Foreign Direct Investment 2020-03-05

2020-03-05

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
None specified.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential contribution of future foreign direct investment to the economy of each region of the UK.
Winning further foreign direct investment is crucial to the delivery of rising living standards and the levelling up of left-behind communities up and down the land. Companies such as Ferrero, in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills), which exports wonderful, quality chocolate all over the world, will potentially benefit, as will other UK chocolate producers, as a result of our UK-US free trade agreement.
Assessment & feedback
Specific regional assessments and figures were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
None specified.
What more can the Government do to ensure that FDI is spread out evenly across the country, and not just focused in London and the south-east?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question, because FDI is so important to the UK. Foreign-owned firms represent only 1% of businesses, yet they contribute 22% of economic output and deliver 15% of employment. My Department uses our regional teams right around the country, and in 110 countries around the world, to make sure that we get that message out. Only yesterday, I hosted a meeting with regional leaders from right across the UK at No. 10 to show the importance we attach, as my hon. Friend does, to sharing these FDI benefits right across the country.
Assessment & feedback
No specific measures or timelines for even distribution were provided
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
None specified.
Does the Minister agree with me and residents of Carshalton and Wallington that we should support Shaun Bailey's idea to put in a deputy Mayor for trade?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that. I think the people of London want a Mayor who makes things happen, who is a champion of business and who recognises that, for all the wealth in London, there are too many people left behind. We need a Mayor who gets on with the job—one who does not act like a commentator but who actually acts like a leader.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address support for deputy Mayor proposal
Discussing Qualities Of A Good Mayor
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
None specified.
Does my hon. Friend agree that free ports will help to attract significant foreign investment, and regenerate and create jobs in some of our communities and deprived areas?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question, on which he is right. He is constantly championing the interests of his area, not least because of the need for regeneration. Free ports offer that opportunity. We are in constant talks with The Bristol Port Company, and I know that he is working closely with the West of England Mayor to make sure that that regeneration and the benefits of FDI are brought to his part of the country, with all the prosperity and employment benefits that that will bring.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Judith Cummins Lab
Bradford South
Context
The hon. Member expressed concerns about proposed most favoured nation tariffs impacting businesses' ability to attract new technology investments.
What assessment has he made of the impact of the proposed measures on the UK's attractiveness as a destination for investment, particularly in new green technology?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The consultation closes tonight and we are determined to get the right balance. We are clear that we are going to have a tariff regime that benefits UK consumers and business, and allows us to align ourselves most effectively to where 90% of global growth is expected by the International Monetary Fund to be in the next five years or so, which is outside Europe.
Assessment & feedback
No specific assessment on impact on FDI was provided
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Judith Cummins Lab
Bradford South
Context
The hon. Member expressed concerns about proposed most favoured nation tariffs stifling FDI in regions.
Are the Government really going to ignore industry concerns, potentially costing jobs?
I would have hoped that, after sufficient time in the House, the hon. Lady might have understood how a consultation worked. The consultation closes today, and I cannot comment on a consultation that has not yet closed. What I can tell her is that, as she will be delighted to hear, under this Government the UK has attracted more FDI than any other country in Europe. Indeed, we have attracted more FDI in aggregate than Germany and France combined.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address concern about ignoring industry concerns or potential job losses
Discussing Past Performance Instead Of Current Concerns
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
Northern Ireland is recognised as the cyber-security capital.
What steps are being taken to highlight this massive international market?
As I said in an earlier answer, I was pleased to meet Northern Ireland representatives in No. 10 Downing Street yesterday. When I visited Belfast last year, I learnt more about the phenomenal tech, and in particular cyber, capability there is in Belfast. The Department is determined to make sure that the message of how investable and how strong Northern Ireland is, and what great capability it has, is understood through all our posts in countries around the world.
Assessment & feedback
No specific steps or timeline provided for highlighting market internationally
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
FDI has been significant in the financial services sector.
Can my hon. Friend assure me that, in all free trade negotiations, the interests of the financial services sector will be protected?
I thank my hon. Friend, who characteristically puts her finger on an important point. Services have too often not had sufficient focus in trade agreements. We are very much looking to put financial services, data and other elements at the heart of our trade policy, which will be great for the City of London. However, it is important to note that there are more people working in financial services in the northern powerhouse than there are in the whole of Frankfurt.
Assessment & feedback
No specific assurance given on protecting interests; focus shifted to regional distribution instead
Response accuracy