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BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS
28 June 2016
Lead MP
Peter Aldous
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EducationEconomyTaxationEmploymentTransportBrexitScience & TechnologyBenefits & Welfare
Other Contributors: 84
At a Glance
Peter Aldous raised concerns about business, innovation and skills 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
Asked about steps being taken to support innovation in industry and specifically queried the Secretary of State on assurances that Brexit would not harm UK's position as a leader in offshore renewables.
Emphasised the government’s commitment to making the UK the best place for innovation, citing examples such as research and development tax credits, Innovate UK, and the current status of the UK as the world's largest offshore wind market. He also discussed potential cooperation on science and research with EU counterparts post-Brexit.
Expressed concern that Brexit might jeopardise the UK’s top position in offshore renewables, questioning the assurance given by Sajid Javid regarding collaboration post-Brexit.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Inquired about support for researchers amid uncertainties caused by Brexit and current structures staying in place for two years, seeking reassurances on funding for research institutions.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Suggested extending the satellite voucher scheme to enable community broadband projects and underlined its importance as a vital component of business innovation.
Called for an emergency package to address real concerns regarding exporters and innovators due to Brexit, suggesting that current reassurances were insufficient.
Asked about measures the government would take post-Brexit to ensure funding similar to Horizon 2020 was available for Scottish research and innovation projects.
Inquired about steps being taken to tackle late payment of suppliers by businesses, emphasising the importance of both addressing short-term issues and inspiring a level playing field across all business practices.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Questioned Sajid Javid regarding measures to ensure timely payment from the public sector to small businesses, noting past poor performance in this area.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Welcomed the creation of a small business commissioner but requested additional support for SMEs potentially affected by Brexit-induced economic downturns.
Chris White
Q3
Inquired about steps taken to create the Midlands Engine, highlighting successes in Warwick and Leamington and seeking further measures to drive regional prosperity.
Liz Kendall
Lab
Leicester West
Asked how the Secretary of State would ensure that devolution increased jobs, skills, and infrastructure investment in peripheral economies beyond metropolitan cities.
Proposed backing Dudley's plans for an institute of technology as a way to bring new industries and jobs to replace those lost over the past few decades and invited Sajid Javid to visit and discuss these proposals in detail.
Robert Jenrick
Reform
Newark
Delighted to hear about Sir John Peace's appointment as head of the midlands engine project and asks for assurance that people like Sir John will be considered in preparing the midlands economy for Brexit.
Confirms plans to lead a midlands-only trade mission to north America in September and expresses willingness to include companies from Newark in this initiative.
Asks for an assessment of the impact of the BHS case on regulating insolvency policy.
Reiterates that Britain is open to business with proper regulation, mentions ongoing investigation into the BHS case, and states that early emerging findings will be considered. She also discusses recent consultations regarding corporate insolvency framework.
Expresses dismay at the pensions black hole reaching £900 billion and seeks assurance on Government action post-BHS scandal and post-vote.
Acknowledges yesterday's bad market day but emphasises that nothing has changed and talks about maintaining confidence in the country and economy.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
Raises concerns regarding pension schemes after BHS scandal, particularly Tata Steel's situation. He asks for an update on progress made since consultation ended.
States that Government remains open to Labour Members despite disagreements and acknowledges work done by Stephen Kinnock in ensuring a sustainable steel industry in south Wales.
Seeks further support for BHS staff during difficult times and asks how the Minister plans to ensure engagement with local MPs like herself.
Expresses surprise at lack of engagement from BHS but assures ongoing work with DWP to support people getting jobs. She emphasises that government continues despite last week’s vote.
Mary Glindon
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Questions the impact of online sales on counterfeit electrical goods, noting increasing sales through social media.
Details meetings with online retailers to reduce counterfeits and mentions Operation Jasper targeting sellers of such goods on platforms like Facebook.
Highlights local incidents caused by faulty electrical items, questioning the effectiveness of trading standards enforcement for tackling online sales of counterfeit electricals.
Acknowledges dangers from faulty goods sold online and mentions Lynn Faulds Woods' report on safety measures to improve policies.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Asks for an assessment of the Government’s traineeships programme progress and proposes a skilled trades summer school in his constituency.
Presents data showing positive progression rates in traineeships, with 50% moving to apprenticeships or work and an additional 17% going on to further learning.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Discusses the perception of traineeships as second-class career routes and invites the Minister to meet Oldham College members for discussion.
Welcomes Jim McMahon's initiative and expresses interest in visiting his constituency. He also highlights efforts to encourage young women into STEM careers and engineering jobs.
Points out the gender pay gap among apprentices and asks how traineeships can be developed to attract girls and young women into well-paid career paths.
Acknowledges the challenge of closing the gender pay gap in apprenticeship, advocating for early education initiatives targeting primary schools.
Asks if an overhaul of the apprenticeship levy is necessary to improve quality and quantity of apprenticeships.
Confirms the necessity of improving both quality and quantity but stresses the importance of the apprenticeship levy for increasing funding in this area.
Questions the Government's effectiveness in promoting traineeships and asks for new initiatives to tackle the need for increased traineeships, especially in further education colleges.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Morton asks about steps being taken to address skills shortages in the workforce. She expresses concern over certain employers’ dissatisfaction with the apprenticeship levy and seeks confirmation that it is the best way to ensure businesses invest in their employees' skills.
Byron Davies
Q12
Davies questions the steps being taken to address skills shortages following the EU referendum, focusing on the importance of home-grown skills and the role universities play in developing talent. He asks for assurances about support for universities post-Brexit.
Jonathan Reynolds
Lab Co-op
Stalybridge and Hyde
Reynolds raises concerns about the economic impact of ending free movement of people between the UK and EU, asking what contingency plans are in place to address skills shortages resulting from this change.
Ritchie cites a survey finding that 2 million staff have underutilized skills and asks for details on steps being taken to work with businesses to utilize these skills more productively.
Robin Walker
Q19
Walker emphasises the importance of information dissemination about apprenticeships in schools, suggesting that young people need better access to opportunities offered by apprenticeship employers and FE colleges.
Thewliss highlights the role EU nationals play in filling skills gaps across various sectors, particularly in Scotland. She asks for assurance regarding their continued rights to work and stay in the UK post-Brexit.
Steve Brine
Q9
Brine questions steps being taken to improve higher education quality, citing the University of Winchester's success with degree apprenticeships and student satisfaction ratings.
Peter Kyle
Lab
Hove and Portslade
Kyle raises concerns about funding cuts for universities reliant on EU funding post-Brexit. He challenges the Minister to guarantee continued financial support or face public backlash.
Elliott praises the Catapult programme and asks for information regarding opportunities for its expansion, particularly in regions like Northern Ireland.
Gordon Marsden
Lab
Liverpool Everton
Critiqued the Minister’s approach to higher education, questioning why he is not prioritising skills strategies for universities and FE colleges, instead of allowing unknown providers degree-awarding powers.
Jo Johnson
Con
Orpington
Responded to concerns about new higher education providers, highlighting the Government’s commitment to STEM subjects and initiatives such as the Polar Explorer programme. Also addressed the need for early intervention in primary school to attract more women into engineering.
Victoria Prentis
Con
Banbury
Asked about the role of studio schools in promoting STEM subjects later in a student’s career, both at university and as part of apprenticeships.
Sue Hayman
Lab
Wigan
Expressed interest in getting more women into nuclear energy and studying STEM subjects, asking the Minister about specific actions to achieve this aim from primary school level onwards.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
Asked about EU research funding for universities post-Brexit, pressing the Minister on ensuring UK Government funds replace European funding pound-for-pound.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Questioned the future plans for the Land Registry, pointing out previous consultations where 95% of respondents opposed selling it off due to lack of efficiency and effectiveness.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Warned against selling the Land Registry to firms with links to tax havens, arguing such a move would undermine transparency and independence and make a mockery of Government claims to be tackling tax avoidance and evasion.
Rebecca Pow
Con
Taunton Deane
Asked about steps being taken to promote apprenticeships in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, and landscape sectors, with a focus on ensuring courses offered are what businesses need.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Inquired about discussions had with the Welsh Government Minister regarding how the apprenticeship levy will work in Wales and when details of the scheme would be finalised.
Pauline Latham
Con
Mid Derbyshire
Expressed concerns about tightening loopholes that restrict companies from moving assets to third-party companies before going into administration, which jeopardises any potential sale and affects employees.
Scott Mann
Con
North Cornwall
Asked about infrastructure projects using British-made steel, highlighting the importance of procurement rules giving UK steel every chance to win contracts.
Scott Mann
Con
North Cornwall
Asked the Minister about welcoming branch line proposals in Weybridge and Okehampton, and suggested using British steel in railway construction.
Responded to Scott Mann's question by affirming the quality of British steel and changed procurement rules. She also mentioned a large meeting for key industrial players and discussed infrastructure projects like HS2 and a third runway.
Nicholas Dakin
Lab
Scunthorpe
Welcomed comments about UK steel, particularly Scunthorpe steel. Asked the Minister what she was doing to ensure a pipeline of infrastructure projects for creating steel capacity.
Inquired if the Secretary of State agreed that Telford has a great future and is a good place to do business, citing strong gilt market performance and equities rebounding.
Sajid Javid
Con
Telford
Agreed with Lucy Allan about the bright future of Telford. Mentioned visiting businesses across the country and hosting a round table meeting to discuss next steps post-referendum.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Critiqued Javid's complacency about British business, highlighting lost rating and FTSE value. Questioned his presence in boardrooms of key businesses for a secure economic exit plan.
Responded to Mary Robinson by congratulating Greater Manchester on achieving a 75% increase in apprenticeships since 2010 and highlighting the devolution of the apprenticeship grant.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Asked if the Government intended to retain all elements of working time regulations as they protect safe workplace limits, following Brexit.
Inquired about assurance for the aerospace sector post-EU vote with Rolls-Royce and other companies in his constituency.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Asked if the Minister was comfortable with Whirlpool's handling of faulty tumble driers, which had raised concerns from consumer interest groups.
Suggested a meeting with Ministry of Defence procurement to discuss promoting and developing defence industries in his constituency.
Asked for tangible actions by the Secretary of State to maintain business investment, funding gap, and steady nerves post-Brexit uncertainty.
Ed Vaizey
Con
Wantage
Expressed satisfaction about the return to normalcy with a focus on broadband issues. Mentioned the need for collaboration between government and local businesses regarding broadband infrastructure.
Mhairi Black
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Asked the Minister to justify spending £439,000 on refurbishing a post office in Paisley which is now planning to move to an inadequate location.
George Freeman
Con
Mid Norfolk
Confirmed that £440,000 was spent on the Paisley branch as part of a broader investment plan. Emphasised stability and profitability improvements due to Crown transformation initiatives in Post Office.
Stewart Jackson
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Called for Ministers to redouble efforts on trade agreements with Australia, highlighting the UK's desire to become a global trading nation post-Brexit.
Acknowledged opportunities in free trade agreements, especially mentioning potential deals with Australia as an example of the benefits of Brexit.
Virendra Sharma
Lab
Ealing, Southall
Asked for continued pressure on banks and other providers to retain high street services for those who require paper bills in their preferred form.
Maggie Throup
Con
Erewash
Called for service providers to ensure timely installation of telephone and broadband services for small retailers moving into new premises.
Greg Mulholland
Lib Dem
Leeds North West
Asked the Minister to provide a date for the implementation of the pubs code, requesting retrospective application due to delays caused by Departmental mistakes.
Anna Soubry
Con
Louth and Horncastle
Announced plans to relaunch regulations for the pubs code with urgency, aiming for its implementation before the House rises.
Rebecca Pow
Con
Ceredigion
Welcomed Government support for new universities and highlighted their role in addressing workforce skills gaps post-Brexit.
Jo Johnson
Con
Hexham
Agreed that new universities are essential to address productivity challenges and contribute to maintaining the UK's global position through workforce upgrading.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Asked for clarification on how the apprenticeship levy will be allocated in Scotland, noting uncertainty over whether it will be based on employer numbers or percentage of levy paid.
Nicholas Boles
Ind
Luton South
Indicated ongoing discussions with HMRC regarding the allocation of the apprenticeship levy but deferred the specific responsibility to Treasury Ministers for detailed answers.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Noted a 24% increase in manufacturing exports from Northern Ireland to non-EU countries and called for steps to further exploit opportunities for economic growth through international trade.
Acknowledged the positive trend in manufacturing export volumes, employment, and export increases in Northern Ireland, reinforcing plans for free trade agreements post-Brexit.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
Called on the Business Secretary to make a statement regarding HS2's impact on economic resources and industry chaos due to Brexit uncertainties.
Roger Gale
Con
Hythe and Wilford
Complained about an excessive number of emails from Team Trump, requesting intervention from the Parliamentary Digital Service to block such communications.
Government Response
EducationEconomyTaxationEmploymentTransportBrexitScience & TechnologyBenefits & Welfare
Government Response
Responded to queries on innovation support, addressing concerns about Brexit impact, proposed measures for tackling late payment, promoting the Midlands Engine through specific initiatives, and inviting discussions regarding Dudley's plans. Discusses various issues including BHS scandal, pension schemes, counterfeit goods sales and traineeships programme. Provides updates on these topics and reiterates government's commitment to business regulation, market stability, and improving apprenticeship quality. Boles explains that the apprenticeship levy is designed to create an incentive for employers who pay the tax to invest heavily in training their employees, potentially benefiting constituents in Morton's area. He also confirms that the UK will continue to support migrant workers from EU nations, valuing their contributions across various industries. Responded to multiple questions on higher education and STEM subjects, emphasising government initiatives such as the Polar Explorer programme and initiatives to attract women into engineering. Also addressed concerns about EU research funding and studio schools. Discussed hosting a round table meeting with trade bodies and business leaders for future planning. Highlighted the importance of taking advantage of opportunities in infrastructure projects like HS2 and a third runway.
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