Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Manufacturing Industry

Wednesday 17 March 2021 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government provided 2.75 billion in direct support for businesses in Wales during the covid pandemic.
  • The Welsh Government received an additional 5.2 billion in support from the UK Government.
  • Bridgend is designated as a priority 1 area for the levelling-up fund, providing potential access to significant financial assistance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by the need to support the manufacturing sector which has been affected by various factors including Brexit and the pandemic.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Government to support the manufacturing industry in Wales?

Answer from Simon Hart

We have provided £2.75 billion in direct support for businesses in Wales during covid. The job retention scheme has been extended until September, and we are introducing a new super deduction to cut companies' tax bills by 25p for every £1 they invest in new equipment.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Tami Lab Alyn and Deeside
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A recent Grant Thornton report suggested that Brexit could cost Flintshire and Wrexham up to £300 million annually. Manufacturing is vital but companies face difficulties exporting.

Question

Given the report by Grant Thornton stating that Brexit could cost Flintshire and Wrexham as much as £300 million a year, manufacturing being crucial for north Wales, numerous companies are encountering issues in exporting post-Brexit. Instead of assurances everything will be fine, when will the Government address these difficulties?

Answer from Simon Hart

I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the additional £5.2 billion we have provided to the Welsh Government and the £2.75 billion to businesses in Wales, with £1.5 billion in bounce bank loans and £503 million in coronavirus business interruption loans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific measures to resolve export challenges are not addressed.

How: Dwelling On The Past

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The Prime Minister announced a world-leading battery plant in Bridgend, which was later moved to Blyth due to government decision. The Secretary of State praised the announcement on Twitter.

Question

Following the Prime Minister's promise and subsequent relocation of a battery plant to Blyth, can the Secretary of State outline when he will deliver a world-leading battery plant for Bridgend or neighbouring Vale of Glamorgan?

Answer from Simon Hart

I think that the hon. Gentleman's question was probably intended for the First Minister in Cardiff, but I will do my best to answer it anyway. As he well knows from the Prime Minister's statement, there is considerable investment going into Wales.

Not addressed: The specific timeline or commitment for a battery plant in Bridgend was not addressed.

How: Redirecting To First Minister

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Q4 Jamie Wallis
Economy Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

Bridgend lost the Ford factory and did not get investment from Ineos. To move forward, regeneration is needed to increase attractiveness for investment.

Question

Given that Bridgend has lost its Ford factory and missed out on Ineos investment, can my right hon. Friend outline what the Government are doing to help regenerate towns like Bridgend?

Answer from Simon Hart

Absolutely. I start by reminding my hon. Friend—not that I need to—that Bridgend is a priority 1 area for the levelling-up fund, which means that it has potential access, with his assistance, to significant sums.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions or timeline for regeneration in Bridgend were not detailed.

How: Noting Priority Status

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Q5 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Wales Business & Trade
Context

Highly skilled workers in the aerospace sector, such as those at AIM Altitude, face redundancy or closure due to recovery time and lack of support compared to overseas competitors.

Question

With highly skilled workers facing redundancy or factory closures, can the Secretary of State persuade his Cabinet colleagues to provide long-term support for high-value industries like aerospace?

Answer from Simon Hart

The hon. Lady's comments are not reflected by large companies, such as Airbus, whose judgment I trust in these particular circumstances. I simply repeat what I said in answer to an earlier question: the UK Government have provided £5.2 billion for the Welsh Government; £2.75 billion for businesses in Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific support measures or timeline were not addressed.

How: Relying On Industry Trust

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Q6 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The Government have shelved their industrial strategy, scrapped advisory council and are preparing to overhaul the industrial policy.

Question

With industries at risk of folding, can the Secretary of State develop a forward-looking UK industrial policy that guarantees future green jobs based on our skill base?

Answer from Simon Hart

I disagree with the hon. Lady's comments. We want to get process and bureaucratic issues out of the way and actually deliver money and prospects, jobs and investments to the places that need them the most.

Not addressed: The commitment to developing a comprehensive industrial policy was not addressed.

How: Disagreeing With Comments

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Q7 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The aviation sector has faced significant challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to staffing cuts at companies such as General Electric and British Airways in Pontypridd. The questioner seeks specific financial support for Wales's aviation industry.

Question

I hear what the Secretary of State says about Airbus, but sadly, General Electric and British Airways in my constituency of Pontypridd have had to make significant staffing cuts. This sector is crying out for financial support, but its pleas are falling on deaf ears, so will the Secretary of State therefore please update the House on his recent conversations, specifically with the Chancellor, on a sector-specific support package for Wales's aviation industry?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Chancellor has made it very clear how he is supporting every sector that has been adversely affected by the coronavirus. In fact, I do not think there is a Government in the world who have done as much in financial support either for this sector or other sectors or individual families. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast for economic recovery next year and the year after is a testament to that.

Not addressed: Specific financial support package for Wales's aviation industry

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