Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 21 May 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 15 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jerome Mayhew questioned the Government's stance on Russian oil sanctions and North Sea drilling.
  • Julie Minns highlighted the challenges faced by hospitality businesses in Carlisle and the importance of local support.
  • Imran Hussain inquired about further steps the Government would take to boost economic growth and support business start-ups in Bradford.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question is about the Minister's departmental responsibilities.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Answer from Peter Kyle

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for not ruining my moment to shine. I told the House that I would be an activist, interventionist champion for business. I am very pleased to say that later today, the Chancellor will announce funding for two of our foundational sectors: ceramics and chemicals. She will set out more detail to the House shortly, but I can say that we are working with industry and experts to provide the targeted intervention that those sectors need. Today's business tells the story: this Government stand with British business when it comes to creating the resilient and growing economy that this country deserves.

Not addressed: None, but did not address specific departmental responsibilities or actions.

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Q2 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Economy Foreign Affairs Energy
Context

The question is about the inconsistency between government's previous announcement of sanctioning Russian oil and their decision not to do so, while banning new drilling in North Sea.

Question

Our economy needs access to oil. Last October, the Government announced that they were going to sanction Russian oil and jet fuel. Yesterday, they decided not to do so, on the same day that they banned new drilling in the North sea. Why do the Government support Putin's Russian oil, but not our UK oil?

Answer from Chris Bryant

The thing about a Labrador is that when it has got hold of the wrong end of the stick, it is very difficult to get that stick back. A lot of hon. Members have got the wrong end of the stick about what we are doing. We are increasing the sanctions on Russian oil. Up until now, it has been perfectly possible to bring Russian oil products into the UK if they are processed elsewhere, without any impediment whatsoever. It is absolutely right that we are bringing that to an end.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Avoided explaining why support for Russian oil while banning UK drilling and did not specify new sanctions details.

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Q3 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
Business & Trade
Context

The question is about the challenges faced by hospitality businesses in Carlisle and a request for specific actions from the Government.

Question

Carlisle is a great city. It is not, however, Leeds, Newcastle or Manchester. The challenges that hospitality businesses face in constituencies like mine are different. In the last couple of months, I have met two such businesses—a pub that has doubled its turnover in the last four years, but still cannot turn a profit; and a business offering fine dining that has been able to retain a full complement of kitchen staff only because its world-leading chef has taken a pay cut. Will the Minister set out how the action the Government are taking will help businesses in constituencies like mine, and will she meet me to discuss the particular challenges—

Answer from Kate Dearden

We recognise the vital contribution of hospitality businesses in the UK, including pubs in Carlisle, to supporting local employment and sustaining high streets and communities. They play a really important role in the cultural and social fabric of communities. I am always delighted to meet my hon. Friend.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or plans for helping hospitality businesses in Carlisle.

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Q4 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Economy Employment
Context

The Office for National Statistics reported that one in six young people is looking for a job but cannot find one. Sectors like retail and hospitality are shedding jobs by the thousands.

Question

First, I congratulate the Government on securing the Gulf Co-operation Council deal... as a direct result of this Government's choices, one in six young people is looking for a job, but cannot find one. Sectors like retail and hospitality are shedding jobs by the thousands. Will the Secretary of State finally accept that, well-intentioned or otherwise, the Government have got it wrong?

Answer from Peter Kyle

This issue faces most communities in our country, and we should have much more cross-party support on it. I recognise the issue... however, the Opposition must admit that, in the three years before they left office, youth unemployment went up by 250,000.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the government has made mistakes regarding youth unemployment

How: Blaming Previous Government

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Q5 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Employment
Context

The Tony Blair Institute said the UK must restore dynamism to its labour market, rather than imposing restrictions such as the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Question

I hope he would agree... Could the Secretary of State, who is a good man, at least promise me that, if he gets to serve as Chancellor in a Government led by his friend, the right hon. Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting), he will use that chance to change the Government's approach?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Dynamism is increasing in our economy, and that is why we have so much growth... It gets kids back into work, and does so sustainably.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not promise to change the government's approach regarding employment rights

How: Changing Subject

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Q6 Imran Hussain Lab Bradford East
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Bradford is a proud multicultural city with over 100 languages spoken, high youth population, and one of the highest business start-up rates.

Question

Bradford is a proud multicultural city... What further steps will this Government take to boost our economic growth, and provide support for our young people and, in particular, business start-ups?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Just last year... with the jobs that follow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps for boosting Bradford's economy or supporting businesses

How: Promising General Economic Growth

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Q7 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Economy Energy Business & Trade
Context

The Financial Times and The Times reported that the Government asked supermarkets to reduce prices on essential items. Marks & Spencer's CEO criticized these proposals as 'completely preposterous'.

Question

According to reports, the Government have requested supermarket retailers to lower prices for essential food items like milk, bread, and eggs. Given the chief executive officer of Marks & Spencer's description of these proposals as 'completely preposterous', can you confirm that instead of imposing price controls on private businesses, your Department will focus on reducing government-imposed burdens such as business rates, national insurance contributions, and energy costs?

Answer from Peter Kyle

There will be no price cap or price control, but I am not going to apologise for taking comprehensive action against cost-of-living challenges inherited from a broken economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Measures to reduce government-imposed burdens on retailers were not addressed

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Q8 Chris Webb Lab Blackpool South
Economy Local Government
Context

The tourism sector supports thousands of jobs in Blackpool, but local small and medium-sized enterprises face challenges due to rising costs and a seasonal economy.

Question

I hosted the hospitality Minister at Blackpool tower alongside our tourism CEO to discuss opportunities and challenges. Does the Secretary of State agree that coastal towns require targeted economic support, and will he back our proposal for a new tourism zone?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Yes, I can confirm that Little Layton in the hon. Member's constituency will receive Pride in Place funding, part of cross-departmental packages of support. We will continue to support the community.

Not addressed: The specific ask for targeted economic support and backing a new tourism zone was not addressed

How: Mentioning Unrelated Support

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Q9 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
Business & Trade
Context

JB Springs in Skipton imports steel and is concerned about costs and the future of the company. The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill includes quotas which are causing problems.

Question

JB Springs has contacted me regarding the issue of quotas under the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, expressing worries about steel import costs and the company's future. Personally, I am supportive of many aspects of this bill, but quota issues pose challenges. Is there a structure enabling colleagues to meet Department officials for business consultations? Will the Minister review quotas within 12 months?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I am happy to meet JB Springs and discuss their issues. It is crucial to ensure our steel production sector can compete globally, but I will look at the details with the company and him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reviewing quotas within 12 months was not committed to

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Q10 Graeme Downie Lab Dunfermline and Dollar
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

Two local businesses in Dunfermline and Dollar constituency have faced significant increases in business rates, raising concerns about their viability. Osborne Motors has seen a 270% increase from £185 to £695 per month, while Big Sky Campers experienced a 4 470% rise from £180 to £1,025 per month.

Question

I recently met two local businesses that have been hammered by the Scottish Government's changes to business rates—Osborne Motors has seen its business rates increase from £185 a month to £695 a month, and Big Sky Campers in Rosyth has seen an incredible 470% rise from £180 a month to £1,025 a month—putting both businesses at risk. Does the Minister agree that those are ridiculous rises for small businesses to cope with? Will he assure me that he will do everything in his power to address these concerns?

Answer from Peter Kyle

My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point. The UK Government have a support package for England, with £4.3 billion to protect ratepayers. The Barnett consequentials provide support for Scotland, but where the UK Government are supporting businesses, the SNP is choking off investment and risking jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide assurance or specific actions to address the local business rate concerns

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Q11 Bradley Thomas Con Bromsgrove
Business & Trade
Context

A steel company in the MP's constituency faces either a slow death or swift death due to impending changes in the steel tariff and quota regime, requiring urgent assistance.

Question

The Government's new steel tariff and quota regime, due to come in in a few weeks, means that many businesses face a cliff edge. One in my constituency recently got in touch to tell me that it faces either a slow death or a swift death, and that it faces calling in the administrators before Christmas. Will the Minister keep an open mind about extending the transitional period, and will he agree to meet me and a very small number of my constituents who will be affected?

Answer from Chris Bryant

Of course I am happy to meet. Maybe we should organise a meeting for several companies and several hon. Members. I am very happy to do that as soon as possible. I do not want to extend the transition period, for the simple reason that the EU, the United States and other countries are introducing very similar measures, and the danger is that we would just be dumped on. There will be a review mechanism after a year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not agree to extend the transitional period but offered to meet with affected parties

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Q12 Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Business & Trade
Context

The Committee is scheduled to meet with steel makers later today, aiming to supply the Government with advice on automotive production growth.

Question

The Committee is meeting steel makers later today and will supply the Government with its advice from that, but I want to raise the automotive sector. We are not going to double automotive production in the way the Secretary of State wants unless we fundamentally reform the zero emission vehicle mandate. Auto makers are subsidising sales by £5 billion a year. They are transferring money to state-subsidised players, such as BYD, and battery costs have not fallen. Will the Secretary of State bring forward a whole-market review and reform the ZEV mandate for good?

Answer from Peter Kyle

My right hon. Friend, as always, gives great voice to the automotive sector. I have listened closely to the voices of the sector in relation to the ZEV mandate—it is important that we do that. It is also important that, when setting such targets, we take into account consumer demand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a whole-market review or reforming the ZEV mandate but acknowledged industry concerns

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Q13 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Employment
Context

The MP raises concern about the need for flexibility in part-time jobs to support students' studies while ensuring such positions do not exploit young workers.

Question

Bath has a thriving hospitality sector and many young people who need, rely on and, dare I say, enjoy part-time jobs to support their studies. Of course we Liberal Democrats support measures to tackle exploitative contracts—who wouldn't?—but will the Government ensure that the reforms retain the genuine flexibility that students and other members of the workforce need for their work-life balance?

Answer from Kate Dearden

Boosting opportunity and tackling youth unemployment in every area remains a priority, and helping young people into work is crucial for that. We know that some people value that flexibility, which is why I will be considering that as part of the regulations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific commitments to retaining or reforming flexible working conditions in reforms

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Q14 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth
Transport Energy Business & Trade
Context

Cornwall has significant potential in critical minerals, floating offshore wind, defence, geothermal energy but requires infrastructure development. The MP seeks to designate Cornwall as an industrial strategy zone.

Question

Cornwall has so much to offer the UK—critical minerals, floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea, defence, geothermal energy—but infrastructure, particularly ports and rail, will be critical to enable growth. Cornwall is a perfect place to designate as an industrial strategy zone. Will the Minister agree to meet me and Cornish colleagues to discuss this?

Answer from Chris McDonald

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the potential in Cornwall, which is a unique and distinctive part of the country. It powered our industrial past and it will power our industrial future. I am happy to meet her and colleagues to talk more about the opportunities in Cornwall.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not directly commit to designating Cornwall as an industrial strategy zone

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Q15 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Housing Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The number of pubs has fallen by nearly 7,0 7,000 since 2010. The MP is concerned about the current situation and the future impact on local communities.

Question

The pubs in Spelthorne are under the cosh. The Minister, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham (Jerome Mayhew), said that a review of pubs and how they are valued for business rates purposes is ongoing. She will know that the review will not be relevant until 2029. Pubs are closing today. Young people are losing their jobs today. Will those on the Government Front Bench please do more to lobby the Treasury for our pubs?

Answer from Kate Dearden

Pubs in the hon. Member's constituency and nationwide are so important to day-to-day community life, and we are mindful of the challenges that they have faced in recent years. The number of pubs has fallen by nearly 7,000 since 2010. We know how significant that is, and I will work closely with colleagues to support pubs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to lobbying the Treasury for immediate support for pubs

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Q16 Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme
Business & Trade
Context

The MP noted his previous calls for government assistance to the ceramics industry in North Staffordshire, referencing a colleague's vocal loss as an indicator of public demand.

Question

I am delighted that the Government have listened to my calls, and those of my neighbours in Stoke-on-Trent, to finally act to support the ceramics industry—calls so loud that my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central has lost his voice. While we await the detail, will the Secretary of State come to North Staffordshire to meet the ceramics businesses that he and this Government are helping today?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. The package that we are announcing today will be significant. I will not say any more, because the Chancellor will be making that announcement later. I can say, however, that the boldness of the package is a direct consequence of the voices that we have heard from MPs, including from my hon. Friend and others in Stoke—whether losing their voice or not. Those voices have been profoundly important to the scope, scale and boldness of what will be announced today.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not confirm if he would visit North Staffordshire.

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Q17 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Taxation
Context

The MP noted the support of hospitality businesses in her constituency for a Liberal Democrat call to lower VAT rates and asked if the government would consult on reducing national insurance contributions for part-time workers.

Question

Hospitality businesses in North East Fife support the Lib Dem call for a VAT cut for hospitality, but the Government do not seem to be moving on it. Will the Minister consult with businesses on a lower national insurance contribution band for part-time workers? Part-time opportunities are so important to hospitality and for getting younger people into work.

Answer from Kate Dearden

It was a pleasure to meet the hon. Member and the hospitality sector in her constituency recently. There are a wide range of factors when introducing new tax reliefs, and they need to happen in the usual way. The alleviation that we have already introduced on NIC is making a real difference to young people getting into employment. We will review it in the usual way in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to consulting businesses on reducing national insurance contributions for part-time workers.

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Q18 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment

Question

In October, Nestlé announced 16,000 job losses, including 450 in the UK. In the light of the significant impact that this will have in York, will the Secretary of State ensure that meaningful consultation happens with the trade unions, and will he meet them to save those jobs?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Yes, of course I will.

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Q19 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Economy Taxation Business & Trade

Question

Small businesses in Didcot’s Broadway are struggling with energy and staff costs, business rates and a rising tax burden, and the older town centre would benefit from investment and rejuvenation. For areas, such as Didcot, that did not receive Pride in Place funding, what suggestions does the Secretary of State have for funding or other forms of support?

Answer from Peter Kyle

What businesses in Didcot and right across the country need is a fast-growing economy, and that is what we are delivering.

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Q20 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Business & Trade

Question

In my constituency we are seeing good growth in our large employers and a great skills pipeline coming through from our advanced technical college, but we need a little support for our SMEs. Will the Minister say what targeted support is available for SMEs in towns like Stafford?

Answer from Chris McDonald

My hon. Friend raises an important point about support for small businesses. It is important that their cash flow is protected and that they are paid on time—hopefully my hon. Friend will have noticed the announcement of the Commercial Payments Bill in the King’s Speech, which will give us the strongest legal framework in the G7.

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Q21 Euan Stainbank Lab Falkirk
Economy Employment Business & Trade

Question

Fifteen months on from the £200 million pledged for Grangemouth, and five months on from the Minister’s confirmation that prospective projects were being examined and shortlisted, what progress is being made to deliver new industry and jobs for Grangemouth?

Answer from Chris McDonald

My hon. Friend is right: £200 million is available for such projects. The initial £14.5 million of funding that was announced will help businesses to test the feasibility of their project ideas in order to secure long-term funding from the National Wealth Fund.

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Q22 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Business & Trade

Question

Back to the 1 July tariffs: the quotas are too small and the commodity codes are too broad. The steel required for aerospace can come only from, I think, SSUK, which is currently in liquidation. That grade of steel cannot be produced elsewhere—that is for commercial steel. Businesses will be bankrupted within six months—12 months is far too long. Will those on the Front Bench please listen to industry on this?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We are listening to both sides of industry, because there are the downstream users and there is the production. The truth of the matter is that UK steel production under the previous Government fell from— I think this is correct—27 million tonnes a year to 4 million tonnes a year. If we are to meet our armaments needs in future years, we need a sovereign steel capacity in this country. We have to be able to produce British steel. We have been very careful to ensure that the quotas are cutting areas only where the UK can produce that steel.

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Q23 Lillian Jones Lab Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Business & Trade Environment
Context

The question stems from the UK's high reliance on imported timber, with 80% of timber used being imported. There is a recognition that expanding the use of home-grown timber could support forestry and small businesses while reducing import dependence.

Question

Does the Minister agree that expanding the use of home-grown timber in construction and manufacturing would not only support UK forestry and small businesses, but strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce our reliance on imports, which currently make up 80% of the timber we use? What specific measures will the Government introduce to support this sector as a strategic national asset?

Answer from Chris McDonald

My hon. Friend knows that I am a strong advocate of steel in construction, but she is right: there has been a missed opportunity on timber, particularly as many of our hardwood forests are coming to maturity, which means we will have a real surplus of hardwood in the UK. Something we will suffer from, though, is downstream processing of timber, so we need to look at how we can encourage more investment in the sawmills and downstream processing industry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the missed opportunity but does not provide specific measures or commitments for expanding home-grown timber use.

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