Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Productivity

Tuesday 29 October 2024 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sonia Kumar asked about steps to increase economic productivity in the Black Country, focusing on the importance of advanced manufacturing.
  • Kevin Bonavia highlighted the contribution of the hospitality sector in Stevenage to the UK economy, generating 93 billion annually.
  • James Wild inquired about the Chancellor's stance on backing the Ely junction rail upgrade, noting a benefit ratio of 5 for every 1 invested.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sonia Kumar Lab Dudley
Economy
Context

The question arises from the need to increase economic productivity in the Black Country, an area with specific economic challenges.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase economic productivity in the Black Country?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

Increasing economic productivity is a key mission in the Labour Government's growth agenda. After 14 years of weak productivity, depressed living standards and unfunded spending commitments, we are adamant about bringing our country into an upward trajectory, using the national wealth fund and the significant planning reforms that we are bringing together to ensure a decade of national renewal for our country.

Not addressed: No specific steps or timeline mentioned for Black Country specifically

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Q2 Kevin Bonavia Lab Stevenage
Business & Trade
Context

The hospitality sector generates £93 billion per year in the UK and plays a significant role in the local economy of Stevenage.

Question

Across the UK, the hospitality sector generates £93 billion per year. In my constituency, there are many examples of local entrepreneurs, including on the old town's High Street and in our neighbourhood centres, who provide an excellent service for residents and visitors alike. What can my hon. Friend do to help our hospitality services grow in Stevenage and across the UK?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

I am fully aware of the assets of my hon. Friend's constituency, including the neighbourhood centres that he mentions, and the surrounding villages, which host amazing music festivals. I recognise the contribution of the hospitality sector in Stevenage to the UK economy, and I know he is a great champion of the borough business club. I am confident that our Government's growth mission will ensure that hospitality businesses in Stevenage continue to grow. The Government look forward to working with organisations such as UKHospitality to facilitate that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or funding mentioned for the local hospitality sector

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Q3 Sonia Kumar Lab Dudley
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The UK's modern industrial strategy identifies advanced manufacturing as a growth-driving sector. Manufacturing in Dudley accounts for 40.4% of jobs, more than double the national average.

Question

"Invest 2035: the UK's modern industrial strategy" identifies advanced manufacturing as a growth-driving sector. Manufacturing in Dudley accounts for 40.4% of jobs; that is double the national average. What steps are the Government taking to support and revitalise the manufacturing sector in Dudley, given its historical significance to the local economy, and its potential contribution to the UK's overall industrial strategy?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

As my hon. Friend rightly says, we identified advanced manufacturing as a growth-driving sector in the recently published industrial strategy Green Paper. I know how important manufacturing centres such as the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre are to Dudley and the UK economy. We are committed to supporting advanced manufacturing through the industrial strategy, which, alongside sector plans, will be developed in partnership with businesses and stakeholders ahead of publication in spring 2025. I hope that she will contribute to that. Jobs will be at the heart of our industrial strategy, backed by employment rights that are fit for a modern economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps or timeline mentioned for supporting manufacturing in Dudley specifically

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Q4 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Transport
Context

Investing in transport infrastructure is crucial for boosting productivity, and the Ely junction rail upgrade could deliver significant benefits.

Question

Investing in transport infrastructure will boost productivity, so is the Chancellor listening to Members from across the east of England and across the House, and will she back the Ely junction rail upgrade, which delivers benefits of £5 for every £1 invested?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

As the hon. Member will know, the Chancellor listens carefully to everything that is said in the Chamber, and I am sure that she has noted what he has said.

Not addressed: No commitment or timeline for the Ely junction rail upgrade

How: As The Hon. Member Will Know

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Q5 Jim Allister TUV North Antrim
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

Promises were made about increased inward investment due to dual access to the EU and UK markets, but Invest NI has admitted that there has been no uptick in investment.

Question

We in Northern Ireland were told that, as a result of having dual access to the EU market and the United Kingdom market, we would see an increase in inward investment and economic productivity. Recently, Invest NI has had to admit that there has been no uptick in investment, because access to the EU market is counteracted by barriers from the GB market—that is clear. Do the Government now recognise that that was a mis-sold proposition?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

I think we were mis-sold a lot of things by the previous Government, if that is what the hon. Member is talking about. I remind him that we had the investment summit recently, where we secured £63 billion of private investment, creating more than 38,000 jobs. That is more than double what the previous Government secured in 2023.

Not addressed: No recognition of mis-selling propositions; instead attacked the previous government

How: I Remind Him That We Were Mis-Sold A Lot Of Things By The Previous Government

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