again the shared strength and resilience we derive from our Union.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
If the Minister does not mind me being a bit cheeky, I want to ask about the money that we need in the Rhondda to deal with the floods earlier this year. Some £67 million is needed by my local authority... The Government recognise that the Coal Authority is a Westminster responsibility and must find the money so people’s homes can be made safe.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
When it comes to speaking up for his constituents, I do not think the hon. Gentleman has ever held back... The Government were clear that we would stand by those whose livelihoods were in jeopardy through no fault of their own.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
We are very much better together, and the Minister knows this well. One thing that concerns me is the aerospace sector... Within this process—and I thank the Government for all the moneys they have made available—will there be extra help for the aerospace sector, particularly for small firms and for the apprentices in those small firms?
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Chancellor addressed that issue in his statement earlier... All in all, the United Kingdom’s economic response to covid is one of the most comprehensive and generous of any Government’s in the world.
John Redwood
15:22:00
As one who thinks it is exactly right, as a one-off cost, to spend and cut taxes at the moment to promote economic recovery, I accept that we have to borrow to do that. When will we be getting some revised numbers on what the borrowing might amount to?
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
There are two issues within that... Then there is the more substantive issue, as the Chancellor set out in his statement, of seeing the plan for jobs in the context of three phases.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Will the Minister give way? Bath is an international spa city... The wellbeing and beauty industry is very much part of our local economy. Some industries have been worse hit than others and unfairly treated, particularly the beauty industry. When will there be an announcement that the beauty and wellbeing industry is open for business again?
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
The hon. Lady highlights an extremely important sector... At Treasury oral questions yesterday the Chancellor expressed our desire to get those sectors up and running as quickly as possible.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Of course the Minister is right that the furlough scheme cannot continue forever. However—I listened to his response to the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) about the beauty sector—surely we need different approaches to the sectors that have been able to reopen and those that are currently still closed... Why has he not considered something more flexible with regard to the job-retention scheme?
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
We have been flexible. The hon. Lady mentioned theatres: we announced a package of £1.57 billion-worth of support as part of the flexibility of which she speaks... The intention, as part of this second phase, is to reopen the economy, including these businesses.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Will the Minister give way?
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Called on the Minister to provide specific support for the caravan manufacturing industry in Hull and East Riding, asking for an additional four months of aid until spring.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Stated that VAT rates for campsites would be cut from 20% to 5%, and argued against extending furlough support beyond October, citing potential negative effects on job market re-entry.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
Echoed Emma Hardy's point about the caravan industry needing more time until spring to secure its future and urged reconsideration of furlough extension requests.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Asked for targeted investment in wages and grants to support the hospitality and tourism industry, particularly in Cumbria, through spring 2021.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Questioned the Government's commitment to green recovery, highlighting the disparity between funding for fossil fuels and the £3 billion allocated for decarbonisation efforts.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Asked why there was no hydrogen strategy announced alongside other economic recovery measures.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
The Chancellor's emphasis on jobs is welcome but history will measure his success by unemployment figures and recovery strength. The pandemic has led to a record fall in GDP, with an additional 1.6 million people claiming unemployment benefits since March. There are also significant inequalities in economic impact across sectors such as accommodation and food services versus professional services.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
The Chancellor's statement failed to provide necessary support for newly set up small businesses, self-employed people, and directors of small limited companies who remain excluded from existing support measures. These groups need immediate assistance to keep their businesses afloat during the recovery phase.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
While measures to protect and promote the hospitality sector are welcome, there is concern that public confidence in returning to these venues may be low due to health risks. A lack of an effective track and trace system exacerbates this issue, as seen in Leicester.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Local lockdowns or a second national lockdown would deliver a knockout blow to many businesses struggling to recover. Public confidence is crucial for recovery; the Government needs an effective track and trace system to restore this confidence. Additionally, while praising the Chancellor's kick-start scheme for youth unemployment, Labour emphasises the importance of third-sector organisations and local authorities in delivering such schemes successfully.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Cheap.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury said that it is cheap. I am not sure that a seat at a Conservative party fundraiser is particularly cheap, and it is certainly a price too high for lobbying the Government... The hon. Gentleman makes a really important point. Of course, the devolved Administrations can provide their own policy responses, but we know that decisions taken here on public spending have a direct impact on their ability to respond accordingly, too...
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The shadow Minister is right about the role for local government and the important role that it plays... I know that the Government have given so much on the Barnett consequentials and that is really important, but it is also important that we have strategy that works for both the Northern Ireland Assembly and for here as well.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
... We were promised a new deal, but the Chancellor’s big announcement was a meal deal. The Chancellor said that we cannot have endless extensions to the job retention scheme... Public health response and economic response have to go hand in hand...
Does the hon. Gentleman not accept that, as the Chancellor confirmed, there is still a Budget to come later in the year and that the announcements today were not the sum total of everything that the Government will do?
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
... The public health response and the economic response have to go hand in hand... Instead, they remain forgotten. Some of this is about choices and priorities...
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
I am very pleased that the hon. Gentleman is moving on to this group of people. He has just been talking about extending existing programmes from which they are excluded... In addition to wanting to extend those programmes, what does he want to happen to those who have been excluded, so that that sense of being left behind no longer continues?
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
... People who have been excluded require exactly the same sort of assistance as people who have been included... Turning to climate change, the Chancellor promised a green recovery with concern for the environment at its heart...
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
I thank my hon. Friend for giving way. He has been very generous. We should have a three-point test for the Government’s infrastructure investment: does it involve local firms and deliver better local jobs? Does it provide opportunities to upskill local people? Will it reduce carbon emissions and ensure that this is a green recovery that gets us back on track to zero emissions?
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
The Chancellor's measures, though unexpected from a Conservative Government, are welcomed. However, the previous decade of economic policies has led to low productivity, stagnant wages, rising poverty and debt, making it a lost decade. The ideological dogma promoted by the Conservatives has exacerbated social insecurity and inequality. Streeting calls for a shift in policy focusing on healing societal wounds through social justice initiatives, fixing social care systems, addressing precarious work, embracing green recovery with the Green New Deal, and advocating global solutions to world problems.
John Redwood
Con
16:08:00
Welcomes Chancellor's job-rich recovery measures, including furlough scheme adjustments. Emphasises the need for ample money and credit availability for businesses and income rises. Urges Bank of England to continue quantitative easing and loosen further, aligning with US Federal Reserve's efforts to avoid economic slowdowns like in previous austerity measures. Suggests UK borrowing heavily temporarily for recovery but not permanently, given current low interest rates.
Edward Davey
Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Questions John Redwood on the democratic input regarding how quantitative easing money is spent. Suggests that it could be used for job creation and climate change initiatives instead.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Critiqued the Government's economic response as insufficient, advocating for an £80 billion stimulus. Emphasised the need for localised financial powers in Scotland to address specific regional challenges and called for fiscal framework reviews to allow Scottish Government greater borrowing flexibility. Highlighted potential benefits from Glasgow’s higher education sector by suggesting extensions of graduate work visas and maintaining home student fees for EU students, urging support for universities facing £3 billion-£19 billion losses. Raised concerns about local government struggling due to austerity measures and proposed a 12-month payment holiday from the Public Works Loan Board to help manage constraints arising from the pandemic.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Agreed with Alison Thewliss on the need for sector-specific support for hospitality and tourism industries, emphasising that many businesses are at risk of failing this month due to the rollback of the furlough scheme.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Highlighted the issue that £750 million allocated by the Government for charities does not cover those involved in research and clinical testing, stressing the importance of such charities for future medical advancements.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
The Government's failure in handling the public health crisis and its implications on economic recovery are interlinked. The current strategy lacks ambition, and local government expertise is crucial for rebuilding confidence. Bristol South needs proper funding to support social care jobs and further education. Businesses require better support, especially those in shut-down sectors like retail and hospitality.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Supports the point made by Karin Smyth regarding the Women's Budget Group's analysis showing that over 2 million jobs could be created in the care sector. Calls for the Government to meet with the Women’s Budget Group to address policy oversights.
Robert Largan
Con
High Peak
Calls for bold action and infrastructure investment as key measures for job creation and economic growth, especially outside London. Suggests several transport and broadband projects in the High Peak area to unlock potential and improve connectivity. Emphasises the need for skills development and addressing bottlenecks in construction.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Expressed appreciation for the Chancellor's measures, including a cut in VAT to 5% for tourism and hospitality sectors. Highlighted youth employment support but criticised missed opportunities to address long-term economic challenges such as low productivity and regional inequality. Noted that public R&D funding is heavily concentrated around London, Oxford, and Cambridge. Welcomed home insulation support but hoped it would utilize Welsh wool to aid the British wool industry. Criticised the lack of green projects in the fiscal response compared to Germany's efforts. Suggested targeted furlough schemes for local lockdowns and expressed concern over statutory sick pay levels.
Acknowledged the support provided by existing schemes, such as job retention and self-employed income support. Praised the focus on skills and apprenticeships in the Chancellor's statement and urged for timely delivery of the national skills fund announced earlier this year. Emphasised the need for a programme to rebuild post-covid with infrastructure investment in his constituency. Highlighted the importance of supporting businesses and self-employed individuals during and after the pandemic.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Expressed concerns over regional, intergenerational, and gender inequalities that could be exacerbated by the economic crisis. Criticised the government's measures as insufficient to meet the scale of the challenge. Called for short-term support for businesses struggling beyond current schemes and urged a longer-term strategy. Advocated for transport investment in the north including Northern Powerhouse Rail and High Speed 2. Highlighted the importance of reskilling opportunities, addressing poverty and income inequalities, reforming social security, and providing relief for business rates. Also emphasised support for new parents who have been largely overlooked during the crisis.
Jacob Young
Con
Redcar
Welcomes the Chancellor's statement and supports economic recovery efforts, highlighting support measures such as job retention schemes and free ports. Emphasises the importance of decarbonisation and investment in green technologies to create jobs.
Owen Thompson
SNP
Midlothian
Critiques the statement for lacking a focus on tackling deep poverty and inequality exacerbated by covid-19. Calls for better support through welfare safety nets and affordable business loans, especially grants instead of debt. Supports youth job guarantees.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Chichester
Stresses the importance of economic recovery for various national priorities such as healthcare, education, and environmental conservation. Welcomes infrastructure investment but also calls for training and skills development to improve productivity and social justice.
Chris Clarkson
Con
Heywood and Middleton
Welcomed the Government's statement on economic recovery, emphasising support for jobs and skills programmes especially for younger people. Acknowledged the Chancellor's response to the pandemic as being open and reassuring, highlighting investment in capital projects such as hospital improvements and shovel-ready projects, and urged a national approach to recovery.
Edward Davey
Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Expressed cautious approval of short-term measures but criticised the lack of coherence in medium and long-term economic strategy. Highlighted issues for self-employed individuals, young people's training programmes, and housing market tax cuts, calling for greater focus on green jobs and renewable energy initiatives.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Supported Edward Davey’s call for a bolder home insulation package and emphasised the importance of ensuring future homes are zero-carbon compliant, critiquing previous government actions on climate change.
Lucy Allan
Con
Telford
Described Telford's economic resilience despite historical challenges and praised the Chancellor for providing agile support during the pandemic. Emphasised the need to embrace new opportunities in tech, data, and life sciences as part of an accelerated revolution.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
The economy is in urgent need of action due to the unprecedented drop in GDP caused by the pandemic. Local authorities have been abandoned and funding has been cut, leading to a £23 million shortfall in Sheffield Hallam's council funding this year. The government's measures are not sufficient to address long-term issues such as wage stagnation and poor working conditions. Funding for apprenticeships is welcome but more is needed for further education and universities.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
Asked if the Chancellor's mini-Budget adequately supports local authorities, highlighting their essential role in recovery efforts from the pandemic.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Welcomed the Chancellor’s statement to protect and support jobs during a deep recession. Noted that £3 billion for home retrofits is a good start, but a carbon tax could further incentivise green tech investments and raise revenue for the Treasury.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Renfrewshire East
Expressed concern over job losses in aviation and aerospace industries in Scotland. Urged the government to develop a plan tailored to communities hardest hit by these sectors' crises. Proposed legislation to protect workers from unfair dismissals by companies like British Airways, which threaten up to one-third of their workforce with redundancy.
Nickie Aiken
Con
Cities of London and Westminster
I reiterated my support for the measures taken by the Government in response to the crisis, particularly highlighting the financial statement. I noted that thousands of constituents have benefited from job retention and self-employment schemes. The announcement of £1.5 billion for the arts sector was welcomed. However, local economies also suffer due to closed theatres, impacting hospitality businesses significantly. Retail, bars, restaurants and hotels face issues in both supply and demand, so I warmly welcome the Chancellor’s decision to cut VAT for the hospitality and tourism sectors from 20% to 5%. The support offered by this Government has been significant, but it should continue to evolve as the situation becomes clearer.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
I supported comments about the arts sector while criticising the Government's lack of urgency in addressing both health and economic crises. The OECD analysis indicates that the UK will have the biggest hit among developed countries, with a 11.5% impact compared to other nations like France and Italy. I welcomed the kick-start scheme for young people and support for apprenticeships but urged more flexibility and support for furlough and self-employed individuals. Additionally, there was disappointment in the lack of support for manufacturing sectors such as automotive, which account for 820,000 jobs, and criticism regarding higher business rates and energy costs compared to European neighbours.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
I paid tribute to the measures announced by the Chancellor and highlighted efforts needed to support women’s employment during and after the pandemic. Female employment had reached a record high before the pandemic but faces risks now due to sectors remaining shut down. I called for more help for women in beauty industry and other sectors needing fiscal support. Additionally, there was emphasis on childcare sector going into lockdown relaxation with social distancing changes and possible need for reduced spaces, potentially impacting women’s ability to return to work.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Emma Hardy thanked key workers in her constituency for their efforts during the pandemic. She highlighted a Social Market Foundation report that ranked Hull as severely impacted economically by covid-19, citing household struggles following years of cuts and austerity. She urged the Government to improve conditions and support businesses focusing on environmental targets, while also emphasising specific industries such as the caravan industry in Hull with 2,627 jobs at stake. Hardy expressed disappointment over potential loss of direct rail link from Hull to London due to open access issues and called for better support for local small businesses and cultural institutions like The Deep.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Cooper advocated for reforms in the apprenticeship levy system, stressing its rigidity towards freelancers in creative industries. She highlighted the need to make homes safe and warm alongside insulating them. Cooper also emphasised the importance of VAT cuts for pubs and restaurants while urging tailored extensions of furlough support for those needing it beyond spring 2021.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Smith praised measures to retain jobs and create new ones, particularly supporting young people entering the workforce. He urged the Chancellor to keep taxes low during recovery and highlighted the importance of extending enterprise zone status for critical hubs in Aylesbury Vale that are attracting inward investment.
Gerald Jones
Lab
Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
The UK's current economic support measures, particularly the Chancellor’s recent announcements, are insufficient for those who are missing out on income and struggling to feed their families. The Government must commit to revisiting the parameters of its schemes now. Additionally, there is an urgent need for financial support for people asked to self-isolate due to test and trace procedures. Furthermore, funding promised by the Prime Minister for flood-damaged infrastructure in Wales has not been forthcoming despite clear evidence submitted by local authorities.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
Emphasised that economic growth relies on the private sector and its decision-making, encouraging the Government to incite and encourage these actions while considering fiscal limits. He highlighted the importance of reopening the economy at every opportunity possible and urged support for specific sectors such as beauty clinics and freelancers in the entertainment and theatre industry.
Bim Afolami
Con
17:48:00
Noted three fundamental structural problems affecting the UK economy: accelerated technological change, skills shortages, and excessive corporate debt. Proposed maintaining loose fiscal and monetary policies, adapting the financial system to provide more equity for businesses, and improving the mobility of labour and capital into growing sectors.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Called for urgent attention to freelancers in the economy. Welcomed the VAT cut for the visitor economy but noted its short duration and suggested further analysis of its effects. Advocated for a new economic development body with clout, access to Government resources, and private sector expertise to regenerate highlands and islands economies.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
Pays tribute to the furlough scheme and recent announcements for saving jobs. Supports tax reforms such as removing VAT and stamp duty, emphasising entrepreneurs' roles in generating wealth. Highlights importance of adequate funding for armed forces and thanks local authorities and police for their efforts during the pandemic.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
Agrees with Richard Drax that micro and small-sized businesses should be prioritised in economic support measures.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South
Calls for a hands-on, interventionist approach to manufacturing and green recovery. Advocates for targeted economic strategies to protect jobs and stimulate growth in sectors like aviation and automotive. Emphasises the need for strategic state investment to create sustainable employment opportunities.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
Highlights the importance of support for credit unions, food banks, and charitable organisations providing essential services during the pandemic. Expresses concern over the reintroduction of conditionality in welfare benefits and advocates for additional funding for aerospace sector.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
The speaker emphasises the importance of government intervention in saving women's jobs during the crisis, particularly through schemes like the jobs retention bonus and VAT cap for tourism and hospitality. She also stresses the need for full-time school openings to support working parents and the potential benefits of flexible work models for long-term economic resilience.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
The speaker criticises the government's announcement as a missed opportunity to help small businesses and self-employed individuals, particularly those in sectors like arts, entertainment, travel, and events. She advocates for immediate support measures and an ambitious green recovery plan focusing on renewable energy and air quality standards.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
The speaker appreciates the government's wide-ranging interventions to protect businesses during the crisis. He highlights specific local initiatives such as business grants, bounce back loans, and the jobs retention bonus scheme, while also advocating for investment in town regeneration and digital connectivity.
Zarah Sultana
Lab
Coventry South
The speaker criticises the pre-crisis economy as rigged and unfair, with key workers suffering from poverty pay and public service cuts. She advocates for a bold green new deal to build an economy that works for all, focusing on creating good jobs, investing in public transport and insulation, and tackling climate change.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
The Chancellor's measures are essential for West Dorset’s small and micro-sized businesses. Urgent attention is needed to improve broadband speed, railway lines, and remote working opportunities. Local enterprise partnerships need reform to effectively deliver infrastructure investment. The stamp duty changes are welcomed but more modest housing developments should be prioritised over large new developments in villages.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
The UK Government’s response through furlough and universal credit has been swift, benefiting all regions. However, there is disappointment at the slow response to constituents' issues related to these schemes. The Treasury's handling of cases for support has been unsatisfactory, highlighting the need for better communication channels between MPs and Ministers.
Suzanne Webb
Con
Stourbridge
The Chancellor’s plans aim at job preservation and economic recovery. The kick-start scheme is praised for its focus on youth employment opportunities, particularly in sectors like nail bars and beauty salons. Emphasis on entrepreneurship and digital innovation as key to economic revival post-covid.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
Lucas urges the Government to address gaps in the self-employed support scheme, particularly for creative and arts sectors. She also calls for a sectoral approach to furloughing workers. She criticises the budget's focus on consumption and housing market propping up while neglecting climate and nature issues. She highlights an NEF report suggesting £8.6 billion investment in energy efficiency could create 500,000 jobs and reduce emissions significantly but notes that current investments are insufficient compared to past funding cuts for nature protection. Lucas calls on the Government to cease public money spending on fossil fuel projects.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Flynn expresses frustration over lack of support for the oil and gas sector despite repeated urging from MPs representing affected constituencies. He points out that the industry has contributed £365 billion to the Treasury but faces significant job losses due to low oil prices. Flynn emphasises the need for a sustainable energy future through projects such as hydrogen backbone, an energy transition zone, and carbon capture initiatives.
Jack Brereton
Con
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Brereton acknowledges the Chancellor's support measures but highlights challenges in Stoke-on-Trent, including levelling up priorities for economic recovery. He praises measures to help young people enter employment and training programmes. He requests a review of funding rules that limit opportunities in areas like Stoke-on-Trent. Brereton notes investment in advanced manufacturing, digital technology, and logistics as key to economic revival.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent
Smith discusses the pandemic's impact on Blaenau Gwent, citing job losses in retail, logistics, care work, and high street pressures. He calls for early investment to rebuild following economic uncertainty with reference to the promised shared prosperity fund. Smith advocates investing in young people through initiatives like the kick-start scheme and Cyber College Cymru.
Julie Marson
Con
Hertford and Stortford
Emphasised the importance of supporting fledgling industries such as FinTech, green energy, and automation for long-term growth. Highlighted the success of the Government’s growth accelerator programme, which saw an ROI of 700%. Proposed investment in skills clusters across the UK to drive public and private investment in left-behind regions.
Rob Butler
Con
Aylesbury
Discussed economic recovery efforts in Aylesbury, noting that 14,500 jobs have been protected by the furlough scheme. Mentioned high unemployment rates and welcomed the kick-start scheme for job creation. Highlighted local entrepreneurs and projects like the Harrow pub's rooftop bar and Ben Moult’s restaurant conversion. Emphasised resilience and readiness in Aylesbury for future economic challenges.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Briefly supported Kidney Research UK, highlighted potential job losses at Magellan Aerospace, and promoted Northern Ireland as an ideal place for investment due to its skilled labour force. Encouraged the Government to support Northern Ireland.
Houghton and Sunderland South
Phillipson recognised the pandemic as a major crisis and advocated for an integrated health and economic strategy. She highlighted regional disparities and criticised the Government's slow response, emphasising the need for job retention schemes, support for women workers, infrastructure investment in neglected regions, green transition initiatives, and clarity on the shared prosperity fund.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Glen acknowledged the contributions from all parties and outlined the Government's response to the pandemic, including job protection measures. He emphasised the extension of support schemes into autumn and highlighted initiatives such as the jobs retention bonus scheme to incentivise employers to retain staff post-furlough.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
The Labour MP requested an opportunity to speak but was not given time due to the constraints of the debate.
Government Response
Minister argued against extending the furlough scheme beyond October, highlighting potential long-term negative impacts on employment and emphasised the Government's commitment to job creation, infrastructure investment, and levelling up regional disparities. Minister John Glen summarised the Government's economic response, extending support measures for jobs and livelihoods into autumn. He praised initiatives such as the job retention bonus scheme to reward employers keeping staff in work.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
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