Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 15 September 2020 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 10 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Scottish Government analysis shows ending the transition period could cut 3 billion from Scotland's economy, but the UK Government has provided 6.5 billion in advance for support measures.
  • The Exchequer Secretary will meet with the Mayor of West Midlands to discuss regional economic support.
  • Interventions like removal of business rates for hospitality businesses will continue into next year, and a new business support grant of up to 1,500 per few weekly cycles is available for businesses forced to close due to local lockdowns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Economy Scotland Brexit
Context

Scottish Government analysis shows a potential economic loss of £3 billion over two years due to ending the transition period in 2020, beyond the impact of coronavirus.

Question

With Scottish Government analysis revealing that ending the transition period could cut £3 billion from Scotland's economy and the UK Internal Market Bill increasing the risk of a no-deal Brexit, what reassurances can you give my constituents and people of Scotland regarding real-term spending cuts to avoid further economic damage?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

The Government remains committed to getting a deal and will continue engaging constructively with European partners. The Scottish Government has received £6.5 billion in advance for support measures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the question of reassurances against spending cuts, instead focusing on existing funding.

How: Commitment To Continued Engagement With European Partners

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The Black Country, particularly Tipton and Oldbury, has a long history of innovation with companies like Thomas Dudley and Stephens Plastic Mouldings.

Question

What work is being done to support manufacturing and exporting businesses in the Black Country as they recover from the pandemic? What engagement is planned with local stakeholders such as the West Midlands Combined Authority and Mayor Andy Street?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

The Exchequer Secretary will meet with the Mayor of West Midlands. The Government plans to provide £1 billion over five years for electric automotive supply chain development and has allocated £850 million from local growth funds to the region.

Answered
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Q3 Shaun Bailey
NHS Employment
Context

Concerns exist that the UK risks a slower recovery due to self-inflicted issues, including inadequate support for those who have to isolate.

Question

Can you put yourself in the shoes of low-paid workers advised to self-isolate on £95.85 per week, which is not enough to live on? If statutory sick pay is insufficient, will you agree with the Secretary of State for Health that it needs improvement?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Since the pandemic's start, changes have been made to ensure those isolating receive support from day one. Statutory sick pay flexibility has improved for self-employed individuals, and incentive payments are being trialled in local lockdown areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the adequacy of statutory sick pay or agree with the need for improvement.

How: Changes To Welfare System, Trials Of Incentive Payments

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Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Economists are worried about the UK's slower recovery, citing issues with public health and concerns about future trading relations.

Question

Why do former Chancellors seem more concerned about the country's economic prospects than current ones? Will you rule out early tax rises for the rest of this year?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

The UK has concluded an enhanced free trade agreement with Japan, which will benefit British businesses and consumers through better access to markets for digital services and agricultural products.

Not addressed: Did not address concerns about early tax rises or former Chancellors' economic views.

How: Discussed Trade Agreement With Japan

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Q5 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Business & Trade
Context

Local businesses are facing challenges due to potential or ongoing lockdown measures.

Question

What provision or safety net is being created for local businesses affected by lockdowns across the country?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Interventions like removal of business rates for hospitality businesses will continue into next year. A new business support grant of up to £1,500 per few weekly cycles is available for businesses forced to close due to local lockdowns.

Answered
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Q6 Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The aviation industry is struggling due to inconsistent government policies on coronavirus.

Question

Aviation industry suffers from inconsistent, illogical and contradictory policies. Will the Chancellor reduce or suspend Air Passenger Duty or provide targeted job support?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

We regularly engage with aerospace companies and are investing heavily in R&D to maintain advanced manufacturing capability.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reducing/suspending air passenger duty or targeted job support was not addressed.

How: Engaging Regularly, Investment In R&D

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Q7 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Government's tax-free childcare scheme offers financial support to eligible families.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the benefits of tax-free childcare cannot be overstated as the economy reopens?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

My hon. Friend is correct, and we support eligible families with 20% of their childcare costs up to a cap of £2,000 through tax-free childcare.

Answered
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Q8 Derek Twigg Lab Widnes and Halewood
Economy Employment Children & Families
Context

Unemployment has increased significantly, particularly affecting young people aged 18-24.

Question

What special measures is the Chancellor considering to support young people in economically deprived areas like mine?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

We have outlined the kickstart scheme, which will provide fully-funded Government job placements for up to 250,000 young people at risk of long-term unemployment.

Answered
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Q9 Craig Whittaker Con
Business & Trade
Context

Smart Display, a Calder Valley business in the events and exhibitions sector, supports over 28 employees.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend consider additional measures to support businesses like Smart Display during the Budget process?

Answer from Steve Barclay

My hon. Friend is right, we are engaging closely with the sector and I am happy to continue dialogue on this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Additional measures not specified or committed to.

How: Engaging Closely

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Q10 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Lowest-paid workers receive £190 in statutory sick pay over two weeks, which is insufficient to support a family.

Question

Can the Chancellor address how impossible it is for families to survive on statutory sick pay of £190 over two weeks?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The package includes measures such as retaining employment links, supporting businesses in lockdown and offering welfare support including statutory sick pay.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific issue of insufficient sick pay not directly addressed.

How: Package Of Measures

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Q11 Holly Mumby-Croft
Economy Employment
Context

Creating jobs and helping people back into work is seen as a key way to stimulate the economy.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that measures creating jobs are best for stimulating the economy?

Answer from Steve Barclay

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and furlough aims to enable the labour market to bounce back with jobs in viable businesses recovering quickly.

Answered
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Q12 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Business & Trade
Context

The Government are aware of the significance of ARM's sale to American chip maker Nvidia.

Question

Will the Government intervene to secure headquartering and jobs in Cambridge, and get an exemption from CFIUS rules?

Answer from John Glen

The Government are closely engaging on this transaction. Parties close to the deal have stated that the headquarters will remain in Cambridge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Exemption from CFIUS rules not addressed, specifics of intervention vague.

How: Closely Engaging

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Q13 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Business & Trade
Context

Businesses in Bexhill and Battle have faced challenges accessing bounce back loans, with some waiting up to eight weeks for support.

Question

Bounce back loans have been vital to many businesses in Bexhill and Battle. Although they appreciate the help they have had from the scheme, some have been left waiting too long to access the support. For example, Axis Boats waited eight weeks before it was able to get finance when my office intervened. Will the Minister agree to meet me to discuss this issue and ensure that banks are fully playing their part in getting people access to this support?

Answer from John Glen

My hon. Friend is right to raise this point, which he has raised before. In his constituency, 1,400 businesses have benefited from the bounce back loans from 28 providers across the country, but I am happy to engage with him in relation to the number of cases he has dealt with and see what interventions can be made at this time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meetings or concrete actions not committed to

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Q14 Zarah Sultana Your Party Coventry South
Taxation
Context

Multinational corporations like Amazon, Facebook, and Google have seen significant profit increases during the pandemic but paid minimal taxes in comparison.

Question

The likes of Amazon, Facebook and Google have seen their profits soar during the pandemic. Using accounting tricks, these companies avoid paying their fair share of tax, which is how Amazon UK's pre-tax profits have risen by 35%, while its tax bill rose by less than 3%. Will the Chancellor promise to keep the digital services tax and promise that it will be billionaires and multi-national corporations who will pay for coronavirus spending, not workers and small businesses who have been hit so hard?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

It is right that companies pay the tax that they owe the Exchequer so that we can fund the public services that all our constituents rely on. That is why this Government instituted the digital services tax for online companies, which came into force this year. We remain committed to that tax, although we work with our partners around the world to replace our unilateral one with a multilateral solution through the OECD that will properly tackle this issue once and for all.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Promise of commitment without clear action plan or timeline

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Q15 Mark Pawsey Con
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Businesses in Rugby and Bulkington are facing tough times ahead despite appreciating the Government's current measures.

Question

Businesses in Rugby and Bulkington have told me universally how they welcome the measures that the Government have introduced for their speed and their breadth, but they know that the coming months will be difficult for trading and there are tough times ahead. Which of the Government's measures, given limited resources, does the Minister think are the most appropriate to support businesses over the next few months?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government have a range of schemes that have been supporting businesses throughout the pandemic, as my colleagues have mentioned time and time again. If my hon. Friend has specific requests from the businesses in his constituency, I am very happy to discuss those with him so that we can work out the best way to continue to spur economic recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures not detailed or committed to

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Q16 Steve McCabe Lab
Business & Trade
Context

Proposed changes to small breweries tax relief may negatively impact fledgling micro-breweries, such as Attic Brew in Steve McCabe's constituency.

Question

Does the Minister recognise that while the proposed changes to small breweries tax relief may well benefit members of the Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition, they will work against the interests of fledgling micro-breweries, such as Attic Brew in my constituency? Will the Minister look again at the impact of the changes on those small, but job-creating businesses?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We have been looking at this relief for several years now, and the changes that we have made are going to benefit the vast majority of brewers. The smallest brewers will be exempt from most of the changes, and those brewers who have been unable to grow will now be able to do so. We had a long consultation and quite a few brewery groups have been very supportive of this change. We will have further announcements to come after the next technical consultation on this relief.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reconsideration not promised, future consultations mentioned instead

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