Topical Questions 2024-05-02

2024-05-02

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Post Office faces challenges in leadership and governance.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, particularly regarding the appointment of an interim chair for the Post Office governance.
Post Office governance is a priority for the Government. I have announced the appointment of Nigel Railton as its interim chair, bringing wealth of experience in transforming organisations to lead the Post Office through this period.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The UK's post-Brexit situation has led to concerns about border checks and reduced consumer choice.
When will the Government admit that their Brexit dream was a fantasy, acknowledging the reality of border checks, reduced consumer choice and business closures?
It is nonsense to say that this reduces consumer choice; it actually increases consumer choice. The sale of pints of wine does not have to be criticised.
Assessment & feedback
Admission of negative impacts of Brexit
Deflecting Criticism Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Context
A post office in Kelsale, a rural area of the constituency, has been closed and there is concern about service availability.
Will my right hon. Friend ensure that £50 million allocated for subsidising Post Office branches helps cover costs for services in her constituency?
£50 million is allocated for the uncommercial part of the network, which should assist services in her constituency. There is an alternative branch in Saxmundham 1.3 miles away.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Rushanara Ali Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Context
The £200 shoplifting threshold is causing issues for retailers.
What discussions has the Minister had with the Home Secretary about scrapping the £200 shoplifting threshold, as Labour plans to do?
It is not true that we have decriminalised thefts under £200. The hon. lady should speak to police officers about this issue. We are working closely with the Home Office on a retail crime action plan.
Assessment & feedback
Discussion on scrapping the threshold
Changing Subject Deflecting Criticism
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Rushanara Ali Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Context
Conservative under-investment in public infrastructure is harming the economy.
How does she plan to fix this crippling investment gap, ensuring businesses get support they need for economic growth?
Investment in nuclear infrastructure has only happened under Conservative Governments. We had a global investment summit raising £30 billion, and business investment is rising due to policies by the Government.
Assessment & feedback
Plans for addressing the investment gap
Broad Statements Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
UK aerospace businesses are looking to increase exports.
What has the Department done to ensure that we can increase aerospace exports?
The autumn statement extended the aerospace technology programme budget with an additional £975 million of R&D funding. Our trade missions help companies secure export contracts worth millions of pounds.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
In 2017, Boris Johnson claimed the UK would be 'first in line' for a post-Brexit trade deal with the US. Despite negotiations opening in May 2020, progress has stalled.
When does the Secretary of State expect to deliver this alleged Brexit benefit and what will arrive first—a trade deal or pints of champagne?
The US is not currently pursuing free trade agreements, so we are negotiating with individual states. Our relationship with the US is good and exports have increased to £311 billion. We will continue to pursue a free trade agreement.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for a UK-US trade deal
We Are Negotiating At State Level Trade Requires Two Parties
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
David Mundell Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Context
There are reports that Royal Mail is considering moving away from a six-day service in large rural constituencies.
Can the Minister make clear that this change is not what the Government want?
We agree with this point and have been clear to Royal Mail and Ofcom that we support a continued six-day service.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
The Republic of Ireland has reportedly reinstated a form of border control, causing delays for business vehicles.
What discussions have taken place regarding the ability for business vehicles to pass through the border?
The Government are closely monitoring the situation. We maintain good relations with the Republic of Ireland and will pass on concerns.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to address border control issues
Monitoring Situation Passing Comments On
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The UK is the only G7 country without the ability to produce virgin steel.
Would it be acceptable for the UK to become the sole G7 nation unable to make its own virgin steel?
We care about having primary steel-making capacity and will discuss this further with constituents.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans for maintaining steel production
Concern For British Steel Discussing Matters In Scunthorpe
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Stephen Kinnock Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
Context
Analysis suggests that cutting 2,800 Tata Steel employees could lead to up to 9,500 additional job losses.
Had the Government assessed the broader impact of job cuts on contractors and sub-contractors when £500 million was given to Tata?
The Tata transition board has a dedicated group supporting contractors and supply chain partners, ensuring they receive similar support.
Assessment & feedback
Full assessment of indirect job impacts
Support For Contractors
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
The UK is set to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Can the Minister provide an update on the status of UK's accession to CPTPP?
Royal Assent has been given for the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Act 2024, and we are looking forward to UK ratification in coming weeks.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
A lack of coherent agritrade policy and complex import/export certification rules is hindering rural businesses from trading outside the UK.
How will the Department support UK producers to deal with trade red tape?
We have put in significant resources, including commissioners and trade support people around Europe and the world promoting agrifood exports.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to address red tape for UK producers
Promoting Agrifood Exports
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Dave Doogan SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Context
The Scottish salmon industry is losing £100 million a year in trade with the EU since 2019, amounting to a 17% drop. Two-thirds of Scotland's electorate rejected hard Tory Brexit.
Scottish salmon is just one of the businesses serving to prop up the failing UK economy, yet the industry is losing £100 million annually in trade with the EU since 2019, a 17% drop. What message does the Secretary of State have for this business and its impact on Scotland?
We hear this from the SNP all the time, opposing every trade agreement. These deals benefit Scottish goods like whisky in Australia and New Zealand, yet the SNP has opposed or abstained on deals with Japan, Singapore, Canada, South Africa, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
Assessment & feedback
Scottish salmon industry losses
Opposition Criticism
Response accuracy
Q15 Direct Answer
Context
The Government launched a critical imports and supply chain strategy this year.
What action are the Government taking to strengthen critical supply chains?
We launched our critical imports and supply chain strategy earlier this year. I chaired the Critical Imports Council last month, bringing together 23 organisations to make sure our supply chains are robust.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Christine Jardine Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Context
The village of Kirkliston recently lost its post office, part of a series of closures.
What can the Government do to halt the decline in post offices, especially in areas like Kirkliston which have no alternatives?
We put £50 million into supporting uncommercial parts of the network. I am sorry that Kirkliston's post office has closed but am happy to meet the hon. Lady to see what we can do to ensure there is a local post office.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
The Minister for Trade Policy claimed trade envoys must have qualifications of 'diplomacy and discretion'.
Did the Minister for Trade Policy, in mentioning 'diplomacy and discretion', have a specific former trade envoy in mind?
The Opposition is playing a playground game, which is insulting to every trade envoy. We should not make accusations without evidence.
Assessment & feedback
Specific qualifications of former envoys
Opposition Criticism
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Richard Foord Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Context
Green Resource Engineering Ltd exports £1 million annually to South Korea but faces red tape issues post-Brexit.
How are the Government monitoring additional red tape that affects exporting from Europe after leaving the single market?
We have a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU, ensuring that trade continues to boom. If the hon. Member has something specific about components facing issues crossing borders, I will look at it.
Assessment & feedback
Specific monitoring measures for red tape
General Statement
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
India imposes a 150% import tariff on Scotch whisky.
What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that the high tariff on Scotch whisky exported to India is reduced in any future trade deal?
We are engaged in live negotiation with India and cannot comment. However, Scotch whisky tariffs are a key objective.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to reduce tariffs
Live Negotiations
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
UK armed forces are in the region and work with Israel for humanitarian support.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be odd to impose an arms embargo on Israel when UK forces are working with them?
My right hon. and learned Friend makes a good point. The Prime Minister addressed this issue yesterday. We monitor the situation closely, assess export licence applications on a case-by-case basis, and operate robust export controls.
Assessment & feedback
Specific embargo considerations for Israel
Monitoring Ongoing
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Context
Businesses in the constituency are struggling to expand due to a lack of necessary skills, affecting local economic growth.
I am concerned about businesses in my constituency that have difficulties expanding because they do not have the required skills. Could you explain what measures the government is taking to address this skills shortage?
We are investing £3.8 billion in skills training for people working in businesses, which includes improving skills for entrepreneurs through our Help to Grow management programme—a 12-week mini-MBA that is 90% funded by the Government. We also have 'Help to Grow: Management Essentials', offering two hours of free online training.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Nick Smith Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Context
There is a concern about the UK's supply of cyber-security professionals, with possible offshoring of work related to this field.
Can you provide information on the current state of the UK's supply of cyber-security professionals and whether there has been an increase in offshoring activity?
I do not have specific details to answer this question at present. However, based on available information, there is no indication that a significant amount of cyber-security work is being offshored.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures or statistics regarding the supply of cyber-security professionals and potential offshoring activity were not provided.
I Am Afraid That I Do Not Have The Details To Answer That Question.
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Context
Selwyn's, a local company in Gower known for its high-quality seafood, is facing challenges due to export tariffs from foreign markets.
What is the Government's current assessment of the export situation for cockles and other seafood products by Selwyn's and similar companies operating in Wales?
We meet regularly with the UK seafood sector, which faces high tariffs from foreign markets. The Government is actively engaged in trade policy and supports exporters through various initiatives. We are willing to meet the company directly.
Assessment & feedback
Specific policies or financial support for seafood exports were not detailed.
I Urge Her To Watch This Space.
Response accuracy