Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 7 July 2020 · 13 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 13 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Henry Smith asked the Chancellor to consider suspending air passenger duty until at least summer 2021 to aid industry recovery.
  • Anneliese Dodds inquired why the Chancellor is persisting with a one-size-fits-all approach instead of targeted continuation of schemes for hardest-hit sectors.
  • Laura Farris questioned how the Chancellor will assure young people of their prioritisation in future recovery plans given their high economic risk.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con Crawley
Business & Trade
Context

The aviation and travel industries have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question

To aid these industries in recovering, will the Chancellor consider suspending air passenger duty until at least summer 2021?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)

My hon. Friend's support is noted, and I can confirm that a consultation on aviation tax reform has been committed to in the Budget; timing will be brought forward as necessary.

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Q2 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford West and Abingdon
Economy Employment
Context

The job retention scheme is set to be wound down from September.

Question

Labour calls for targeted continuation of the scheme for hardest hit sectors; why is the Chancellor persisting with a one-size-fits-all approach?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)

This decision balances health concerns and economic protection, ensuring gradual winding down without picking winners; previously announced initiatives like the green home grant demonstrate targeted job creation efforts.

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Q3 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford West and Abingdon
Employment Energy Environment
Context

Labour seeks to match the previous future jobs fund in scale.

Question

Labour's previous future jobs fund was more substantial; why does the Chancellor not reflect this focus on youth job creation?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)

The £2 billion green home grant contrasts with the prior future jobs fund's scope; both aim to create local jobs and improve energy efficiency in homes.

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Q4 Laura Farris PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Economy Employment
Context

Young individuals face economic challenges due to sectoral impacts.

Question

With young people at risk economically, how can the Chancellor assure them of their prioritisation in future recovery plans?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)

Young people are considered high-risk and will remain a priority; they are more likely to be affected by furloughing or job loss, and this impacts future opportunities significantly.

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Q5 Margaret Ferrier SNP Rengo
Business Compliance Business & Trade
Context

A local firm's insurance claim was denied due to lack of coverage.

Question

Will the Chancellor discuss with FCA how to help businesses facing similar issues?

Answer from The Minister for Economic Recovery (Jesse Norman)

The Treasury is in ongoing communication with the Financial Conduct Authority; specific case details can be examined by Ministers if provided.

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Q6 Douglas Ross Con Ochil and South Perthshire
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The coach industry is crucial in post-pandemic recovery.

Question

Will the Treasury consider a bespoke deal to support Maynes of Buckie, a local Moray firm leading calls?

Answer from The Minister for Economic Recovery (Jesse Norman)

General economy-wide support is favoured over bespoke deals; interventions include £300 billion in guarantees to lift all sectors.

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Q7 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The hospitality sector faces severe losses due to pandemic restrictions.

Question

With tourism being a major employer in Cumbria, will the Chancellor provide wage support and grants to prevent further business failures?

Answer from The Minister for Economic Recovery (Jesse Norman)

Previous interventions include £300 billion of guarantees; broader economy-wide measures are taken rather than targeted sectoral support.

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Q8 Robert Halfon Con Harlow
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

Concerns about the support provided by the Government to specific types of small businesses.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend the Chancellor agree that beauty salons, tanning salons and nail bars are important small businesses in local economies? Will he ensure they receive tax cuts as part of future economic plans?

Answer from Jesse Norman

No one who knows my beautiful right hon. Friend would be surprised that he knows these beauty salons as well as he does, and I salute him for it. On the serious point, he is absolutely right about the importance of these businesses to all our constituencies. He did not mention this, but we should also mention that many of these businesses are run and staffed by women, and it is important that we should pay attention to the equalities impact in that respect. The key thing is that we get these businesses, including beauty salons, open.

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Q9 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Questions about the support provided to local cultural institutions by the Government.

Question

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has talked about supporting large gems; when will smaller organisations like those in Hackney know how much money they are going to get?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I am glad that the announcement we made yesterday was warmly welcomed across the cultural sector, by institutions large and small. I can assure the hon. Lady that the support package is not just for large institutions; it will find its way to all our local cultural institutions that play such an important part in our local communities.

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Q10 Chris Grayling Con Epsom and Ewell
Economy Climate
Context

Suggestions for additional incentives in the green recovery plan.

Question

The Chancellor should consider providing additional incentives to develop hydrogen infrastructure in this country as part of a wider commitment to reaching net zero emissions. Will he also provide support to freelancers in the sector?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I wholeheartedly agree with my right hon. Friend that we should put reaching our net zero commitments at the heart of our recovery. He will have heard our recent announcement about green homes grants, which shows our commitment in this area.

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Q11 Kieran Mullan Con Crewe and Nantwich
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Questions about the timetable for making crucial funds available to arts and culture.

Question

What might be the timetable for making these crucial funds available?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I know that my hon. Friend is a proud champion of his local theatre, the Lyceum in Crewe, and that he has warmly welcomed our announcement.

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Q12 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton
Economy
Context

Concerns about the financial impact of covid-19 on credit unions.

Question

Will the Chancellor use his summer statement to announce financial support for credit unions, which are challenged with branch closures and possible bankruptcy?

Answer from Jesse Norman

I entirely agree with the hon. Lady about the importance of credit unions. I am a member of Money Box Credit Union in Hereford and can vouch for their importance, especially for people on low incomes.

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Q13 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull East
Business & Trade
Context

Concerns about the support provided to young entrepreneurs who have set up businesses.

Question

Have these young people been forgotten?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

These young people have absolutely not been forgotten, and we remain indebted to them for their dynamism in helping to power our recovery. I am delighted that our start-up loans scheme has recently been expanded and is able to provide cash loans to those budding entrepreneurs in her constituency and others.

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