Industrial Strategy 2024-09-05

2024-09-05

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Rachel Hopkins Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Context
The question addresses progress on the UK's industrial strategy, a policy aimed at improving business investment performance and addressing sectoral changes.
What recent progress his Department has made on introducing an industrial strategy. The need for improved business investment is noted as it has been the lowest in the G7 for some time.
It is lovely to see you in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Government aims to support an industrial strategy that captures a greater share of international investment cycles, provides consistency, chooses priorities, and seeks cross-party arrangements. The need for improvement in business investment performance has been recognized.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about progress on the industrial strategy, but the answer did not provide specific details or commitments regarding this progress.
We Will Seek To Make Cross-Party Arrangements
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Sarah Coombes Lab
West Bromwich
Context
The Black Country is a manufacturing heartland with numerous businesses supporting thousands of local jobs. The Government has committed to supporting British manufacturing.
Given the Government's commitment to supporting British manufacturing, will the Minister set out how the upcoming industrial strategy will support manufacturing businesses in the west midlands? The area is home to many businesses both large and small that contribute significantly to employment.
It is wonderful to hear a strong voice from the Black Country making a charge for industrial strategy. The purpose of the strategy is to capture greater international investment cycles, provide consistency and choose priorities. My hon. Friend's area will play a major role in the success of the country's strategy.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for how the industrial strategy would support manufacturing businesses in West Midlands but received general statements about the purpose of the strategy without specifics on the region.
Capturing A Greater Share Of International Investment Cycles
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Luke Myer Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Context
Teesside is well-positioned to deliver green jobs as part of the industrial strategy. The area has potential for inward investment in green technologies.
Will the Minister provide assurances about his work with the Department for Education to ensure vocational education is protected and support British manufacturing through such initiatives? Inward investment is important, including a meeting this week on green fuel investments.
Teesside is an exciting part of the country with much potential. Changes will be made to ensure decarbonisation without deindustrialisation, focusing on skills development and collaboration with the Department for Education. We are addressing this agenda comprehensively through measures like changing the apprenticeship levy.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner requested assurances about protecting vocational education but received general statements on decarbonization and skills development without specific commitments to protect education.
Changes Will Have To Be Made Addressing This Agenda Comprehensively
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Melanie Onn Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Context
Air Products plans to invest £2 billion in northern Lincolnshire, aiming to transform the south bank of the Humber with 1400 new jobs.
Does he agree that Air Products' investment would be an ideal project for inclusion in the global investment summit? The Minister is invited to meet representatives and discuss future collaborations.
It is wonderful to see my hon. Friend back. The Minister of State for Industry has already scheduled a meeting with Air Products, and we look forward to working together on this and many issues in the weeks and months ahead.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Lauren Edwards Lab
Rochester and Strood
Context
The voluntary sector had a strong voice during the previous Labour Government, contributing to achievements in office. There is interest in re-establishing this partnership for the current industrial strategy.
How will my right hon. Friend ensure that the voluntary sector has a strong voice once again under Labour, particularly focusing on care and creative industries? Partnership with the voluntary sector was key during previous terms.
It is great to see my hon. Friend in her place; she brings expertise from local government roles. We aim to embed our industrial strategy for long-term sustainable growth, focusing on inclusive and secure growth across many sectors. Civil society, trade unions, and local leaders will play a role as requested.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked how the Government plans to ensure strong partnership with voluntary sector but received general statements about embedding the strategy for long-term growth without specifics on partnerships.
We Aim To Embed Our Industrial Strategy Playing A Role
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Anneliese Midgley Lab
Knowsley
Context
The MP references the impact of secure, well-paid jobs provided by Ford Halewood in Knowsley, which significantly improved living standards for many families.
A Labour Government brought secure, well-paid working-class jobs to Knowsley with Ford Halewood. My dad getting a job there changed my family's life and lifted us out of poverty. It did the same for thousands of families like ours. Does the Secretary of State agree that any successful industrial strategy must provide good-quality, unionised jobs to lift living standards in areas such as mine?
It is also a pleasure to welcome my hon. Friend to her place, and I thank her for those comments, with which I thoroughly agree. This is what it is all about—good work and good wages in every part of the country. I will work with anyone to deliver that. Her personal story shows the difference that such a policy can make.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Rachel Hopkins Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Context
The MP welcomes the government's commitment to decarbonisation for Britain's automotive industry, particularly for high-quality jobs at Vauxhall plant.
I welcome our Labour Government's commitment to decarbonisation, particularly for Britain's automotive industry. It is a vital step in securing the sector's future and safeguarding high-quality jobs, which are critical for the Vauxhall plant in my constituency of Luton South and South Bedfordshire. Will the Secretary of State update the House on how his Department is working across Government, including with the Treasury and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, to drive innovative decarbonisation solutions, to ensure the success of our growth mission?
My hon. Friend is not a new colleague, and her advocacy of the automotive sector, particularly given her constituency interest in Stellantis, is well known and welcome. This was a challenging area, particularly for her constituency, that we inherited. The previous Government had neglected engagement with the business. Since we took office, we have had extensive engagement with Carlos Tavares and the Stellantis team.
Assessment & feedback
The response did not provide specific updates on cross-Government efforts for decarbonisation solutions.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
George Freeman Con
Mid Norfolk
Context
The MP signals support for the Secretary of State's intention to convert phenomenal science and technology leadership into sovereign industrial supply chain leadership around the country.
I welcome the Secretary of State and his team to what I think is one of the most important Departments in Government. As a sometimes lonely voice on the Conservative Benches advocating for industrial strategy, I signal support for his intention. I am sure that he agrees that the big challenge is to convert our phenomenal science and technology leadership into sovereign industrial supply chain leadership around this country. Having led the strategy for life sciences—quantum, engineering biology, fusion—may I ask whether he agrees that the key to this is cross-departmental Whitehall work, and ensuring that we do not end up with endless earnest, well-intended committees, but actually engage the small businesses, entrepreneurs and investors who are driving these sectors of tomorrow?
I genuinely thank the hon. Member for those comments, because I believe that industrial strategy should command support across the political spectrum.
Assessment & feedback
The response did not provide concrete examples of cross-departmental work or specific engagement with small businesses and investors.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Tim Farron Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Context
The MP highlights the workforce shortage in hospitality and tourism businesses, particularly in Westmorland, affecting capacity and services.
A successful industrial strategy obviously has to include a wise workforce strategy. In the lakes and dales of Westmorland, the workforce is far too small for our needs and is sadly shrinking—66% of hospitality and tourism businesses in the second busiest visitor destination in the country are working below capacity because they do not have enough staff. There are two main issues: a lack of affordable places for people to live, and an inability to bring people in from overseas. Will the Secretary of State support the extension of housing grants to build more social rented homes in Westmorland, and a youth mobility visa deal with the European Union, which would allow us to bring in people to supplement our far-too-small workforce?
The hon. Member makes a really important point. We all have common areas of concern about the United Kingdom economy as a whole—the poor productivity since the financial crisis, the level of growth not delivering the living standards and public services that we want, and the low investment figure—but there are also specific challenges in each part of the country.
Assessment & feedback
The response did not provide a commitment to supporting housing grants or visa deals.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Martin Vickers Con
Brigg and Immingham
Context
The hon. Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes met with Air Products regarding their desire for faster governmental processes, highlighting northern Lincolnshire as a prime area for renewables development.
Further to the meeting with Air Products where they expressed frustration over the government's pace, will you ensure that your Department meets their deadlines? In context of Northern Lincolnshire's importance in renewables, how can we improve our response to big investment opportunities?
The Government recognises the challenges in interfacing with businesses, and we aim to address past failures where we missed out on investments. I will work with the hon. Gentleman regarding his point.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for meeting Air Products' deadlines was not provided
Under Review We Have To Change And Get It Right
Response accuracy
Q11 Direct Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
Thales in east Belfast employs almost 700 people, and the company highlighted their strong apprenticeship programme but noted that they do not have defence contracts as seen elsewhere in the UK.
Will you use your position to influence the Secretary of State for Defence to ensure Northern Ireland can access more defence sector contracts, particularly highlighting the strengths of businesses like Thales?
I agree with the hon. Gentleman's points and will indeed take up his request to speak to my counterpart in the Ministry of Defence.
Assessment & feedback
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Q12 Partial Answer
Gareth Bacon Con
Orpington
Context
The Federation of Small Businesses expressed concerns about the Government's proposals, fearing increased costs and risks for businesses.
Given the FSB's concerns over new labour laws increasing business costs and reducing competitiveness, how does the right hon. Gentleman plan to address these fears?
The Labour Party supports businesses that pay living wages and recognise unions, highlighting successful models. The new deal for working people will be above current levels many UK firms already operate at.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to address FSB concerns were not detailed
Businesses Overwhelmingly Supported Labour Already In Public Domain
Response accuracy