Topical Questions 2023-05-18
2023-05-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is asking about the Secretary of State's responsibilities in her new role.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The questioner asks for an update on the priorities and initiatives under the Department for Business and Trade.
As Secretary of State for Business and Trade, my priority is to support UK companies to thrive at home and abroad. This includes launching negotiations for an enhanced UK-Swiss free trade agreement worth almost £53 billion. We are also meeting representatives from SIX Swiss Exchange and fintech start-ups in the UK.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the financial challenges faced by fish and chip shops in his constituency due to high costs.
Fish and chip shops have been part of British life for generations. However, they are now facing a triple whammy of high energy costs, high fish prices, and high cooking oil costs. The MP asks the Secretary to work proactively with the sector to ensure their survival and future flourishing.
We recognise the importance of fish and chip shops in local communities. We have introduced support measures, such as changes to business rates worth £13.6 billion across the country, and we are supporting non-domestic energy customers through schemes like the energy bill relief scheme.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the UK's low business investment in the G7 and the high cost of energy, especially for sectors like steel and automotive.
In 100 days since the new Secretary took office, there has been a significant fall in steel production, warnings from automotive firms over job losses due to Government policy, and major investments by other nations. The MP asks if the current Business Secretary agrees with their predecessors that an explicit industrial strategy is needed.
We have launched a major free trade agreement and are discussing supply chain issues with EU counterparts. We recognise systemic global issues but are addressing them, including rules of origin concerns raised by the automotive industry.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about an explicit industrial strategy was not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is interested in how many businesses received grant funding from North Northamptonshire Council during the pandemic.
What was the answer to Question 19? How many businesses were supported by grant funding in North Northamptonshire during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, more than £22.6 billion was provided to businesses via local authorities. In Kettering, over 5,000 covid-19 business grants were issued, totaling £24 million. North Northamptonshire Council delivered £29.9 million in support through the covid-19 business grant scheme.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP cites a study by Warwick Economics that suggests increased food prices due to Brexit hit the poorest households hardest.
Dr Nikhil Datta from Warwick Economics noted that £5.84 billion in increased food prices since 2016 hit low-income households hardest, as they spend more of their income on food. Does the Secretary of State or UK Government accept this?
We aim to halve inflation, which will also affect food prices. Direct support for low-income households includes over £2,000 per household this year and £900 in additional support specifically targeting these groups.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about accepting the disproportionate impact of Brexit on low-income households was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the importance of services in the UK economy and asks for initiatives to reduce barriers.
With 70% of our economy being services, what are you doing to reduce barriers in this area and supercharge global trade in services?
Our focus is on reducing barriers for both goods and services. The Swiss agreement highlights this importance, and we have a hitlist of barriers impacting various regions, including Eddie Hughes' constituency.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Which? investigation highlighted inconsistencies in unit pricing by supermarkets, affecting consumer choices and potentially breaching competition laws.
May I draw the Minister's attention to a Which? investigation into the lack of consistency in unit pricing by supermarkets? That makes it difficult for consumers to work out the real price of goods and, crucially, to choose between them. The Competition and Markets Authority is looking at this issue, but will the Government talk to the supermarkets too?
The hon. Lady raises an important point. Which? does fantastic work. The CMA acts independently, without ministerial influence, and it is right that it does. However, I am sure it is keeping a close eye on that matter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Direct engagement with supermarkets to address inconsistent unit pricing
The Cma Acts Independently Without Ministerial Influence
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
▸
Context
A business from the constituency is struggling to secure UK Export Finance support for a contract in one of the Trans-Pacific Partnership member countries.
UK Export Finance plays a vital role in supporting export opportunities, but a company in my constituency is having difficulties landing support to secure a contract based in one of our Trans-Pacific Partnership area countries. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss this and how we can support that business?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that. I will see whether I can get a meeting with him, but, if not, I will make sure that one of my officials is able to look into this issue specifically for him.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Red Lion pub in Ealing faces challenges due to high energy bills and a lack of designated chefs as shortage occupation.
I am sure that you, Mr Speaker, and everyone here will wish the Red Lion in Ealing well under its new management. It even does food for non-drinkers such as me. Can Ministers work with Ofgem to find a sustainable solution to energy bills, and with the Home Office to redefine chefs as a shortage occupation, to stop the Red Lion being one of the record number of pubs going to the wall?
I thank the hon. Lady for raising that issue. As I said earlier in reply to a question about energy support for small businesses, we do know that businesses are facing high energy costs. The Government are currently paying about half of everyone's energy bills. I talked about the energy bill relief scheme and the energy bills discount scheme. We are doing everything we can to support businesses in the hospitality sector.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Redefining chefs as a shortage occupation
We Are Currently Paying Half Of Everyone'S Energy Bills
Response accuracy
Q10
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Edenvale Turf, a small business employing over 20 people, is concerned about the potential loss of grandfather rights for older supervisors who are not required to take National Vocational Qualifications.
According to the website for the Department for Business and Trade, the Department is supposed to shape our rules to ensure businesses thrive. Edenvale Turf is a successful small and medium-sized enterprise in my part of Devon and it employs more than 20 people. Older Edenvale workers have grandfather rights as supervisors, but they have been told that they will no longer be eligible to act as turf-cutting supervisors without taking a National Vocational Qualification. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how the Government might prevent scores of older, experienced people from leaving the workforce by getting out of the way and ensuring that businesses thrive?
The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point. Clearly, our regulation must work in favour of employment and helping people to get work and stay in work. I am very happy to meet him, possibly with one of my colleagues from the Department for Work and Pensions, to look at this matter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The US and other countries are investing heavily in green manufacturing, decarbonisation of steel industries, while the UK has yet to match such investments.
I am honoured to chair the all-party group on steel, and, as such, I have invited the Secretary of State to meet us, as all four of her predecessors have agreed to do. I am very disappointed that she has declined to do so. I urge her to reconsider that position. The US is investing $282 billion in green manufacturing. The Spanish and German Governments are each investing £1 billion in the decarbonisation of their steel industries. Labour would match that opportunity with a £3 billion clean steel fund, but the Government's response to date has been woefully inadequate. When will the Secretary of State bring forward a steel transition strategy that matches up with what our competitors are doing and that matches the ambition of our professional and dedicated steelworkers?
I have not declined to meet the all-party group on steel; I just said that it was subject to diary requirements. Where I have been is in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, visiting the steelworks. I did notify him before we went there, but he showed absolutely no interest in accompanying me to visit the steelworks in his constituency.
▸
Assessment & feedback
I Have Not Declined To Meet; It Is Subject To Diary Requirements
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A local business, Marshalls Bakery, has closed after facing multiple pressures including high energy costs and lack of government support.
Marshalls Bakery, a small business in my constituency, has just closed its doors after 43 years of trading. The owners told me that they were unable to withstand the combined pressures of covid, rising wheat and container charges and high energy costs. They feel let down and are angry at the lack of Government support for businesses such as theirs. Can the Minister tell me what further steps he is taking to ensure that other small businesses can survive in this challenging climate to provide the certainty from Government that they so desperately need?
I am sorry to hear about the demise of that business in the hon. Lady's constituency. Clearly, it has been a very tough time for businesses in recent years, with the covid crisis followed by the cost of living crisis. I am very happy to meet her to discuss what support we provide, which is to the tune of hundreds of billions of pounds.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Hundreds Of Billions Of Pounds In Support
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
UK semiconductor businesses have been awaiting a semiconductor strategy. Two weeks prior, the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation promised its publication in 'a matter of days'.
UK semiconductor businesses are waiting for the semiconductor strategy. I have asked several times about this. The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation told me it would be published shortly. Can she champion the semiconductor industry by speaking to her colleagues in DSIT to expedite its publication?
I will chase up the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on the semiconductor strategy. While it does not fall under our remit, we ensure critical minerals needed for semiconductors are in supply chains.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to speaking with DSIT colleagues about publishing the strategy
I Will Chase Up
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Large global car manufacturers are concerned that stricter rules of origin for electric vehicle transitions might add tariffs on UK car exports, impacting the UK's automotive industry.
Will Ministers negotiate to delay stricter rules of origin affecting the UK's transition to electric vehicles to protect our automotive sector from potential tariffs on car exports?
We are actively working on this issue, and both sides are interested in resolving it. Officials from Germany also discussed the need for investigation.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific negotiations or actions
We Are Actively Working On It
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Businesses in the questioner's constituency are facing exceptionally high energy tariffs due to signing contracts during a crisis period, impacting future growth and survival.
What conversations have Ministers had with Ofgem and energy companies regarding businesses marooned on high energy tariffs from past contracts, which threaten their survival?
I met with energy suppliers and Ofgem recently. Energy prices have fallen, but companies who entered contracts during July to December last year face difficulties. Suppliers promise assistance.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on the outcome or commitments from these discussions
I Met With Energy Suppliers And Ofgem Recently
Response accuracy