Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth

Thursday 11 December 2025 · 6 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Ranger discussed the importance of the hospitality industry in Wrexham, highlighting its role in job creation and economic growth.
  • Alan Gemmell invited the Minister to discuss the future of NATS, a significant employer in Central Ayrshire, emphasizing the aviation industry's importance.
  • Wera Hobhouse and the Minister discussed the economic impact of Brexit, with the Minister acknowledging the need to explore a new customs union with the EU.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Ranger Lab Wrexham
Housing Employment Business & Trade
Context

In Wrexham, over 1,200 people are employed in the hospitality industry. The question follows measures announced in the Budget to support the sector.

Question

As someone with a long career in the hospitality industry before being elected, I know that it plays a vital role for high streets and communities by providing local jobs and boosting economies. In Wrexham alone, over 1,200 people are employed in the sector. Alongside measures announced in the Budget, will the Minister set out what the Government is doing to support the beer and pubs sector as part of their plans to revitalise high streets, strengthen local economies, and safeguard hospitality jobs in Wrexham and beyond?

Answer from Chris Bryant (Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade)

My hon. Friend refers to his long career in the hospitality industry. I agree that the hospitality sector needs proper recognition as a serious career path. In Wales via Pub is the Hub, we are committed to helping rural pubs diversify. We will continue supporting such initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the beer and pubs sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific measures announced in the Budget or concrete steps for Wrexham.

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Q2 Alan Gemmell Lab Central Ayrshire
Employment Business & Trade
Context

NATS, headquartered in Central Ayrshire, employs around 500 people there and is a key provider of air traffic control services globally.

Question

My constituency is home to NATS, the leading provider of air traffic control services with 5,000 employees across the UK and 500 in Central Ayrshire. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this great British success story and how we can continue to champion it?

Answer from Chris Bryant (Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade)

I agree with my hon. Friend that the aviation industry is an important sector identified in our industrial strategy. I am happy to meet him to see how we can drive forward ambitions in this key area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify a meeting date or concrete support measures for NATS and the aviation industry.

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Q3 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Economy Brexit
Context

The Lib Dems advocate for a new customs union with the EU to grow the economy post-Brexit.

Question

The Minister mentioned earlier the economic disaster of Brexit, costing £250 million in tax revenue daily according to Commons research. We want the Government to focus on growing the economy by considering a new customs union with the EU. Is it not time for the Government to look at this option?

Answer from Chris Bryant (Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade)

Far be it from me to agree with a Lib Dem but broadly speaking I do. The truth is Brexit was a self-inflicted shock, costing 4% drop in productivity, 15% drop in trade, £100 billion hit to GDP and 16,000 fewer businesses exporting into Europe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to considering a new customs union with the EU but acknowledged negative impacts of Brexit.

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Q4 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Local chamber of commerce expressed concerns about the economic impact on businesses, especially in hospitality.

Question

I met my local chamber of commerce recently where a hospitality business predicted costs to rise by £150,000 next year and not survive. Surely we need key measures to support hospitality that is facing crisis?

Answer from Chris Bryant (Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade)

We are looking at issues in the round. We ensure bills get paid on time, access to finance is easier, businesses can diversify more with our Department's help. I am happy to meet people from your constituency if they want.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide concrete measures but acknowledged the need for support in hospitality.

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Q5 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Economy Employment
Context

Lib Dems' stance on the Unemployment Bill was inconsistent, leading to its loss in the House of Lords due to peers not wanting anything to do with it.

Question

The Liberal Democrats lost a vote in the House of Lords last night on the unemployment Bill because 144 of their own peers did not want anything to do with that Bill. Does the Minister agree British businesses would have an entirely fair case to dismiss Lib Dems?

Answer from Chris Bryant (Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade)

My hon. Member seems lost. Under Labour, average growth is 2.2% vs 1.5% under Tories, employment 75% vs 73.8%, inflation 1.8% vs 3.2%. We do not create a healthy and wealthy society ignoring workers' rights.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the inconsistency but highlighted Labour's economic performance.

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Q6 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Economy Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question addresses significant economic issues caused by Brexit, including loss of tax receipts, reduced exports from small firms to the EU, and increased costs for businesses. The speaker references the Prime Minister's chief economic adviser recommending a customs union with the EU.

Question

I listened carefully to the Minister’s response to my hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse). Some £90 billion is being lost every year in tax receipts, 20,000 small firms have stopped all exports to the EU and 33% of currently trading businesses are experiencing extra costs. The Prime Minister’s chief economic adviser has recommended a customs union with the EU. The Deputy Prime Minister has also suggested that countries within a customs union tend to see stronger economic growth, and the Minister agrees, so what is his Government going to do about it?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We are going to get the best possible deal that we can out of the European Union. That is one of the reasons that I was in Brussels only yesterday alongside Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Minister for the Cabinet Office. We are getting a better deal from the European Union. We want to ensure that we have frictionless trade with the EU—that was what was promised by the ragtag and bobtail of that lot on the Conservative Benches—and that is what we will deliver.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions and economic measures requested were not provided, only general promises about securing a better deal with the EU.

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