Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions 2026-07-02

Thursday 2 July 2026 · 20 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 17 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gagan Mohindra asked about reassurances for small businesses investing for future growth, receiving assurances on funding and support for young entrepreneurs.
  • Ian Lavery inquired about extending schemes supporting fuel-intensive businesses to those involved in school transport, receiving acknowledgment of engagement with relevant industries.
  • Harriett Baldwin questioned the plan for improving economic metrics, receiving a response highlighting economic growth under the current government compared to previous administrations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The question concerns Micklefield Hall, a small business in Sarratt that has survived the pandemic but is now hesitant to invest due to fears of additional taxes.

Question

What reassurances can the Secretary of State give to small businesses like Micklefield Hall that want to invest for future growth?

Answer from Peter Kyle

We are investing in small and medium-sized enterprises, and we have funding targeted at helping young people start their own businesses. The hon. Gentleman lists some of the perceived challenges in the economy. Do not forget that youth unemployment went up by 250,000 under previous Conservative government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Tax concerns and investment reassurances

How: Under Review, Working With Businesses

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Q2 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Education Energy Business & Trade
Context

A small coach operator in the constituency faces significant increases in fuel prices without additional support from the local council.

Question

What assessment has been made of extending schemes that support fuel-intensive businesses to those tasked with school transport?

Answer from Peter Kyle

We are paying tribute to the business in my hon. Friend's constituency and engaging regularly with refiners, importers and distributors to ensure that any emerging risks are identified and managed properly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment on extending support schemes

How: Under Consideration

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Q3 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Economy
Context

The question highlights various negative economic indicators such as business confidence, unemployment and inward investment.

Question

What plan does the Secretary of State have for improving these metrics?

Answer from Peter Kyle

Our fundamentals are going in the right direction with growth up and inflation down. We have got more growth into our economy in two years than the Conservatives achieved multiple years before the election.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan for improvement

How: Under Review, Working On It

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Q4 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
NHS
Context

The question asks about compensating victims of the Horizon IT system failure and getting Fujitsu to contribute.

Question

Will he agree today to compensate all Horizon victims, and get Fujitsu to pay towards it by the end of the year?

Answer from Peter Kyle

The Minister responsible has met victims regularly. We are accelerating the compensation and justice from what we inherited, delivering the justice and compensation that people require.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement for compensating all victims by year-end

How: Under Review, Working With Parties

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Q5 Martin Rhodes Lab Glasgow North
Employment
Context

The question is about government efforts to educate workers on their rights under the Employment Rights Act.

Question

How are the Government working with trade unions to support workers in understanding and claiming their new rights?

Answer from Kate Dearden

We are working closely with various stakeholders, including trade unions, to ensure that workers understand and claim their new rights under the Employment Rights Act.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details of the collaboration plan

How: Under Review, Working On It

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Q6 Douglas Lumsden Con
Employment Energy Business & Trade
Context

The question highlights significant job losses in the oil and gas sector.

Question

Will the Government ditch damaging policies that are destroying jobs in Aberdeen South?

Answer from Peter Kyle

We are investing record amounts in renewable energy transition, breaking dependence on fossil fuels forced by previous Conservative party, creating wealth, jobs and businesses.

Not addressed: Specific policies affecting oil and gas industry

How: Changing Subject

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Q7 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Employment Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

In Stafford, Eccleshall and villages, nearly 5,000 people work in logistics contributing £400 million to the economy. Over 85% of UK fulfilment warehouses are expected to be automated by 2030.

Question

In Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, 12.6% of the workforce, which is nearly 5,000 people, work in logistics and contribute about £400 million to our national economy. However, with over 85% of UK fulfilment warehouses expected to be automated by 2030, many of these jobs will face significant changes. Please can the Secretary of State tell me what assessment the Government have made of the impact of automation on working communities, and what support will be available to help communities such as mine?

Answer from Peter Kyle

We are investing in young people and people in work so they can adapt to changes happening in the economy because of digital technology, including AI. We provide flexible support through bursaries for younger learners and learner support funding for adults. Business and Trade Ministers are working with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure that people in the workplace are trained and have all the skills they need to thrive in the digital age.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide an assessment or specific support details

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Q8 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Small rural businesses in villages like Pembridge face challenges with high business rates, VAT and national insurance contributions. These businesses struggle due to lower footfall and seasonal fluctuations.

Question

Small rural businesses in villages such as Pembridge in my constituency tell me that the combination of high business and VAT rates and rising national insurance contributions means they are facing a struggle for survival. Small rural businesses face greater pressure than their urban counterparts, with lower footfall and seasonal fluctuations in trade, so they operate with very tight margins. Does the Minister recognise the additional pressures faced by such businesses and that existing support schemes simply are not enough, and what more will he do to support businesses in constituencies such as mine?

Answer from Blair McDougall

We recognise that this has been a tough time for small businesses, including a tough decade. Our small business strategy is improving access to markets, finance, and reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses. We will continue to do more to make it easier, simpler, and more profitable to run a small business.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or additional support for rural businesses

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Q9 Paul Davies Lab Colne Valley
Education
Context

Kirklees college provides training and qualifications but many from deprived backgrounds struggle to access such education.

Question

Kirklees college provides the training and qualifications needed to kick-start a wide range of careers for many young people in my constituency. However, all too often many from deprived backgrounds struggle to access such education. Will the Secretary of State outline what steps the Department is taking to improve accessibility to further education for people from more deprived backgrounds?

Answer from Peter Kyle

We are investing in new technical colleges and young people so they have skills to transition from education into the workplace. We are working with Alan Milburn, who brought consensus on challenges facing young people, to address these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments for improving access

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Q10 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Crime & Law Enforcement Business Compliance
Context

In Rutland, a local shop owner was caught with carload of illegal fake cigarettes but no action has been taken since.

Question

In early 2025, Rutland police caught a local shop owner red-handed with a carload of illegal fake cigarettes. Since then, I have reported this to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the police and trading standards, and nothing has happened. Will the Minister please haul in trading standards, because this individual runs two shops in my constituency, which are both still open, attracting in children and encouraging the sale of vapes? That is wrong, and such shops are clearly part of the black economy.

Answer from Blair McDougall

It is infuriating when we see bogus businesses forcing legitimate retailers out. Operation Machinize has significant resources tackling such crime. We meet Companies House and the Insolvency Service to improve enforcement efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific action against the individual shop owner

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Q11 Lloyd Hatton Lab South Dorset
Defence
Context

Dorset Innovation Park has a growing ecosystem of defence companies developing cutting edge drone technology.

Question

The Dorset Innovation Park already has a growing ecosystem of defence companies, including BattleLab and a proposed factory, which are developing cutting edge drone technology. The opportunities are truly immense. Will the Minister commit to working alongside DSIT and the Ministry of Defence to help establish the park as a hub for defence firms looking to develop the very next generation of drone technology?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I am already working with DSIT on these issues. The defence investment plan invests over £5 billion in drones over the next four years, and South Dorset will play a key role.

Answered
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Q12 Peter Swallow Lab Bracknell
Local Government
Context

Residents are concerned about the potential closure of two vital local post offices in Bracknell and Easthampstead.

Question

Bracknell residents are concerned that two vital local post offices, in Crown Wood and in Bracknell town centre, are at risk of closure because of the travails of their host stores, Morrisons Daily and TGJones. That follows the recent closure of a post office in Easthampstead. Will the Minister please set out what work the Government are doing to protect these vital local services?

Answer from Blair McDougall

With issues around Morrisons Daily and TGJones, we maintain the current size of the post office network. We are talking to the Post Office about potential closures, advertising for alternative sub-postmasters where there is a risk.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or commitments beyond general statements

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Q13 John Glen Con Salisbury
Business & Trade
Context

Parminder Kohli has been appointed as CEO of the Office for Investment, a role that John Glen believes will help bring scale-up investment to UK companies.

Question

I welcome the appointment of Parminder Kohli as the chief executive officer of the Office for Investment. He is a personal friend of mine, and he will bring 30 years of experience in the oil industry. Will the Secretary of State set out what measures of success Parminder will face, so we can judge what impact the Office for Investment makes and what role he will play?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his informed question. I, too, celebrate this important appointment and the Office for Investment is doing great work. The criteria for success that I see are how Britain can get more scale-up investment into companies, so they do not have to go elsewhere around the world to find the capital they need to grow, and how more people can start, build and scale right here in the UK.

Partly answered

How: Working With The Government

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Q14 John Slinger Lab Rugby
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The company NDT Equipment Ltd, which imports high-grade EN3B steel for ultrasonic test calibration blocks and reference pieces, faces potential tariffs. The Minister is being flexible and talking to hon. Members.

Question

When I visited NDT Equipment Ltd in my constituency, the director Dan Lenton showed me the ultrasonic test calibration blocks and reference pieces that it uses and supplies to manufacturers in a wide range of sectors in the UK and abroad. This steel is not manufactured in the UK; it is imported and is high grade. I know Ministers are being flexible and talking to hon. Members. Will the Minister please consider the grade of steel that the company uses, which I believe is EN3B, and exempt it from the tariffs?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We have already laid out our steel trade measures, which are there to ensure that the UK has a steel industry. This is vital for our economic future. I want to make clear that 73% of all steel imports into the UK are not in scope of the measure, but I will, of course, look at this specific issue. If my hon. Friend would like to have a meeting with me and officials, we can make sure that that happens.

Answered
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Q15 Will Forster Lib Dem Woking
Business & Trade Environment
Context

The House debated extended producer responsibility, which sees breweries, pubs, and other businesses pay twice to recycle glass bottles.

Question

Last night this House debated the extended producer responsibility, which is seeing breweries, pubs and other businesses pay twice to recycle glass bottles. What meetings has the Department for Business and Trade had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to raise the economically damaging nature of this tax? If it has not raised concerns, will it?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are having conversations with DEFRA over these issues. We want to ensure that regulation is right. We need to incentivise the right behaviour and the circular economy, but we need to do so in a responsible way. We are always engaged with the sectors that are impacted, not just because of regulatory measures but because of external measures facing our economy.

Partly answered

How: Engaged With Sectors

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Q16 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth
Business & Trade
Context

The Government's critical minerals strategy has clear targets to kick-start a nascent industry.

Question

The Government's critical minerals strategy was a fantastic achievement, with clear targets, and it will kick-start a nascent industry. To take the next step to get the sector up on its feet and to a more competitive place, will the Minister support a Government price certainty mechanism for lithium?

Answer from Chris Bryant

That is one of the issues that we need to look at not just in the UK but with our international allies. We have got ourselves in a ludicrous position where critical minerals are available all over the world, but 85% of them are only processed in one country. We need to ensure that we have resilience in this area, and it is precisely the kind of issue that we need to look at to protect jobs in my hon. Friend's constituency.

Partly answered

How: International Allies

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Q17 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Envirovent, a manufacturer of sustainable ventilation products outside Harrogate, was recognised in The Sunday Times' best places to work 2026 and recently produced its three-millionth unit.

Question

I recently visited Envirovent, a manufacturer and supplier of sustainable ventilation products just outside Harrogate. It was recognised in The Sunday Times' best places to work 2026 and recently produced its three-millionth ventilation fan unit. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Envirovent on those achievements, and perhaps visit to see the fantastic work it does for the people of Harrogate and North Yorkshire?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I certainly join the hon. Member in celebrating the success of that business—and businesses across the country that are doing such great work for the people who work in them and our overall economy. I would like to hear more about the business, and if I get the opportunity, visiting would be a pleasure.

Partly answered

How: If Opportunity

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Q18 Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The United States celebrates its 250th birthday, and the Secretary of State will join in wishing them well. The Committee has warned about a critical incident at the border unless France is persuaded to suspend the entry and exit system.

Question

I know the Secretary of State will join me in wishing the United States a very happy 250th birthday on Saturday. It was John Pym and Members of this House four centuries ago who helped found the American economy, and I know the whole House will wish the young republic well. But it is the Republic of France that I want to ask the Secretary of State about.<br/>Today, I am publishing correspondence between the Committee and the Port of Dover, warning that we will have, without doubt, a critical incident at the border unless France is persuaded to suspend the entry and exit system. The modelling has been done, and we know the chaos that will follow, so what will the Secretary of State do to ensure that we avoid this peril?

Answer from Peter Kyle

I am grateful for my right hon. Friend's advocacy, and I share in his birthday message to the people of the United States of America. The Department for Transport is engaged with the Port of Dover, and thanks to the functional and productive relations we have with the EU, we are working with it on those issues to ensure that the worst-case scenario my right hon. Friend outlines does not come to pass.

Partly answered

How: Engaged With Port Of Dover

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Q19 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Defence Transport Science & Technology
Context

The Secretary of State is aware of Cheltenham's cyber-security industry's importance to the nation. The Golden Valley development will bring 12,000 jobs in cyber and tech.

Question

The Secretary of State is aware of the importance of Cheltenham's cyber-security industry, which is a key part of this nation's defence efforts. I have good news for him: we are about to break ground on the Golden Valley development, bringing 12,000 jobs in cyber and tech to my town, as well as much-needed new homes. Would the Secretary of State and his colleagues like to come and visit this success story in due course, not for the ground breaking next week, but in the future? It will be popular with the incoming Prime Minister.

Answer from Peter Kyle

The hon. Member's enthusiasm is infectious. He came to meet me when I was Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to talk about the Golden Valley, and we spoke about our shared ambition in that area for the clustering of expertise that having GCHQ and others brings to the community he represents. I share in the hon. Member's celebration and hope that I get to visit at some point soon.

Partly answered

How: Shared Ambition

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Q20 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
Transport Business Compliance
Context

Palace Cycles owner reported an incident where a modified e-bike malfunctioned in his shop, underscoring the need for stricter regulation. The issue involves illegal modifications and kits that make bikes unsafe.

Question

The owner of Palace Cycles recently told me that while explaining to a customer that he would not service the illegally modified e-bike that had been brought into his shop, the bike shot across the shop of its own accord. When will the Government regulate to ban the sale of dodgy, illegal, unsafe e-bikes and the kits that create them?

Answer from Kate Dearden

I thank my hon. Friend for her constant campaigning on this issue. I know how important it is and, I value working closely with her. Businesses producing or supplying those products must ensure that they are safe before they are placed on the market, including online marketplaces. Businesses should not supply products they know—or should know—are unsafe. My hon. Friend knows that taking action includes regulatory action. We work alongside other Departments on this, and our recent consultation looked at how we can go even further to ensure that products are safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific timeline or commitment to ban the sale of illegal e-bikes and modification kits.

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