Topical Questions 2020-10-20

2020-10-20

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Chancellor is being questioned about the effectiveness of the government's financial support during the crisis.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The Government have put in place a £200 billion programme of support to help jobs and businesses throughout this crisis. Despite these efforts, not every job or business can be saved. What is being done to protect the economy and people's livelihoods at this difficult time?
This Government have put in place a £200 billion programme of support to help jobs and businesses throughout this crisis. Although we will not be able to save every job or business, we remain committed to doing what we can to protect the economy and people's livelihoods at this difficult time.
Assessment & feedback
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Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The question arises from the need to unlock delayed investment in Teesside due to uncertainty stemming from coronavirus and oil price volatility. Free ports are seen as a potential solution.
This Government have taken extraordinary steps to protect the economy and now we must take the extraordinary steps to unlock it. Uncertainty stemming from coronavirus and the volatility of the oil price is leading to delayed investment in the Tees Valley. One thing that could break the deadlock in that investment would be the announcement of a free port in Teesside. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that he will not delay the roll-out of 10 new free ports? Does he agree that a free port in Teesside could lead to thousands of new jobs for my constituents in Redcar and Cleveland?
My hon. Friend—like my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Mr Clarke) and the Mayor of the Tees Valley, Ben Houchen—is a fantastic champion for the free ports agenda. They are all absolutely right: this policy can unlock investment and growth, and therefore create jobs in parts of our country that want to see that growth. I can assure my hon. Friend that I look forward to receiving the bid that, no doubt, he and his colleagues are putting together for us.
Assessment & feedback
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Q3 Partial Answer
Bridget Phillipson Lab
Houghton and Sunderland South
Context
The test and trace system has failed to meet expectations despite generous funding. The system was described by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies as having a “marginal impact” on transmission.
I am sure the Chancellor will agree that confidence will not return to our economy until we are able to control the virus with an effective test, trace and isolate system, yet the current system is not working and was described by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies as having a “marginal impact” on transmission. Will he explain why, although he has funded the system generously, it is failing so badly?
I am glad that the hon. Lady recognises that we have provided substantial funding for the test and trace system. Although there have been times when we would all have wished that the response would be faster—that is indeed what is happening now—it is worth bearing in mind how far we have come since the beginning of this crisis, when 10,000 or so tests a day were being done. We are now marching towards our target of half a million daily tests. That is enormous progress and it will make a difference in our ability to suppress the spread of this virus.
Assessment & feedback
Explanation for failure without specifics on how or when improvements will be made
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Bridget Phillipson Lab
Houghton and Sunderland South
Context
The Chancellor's employment support schemes are described as having more holes than Swiss cheese, despite the promise of providing whatever it takes to protect jobs in March.
In March, the Chancellor was clear that if people could not earn a living by going out to work, it was the Government's job to step in, “whatever it takes”. By July, he was moving away from that belief and today he has moved so far that his employment support schemes have more holes than a Swiss cheese. Will he tell the House: was he wrong in March or is he wrong now?
I did say we would do what it takes, and I think that £200 billion pounds later, with almost 9 million jobs protected, we see the evidence that we have done. We will continue to do what it takes to protect this economy and people's livelihoods.
Assessment & feedback
Acknowledgment of past commitment without providing specifics on current actions or future plans
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
The Government's economic support packages have been crucial but the economy may be affected by covid for some time. There is a need for a more strategic and long-term approach.
The Government's economic support packages have been some of the most generous anywhere, and they have been essential sticking plasters from which many of our constituents have benefited. However, given that covid may be with us for some time and that the economy is in transition, may I encourage the Government to think more strategically and perhaps draw lessons from, for example, Margaret Thatcher's enterprise allowance scheme, which helped hundreds of thousands of people, over some years, to transition from unemployment to self-employment?
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. We should have an eye on our recovery and he is absolutely right that entrepreneurship can play an important part in driving that recovery, which is why during the crisis we announced the future fund to help to provide financing for start-up entrepreneurial companies. I am also happy to have a look at the enterprise allowance scheme. My hon. Friend will be aware of the start-up loan scheme, which does something similar by providing Government-discounted and funded loans to the budding entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Assessment & feedback
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Q6 Direct Answer
Ian Byrne Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Context
Funding for emergency assistance grants is due to run out at the end of the month. The funding has been crucial for people in Liverpool facing destitution.
The £63 million of funding for emergency assistance grants for food and essential supplies is due to run out at the end of the month. The funding has been a vital lifeline for our community in Liverpool which, thanks to Liverpool City Council, has an effective local welfare-assistance scheme to support people who face destitution. Our region is now faced with tier 3 measures, which makes the funding even more crucial. Will the Chancellor tell the House what discussions he has had with the relevant Secretary of State about extending that essential funding?
The hon. Gentleman will know that, as a result of Liverpool entering tier 3 restrictions, those conversations have happened with representatives from the Government and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that Liverpool gets the resources it needs to provide extra compliance enforcement and, indeed, extra funding to provide support for businesses and people during what is, I appreciate, a very difficult time for his constituents.
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Q7 Direct Answer
Context
The e-Voyager, the UK's first seagoing electric ferry, is named by Sheryll Murray in her home village of Millbrook. The area has expertise in this field.
Last week, I formally named the e-Voyager in my home village of Millbrook. The e-Voyager is the UK's first seagoing electric ferry and will operate from Cremyll, near Mount Edgcumbe country park. Will my right hon. Friend look at investing further in South East Cornwall, where we have this proven expertise?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her work on that important initiative. She is a champion of levelling up in Cornwall and the Government are committed to working with her, which is why among the package of measures of support is included the Cornwall social housing retrofit acceleration and the Cornwall institute for space artificial intelligence. That is part of a suite of measures that will work with the welcome initiative that my hon. Friend has championed.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Several Members have raised concerns about lack of support for self-employed individuals, including musicians, actors, dancers, and others in the arts sector.
It is noticeable how many Members have raised today the issue of the self-employed and freelancers, such as musicians, actors and dancers, who have had little or no support throughout the pandemic. Rather than suggest that they abandon years of dedication and training, will the Chancellor now consider initiatives such as a universal basic income to protect our valuable arts sector?
We recognise the concern for the valuable arts sector that the hon. Lady describes, which is why we have put £1.57 billion towards it. As I have said, £330 million of that has been released, and a further release will be made in the next few weeks. That is because we believe in that sector and support those people.
Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not consider initiatives such as universal basic income to protect self-employed individuals in the arts sector.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Christian Wakeford Lab
Bury South
Context
The events industry and conference sector have been among the hardest-hit sectors by the pandemic, with businesses told that they will not be assessed until March 2021.
The events industry and conference sector have been among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic outbreak and have been told that they will not be assessed until March 2021. Given that they will have an anticipated 15 months with little to no income, will my right hon. Friend advise what support packages are available to support businesses such as Hirex and Exceed in Radcliffe in my constituency?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that there are businesses that are experiencing a difficult time, especially in the sectors he mentioned. Our comprehensive set of interventions, whether loans, grants or business-rates holidays, will all provide help in different ways, but the most important thing that we can all focus on is supressing the spread of the virus and unlocking those parts of our economy that are unable to function.
Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not specify any support packages for events industry businesses such as Hirex and Exceed in Radcliffe.
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Paul Holmes Con
Hamble Valley
Context
Tax-free shopping is a major source of income for airports such as Southampton airport. The sector has been affected by the ongoing problems caused by covid-19.
The Minister or Chancellor will know that tax-free shopping is a major source of income for airports such as Southampton airport in my constituency. With the ongoing problems for the sector caused by covid, that income is even more important, so will the Chancellor or a Minister meet me and representatives from Southampton airport to discuss the continuation of tax-free shopping, which is a valuable lifeline for our struggling aviation industry?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. As someone with an airport in my own constituency, I fully understand the issues. I have had various meetings with many stakeholders and am happy to offer Southampton airport a meeting with Treasury officials to discuss the changes.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Vicky Foxcroft Lab
Lewisham North
Context
A constituent, Alex, is a Blue Badge guide and her income is just above the threshold for the self-employment income support scheme. She has moved tours online but is earning very little.
My constituent, Alex, is a Blue Badge guide. Her income is just above the threshold for the self-employment income support scheme. The money that she has saved to cover her tax bill pushes her over the threshold for universal credit. Despite moving her tours online, Alex is earning very little. Given that the situation looks set to continue, what advice does the Minister have for her and the 3 million other people excluded from the Government's covid-19 financial support?
I thank the hon. Lady very much for the concern that she describes. I understand the problem. As she will know, the situation with people on lower income levels who may also be on universal credit is that it is a flexible benefit, which allows the top-up to income received.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific advice for individuals excluded from the self-employment income support scheme.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Lee Anderson Reform
Ashfield
Context
The mineworkers' pension scheme has received over £4.5 billion in return for guaranteed payments from the Government.
I stand here as a proud ex-coalminer. The mineworkers' pension scheme has done very well over the past 25 years, with successive Governments taking more than £4.5 billion in return for guaranteed payments from the Government. Will my right hon. Friend work with me to ensure that ex-miners and their families get a fairer deal?
I know that my hon. Friend has championed this issue and I look forward to further discussions with him on it. He will also know that the Government and the mineworkers' pension scheme have agreed to guarantee the core pension rates in the case of a deficit in the scheme, and have further agreed to protect bonus pensions that have accrued to date.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify what constitutes a 'fairer deal' for ex-miners and their families.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Ruth Jones Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Context
Medical research charities have experienced a significant impact on their income due to the pandemic.
The covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the income of medical research charities, which could jeopardise progress in discovering new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases and their risk factors such as air pollution. Given this risk to medical research, what consideration has the Treasury given to the proposal of the Association of Medical Research Charities for a life science charity partnership fund?
The hon. Lady will know that this Government remain absolutely committed to our ambitious plans to double research and development funding over the course of the next few years.
Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not mention any specific consideration for the proposed life science charity partnership fund by AMRC.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The Energy Research Accelerator, based in the Midlands, has secured £450 million of new investment in energy research and development. It seeks further Government support to build on these successes.
I am concerned that my hon. Friend will praise the work done by the Energy Research Accelerator and look favourably upon its submissions seeking additional funding for net zero and levelling up commitments.
The Government appreciate the work that the Energy Research Accelerator has been undertaking across the midlands on energy innovation. We have set out our ambition to invest up to £22 billion in R&D by 2024-25, and the Chancellor announced in the spring Budget that the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy innovation programme will at least double to £1 billion-plus.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to funding for the specific programme or provide a timeline for decision-making on further submissions from ERA.
Under Review Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Julian Lewis Con
New Forest East
Context
The hospitality sector's closure has left food and drink wholesalers without targeted Government support, putting their businesses at risk.
With the closure of much of the hospitality sector, wholesalers such as Harvest Fine Foods in my constituency are on the verge of collapse. I ask for a meeting with the Chancellor or Financial Secretary to discuss extending business rates relief to wholesalers to prevent dire scenarios in institutions like care homes and hospitals.
The Government have set out a comprehensive package of support for businesses. One challenge with proposals to extend furlough is that they are unclear about which sector to target, as suppliers supply multiple sectors including the public sector.
Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus from direct business rates relief to broader issues with extending furlough support without addressing wholesalers' specific needs.
Co-Ordinated Attack
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Tan Dhesi Lab
Slough
Context
Wholesalers like Bidfood in Slough have seen significant downturns due to reduced demand, leading to job losses.
Many wholesalers are struggling without adequate Government support. With increased lockdown measures proposed, what specific measures will the Chancellor put in place to help these businesses?
The job support scheme is designed for businesses that are open but experiencing reduced demand, allowing them to receive a wage subsidy from the Government. This should help prevent redundancies and provide a top-up to employees' wages.
Assessment & feedback
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