Topical Questions 2024-01-25
2024-01-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over trade barriers for Scottish haggis in the US market.
Is it not a scandal that sending vegetarian haggis to the US is the only way due to export restrictions? Can she put this into her 18-point action plan?
We are continually removing barriers to US-UK trade. If he has a specific example, I would appreciate if he wrote to me for further investigation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to including haggis export issue in the action plan directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Many banks are closing on high streets, and post offices are stepping in to help. However, the amount of cash that can be deposited is limited.
Can the Minister review the limits placed on the amount of cash that can be paid in at the post office and ensure higher volumes for rural businesses?
The limits are there to prevent money laundering but need to be proportionate. I have raised their impact with the Financial Conduct Authority and UK Finance, and now there is more transparency in checks. Ingham's fish and chip shop in Filey experiences fewer problems when paying in money.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reviewing or changing the limits directly.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Postal workers are working at unsustainable levels, not recognised adequately by Ofcom's report on the future of universal service obligations.
Please confirm that postal workers' input will be considered in any future decisions related to their views raised in Ofcom's report?
Our clear position is that we will retain a six-day service, but the views of postal workers will be taken into account.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a review or specific action based on postal workers' input.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Reports suggest the Government will introduce a requirement to screen future regulations to avoid extra barriers in the Irish Sea.
Is it true that the Government have pledged to screen all future regulatory changes to prevent extra barriers in the Irish Sea?
I cannot comment on ongoing Northern Ireland political process. We retain ability to diverge from EU laws, and I agree with retaining comparative advantage over the EU in our regulations post-Brexit.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny reports about screening future regulations.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over potential changes to legislation regarding the marketing of infant formula and other breastmilk substitutes.
Will the Secretary of State confirm that this Government have no plans to alter legislation on the marketing of infant formula?
The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point, I am very happy to write to him about it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny plans to change the legislation directly.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over inadequate postal service impacting small business models relying on the six-day service.
Does the Minister agree that any proposed changes to Royal Mail services must protect small businesses and customers' rights, given recent fines by Ofcom?
The service has not been satisfactory, but Royal Mail has employed 3,000 more postal workers to address problems. We are seeing some improvement, but agree that six-day service is vital for magazines and greeting card industries.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit directly to protecting small businesses and customers' rights in proposed changes.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Private sector trials for a four-day work week have been conducted. The results are under scrutiny.
I am concerned about the assessment made by the Minister regarding private sector trial results in relation to introducing a four-day work week. Will he meet me to discuss these results?
I thank the hon Gentleman for that question. It is clearly up to businesses to decide if they want to trial a four-day week. We have made no assessment of any results.
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Assessment & feedback
Provided no specific assessment or commitment regarding private sector trials
It Is Our Belief That We Should Not Run A Stalinist Economy, Where We Tell Private Sector Businesses How To Operate Their Workforce And On What Days Of The Week
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Gosport branch of Asda is considering strike action due to low staffing levels, health and safety issues, and delayed equal pay claims.
I am concerned about the first UK branch of Asda balloting for strike action. Considering Asda's importance to the food chain and employment across the country, what powers does the Minister have to ensure that both workers and consumers are protected?
My hon Friend raises an interesting point. We will continue to monitor this situation, but clearly Asda is a private company and it is up to them to decide how best to deploy their workforce.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific powers or measures were provided to protect workers and consumers during the potential strike
We Have Looked At This Particular Situation With Interest And Will Continue To Monitor It
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern about the steel industry's ability to provide materials for wind turbine construction due to expansion of renewables in Scotland.
I am concerned about the evolving state of our steel industry and its capability to meet demands from expanding renewable energy sectors. What steps will be taken by the government to support this vital industry?
Our steel industry is not disappearing but evolving. We will continue to have significant steelmaking capability in the UK and produce materials for industries such as renewables.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps or measures to support the steel industry's supply capabilities for renewable energy sectors
This Is Part Of Decarbonisation Efforts, Which All Opposition Members Have Been Advocating
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Inquiry into the government's position on ensuring UK capacity for producing virgin steel.
Following from previous questions, can the Secretary of State confirm that it remains the Government's position to ensure that the UK has the capability to produce virgin steel?
The Government maintain we want to ensure steelmaking capability in the UK, but changes require imports and face challenges from China and India.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm a specific commitment or stance on ensuring UK's capacity for producing virgin steel
We Are Making Sure Our Industry Is More Resilient At A Time When It Faces Oversupply From Other Nations
Response accuracy
Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
A postmistress lost £250,000 in 2000 and requires assistance to claim appropriate compensation.
Will the Post Office Minister meet my constituent who was a postmistress and lost £250,000? She needs help identifying which of the three compensation schemes she qualifies for.
Yes, I would be very happy to meet. There are three compensation schemes; if it is group litigation order, an immediate award of £75,000 can be made.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Leaders from the critical minerals industry met to discuss ongoing challenges and demand growth.
I chaired a meeting with industry leaders discussing challenges faced by the critical minerals industry. Will the Minister agree to attend a roundtable discussion on these issues?
I am happy to be interrogated by the APPG and congratulate the hon Friend for securing investment in Cornwall, particularly lithium mining.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to attending a specific meeting but agreed to discussion
Obviously It Is Important To Secure Investment In Mining In Cornwall
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Progress on preventing deaths and injuries from button batteries following a tragic incident involving one of the MP's constituents.
I have been working with the Minister on button battery safety. Will he meet me to discuss progress, particularly how guidelines drawn up by the Office for Product Safety and Standards can be made compulsory?
My hon Friend has done a fantastic job with the campaign. Of course I shall be happy to meet her to see what more can be done.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific actions or timelines for ensuring guidelines are compulsory
The Hon Friend Has Made Huge Progress Towards Best Practice
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns regarding the future of Ferguson Marine, the last remaining shipyard on the lower Clyde, facing potential procurement obstacles.
The last remaining shipyard on the lower Clyde is at risk due to work configuration issues. Will the Minister ensure no impediments prevent a direct order from CalMac for seven small island ferries?
I am more than happy to sit down with the hon Member to discuss furthering his case, but the decision sits with the Scottish Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific actions or assurance of no impediments
The Overriding Fact Is That The Decision Sits With The Scottish Government
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Businesses in North Shropshire are concerned about impending import controls affecting goods such as seed potatoes and chilled equine semen.
Importers of short-life items in my constituency, such as seed potatoes and chilled equine semen, are worried about impending import controls. Will the Minister meet me, and business leaders in North Shropshire, to discuss how they can continue their businesses in the face of these imminent problematic controls?
Of course I shall be happy to meet the hon. Lady, but let me remind her of what I said earlier. The border operating model was introduced after extensive consultation with businesses, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the agrifood sector. There has been plenty of opportunity for feedback from businesses, but I shall be happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss specific cases.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to meeting specifically about import control issues affecting short-life items and instead offered a general response.
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Flitwick Town Council plans to revitalise its local high street but needs support from the community ownership fund.
I am sure that the Secretary of State shares my desire to revitalise our fantastic local high streets. Flitwick Town Council plans to do exactly that, but it needs support from the community ownership fund. May I urge the Secretary of State to look favourably on its forthcoming application?
It is good to see the hon. Gentleman working so hard for his community. The community ownership fund sits with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, but I am sure that if he makes representations to those in the Department, they will be able to give him a more substantive answer.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to looking favourably on Flitwick Town Council's application and instead directed the MP to another department.
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
Traditional universities are failing to meet standards of sustainable development research, while Manchester, Huddersfield and Newcastle Universities perform better.
Will the Secretary of State look at the impact assessments of universities? The traditional universities are failing to meet the standards of sustainable development research, and Manchester, Huddersfield and Newcastle Universities are doing much better. Will the Secretary of State look into that, and push the other universities to do better?
This is a matter that sits with the Department for Education, but of course my Department takes an interest in all the innovation research that is going on, because it will help to boost the UK economy. I am sure that officials in my Department have been looking at those assessments, and will be able to provide details if the hon. Gentleman has a more specific question.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to investigating university impact assessments or encouraging improvement specifically for sustainable development research.
Response accuracy