Topical Questions

2026-05-21

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Jerome Mayhew Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Context
The question is about the Minister's departmental responsibilities.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
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.
Assessment & feedback
None, but did not address specific departmental responsibilities or actions.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Jerome Mayhew Con
Broadland and Fakenham
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Avoided explaining why support for Russian oil while banning UK drilling and did not specify new sanctions details.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Julie Minns Lab
Carlisle
Context
The question is about the challenges faced by hospitality businesses in Carlisle and a request for specific actions from the Government.
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—
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or plans for helping hospitality businesses in Carlisle.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Andrew Griffith Con
Arundel and South Downs
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether the government has made mistakes regarding youth unemployment
Blaming Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Andrew Griffith Con
Arundel and South Downs
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not promise to change the government's approach regarding employment rights
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Imran Hussain Lab
Bradford East
Context
Bradford is a proud multicultural city with over 100 languages spoken, high youth population, and one of the highest business start-up rates.
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?
Just last year... with the jobs that follow.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps for boosting Bradford's economy or supporting businesses
Promising General Economic Growth
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Sarah Olney Lib Dem
Richmond Park
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'.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Measures to reduce government-imposed burdens on retailers were not addressed
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Chris Webb Lab
Blackpool South
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for targeted economic support and backing a new tourism zone was not addressed
Mentioning Unrelated Support
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Julian Smith Con
Skipton and Ripon
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Reviewing quotas within 12 months was not committed to
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Graeme Downie Lab
Dunfermline and Dollar
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide assurance or specific actions to address the local business rate concerns
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Bradley Thomas Con
Bromsgrove
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not agree to extend the transitional period but offered to meet with affected parties
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Liam Byrne Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Context
The Committee is scheduled to meet with steel makers later today, aiming to supply the Government with advice on automotive production growth.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a whole-market review or reforming the ZEV mandate but acknowledged industry concerns
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific commitments to retaining or reforming flexible working conditions in reforms
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Jayne Kirkham Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not directly commit to designating Cornwall as an industrial strategy zone
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Lincoln Jopp Con
Spelthorne
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
The minister did not commit to lobbying the Treasury for immediate support for pubs
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Adam Jogee Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not confirm if he would visit North Staffordshire.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
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.
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.
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.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to consulting businesses on reducing national insurance contributions for part-time workers.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
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?
Yes, of course I will.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Olly Glover Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
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?
What businesses in Didcot and right across the country need is a fast-growing economy, and that is what we are delivering.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Leigh Ingham Lab
Stafford
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Euan Stainbank Lab
Falkirk
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Sarah Bool Con
South Northamptonshire
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Lillian Jones Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
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.
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?
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.
Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges the missed opportunity but does not provide specific measures or commitments for expanding home-grown timber use.
Response accuracy