Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Coronavirus: Employment

Tuesday 7 July 2020 · 4 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Anna McMorrin questioned the Chancellor about the UK's green finance investment, comparing it to commitments from Germany, France, and South Korea.
  • Angela Eagle inquired about the package the Chancellor would provide to secure and safeguard the UK's aerospace sector.
  • Pat McFadden asked the Chancellor if targeted employment support was needed for sectors likely to face job losses due to continued social distancing measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna McMorrin Lab Vale of Glamorgan
Economy Climate
Context

The UK is facing a severe economic recession due to the coronavirus outbreak, alongside a climate crisis.

Question

We are facing the worst economic recession in history and a climate crisis. Despite the warm words yesterday, the green finance announcement does not go far enough. Germany is investing between £40 billion and £50 billion, France £13.5 billion and South Korea £11.5 billion, so £3 billion just does not cut it. Given that half a million 16 to 24-year-olds are currently unemployed, will the Chancellor commit to properly financing a green jobs guarantee to give our young people a future?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)

The hon. Lady mentioned plans from other countries. It is worth bearing in mind that those plans relate to spending commitments over many years and are actually better compared with what we outlined at Budget, where we set out a £600 billion investment programme over the remainder of this Parliament, including many initiatives such as carbon capture and storage, the nature for climate fund and improvements in air quality. Conservative Members wholeheartedly believe in a green revolution, and we will provide the capital to make that happen.

Answered
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Q2 Angela Eagle Lab Wallasey
Employment Business & Trade
Context

9,000 UK jobs in the aerospace industry are at risk. Foreign countries have implemented support programmes for their respective industries.

Question

What package will the Chancellor provide to secure and safeguard the future of the UK's export-focused, high-wage, highly skilled aerospace sector?

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

Interventions abroad were specific to certain companies, making it inappropriate for me to comment on them here. The UK's support includes subsidising bus and rail networks to ensure connectivity during the crisis.

Answered

Not addressed: Long-term package for aerospace sector

How: Refused To Comment On Foreign Interventions, Redirected Focus To Uk'S General Support Measures

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Q3 Rosie Cooper Lab West Stoke
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The furlough scheme is being phased out, yet some sectors like hospitality are still struggling.

Question

Will the Government abandon their one-size-fits-all approach to wind down the furlough and self-employment support schemes, adopting a targeted strategy that recognises the unique challenges faced by sectors like hotel workers, chefs, and lighting technicians?

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

The priority is to safely reopen all sectors. We have met targets set in our reopening plan, and remaining closed sectors will be reopened soon. Extra support has been provided through business rates holidays and cash grants.

Answered

Not addressed: Targeted strategy for different sectors

How: Focused On Safe Reopening, Highlighted Existing Support Measures

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Q4 Pat McFadden Lab Wolverhampton South East
Employment
Context

Many job losses have been announced, particularly affecting young people in a challenging labour market due to social distancing rules.

Question

Does the Chancellor accept the need for targeted employment support for sectors most likely to face job losses as social distancing measures continue?

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

Calls for sector-specific approaches are often vague on definitions. The Government's priority is broad, generous coverage to protect 9 million jobs and reopening sectors to return people to work as quickly as possible.

Answered

Not addressed: Sector-specific support

How: Questioned The Feasibility Of Sector-Specific Approaches, Emphasised General Job Protection Measures

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