Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 29 January 2026 · 11 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 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is working to address energy cost issues for businesses like Advanced Aquarium Consultancy in Harlow.
  • Government is working towards a positive outcome for British steel trade strategy issues.
  • Government aims to support the north-east's pharmaceutical sector in line with the North East Growth Plan's strategic goals.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Vince Labour (Co-op) Harlow
Energy
Context

Advanced Aquarium Consultancy, a business in Harlow that breeds, grows and sells coral, faces significant energy costs. The business needs substantial amounts of energy to operate.

Question

I visited the Advanced Aquarium Consultancy in my constituency where they breed, grow and sell coral. This business requires considerable energy use. What are the Government doing to support such businesses to bring down energy costs?

Answer from Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Lab/Co-op)

There is a whole series of industries for which the cost of energy is a significant part of the problems they face. The Department and Government are engaged in work to tackle this issue, with Chris Vince's role across two Departments allowing him to bridge these issues.

Partly answered

How: Working On

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Q2 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Business & Trade
Context

The UK steel industry is facing significant challenges, including a £1 billion compensation demand from Chinese owners of the Scunthorpe furnace. The Business Secretary's absence during departmental questions leads to criticism.

Question

Yet again, the Business Secretary is not here for his departmental questions. He is in China trying to sort out British steel strategy issues that are costing taxpayers £2 million a day. Given the situation, what is a good outcome? Additionally, due to Royal Mail’s unacceptable service during Christmas, what has been done to hold Royal Mail accountable?

Answer from Chris Bryant

Regarding steel strategy, the government is working towards a positive outcome for British steel trade. The plan to address this issue will soon be published, providing solutions to the concerns raised by the Conservative Party. Concerning Royal Mail's service issues, an Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade plans to meet with Royal Mail next week to improve nationwide postal services.

Partly answered

How: Working On

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Q3 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Employment
Context

Shift cancellations can cause financial hardship for workers, highlighting the importance of protections introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Question

When shifts are cancelled at the last minute, many constituents struggle to make ends meet. The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces important protections. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure all workers can access these rights?

Answer from Kate Dearden

We are committed to ensuring jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability. The next step involves consulting before setting regulations to get detailed guidance. We aim for workers to receive guaranteed hours as part of contract agreements, with compensation for cancelled shifts being another crucial element.

Answered
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Q4 Graham Leadbitter SNP Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Business & Trade
Context

Business confidence in Aberdeen has fallen to levels not seen since the height of the covid pandemic. The reason cited is the Labour Government’s refusal to ditch taxes on Scotland's energy, leading to job losses.

Question

In its recently published quarterly statistics, the Aberdeen chamber of commerce confirmed that business confidence in the north-east has slumped to levels not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. What can the Minister tell me why his Government are happy to see crucial north-east businesses suffering?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We have been working hard to secure good outcomes for many businesses in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey. Companies like Walker’s Shortbread are doing well by exporting globally. The Prime Minister is also talking about whisky deals with the US and China. I suggest he be cheerier given the beauty of his constituency.

Not addressed: Explanation for businesses suffering due to taxes on Scotland's energy

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Emma Foody Labour (Co-op) Cramlington and Killingworth
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The North East Growth Plan identifies pharmaceuticals as a key growth sector. Companies like Organon and Sterling Pharma are providing good jobs and exporting globally.

Question

How are the Government backing our pharmaceutical sector, and supporting the north-east to secure and expand opportunities in this area?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We recognise the importance of the north-east’s pharmaceutical sector. We aim to back this growth sector by providing necessary support, securing and expanding opportunities in line with the North East Growth Plan's strategic goals.

How: Broad Statements

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Q6 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

Charmaine from Cox and Co Salon in Plymstock has contacted Rebecca Smith expressing concern about business rates making it difficult to keep her business afloat. The National Hair and Beauty Federation highlights that business rates are the largest fixed cost for this industry.

Question

Government business decisions are making it incredibly difficult for Charmaine’s business to stay afloat because of high business rates, which remain the largest fixed cost facing the health and beauty sector. Will the Minister commit to extending business rate relief beyond pubs to all high street businesses, especially those in the health and beauty sector?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We have already had quite a bit of a discussion on business rates and I do not have much to add to that. The health and beauty sector is an important export industry for the UK, and because we managed to get tariffs down on beauty products in our free trade agreement with India, we are facilitating businesses going out to India as part of a trade fair to drive up our exports around the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to extending business rate relief beyond pubs to all high street businesses, especially those in the health and beauty sector

How: We Have Already Had Quite A Bit Of Discussion On This Topic

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Q7 Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab Calder Valley
Taxation Business & Trade Local Government
Context

A pub in Calder Valley saw its payments to Stonegate increase dramatically after the probationary period ended, raising concerns about unfair charges.

Question

Almost one in three pubs in this country is a tied pub. In Calder Valley, a pub’s payments to Stonegate jumped from £800 to £1,700 per week just days after the six-month probationary period ended. While welcoming Government support for pubs, these unfair charges mean the pub will still pay 17 times more to Stonegate than in business rates. Will the Minister look at those unfair charges and what can be done in regulation?

Answer from Kate Dearden

The pubs code in England and Wales regulates the relationship between pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs, including Stonegate and its tied-pub tenants. The Government are currently undertaking the third statutory review of the effectiveness of the code. I encourage my hon. Friend to write to me setting out the details of his example.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to investigate unfair charges levied by pub-owning businesses on tied-pub tenants

How: The Government Are Currently Undertaking A Review

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Q8 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The British industrial competitiveness scheme aims to provide significant discounts on energy costs for up to 7,000 manufacturing businesses.

Question

When will the Government announce the results of their British industrial competitiveness scheme consultation? The scheme will provide a discount to up to 7,000 manufacturing businesses. How can this help my constituency’s fabulous manufacturing industry and reduce its energy costs?

Answer from Chris McDonald

The hon. Gentleman is right that the British industrial competitiveness scheme will provide a significant discount on energy costs to up to 7,000 manufacturing businesses. The Government are currently undertaking a review and we will announce the results of the consultation in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to announce specific timeline for announcing scheme results

How: We Will Announce The Results Of The Consultation In Due Course

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Q9 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The Ajax armoured vehicle programme is under threat, with work set to be completed at the Merthyr Tydfil factory next summer. The questioner seeks clarity on whether there are discussions around securing an export package for the Ajax vehicle to ensure ongoing employment.

Question

Could the Minister confirm whether there are any conversations through the UK Defence and Security Exports office around securing an export package for the Ajax vehicle and guaranteeing work at the factory going forwards?

Answer from Chris Bryant

Obviously we would like to do so. As the MP for the next-door constituency, and having visited the factory myself, I am keen to ensure that we do so. A large part of this programme is a Ministry of Defence responsibility, and I will make sure that the MOD writes to the hon. Gentleman.

Partly answered
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Q10 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Business & Trade
Context

Employers in Scunthorpe have expressed concern over reports of publicly funded projects using foreign-produced steel. The questioner seeks an assurance that British steel will take priority in such cases.

Question

Could the Minister give an assurance that British-produced steel will take priority in such cases?

Answer from Chris McDonald

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his positive and constructive engagement on this issue. I do understand the concerns of the steelworkers in Scunthorpe. I know precisely the projects he is referring to; they were not procured under public procurement rules, and the developers and tier 1 contractors involved have followed their own rules and commitments. However, it is the case that this Government want to see more British steel used in both public and other projects around the country, which is a matter both for developing steel capability and, potentially, for reviewing our procurement rules.

Partly answered
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Q11 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The EU has announced a trade deal with the Mercosur South American trading group after 25 years of negotiations. The questioner is interested in knowing the UK Government's stance regarding such an agreement.

Question

What is the position of the UK Government on a trading agreement with Mercosur?

Answer from Chris Bryant

It is certainly true that now that the EU has secured a Mercosur deal, having taken 25 years to do so, there is a danger that British business will be left out and excluded because there will be preferential rates for European businesses. It is something we are looking at very closely, and I hope to be able to update the right hon. Gentleman very soon. As he knows, I am passionate about trying to increase our exports to Latin America. I would just note that some companies, such as Inca Kola, were created by British firms.

Partly answered
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