Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 11 February 2020 · 18 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial responsibilities were discussed, focusing on ending uncertainty over UK's departure from the EU and planning for the future.
  • The Chancellor confirmed the commitment to "level up" the UK, emphasizing the importance of including all regions and nations, and announced tax cuts for 31 million people.
  • Funding and support for various sectors, including broadband improvements for rural businesses and measures to boost the automotive manufacturing sector, were highlighted in the exchanges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Crabb Con
Economy Taxation Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The UK is at a critical point in its history following the departure from the European Union, with plans to 'level up' the country. The Chancellor's statement on departmental responsibilities is expected.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. We have ended the uncertainty over our departure from the EU and we are standing at the beginning of a new chapter. I am concerned about the clarity and specifics regarding the plans to 'level up' the UK and ensure tax cuts for 31 million people.

Answer from Sajid Javid

We have ended the uncertainty over our departure from the European Union, and we stand at the beginning of a new chapter. I know that the future is bright as we level up our country and unleash Britain's potential. We have confirmed that 31 million people will receive a tax cut in April, and in the Budget on 11 March I will continue to lay the foundations for a decade of renewal. We will also set out our plans for an infrastructure revolution and for better investment in our most important asset of all, our human capital.

Answered
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Q2 Stephen Crabb Con
Economy Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

The government's levelling up agenda aims to improve economic opportunities across all regions of the UK, including devolved nations. There is concern about whether these areas will see the full benefit.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend reaffirm that when we talk about levelling up, we are indeed talking about levelling up the whole United Kingdom—all regions and all nations? May I encourage him to show real determination to ensure that the devolved nations also see and feel the benefit of his ambitious infrastructure proposals?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I can absolutely confirm that to my right hon. Friend. We are blessed with talent throughout our country. Wherever we look, we have talent. Our country is oozing with talent, and that, of course, includes Wales: we have just seen a demonstration of that talent. We need to ensure that there is much more opportunity, which means investment in infrastructure and skills and retaining a dynamic, competitive economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response acknowledges the issue but does not provide specific commitments or details about how devolved nations will benefit from infrastructure proposals.

How: Talent Throughout Our Country, Talent Includes Wales

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Q3 John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington
Economy
Context

Recent economic forecasts predict that the Chancellor may miss his balanced budget target, coupled with zero growth in the economy. There are demands for tax cuts and spending commitments.

Question

In the last month we have seen predictions of a missed balanced budget target and today we see no growth in the economy. In addition to tax cut demands by Mr Cummings, there is concern about compensation owed to victims of the payday loan company Wonga. Will the Chancellor introduce measures to compensate these victims fully?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I think that I have to correct myself. I said that there was talent throughout the country, but, judging by what we have just heard, I do not think that that includes the Labour party. There is all sorts of speculation about the Budget, and I am not going to respond to that. However, the right hon. Gentleman will know that when the Budget is published, it will be published alongside a report by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. Those are the figures that are going to matter, not the ones that are speculated about in the press.

Not addressed: The question about Wonga victims and economic challenges was ignored entirely; instead, the Chancellor criticized the Labour party and dismissed speculation around the budget without addressing specific concerns raised.

How: Talent Throughout The Country, Speculation On The Budget

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Q4 John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington
Economy Business Compliance
Context

Recent financial sector scandals have highlighted regulatory failures. The victims of the payday loan company Wonga are yet to receive full compensation.

Question

I asked about Wonga. [Hon. Members: “You did.”] On the basis of that answer, I can see why No. 10 nicknamed the right hon. Gentleman CHINO: Chancellor in name only. We have seen financial sector scandals such as closet tracking, London Capital & Finance, Woodford Investment Management, tax avoidance by Lycamobile and audit failures. Regulation is failing and there are risks from Brexit. Will the White Paper address regulatory failure, culture of recklessness, and job risks post-Brexit?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I remember that not long ago the shadow Chancellor stood here and said that he wanted to be known as the “people's Chancellor”. I think the people had a very different idea, however. On his question about high-cost credit, when I was last in the Treasury as Economic Secretary, that was the first time that any Government had introduced proper regulation around high-cost credit. This is something that we keep under review, which is why, as we present our White Paper, we will be looking to see what more we can do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response dismisses the questioner and addresses only a part of the question regarding high-cost credit regulation without addressing broader regulatory issues or job risks.

How: People'S Chancellor, First Time That Any Government Had Introduced Proper Regulation

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Q5 Stephen Hammond Con
Business & Trade
Context

Financial services firms are looking to secure equivalence arrangements post-Brexit. A minimum revocation period is sought to ensure stability.

Question

Many in financial services will warmly welcome the Chancellor's remarks in the papers yesterday about equivalence arrangements, but does he agree that the real value to those arrangements is in the length of the revocation period? Will he therefore press for revocation notices of a minimum of a year and preferably three years?

Answer from Sajid Javid

Yes, I agree with my hon. Friend. Equivalence arrangements, done properly, would require a period of stability to be agreed, and that is exactly what we are working on with our European friends.

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Q6 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Climate Energy
Context

Government funding continues for oil and gas projects despite the pledge to end coal use in the UK by 2025. Concerns over climate change are rising.

Question

Funding for coal mining ended in 2012, but it carries on for oil and gas, as we saw at the recent Africa summit and in the lobbying for the Petrofac oil refinery in Bahrain. When is the Chancellor going to end funding for fossil fuel projects and take the action that is needed to tackle the climate crisis?

Answer from Simon Clarke

The UK takes our climate commitments exceptionally seriously, and we have pledged to end the use of unabated coal here in the UK by 2025. Clearly we want to ensure that that applies to our work overseas as well, and that is something that the Government as a whole take very seriously.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not specify when funding for fossil fuel projects will end or provide specifics on actions towards tackling climate change beyond coal use in the UK by 2025.

How: Exceptionally Serious Climate Commitments, Pledged To End Unabated Coal

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Q7 Flick Drummond Con
Energy Business & Trade Environment
Context

Businesses in the Meon Valley are facing growth hindrances due to poor internet connectivity. There is a need for financial support to improve broadband infrastructure.

Question

Over the past few weeks, I have met a number of businesses in the Meon Valley whose growth is being held back by poor internet connectivity. What funding exists to help businesses in rural areas to boost their productivity and growth by improving their broadband?

Answer from Sajid Javid

My hon. Friend is right to raise this matter. The Government have already put in place the gigabit broadband voucher scheme and the rural gigabit connectivity scheme, which is available to small and medium-sized enterprises and gives support of up to £3,500 per company.

Answered
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Q8 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The automotive manufacturing sector faced a 14% decline in production last year, impacting the Treasury.

Question

Will the Chancellor ensure, in the Budget in March, that the automotive manufacturing sector gets the support it requires? He will know that there was a decline of 14% in our manufacturing production last year, which represents a big hit to the Treasury. Will he put in place the support to ensure a transition from fossil fuels, so that we can still produce vehicles such as diesel-powered units in good numbers while supporting the switch to electric vehicles?

Answer from Simon Clarke

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Tomorrow I am attending a roundtable at 11 Downing Street with representatives of the advanced manufacturing industry, and we are determined to take their views into account as we make this transition. We are supporting the industry through initiatives such as the Advanced Propulsion Centre and the Faraday battery challenge, and we are determined to ensure that the sector evolves in a way that boosts our growth prospects as we decarbonise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not commit specific actions or funding for automotive manufacturing support but acknowledged roundtable discussions and existing initiatives.

How: We Are Determined To Take Their Views Into Account

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Q9 Damien Moore Con
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Southport benefited from a £25 million town deal last year.

Question

Last year my town of Southport benefited from a £25 million town deal. What more is my right hon. Friend doing to help other towns up and down the country to level up?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

As the Chancellor said, the Government are committed to levelling up across the country, and part of that involves our town deals to help to revitalise our high streets. Also, as the Prime Minister will say later, we have unveiled a £5 billion package to improve local connectivity, including bus and cycle lanes, to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity in local towns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not specify additional support for other towns beyond mentioning the £5 billion package.

How: As The Chancellor Said

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Q10 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Economy Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Chancellor declared that austerity was at an end last year but recently demanded budget cuts.

Question

In September last year, standing at the Dispatch Box the Chancellor declared that austerity was at an end, but just last month he demanded that each Department cut 5% of its budget—hardly a glowing endorsement of the end of austerity. Will the Chancellor now admit that the Government never had any intention of ending austerity or easing the pain felt by millions around the country?

Answer from Sajid Javid

With respect, I think the hon. Gentleman is confusing cutting spending and tackling waste, and we know that the previous Labour Government was good at neither of those, with overspending and loads of waste. It is right that as a Government we look carefully at every single pound that is spent and make sure it is done so appropriately.

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not address the question about admitting intentions regarding austerity but criticized Labour's handling of finances.

How: Confusing Cutting Spending And Tackling Waste

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Q11 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
Economy Mental Health
Context

The Chancellor introduced the breathing space initiative to ease pressure on people going through mental health crises.

Question

Creditor enforcement action can greatly exacerbate the problems that people going through mental health crises can experience. May I commend the Chancellor and the Economic Secretary for the breathing space initiative, which will help to ease the pressure on those people and so many more?

Answer from John Glen

I thank my right hon. Friend for his comments, and I am very pleased that the breathing space scheme is moving forward. We published the impact assessment last week, and 700,000 people will benefit from the scheme next year when it comes into force. That number will rise to 1 million in the following year.

Answered
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Q12 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Transport
Context

The Chancellor announced £5 billion of funding for local transport, including cycling.

Question

Depending on which briefing to today's newspapers was accurate, the infrastructure announcement will fund a grand total of either 250 or 1,000 miles of new designated cycleway. That is to be compared with the 1,800 being provided by the Labour Mayor in Manchester alone. How can a small city such as Exeter hope to get any of the help, resources or the powers it needs to deliver on the cycling infrastructure as it desperately wants to do?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the announcement today was of £5 billion of fresh funding for local transport—buses and cycling. When it comes to cycling—something we all want made easier to access for all our constituents—there will be 250 miles of new dedicated cycle track.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not commit additional funding for smaller cities like Exeter but mentioned the existing £5 billion announcement.

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Q13 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Transport
Context

The Government is committed to renewing and improving national infrastructure, but the cost-effectiveness of some proposals has been questioned.

Question

I know that the Government are committed to renewing and improving our national infrastructure. However, those improvements have to represent value for money. I therefore urge the Chancellor to question both the cost and effectiveness of the current proposals for a new lower Thames crossing and suggest that he re-examines both the business case and the alternative options.

Answer from Sajid Javid

I understand my hon. Friend's concerns and he is right to raise this. He will be pleased that Highways England is conducting a supplementary consultation on the lower Thames crossing to make sure that any benefits are maximised. The consultation will close on 25 March, and I will then look at it carefully. I would encourage him to have his say.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not commit to re-examining the costs but mentioned an ongoing consultation.

How: Conducting A Supplementary Consultation

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Q14 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Education Economy
Context

The Chancellor will be presenting the next Budget.

Question

As a former teacher, I know that a good education is a key driver to economic opportunities for young people, but sixth forms have been heavily damaged by years of under-investment. Will the Chancellor commit to implementing the recent recommendation from the Education Committee and Ofsted to raise the rate of funding per pupil to at least £4,760 in next month's Budget?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Post-16 education and skills are a priority for the Chancellor and the Government. I am pleased to say that the recent spending round delivers a £400 million increase in funding for post-16 education, which makes it the fastest rise in a decade and means that the per pupil base rate that the hon. Lady mentions will go up faster than the schools total.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not commit to £4,760 but announced an increase in funding.

How: The Fastest Rise In A Decade

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Q15 Mel Stride Con Central Devon
Economy
Context

The OBR has a legal duty to produce two economic forecasts each financial year, but this was complicated by the cancellation of the last Budget.

Question

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor will know that I have written to him about the legal duty that the OBR has to produce two economic forecasts in each financial year, which of course has been complicated by the cancellation of the last Budget. Can I ask him to set out for the House the approach that he intends to take and how he will avoid the necessity of having two forecasts very close together saying essentially the same thing?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on being elected as the Chair of the Treasury Committee. I look forward to working with him and to the scrutiny that he will provide, as he is doing right now. The issue about the forecasts the OBR needs to provide is a live one, and we will make sure that the OBR meets its statutory requirements. I am pleased that the head of the OBR, Robert Chote, has discussed it with my right hon. Friend, and I would be happy to discuss it with him too.

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not provide a specific approach for addressing multiple forecasts but acknowledged discussions.

How: Looking Forward To Working With Him, The Issue About The Forecasts Is Live

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Q16 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Economy
Context

Flybe's financial troubles are impacting Belfast City airport in Gavin Robinson's constituency, raising concerns about regional connectivity.

Question

The Chancellor will know of the association between productivity, economic opportunity and regional productivity. Noting that Flybe is in the news again today, and knowing how important it is to Belfast City airport in my constituency and regional hubs throughout this United Kingdom, will he remember those three principles as he charts a course to find a permanent solution for that aviation company?

Answer from Sajid Javid

Of course I will keep that in mind. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government are absolutely committed to spreading opportunity throughout the country—throughout each of the nations that make up the United Kingdom—and we want to look at all the ways we can improve connectivity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about Flybe and its impact on regional productivity was not addressed with concrete commitments or timelines.

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Q17 Jo Gideon
Business & Trade
Context

The Goodwin International training school in Jo Gideon's constituency is a model of skills training, but less established firms need support to reach similar standards.

Question

The Goodwin International training school in my constituency is an exemplar of skills training by a successful modern manufacturer with a world-class reputation. For less established firms such as challenger small and medium-sized enterprises, what support is on offer to level them up to Goodwin International standards?

Answer from Simon Clarke

I had a good meeting yesterday with my hon. Friend and fellow Stoke and north Staffordshire MPs. The Government are supporting small firms across England through the network of 38 growth hubs, one of which is based on Stoke-on-Trent. In our manifesto, we announced our intention to create a national skills fund, which will help to transform the lives of people who have not got on the work ladder and lack qualifications, as well as people looking to return to work or to upskill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about support for smaller firms was not addressed with concrete details on how they can reach Goodwin International standards.

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Q18 Peter Grant SNP
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Scotland exports a quarter of a billion pounds worth of salmon to the EU annually, and there are concerns about the impact of Brexit on this industry.

Question

Every year Scotland exports a quarter of a billion pounds worth of salmon to the European Union. This week, the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation expressed serious concern about the continuing uncertainty of Brexit. What assessment has the Chancellor of the Exchequer made of the impact on this vital industry of the Chancellor of the Duchy Lancaster's announcement that “as friction-free as possible” trade with the EU means “not friction-free at all”?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are working closely with the fishing industry, including salmon producers, to make sure that as we put in place our new free trade agreement, it will continue to thrive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about assessing the impact of Brexit on Scottish salmon exports was not addressed with concrete commitments or timelines.

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