Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 2 May 2024 · 23 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 8 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Post Office governance is a priority; Nigel Railton appointed as interim chair.
  • Government disputes claims that Brexit reduces consumer choice.
  • 50 million allocated to subsidize Post Office branches in uncommercial areas.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Post Office faces challenges in leadership and governance.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, particularly regarding the appointment of an interim chair for the Post Office governance.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch (Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Communities)

Post Office governance is a priority for the Government. I have announced the appointment of Nigel Railton as its interim chair, bringing wealth of experience in transforming organisations to lead the Post Office through this period.

Answered
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Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Brexit
Context

The UK's post-Brexit situation has led to concerns about border checks and reduced consumer choice.

Question

When will the Government admit that their Brexit dream was a fantasy, acknowledging the reality of border checks, reduced consumer choice and business closures?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch (Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Communities)

It is nonsense to say that this reduces consumer choice; it actually increases consumer choice. The sale of pints of wine does not have to be criticised.

Not addressed: Admission of negative impacts of Brexit

How: Deflecting Criticism, Changing Subject

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Q3 Therese Coffey Con
Context

A post office in Kelsale, a rural area of the constituency, has been closed and there is concern about service availability.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that £50 million allocated for subsidising Post Office branches helps cover costs for services in her constituency?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake (Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity)

£50 million is allocated for the uncommercial part of the network, which should assist services in her constituency. There is an alternative branch in Saxmundham 1.3 miles away.

Answered
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Q4 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The £200 shoplifting threshold is causing issues for retailers.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with the Home Secretary about scrapping the £200 shoplifting threshold, as Labour plans to do?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake (Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity)

It is not true that we have decriminalised thefts under £200. The hon. lady should speak to police officers about this issue. We are working closely with the Home Office on a retail crime action plan.

Not addressed: Discussion on scrapping the threshold

How: Changing Subject, Deflecting Criticism

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Q5 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
Economy Energy Business & Trade
Context

Conservative under-investment in public infrastructure is harming the economy.

Question

How does she plan to fix this crippling investment gap, ensuring businesses get support they need for economic growth?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch (Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Communities)

Investment in nuclear infrastructure has only happened under Conservative Governments. We had a global investment summit raising £30 billion, and business investment is rising due to policies by the Government.

Not addressed: Plans for addressing the investment gap

How: Broad Statements, Changing Subject

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Q6 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Business & Trade
Context

UK aerospace businesses are looking to increase exports.

Question

What has the Department done to ensure that we can increase aerospace exports?

Answer from Alan Mak (Minister for Employment and Productivity)

The autumn statement extended the aerospace technology programme budget with an additional £975 million of R&D funding. Our trade missions help companies secure export contracts worth millions of pounds.

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Q7 Richard Thomson
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

In 2017, Boris Johnson claimed the UK would be 'first in line' for a post-Brexit trade deal with the US. Despite negotiations opening in May 2020, progress has stalled.

Question

When does the Secretary of State expect to deliver this alleged Brexit benefit and what will arrive first—a trade deal or pints of champagne?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The US is not currently pursuing free trade agreements, so we are negotiating with individual states. Our relationship with the US is good and exports have increased to £311 billion. We will continue to pursue a free trade agreement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for a UK-US trade deal

How: We Are Negotiating At State Level, Trade Requires Two Parties

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Q8 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Energy
Context

There are reports that Royal Mail is considering moving away from a six-day service in large rural constituencies.

Question

Can the Minister make clear that this change is not what the Government want?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

We agree with this point and have been clear to Royal Mail and Ofcom that we support a continued six-day service.

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Q9 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The Republic of Ireland has reportedly reinstated a form of border control, causing delays for business vehicles.

Question

What discussions have taken place regarding the ability for business vehicles to pass through the border?

Answer from Greg Hands

The Government are closely monitoring the situation. We maintain good relations with the Republic of Ireland and will pass on concerns.

Not addressed: Specific actions to address border control issues

How: Monitoring Situation, Passing Comments On

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Q10 Holly Mumby-Croft
Business & Trade
Context

The UK is the only G7 country without the ability to produce virgin steel.

Question

Would it be acceptable for the UK to become the sole G7 nation unable to make its own virgin steel?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We care about having primary steel-making capacity and will discuss this further with constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans for maintaining steel production

How: Concern For British Steel, Discussing Matters In Scunthorpe

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Q11 Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberafan Maesteg
Employment
Context

Analysis suggests that cutting 2,800 Tata Steel employees could lead to up to 9,500 additional job losses.

Question

Had the Government assessed the broader impact of job cuts on contractors and sub-contractors when £500 million was given to Tata?

Answer from Alan Mak

The Tata transition board has a dedicated group supporting contractors and supply chain partners, ensuring they receive similar support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Full assessment of indirect job impacts

How: Support For Contractors

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Q12 Rob Butler
Business & Trade
Context

The UK is set to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Question

Can the Minister provide an update on the status of UK's accession to CPTPP?

Answer from Greg Hands

Royal Assent has been given for the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Act 2024, and we are looking forward to UK ratification in coming weeks.

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Q13 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A lack of coherent agritrade policy and complex import/export certification rules is hindering rural businesses from trading outside the UK.

Question

How will the Department support UK producers to deal with trade red tape?

Answer from Greg Hands

We have put in significant resources, including commissioners and trade support people around Europe and the world promoting agrifood exports.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to address red tape for UK producers

How: Promoting Agrifood Exports

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Q14 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Scottish salmon industry is losing £100 million a year in trade with the EU since 2019, amounting to a 17% drop. Two-thirds of Scotland's electorate rejected hard Tory Brexit.

Question

Scottish salmon is just one of the businesses serving to prop up the failing UK economy, yet the industry is losing £100 million annually in trade with the EU since 2019, a 17% drop. What message does the Secretary of State have for this business and its impact on Scotland?

Answer from Greg Hands

We hear this from the SNP all the time, opposing every trade agreement. These deals benefit Scottish goods like whisky in Australia and New Zealand, yet the SNP has opposed or abstained on deals with Japan, Singapore, Canada, South Africa, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Not addressed: Scottish salmon industry losses

How: Opposition Criticism

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Q15 Andrew Jones Con
Business & Trade
Context

The Government launched a critical imports and supply chain strategy this year.

Question

What action are the Government taking to strengthen critical supply chains?

Answer from Alan Mak

We launched our critical imports and supply chain strategy earlier this year. I chaired the Critical Imports Council last month, bringing together 23 organisations to make sure our supply chains are robust.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q16 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Housing Local Government
Context

The village of Kirkliston recently lost its post office, part of a series of closures.

Question

What can the Government do to halt the decline in post offices, especially in areas like Kirkliston which have no alternatives?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

We put £50 million into supporting uncommercial parts of the network. I am sorry that Kirkliston's post office has closed but am happy to meet the hon. Lady to see what we can do to ensure there is a local post office.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q17 Kevin Brennan Lab
Business & Trade
Context

The Minister for Trade Policy claimed trade envoys must have qualifications of 'diplomacy and discretion'.

Question

Did the Minister for Trade Policy, in mentioning 'diplomacy and discretion', have a specific former trade envoy in mind?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Opposition is playing a playground game, which is insulting to every trade envoy. We should not make accusations without evidence.

Not addressed: Specific qualifications of former envoys

How: Opposition Criticism

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Q18 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Green Resource Engineering Ltd exports £1 million annually to South Korea but faces red tape issues post-Brexit.

Question

How are the Government monitoring additional red tape that affects exporting from Europe after leaving the single market?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We have a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU, ensuring that trade continues to boom. If the hon. Member has something specific about components facing issues crossing borders, I will look at it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific monitoring measures for red tape

How: General Statement

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Q19 Allan Dorans
Business & Trade
Context

India imposes a 150% import tariff on Scotch whisky.

Question

What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that the high tariff on Scotch whisky exported to India is reduced in any future trade deal?

Answer from Greg Hands

We are engaged in live negotiation with India and cannot comment. However, Scotch whisky tariffs are a key objective.

Not addressed: Specific steps to reduce tariffs

How: Live Negotiations

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Q20 Michael Ellis Con
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

UK armed forces are in the region and work with Israel for humanitarian support.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be odd to impose an arms embargo on Israel when UK forces are working with them?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

My right hon. and learned Friend makes a good point. The Prime Minister addressed this issue yesterday. We monitor the situation closely, assess export licence applications on a case-by-case basis, and operate robust export controls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific embargo considerations for Israel

How: Monitoring Ongoing

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Q21 Pauline Latham Con
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Businesses in the constituency are struggling to expand due to a lack of necessary skills, affecting local economic growth.

Question

I am concerned about businesses in my constituency that have difficulties expanding because they do not have the required skills. Could you explain what measures the government is taking to address this skills shortage?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

We are investing £3.8 billion in skills training for people working in businesses, which includes improving skills for entrepreneurs through our Help to Grow management programme—a 12-week mini-MBA that is 90% funded by the Government. We also have 'Help to Grow: Management Essentials', offering two hours of free online training.

Answered
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Q22 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Science & Technology
Context

There is a concern about the UK's supply of cyber-security professionals, with possible offshoring of work related to this field.

Question

Can you provide information on the current state of the UK's supply of cyber-security professionals and whether there has been an increase in offshoring activity?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I do not have specific details to answer this question at present. However, based on available information, there is no indication that a significant amount of cyber-security work is being offshored.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or statistics regarding the supply of cyber-security professionals and potential offshoring activity were not provided.

How: I Am Afraid That I Do Not Have The Details To Answer That Question.

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Q23 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Business & Trade
Context

Selwyn's, a local company in Gower known for its high-quality seafood, is facing challenges due to export tariffs from foreign markets.

Question

What is the Government's current assessment of the export situation for cockles and other seafood products by Selwyn's and similar companies operating in Wales?

Answer from Greg Hands

We meet regularly with the UK seafood sector, which faces high tariffs from foreign markets. The Government is actively engaged in trade policy and supports exporters through various initiatives. We are willing to meet the company directly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific policies or financial support for seafood exports were not detailed.

How: I Urge Her To Watch This Space.

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