Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 31 October 2024 · 24 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 17 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions were held on 2024-10-31.
  • The Department of State has delivered on manifesto promises within 100 days, including publishing a Green Paper on industrial strategy and securing 63 billion in investment.
  • The Government have no plans to trial a four-day workweek with full pay, leaving it to employers and employees to negotiate.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP is questioning the government's actions since taking office.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities, noting the short time in government and the promises made in the manifesto.

Answer from Sarah Jones

In little more than 100 days, the Department and its Secretary of State have delivered on promises made in the manifesto. This includes publishing a Green Paper on modern industrial strategy, securing £63 billion of investment at an international investment summit, boosting sectors like aerospace and automotive, publishing the Employment Rights Bill, which represents the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific timelines or commitments for future actions beyond those already taken in the first 100 days.

How: Under Review, Work With Employers And Employees

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Q2 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Economy Employment
Context

A recent report by the Autonomy Institute and Alda suggests that a four-day work week has positive impacts on the economy.

Question

What assessment has the Department made of the Icelandic report and the potential impact of a four-day week on UK businesses and the economy, noting that even more UK businesses are beginning trials?

Answer from Sarah Jones

The Government have no plans to undertake any trials on a four-day week for five days of pay. It is for employers and employees to reach agreements that fit their specific circumstances, but we want to get the balance right and make sure that we work with employers and employees.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide an official assessment or feasibility study on implementing a four-day work week in the UK.

How: For Specific Circumstances, Work With Parties

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Q3 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
NHS Economy Employment
Context

A publican contacted the MP to say that recent changes have made him £120,000 a year worse off.

Question

If Labour Members going back to their seat this weekend were thinking of going to a local pub for a pint and a chat with local farmers, they would be advised against it. The publican contacted me to say that he is now £120,000 a year worse off due to recent changes, moving from profit to loss. Given Labour's promise of fully costed and funded plans, was yesterday's change a broken promise?

Answer from Sarah Jones

The hon. Gentleman oversaw the worst Parliament for living standards in modern history. We did not choose that inheritance, and we have made choices such as compensating for the infected blood scandal, Horizon victims, investing in the NHS, increasing minimum wage, supporting carers.

Not addressed: The answer avoided addressing whether the promise regarding business compensation was broken.

How: Oversaw Worst Parliament, Choosing Inheritance

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Q4 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Economy Taxation Business & Trade
Context

The Environment Secretary said 10 months ago that there were no intentions of putting death taxes on businesses.

Question

The Government's choice was to hit businesses. Labour's death taxes will impact farms and businesses, with families having to find hundreds of thousands or see their farms broken up and sold. Given the Environment Secretary's previous statement about no intentions for death taxes, is this a broken promise?

Answer from Sarah Jones

I will not take lectures from the Opposition who said 'eff business'. Conservative Members have some cheek to come at us when we inherited a £22 billion black hole and set stability in train. I spent yesterday talking to businesses about Budget implications, growth, long-term stability.

Not addressed: The answer did not address the broken promise regarding death taxes.

How: No Lectures From Opposition, Black Hole Inheritance

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Q5 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

A study suggests that improving support for disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, and unpaid carers to get into work could save the Treasury £38 billion.

Question

What assessment has been made of the impact of the current rate of statutory sick pay on employee retention?

Answer from Justin Madders

We are looking to increase the scope of sick pay to include people below the lower earnings limit, and to introduce payments from day one. We have no plans to increase the rate of statutory sick pay but will look at how we can reform it for the better.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide an official assessment of the current impact on employee retention.

How: No Plans To Increase, Consider In Due Course

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Q6 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
NHS Economy Employment
Context

The Employment Rights Bill will bring more red tape for businesses, alongside higher taxes and reduced business rate relief.

Question

Does the Minister agree with the Institute of Directors that it is a 'perfect storm' of higher taxes, higher wages, and more red tape?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

No. I gently point out the difficult economic inheritance left by the previous government. We are determined to face tough decisions such as increasing employers' national insurance contributions to fund investment in sectors like aerospace and automotive, and in public services like the NHS.

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address whether it agrees with the Institute of Directors' assessment.

How: Difficult Inheritance, Face Tough Decisions

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Q7 John Slinger Lab Rugby
Housing Employment Business & Trade
Context

High street businesses and residents, particularly the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable, want to continue accepting cash. The Citizens Advice Bureau is hearing concerns from elderly residents.

Question

Many high street businesses want to continue accepting cash, and so do many of my residents, particularly the elderly, disabled and vulnerable. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the Post Office can better offer banking services on the high street to cater for spenders and recipients of cash?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

Given that almost 9,500 bank branches closed over the past 14 years, on the Conservative party's watch, it has increasingly been left to the Post Office to provide vital banking services on the high street. The banking industry recognises its responsibility to work with us to ensure that sub-postmasters and the Post Office have what they need to meet critical cash and banking needs of constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps were outlined for supporting Post Office services.

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Q8 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Businesses in the constituency find it difficult to expand due to national grid connections.

Question

What are Ministers doing to engage with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and National Grid to ensure that connections are available?

Answer from Sarah Jones

I sit across the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The entire point of my role is to join up the two Departments to tackle issues such as the grid, which is No. 1 on our list.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timelines were provided regarding grid connections.

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Q9 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Economy Transport
Context

The £10 billion investment in a data centre in Cambois will provide local jobs and community facilities.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that when we have huge infrastructure programmes in certain constituencies, residents should benefit from local jobs and community facilities?

Answer from Sarah Jones

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is essential that local communities see the benefits of landmark investments such as £110 million investment in a fund to support local skills training and transport infrastructure by Blackstone.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitments were made beyond agreeing on principle.

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Q10 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farming businesses in the constituency contribute to the local economy.

Question

Can the Minister set out exactly how yesterday's Budget will help farmers develop and grow?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Farmers need stability that will be delivered as a consequence of our fixing the foundations, including awareness of concerns raised about inheritance tax, but difficult choices had to be made yesterday because of previous Government's inaction.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific details on budget support for farming were provided.

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Q11 Becky Gittins Lab Clwyd East
Wales Business & Trade
Context

Businesses in Clwyd East are looking for long-term sustainable jobs.

Question

Will the Minister work with me to ensure that businesses are well placed to invest in north Wales, both now and in the future?

Answer from Sarah Jones

Yes, I will work with my hon. Friend. We secured £1 billion investment for the Shotton mill site transformation, and we can deliver great things together as a Labour Government in Westminster and Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions beyond agreeing to collaborate were provided.

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Q12 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Context

Hospitality sector in Eastbourne is concerned about the Budget impact.

Question

Will the Minister meet me and local hospitality businesses to discuss their concerns?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

I would be very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and Eastbourne Hospitality Association to discuss the concerns articulated, while noting that we faced tough economic challenges requiring difficult decisions in the Budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific meeting timeline or outcomes were committed to.

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Q13 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Business & Trade
Context

Doors are closing, businesses are struggling, and antisocial behaviour is rising in Slough.

Question

What practical steps are the Government taking to ensure that high streets such as ours, in Slough, are revived?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We set out a five-point plan when we were in opposition to help with the revival of high streets and will work on bringing forward that plan, though more detail will be seen in the small business strategy Command Paper next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps beyond future plans were provided.

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Q14 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Transport
Context

People in Spelthorne can use an Oyster card for six different red buses but not the train.

Question

Will Ministers in the Department use their combined might to lobby on my behalf and get me a meeting with the Minister for Rail, so that we can get Spelthorne into the correct zone?

Answer from Sarah Jones

I admire the hon. Gentleman's ability to shoehorn in a question about something not in our remit, but we are happy to help him talk to Ministers in the Department for Transport.

Not addressed: The issue was deflected by noting it is outside their department's jurisdiction.

How: Redirecting

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Q15 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Employment Standards & Ethics
Context

The all-party parliamentary group on eye health and visual impairment reported nearly half of employers lack accessible recruitment processes, missing out on talented candidates.

Question

My report found that nearly half of employers do not have accessible recruitment processes. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can create a step change in employer attitudes towards blind and partially sighted people?

Answer from Justin Madders

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. Under the “Get Britain Working” plan, more disabled people and people with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, and I am happy to discuss how we can achieve that aim.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify when or what topics would be discussed in the meeting

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Q16 Alison Griffiths Con Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Employment
Context

Government's own impact assessment indicates the Employment Rights Bill could cost businesses up to £4.5 billion annually and increase strikes by 54%. The questioner seeks clarity.

Question

The Government's impact assessment suggests that measures in the Employment Rights Bill could cost businesses up to £4.5 billion annually and increase the number of strikes by 54%. Does the Minister expect that legislation to enhance or undermine investor confidence?

Answer from Justin Madders

I gently point out that a 0.4% increase on businesses' total costs represents a small price to pay for stronger working conditions and equality in Britain's labour market, with significant positive impacts on workers trapped in insecure work or facing discrimination.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly answer whether the legislation would enhance or undermine investor confidence

How: Gently Point Out

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Q17 Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Justice & Courts
Context

Recent revelations suggest there will be more convictions quashed, increasing the bill for redress by half a billion pounds. Questioner seeks updates on victim support.

Question

Have all the victims now come forward, and are there any gaps left in the schemes for redress?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

I welcome the decision by my right hon. Friend's Select Committee to take a further look at the issue. It is a priority for the Department to speed up the compensation process, and victims are still coming forward. We are actively looking at whether all those who come forward are covered by the compensation schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm if there are gaps in compensation schemes or if all victims have come forward

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Q18 Kit Malthouse Con North West Hampshire
Economy Taxation Business & Trade
Context

Investment summit resulted in £63 billion of inward investment. Questioner asks if the Secretary of State will update Parliament if any investors change their minds due to recent regulation and taxation changes.

Question

If any of those investors now change their minds, will the Secretary of State come to the House and inform us?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We will keep the House updated on the results of the investment summit, but the £63 billion represents a massive show of confidence in this new Government.

Not addressed: Did not address if investors changing their minds would be reported to Parliament

How: Keep Updated

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Q19 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Business & Trade
Context

Talks are commercially sensitive regarding the future of the Harland & Wolff yard at Arnish, Methil, Appledore, and Belfast.

Question

Can the Minister update us on how the talks are going?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We are working extensively with all parties to find an outcome for Harland & Wolff that delivers shipbuilding and manufacturing in Belfast, Scotland and Appledore in Devon. I cannot comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on progress of talks

How: Commercially Sensitive

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Q20 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The International Court of Justice ruled that third-party states must not aid or assist in Israel's unlawful occupation. Questioner seeks legal advice on the legality of UK's trade relations.

Question

Will the Minister tell us whether the Department for Business and Trade has obtained legal advice, or if it is in process?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

We work closely with our colleagues in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office who are responsible for international humanitarian law assessment. The Foreign Secretary has updated the House on changed advice received by the Government.

Not addressed: Did not confirm if legal advice was obtained or being sought

How: Work Closely With

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Q21 Melanie Onn Lab Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Talks about industrial strategy to bring up to 10,000 jobs in the offshore wind supply chain over the next decade.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to discuss how the Government could further develop an industrial strategy for this purpose?

Answer from Sarah Jones

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend often and regularly, as we do, to talk about these matters. Of course, the offshore wind supply chain is incredibly important. We have two big announcements, Orsted and Greenvolt, in relation to it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify details on developing an industrial strategy or job creation timeline

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Q22 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Discussions with Invest NI about supporting small Northern Irish businesses in adopting digital technology.

Question

What discussions have there been with Invest NI in relation to supporting small Northern Ireland businesses in the digital evolution?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We have held discussions with a range of organisations on exactly that issue. I promised the hon. Gentleman earlier that I would meet him, and we can talk about this subject if he wishes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on specific discussions or support initiatives

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Q23 Sally Jameson Labour (Co-op) Doncaster Central
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Doncaster has an innovative chamber of commerce and local businesses that need support. Workers' rights improvements are also needed.

Question

In Doncaster, we have an innovative chamber of commerce and a fantastic set of local businesses. As well as the much-needed upgrade to workers' rights, can the Minister update the House on what we are doing to kickstart a skills revolution for businesses in Doncaster and across the country? Can he also update the House on what he is doing to work across Departments to ensure that happens?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

As others across Whitehall have already set out, we have established Skills England and begun the process of reforming the apprenticeship levy to help businesses get better access to the skills they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timelines or specific actions beyond establishing Skills England and reforming the apprenticeship levy

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Q24 Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth
Business & Trade
Context

The Conservative party claims a lack of business expertise among Labour MPs.

Question

I have more than 30 years of business experience, so the Conservative party's claims that there is no business experience on the Government Benches carries about as much weight as their industrial strategy. Can the Minister confirm that prior to the election there were extensive consultations with business experts, which I bet the Conservative party wished they had done over the past 14 years.

Answer from Sarah Jones

Yes, indeed. I can reassure my hon. Friend that, on this Front Bench, there are Members, including me, who do have private sector experience, and who have run businesses. Of course we have had very strong relationships with businesses, both in the run-up to the election and now, and we will continue to build on those strong relationships for the benefit of all the people across our country.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request for confirmation of pre-election consultations with business experts.

How: Changing Subject

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