House of Commons
Oral Answers to Questions
(5 months ago)
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Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)
Sarah Russell (Congleton) (Lab)
Josh Newbury (Cannock Chase) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
This Government are committed to strengthening rights for parents. In April, we are introducing bereaved partner’s paternity leave and making unpaid parental leave and paternity leave day one rights, bringing more than 1 million parents into scope. Next year, we will further improve protections for pregnant women and those returning from maternity leave, and the parental leave and pay review will conclude, giving us recommendations and informing our next steps.
Laura Kyrke-Smith
The Government are making great strides in improving parental rights at work, but for kinship carers it is still tough. In Aylesbury, I met a wonderful lady who has become the kinship carer for her baby grandson, but she was given only 10 days of paid leave from work. She now has to take unpaid leave to care for him, which is causing serious financial strain. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to all our kinship carers for their remarkable work and outline what discussions she is having across Government to ensure that kinship carers get the support that they deserve?
Kate Dearden
I recognise the enormous contribution that kinship carers such as my hon. Friend’s constituent make to the lives of children. The Government are committed to helping more children grow up in safe, stable and loving homes in their family network, whenever it is in the children’s best interests. I acknowledge the incredible commitment and generosity of kinship carers in opening up their hearts and homes to our most vulnerable children. Kinship carers are absolutely transforming young lives, and we should not underestimate the life-changing difference that they make every single day. Our parental leave and pay review is considering the needs of all working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, including kinship carers.
Sarah Russell
Since 2004, the limit on relief for small employers at which they can reclaim statutory maternity pay has been set at £45,000. Small and medium-sized enterprises want to support working parents, but they need our help to do so. Will the Minister confirm whether that will be looked at as part of the parental leave review?
Kate Dearden
I thank my hon. Friend for her advocacy on this issue. The Government acknowledge that the class 1 national insurance contributions threshold used to determine eligibility for small employers’ relief on statutory parental pay has remained unchanged for several years. Part of the relief is an additional compensation payment, known as small employers’ compensation. Last April, the Government increased the SEC rate from 3% to 8.5%, and we will increase it to 9% from 6 April 2026. The Government keep all eligibility criteria under review while balancing the needs of business and the Exchequer.
Josh Newbury
Many of us on the Labour Benches have long argued for a boost to paternity leave, which is one of the proudest achievements of the last Labour Government, but one group being let down badly is self-employed dads. Just one in six of them take leave after their children are born, and it is unpaid leave, meaning that they face a drop in income of more than £1,000 just for taking a couple of weeks off. Introducing paid paternity leave for self-employed dads would cost £38 million at most, and possibly as little as £13 million, but it would be a huge win for dads, mums and their babies. Will the Minister consider that as part of the ongoing parental leave review?
Kate Dearden
I thank my hon. Friend for his campaigning on this issue. As I have mentioned, the Government’s parental leave and pay review is under way and will conclude in early 2027. We know that the parental leave system needs to be improved and recognise that the current system does not do enough to support the many dads and partners who want to be hands-on and actively involved in caring for their children. That is why the review is so important. It will consider all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, looking at options to improve the support available to British working families and whether the support available meets the needs of working families who do not qualify for the entitlements, such as self-employed parents, as was outlined by my hon. Friend.
Jess Brown-Fuller (Chichester) (LD)
I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests; I am the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for infant feeding and inequalities. One of the key barriers to women returning to the workplace occurs if they continue to breastfeed their children. A lot of workplaces do not provide facilities for expressing and storing breast milk. Will the Minister update the House on what the Department is doing to support women back into the workplace when they are still breastfeeding their children?
Kate Dearden
I thank the hon. Member for raising this important question in the House today. We are committed to ensuring that every parent feels secure at work, particularly breastfeeding mums when they are returning to the workplace. She will know of the different bits of legislation we are introducing through the Employment Rights Act 2025 to help women back into work, whether that is making it more unlawful to dismiss pregnant women and mothers on maternity leave or making it easier for people to work flexibly and for employers to make those provisions in the workplace. I would be keen to hear more about the work that the hon. Member and other Members from across the House are doing on the APPG.
Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
I thank the Minister for that very positive answer. There is nobody in this House or further afield who does not welcome the improvement of parental rights at work. I had a chance to speak to the Minister beforehand, so she will know where my question is coming from—I ask it on behalf of the small and medium-sized businesses that may find it difficult to cover those who are on parental leave. Has anything been done to help businesses, especially the small ones, that might find it difficult to put someone in place to cover those people’s jobs when they are off?
Kate Dearden
I agree with the hon. Gentleman that family-friendly workplaces strengthen our workforce and our economy, and are important in reducing the turnover of staff and retaining high-quality staff. That is why it is really important that we are working with businesses, small and large, on our wider parental pay and leave review. In every area of my work, I am very conscious of the need to work closely with businesses in different areas, recognising that we share the same goal of keeping people in work, and especially of supporting parents and making sure that workplaces are much more family-friendly.
Callum Anderson (Buckingham and Bletchley) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)
We are supporting private sector investment in Buckingham and Bletchley by working with partners across the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor to find new opportunities for businesses. I acknowledge the work of my hon. Friend in launching the Bletchley investment taskforce, which is bringing together private capital and local partners, using infrastructure such as East West Rail to improve connectivity, and working with OxCam partners so that local businesses benefit from innovation, skills and inward investment.
Callum Anderson
As the Minister says, I launched the Bletchley investment taskforce last year to attract the businesses, investments, jobs and apprenticeships that local people need, and we are developing an investment prospectus to deliver that end. Will the Minister meet me and taskforce members to ensure that the Government are working hand in hand with local partners?
Chris McDonald
I congratulate my hon. Friend on his work with the Bletchley investment taskforce. I know that businesses in his constituency, such as Envisics, Carnot and Pulsar, have benefited from the work he has done, and I would be very happy to ensure that he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister.
Frank McNally (Coatbridge and Bellshill) (Lab)
The Minister for Trade (Chris Bryant)
Promoting Scottish industry overseas is one of our prime objectives. Whether it is opening up new markets such as India for Scotch whisky, securing new beef opportunities in the United States of America, securing contracts for Scottish steel in new bridges in Ukraine, or promoting financial services around the world, we are on the case. I have even seen Tunnock’s Caramels in LuLu in Doha.
Frank McNally
With up to £8.2 billion of private investment, the Lanarkshire AI growth zone delivered by this Labour Government represents one of the largest industrial investments in the history of Scotland. At its heart is a partnership between Lanarkshire’s own DataVita and the American cloud computing company CoreWeave. Such partnerships are critical to supporting the industries of the future, so what further steps can my hon. Friend take to promote Scottish companies overseas to secure such high-quality jobs and deliver even stronger growth?
Chris Bryant
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the work he has done to make sure that the UK Government have delivered in his constituency. I am glad that he has raised the Lanarkshire AI growth zone, because it is really important in trying to make sure that the industries of the future are at the heart of the jobs of the future in Scotland. I look forward to the SNP welcoming this in the next few moments.
Chris Law (Dundee Central) (SNP)
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Of course, I will always welcome the fact that Scotland punches above its weight, whether it be industries abroad or investment in Scotland. Indeed, under the SNP, foreign direct investment has been higher in Scotland over the last 10 years than anywhere else in the UK outside of London—something I would expect the UK Government to also celebrate. Instead, we learned through a leaked memo this week that the Prime Minister told senior Ministers of the Government to go against the wishes of the Scottish Government when taking decisions. Does the Secretary of State agree with the Prime Minister? Does he not agree that Scotland makes the best decisions when it is the people of Scotland who make those decisions, which will happen only when it becomes independent?
Chris Bryant
It is like an open goal, isn’t it, Mr Speaker? Sorry—you do not have a view.
I believe that we achieve far more by our common endeavour than by going it alone. That is why I am a passionate supporter of the Union. Of course there are specific things about the Scottish economy that we want to drive forward. For instance, 54% of Scottish exports go into the European Union. If we manage to secure the sanitary and phytosanitary deal that we are trying to negotiate with the EU at the moment, that will pay enormous dividends to Scotland that it would never secure were it entirely on its own. Separatism never works.
Dave Robertson (Lichfield) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)
I thank my hon. Friend, who is an advocate and champion of businesses in Lichfield. As I am sure he is aware, we are making sure that the UK is the best place in the world to invest by backing priority sectors through our industrial strategy. The advanced manufacturing sector plan will strengthen UK supply chains in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and clean energy industries, ensuring that businesses in Lichfield, such as its manufacturing and logistics businesses, get the skills, technology and new commercial opportunities that they need.
Dave Robertson
The quantum technology sector is hugely important for the UK. We have world-leading researchers and businesses innovating in healthcare, defence and many more industries, but quantum firms tell me that as they grow, they find it harder and harder to secure the investment that they need to commercialise their exceptional ideas. The risk that we face is that they will take their businesses out of the UK in order to seek that investment. That is why I recently established the all-party parliamentary group on quantum technologies to help Members of both Houses to understand this rapidly evolving sector. What can the Government do to ensure that our quantum businesses get the investment that they need to grow here in the UK?
Chris McDonald
I thank my hon. Friend for his work in establishing the all-party parliamentary group on quantum technologies. He is right to identify these technologies as very important for the future, and to put his finger on the particular problem that we have in the UK: while we are brilliant at innovating and investing in research, we have historically struggled with scale-up. That is not something that this Government are prepared to accept. Just as we are investing in critical minerals and automotive connected mobility technologies, we are investing in this area. The British Business Bank is doubling its annual investments to ensure that we can support scale-up and bring forward at least 10 new-to-market growth-stage funds so that we can leverage pension investments and help British businesses to stay and grow in the UK.
Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)
An increase in private sector investment is being seriously held back by the failure of the Government to publish their defence investment plan. Has the Minister any idea when this much-awaited document will hit the streets?
Chris McDonald
The Government recognise the importance of the defence industrial plan, which will be brought to the House as soon as it can be. On private sector investment, £10 billion of investment came in from the regional summits, and £79 billion of investment was identified in the last industrial strategy quarterly report. Investors are voting with their money, and they are investing in the UK.
Dame Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
There was a new private sector investor in the Royal Mail last year. As we heard yesterday in the House, the regulator has let the universal service obligation slip, so will the Minister update the House on how his colleague’s meeting with the regulator went yesterday?
Chris McDonald
The Minister responsible for the Post Office and the Royal Mail, my hon. Friend the Member for East Renfrewshire (Blair McDougall), is sitting beside me. Just yesterday, he spent 90 minutes in the House answering questions from Members who have had problems with the service across the whole of the country; I have seen such problems in my constituency as well. The Government are clearly not happy with the level of service from the Royal Mail, and the shadow Minister will hear a full response to Question 15, when my hon. Friend will stand at the Dispatch Box and tell her everything that she needs to know about that particular meeting.
David Pinto-Duschinsky (Hendon) (Lab)
Lloyd Hatton (South Dorset) (Lab)
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Peter Kyle)
The industrial strategy focuses on business investment and creating high-quality jobs. We back our strengths and are unblocking barriers, including through £1.2 billion of skills investment by 2028-29. This Labour Government are investing in skills, in jobs, and in creating wealth and opportunity across the United Kingdom.
David Pinto-Duschinsky
I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. Communities like mine in Hendon were let down by 14 years of economic instability and the lack of a strategic approach to driving growth under the Conservative party. Will the Secretary of State set out how our modern industrial strategy will help to accelerate growth in places like Hendon?
Peter Kyle
I absolutely will. First, Hendon has a champion in you—I mean my hon. Friend—and that counts for a lot. It also has a champion in you, Mr Speaker, as you make sure that we get through these questions so swiftly and efficiently. I can assure the House that the industrial strategy has delivered, on average, over £7,900 more in wages in the sectors that we are supporting through it. Over 50,000 jobs have been supported through investment commitments made to the industrial strategy’s eight sectors in the last quarter alone. This Government are attracting investment, spending it wisely and making sure that all communities, including Hendon, benefit from it.
Lloyd Hatton
It is no secret that clean energy is creating the next generation of well-paid jobs, and it is essential that South Dorset gets its fair share of them. The development of offshore wind at Portland, including the exciting Morwind and PortWind projects, would certainly help to create much-needed maritime, engineering and construction jobs for local people. With that in mind, will the Minister work with me, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Crown Estate to support the development of offshore wind off the coast of Portland?
Peter Kyle
It would be a pleasure to work with my hon. Friend to unlock more investment in offshore wind in South Dorset. Dorset council and the Crown Estate have already committed up to £1 million to support a feasibility study for a £500 million clean energy port facility adjacent to Portland port that has been proposed by energy developer Morwind. Clean energy industries are expected to support 860,000 jobs across the UK by 2030, including up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in offshore wind. Thanks to the work that my hon. Friend is putting in, I am sure that South Dorset will benefit from this incredible and growing British industry.
Dame Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
Of course, there are lots of well-paid jobs in the steel sector. In fact, the taxpayer is now subsidising every job at British Steel to the tune of £110,000. Can the Secretary of State update the House on how his negotiations are going with Jingye, and on when he will finally publish his long-awaited steel strategy?
Peter Kyle
I am very grateful for the hon. Lady’s question. Of course, after 14 years of the Conservatives running the steel industry, we have landed in a place where this Government are having to sort it out. I can reassure her that the negotiations with Jingye are well under way. I will update the House shortly on progress and, of course, on the strategy that I have been working very hard on, with colleagues, on behalf of the steel industry.
Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD)
Research from the Entrepreneurs Network shows that 54% of Britain’s 100 fastest growing companies have a foreign-born founder or co-founder. International entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving innovation, investment and job creation across the UK, yet this Government are recklessly introducing unworkable visa regulations for those very people. Since the Budget in October 2024, 110,000 jobs have been lost in the hospitality sector and 74,000 in retail, and 700,000 graduates are currently unemployed. Youth unemployment has just hit 16%. What impact assessment have the Government undertaken on the impact of their proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain on job creation, and what conversations has the Minister had with the Home Secretary regarding this damaging disincentive to those looking to build their businesses and create jobs here in the UK?
Peter Kyle
I am afraid that the hon. Lady describes the doom-laden Lib Dem world that she inhabits, not the real world that is inhabited by entrepreneurs and businesses right across the country. The reality is that 381,000 more people are in work since the start of 2025 because of this Labour Government. She may have missed the fact that my Department, under my leadership and this team, has set up the global talent taskforce, accompanied by a global talent visa. Around the world, we are out there hunting down the best talent, attracting people to the UK and aligning this endeavour with investment, making the UK the best place to invest, to grow and to scale a business anywhere in the world.
Rosie Wrighting (Kettering) (Lab)
The Minister for Trade (Chris Bryant)
We want to build new opportunities for start-ups and scale-ups to export around the world. That is why we are providing tailored market advice, free training through our business academy, export finance and support on the ground in international markets.
Rosie Wrighting
British fashion is recognised globally for its creativity. At the London Fashion Week just gone, designers such as Erdem, Tolu Coker and Simone Rocha showcased the very best of British talent. With international buyers up by 17%, we showed that we have not only the raw talent here, but the business minds to commercialise it internationally. What steps is the Department taking to help emerging British fashion brands translate that creativity into export growth and scale internationally?
Chris Bryant
My hon. Friend makes a really good point by raising th4e example of London Fashion Week. She is quite right that lots of businesses in Northamptonshire are working in this field. One key thing we do through NEWGEN is to provide support to people—including, in fact, some of those she mentioned, such as Erdem and Simone Rocha—to start finding new export markets overseas. We send people to Paris Fashion Week and to Pitti Uomo, and our creative industries are a really important part of how we intend to build on that in the future. To use the name of another business in her constituency, I think Weetabix is based there—and we want everybody to have three Weetabix for breakfast so we can really export around the world.
Rishi Sunak (Richmond and Northallerton) (Con)
At the recent India AI summit, I was delighted to participate in an event, with the Deputy Prime Minister, highlighting the opportunities for British and Indian growing technology companies to do more in each other’s markets. I am looking forward to another such event in London in the coming weeks. Will the Minister join me in commending both our high commissioners—Their Excellencies Lindy Cameron and Vikram Doraiswami—for their steadfast commitment to strengthening the links between our two fantastic technology sectors?
Chris Bryant
The right hon. Gentleman makes a really good point. I noticed that he was commending the Government for securing the free trade agreement with India, which previous Governments were not able to secure, and he did so generously. Mr Speaker, I may have misled the House previously by suggesting that the India free trade agreement would enter into force this summer, because I am very hopeful that it will actually enter into force this spring.
The key thing is not just to have a free trade agreement, but to deploy it and make sure that businesses take advantage of that opportunity. Our two high commissioners—both in India and here—are absolutely essential to making that happen. I look forward to working with the right hon. Gentleman to do that not only in India, but in Ukraine, as I note he has been appointed to help Zelensky’s Government with reconstruction in Ukraine. I am the Minister for Ukraine reconstruction, and I hope we can work together to achieve that, too.
Gareth Davies (Grantham and Bourne) (Con)
We all want innovative British companies not just to start up in Britain, but to scale up in Britain, too. I welcome the Minister’s previous comments, and actually his enthusiasm, for our most innovative companies. However, he will know that the Chancellor’s decision to cut venture capital trust rate relief will be very damaging. How does he explain the disconnect between his Department’s words and what the Chancellor is doing?
Chris Bryant
We are trying very much to focus on the key sectors where we know we can really deliver, which is precisely what bringing together the trade strategy, the small business strategy and the industrial strategy is designed to do. I was delighted to be at the security and policing trade event down in Farnborough yesterday, and it was fascinating to see the small companies—SMEs make up a lot of that sector—that have really been supported by different Departments, including the Home Office, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Treasury, to scale up and take their product to market. I think I was able to persuade the Malaysian Government to secure quite a few contracts with British businesses as well.
Gareth Davies
I am grateful to the Minister for that answer, but I asked specifically about VCT rate relief. The last time that rate relief was cut, under the last Labour Government, fundraising was cut by two thirds and it took a decade for that to recover in the sector. Specifically on VCT rate relief, which has been cut from 30% to 20%, will he commit to meeting the Venture Capital Trust Association, the industry body, and will he take its concerns to the Chancellor and ask her to reverse course?
Chris Bryant
Of course, I am happy to meet the industry body and listen to its concerns, as we do all the time. However, I just want to make the point that at the moment the DBT is concentrating on taking what we do well in this country and really ensuring we have an opportunity to do it even better. That focus is a key part of what our trade strategy, our small business strategy and our industrial strategy are all about.
David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)
Sir Gavin Williamson (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) (Con)
Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) (Con)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
The Government recognise the central role the hospitality sector plays in supporting jobs, sustaining high streets and strengthening community life. That is why we have significantly increased the hospitality support fund, providing £10 million over three years to help hospitality businesses become more resilient, allowing them to thrive. We have permanently reduced business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, benefiting 750,000 properties. We are also beginning cross-Government work on a high streets strategy, developed with businesses and representatives, to be published later this year.
David Mundell
Energy costs are obviously a huge issue for hospitality businesses in a large rural constituency such as Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, but they are also an issue for hospitality business customers, because generally people travel to those businesses using their cars. Will the Minister and her colleagues in the Department lobby the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to ensure that the proposed rise in fuel duty does not go ahead in September?
Kate Dearden
I recognise that energy costs remain one of the biggest pressures facing hospitality businesses. I meet them regularly—including just this week—to make sure I am aware of their concerns and experiences on the ground. The real risk to businesses is dependence on volatile international gas markets, which we have, of course, seen; we have been left exposed to global energy shocks. The Government are prioritising on having more of our own power here in Britain. We are focusing on that to tackle the root cause of unstable energy markets. We are working closely with businesses, and across the sector, to understand the pressures, and we will continue to do so in a responsible way.
Sir Gavin Williamson
I am deeply concerned, as I am sure the Minister is, about the rising rate of youth unemployment, which is currently standing at 15%. One of the key employers of young people is the hospitality sector, as well as the retail sector. When I speak to businesses in my constituency of Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, so many of them reference the fact that they have been hit by business rates and the impact of national insurance. That is discouraging investment and reducing job opportunities for young people. What action is the Minister taking to reverse that trend?
Kate Dearden
I agree that hospitality provides first jobs and career pathways for young people—a really important opportunity. As I have said many times in the House, it was my experience into employment, as I am sure it was for many other colleagues. Young people absolutely deserve that opportunity, which is why our focus is on skills and training, and getting young people into work. We will continue to back employers who take on apprentices and provide those opportunities, whether providing full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21, or through employers not being required to pay national insurance contributions for all apprentices under the age of 25.
Under the previous Government, the number of youth apprenticeships was cut by 40%, and they presided over a massive increase in young people not in education, employment and training. I recognise what we are working with, but we want to provide opportunities for young people. We will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. We are looking to our £820 million youth guarantee and so much more to provide that employment support and to give them a guaranteed job, recognising the sector is vital.
Jerome Mayhew
Six hospitality venues are closing every single day under this Government. If the Government actually asked the sector why, businesses would tell them: it is because of the jobs-killing national insurance tax rises—literally a tax on jobs—as well as the red tape and additional costs of the Employment Rights Act 2025. When are the Government finally going to realise that those job losses and business closures are not happening despite the work of the Government, they are happening because of it?
Kate Dearden
The Conservative party left deep economic scars on our economy: weak growth, insecure work and a fragile labour market. This Government are restoring stability and rebuilding opportunity for people. Hospitality in particular is a vital sector for our high streets and for people. It thrives when the economy grows, wages rise, and people have more money to spend. We will always support our hospitality businesses, but do so responsibly and sustainably. They are at the heart of our high streets and community, and that is why we are backing them. We are reforming the broken system of business rates that the Conservatives left and did nothing about, and building a better support system for businesses, so they can thrive and support all employment, particularly for our young people.
Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)
Drivers looking for refreshment on the motorway have regular signs to point them to the available hospitality, but it is less easy for drivers of electric vehicles to see where they can get a coffee and a charge because of arcane rules that prevent EV signage on motorways. This is also a problem on A roads—one charge company told me it was quoted £150,000 to put up two signs on an A road. Given that many hospitality businesses have partnerships with EV charge providers, will the Minister work with the Department for Transport to change these mad signage rules and support hospitality and EV charging?
Kate Dearden
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this issue to the House today. We are working closely with industry to promote consumer confidence in electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure. As at the end of February 2026, the Government and industry have supported the installation of more than 118,000 public chargers. In a move to help EV drivers to plug in to the rapidly expanding charging network, the Government are also modernising EV charging signage on major A roads, with changes allowing larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A roads, too. We are working with local authorities to make it easier to provide that signage to charging facilities on local roads.
Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)
For almost a year, the constituents of my friend and neighbour, the right hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell), have enjoyed the benefits of the guest beer agreement. Given that the Society of Independent Brewers believes that a right to buy a guest beer drives customers into pubs, can the Minister update the House on when she expects to announce the results of the beer market review and the merits of introducing a guest beer agreement in England?
Kate Dearden
My hon. Friend and I have discussed this matter at length. She champions the pubs in her constituency, and I thank her for it. We recognise the importance of independent breweries and pubs, and remain committed to ensuring that the beer and pub sector remains diverse, competitive and rooted in local communities. We have reviewed the beer market to assess any barriers facing small breweries and will announce the outcome in due course.
Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) (LD)
In the Q4 2025 quarterly economic survey, 52% of businesses reported utility costs as a pressure that is driving them to raise prices, and there is a particular impact on the hospitality sector. Recent research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than a quarter of businesses will struggle to pay their energy bills over the next 12 months, and this survey was conducted before the recent escalation in the middle east. Last week’s forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility also did not take into account any potential impact from the jump in oil prices triggered by the strikes in Iran. The fuel duty hike in September is already expected to hit families and small businesses hard, so will the Secretary of State speak to the Chancellor now about scrapping this damaging policy?
Kate Dearden
The hon. Lady will have heard in my earlier remarks that I absolutely recognise those pressures and meet hospitality businesses regularly to hear their concerns; energy costs have, of course, come up as one of the biggest pressures facing them. I recognise the concerns those businesses will have when looking at the Gulf conflict and its possible impacts. As the hon. Lady will have heard in my earlier answer, the real risk to businesses is dependence on the volatile international gas markets, which has left us exposed. She will know the work that we are doing in different Departments to recognise that and to tackle that root cause in order to provide better support for businesses. We are looking at the unstable energy markets that have left us exposed and trying to ensure that we have more power here in Britain; we will work with the sector closely and across Government on that.
Tom Rutland (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Lab)
James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Peter Kyle)
UK-EU collaboration is vital for growth and security, with 46% of the UK’s total trade, after all, with the EU. In recent weeks, I have gone to Brussels and signed a new competition co-operation agreement, furthering the partnership between our two territories in the interests of businesses. I had constructive meetings with Commissioners Ribera, Mînzatu and Virkkunen.
Tom Rutland
After years of the Conservatives and Reform trying their best to ruin our relationship with our nearest neighbours, and damaging business exports, this Labour Government have been working hard to ensure that my constituents feel the benefit of our renewed relationship with the European Union. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the work he is doing to ensure that businesses like Worthing’s very own musical instrument business Hobgoblin Music can benefit from the reset in relations we have had with our European neighbours?
Peter Kyle
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour down in sunny Sussex for that question. The reset relationship with the EU has been fundamental and has delivered for businesses right across Britain, including Hobgoblin in Worthing on the sunny south coast of England. We are tackling the barriers to trade. The dialogue we have with the EU on business mobility and recognition of professional services will unlock opportunities into the future. Where working with the EU delivers for Britain, we will do so enthusiastically.
James Asser
I put on record my role as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for Bulgaria. The APPG recently visited Sofia, where we met businesses that are keen to build their trade relationships with this country, particularly in the energy and tech sectors. We also saw the good work being done by our embassy in partnership with the UK-Bulgarian chamber of commerce. Does the Secretary of State agree that we need to look at trading with many of the newer markets in eastern Europe, which are keen to create trade, particularly when we have active business communities from those countries in the UK that are keen to build a partnership that will benefit both our country and theirs?
Peter Kyle
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and his work in this area is incredibly important. Our trade with every one of the newer EU member states has increased over the 12 months to September 2025, and I can give some examples of the kind of work we are engaged in. We are supporting Rolls-Royce, which is planning to build up to six small modular reactor units in the Czech Republic. One of the EU’s fastest growing economies in Europe is, in fact, Poland, and we won Polish Airlines’ first order of 40 Airbus aircrafts, which will benefit the British economy. We have also agreed to start trade policy dialogue with Norway, and we are negotiating a trade agreement with Switzerland to boost trade services. Non-EU countries of course play a vital role in that tapestry as well.
Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)
A sector in need of urgent attention is road haulage—moving not only goods but people across Europe for the purposes of tourism and education but also, importantly, film, TV, sport and music. My constituent Cameron works mainly in the music sector, supporting European tours and festivals. He tells me that the 90/180-day rule is leading to cancelled events and job losses, with some firms only employing dual nationals, using European firms rather than British ones or flying drivers home to swap out on longer journeys to avoid breaching the rules. Although the rules have existed since 2021, as the Secretary of State has told me, they have not been fully enforced. As part of the UK-EU reset, will he look at finding a way to help professional drivers keep the show on the road?
Peter Kyle
The hon. Member points to one of the areas where the Brexit deal negotiated by the Conservative party let down Britain. We are aware of those issues, and they are part of our negotiations. We will see what we can do for the sector into the future.
Clive Jones (Wokingham) (LD)
I have heard from so many businesses in Wokingham that have suffered post Brexit with masses of red tape limiting their exports. Losing key trade relationships in Europe has meant that many local businesses have seen their profits evaporate. What are the Government doing to develop and strengthen trade with Europe, so that businesses in Wokingham can start to grow again? Agreeing a bespoke customs union would be a really good start.
Peter Kyle
The area over which we have the most agency is regulation in this country, and this Government are pledging to reduce the burden on business by 25%. We are very aware of the issue of regulation and barriers to trade, and I mentioned it in my meetings with three EU commissioners just in the last fortnight. Part of the reset is aimed at reducing the burdens on business.
It is good to see that Members from many parties in this House have a real interest in engaging in debate about healing our relationship with the EU and creating new opportunities with our biggest trading partner—with the exception of one party opposite, whose Members are all sitting there, silent. I wonder why.
Daniel Francis (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
Pubs and micropubs like the ones in my hon. Friend’s constituency are at the heart of all our communities. From April, every pub will receive a 15% reduction on its business rates bill, with bills then frozen in real terms for a further two years. Three quarters of pubs will see their bills stay the same or fall, saving the average pub around £1,650 next year. We are also launching a review of how pubs are valued for business rates and investing £10 million through the hospitality support fund to help pubs diversify and to improve productivity across the sector.
Daniel Francis
I recently visited the Bird & Barrel micropub in Barnehurst, which also operates the Bexley Brewery in Slade Green in my constituency. They informed me that, due to the number of tied tenants in the constituency, they have access to less than 8% of the local pub market across Bexleyheath and Crayford. They are pressing me, and I will be pressing, like my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns), to see the pubs code updated to support micropubs and breweries. Will my hon. Friend give some more detail about when we may see some more progress on that matter?
Kate Dearden
What a champion my hon. Friend is for micropubs in his constituency. From Anchor Bay to Bakewell Tart Stout, Bexley Brewery showcases an excellent range of beers, and small brewers and micropubs such as the Bird & Barrel play a vital role in supporting local communities and economies. Alongside the beer market review, the Government are carrying out a statutory review of the pubs code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator, as well as a post-implementation review to assess the code’s impact since 2016. The Government’s report covering that work will be published as soon as practicable.
John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
The Government closely monitor business confidence across the hospitality sector and recognise that businesses face real and sustained pressures. That is why we have announced targeted support measures to help the sector remain resilient. They include: permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties; a significant increase to the hospitality support fund; and action to reduce regulatory burdens by pressing ahead with licensing reform for a new national licensing policy framework to provide greater flexibility for pubs and hospitality venues, allowing them to thrive.
John Lamont
Hospitality businesses in the Scottish borders are being squeezed by rising energy costs and wage and supply bills. Does the Minister think that this Labour Government’s jobs tax has helped or hindered the hospitality sector?
Kate Dearden
Business confidence depends on economic stability, and that is exactly what this Government are delivering: a stable economy where businesses can invest in growth. The hon. Member will have heard my commitment to the hospitality sector—both my personal investment and my absolute determination to work closely with the sector so that we can build stronger local economies with stronger high streets and thriving businesses. Businesses will see that stronger demand, especially when working people have more money to spend, and we are focused on building that stability for our local communities and for businesses to benefit too.
Lee Barron (Corby and East Northamptonshire) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Blair McDougall)
It was worth waiting for. We are clear that Royal Mail’s service performance has not been good enough. I met the sector’s independent regulator Ofcom yesterday to stress the widespread concerns among hon. Members about service standards. My hon. Friend has deep experience in this area, and I welcome his engagement with the main delivery office in Corby, where Royal Mail tells me that it is recruiting nine new postal workers to support the timeliness and quality of its postal services.
Lee Barron
Quality of service in the Royal Mail has been at shocking levels over recent years. Considering that Royal Mail is legally obliged to deliver a universal service and keep our communities connected, will the Minister join me in calling on Royal Mail’s owners to honour their agreement, end the two-tier workforce, and bring new entrants’ terms and conditions up to the same standard as those of substantive Royal Mail employees? Fifty per cent of new entrants are leaving the service within a year, which is leading to a decimation in the quality of service.
Blair McDougall
My hon. Friend is correct to highlight that the service quality issues are linked directly to workers’ terms and conditions. It is precisely because we take that connection so seriously that the Secretary of State convened the meeting between the unions and the owners of Royal Mail. Ofcom made it clear in our meeting yesterday that it expects the plan for improvements in quality of service to be in place within days of an agreement being reached with the unions, and we will certainly hold Royal Mail to that.
Ian Roome (North Devon) (LD)
Does the Minister agree that by being asked to focus on parcels over letters, and having overtime hours for deliveries restricted, many hard-working postal workers will feel that public trust in Royal Mail is being undermined?
Blair McDougall
I discussed the prioritisation of parcels with Ofcom yesterday. It had previously investigated the matter, and it is fair to say that it has heard the widespread concern around the House. If Ofcom continues to be concerned, it will not hesitate to investigate again.
Jayne Kirkham (Truro and Falmouth) (Lab/Co-op)
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Peter Kyle)
In the face of global uncertainty, the Government are acting with boldness, creativity and urgency to back British business. We will soon publish our steel strategy to secure an internationally competitive, investible and sustainable future for British-made steel. We are making highly significant interventions on energy. The supercharger discount will increase next month, further cutting costs for around 500 of the most energy-intensive businesses. The British industrial competitiveness scheme will slash electricity bills for 7,000 businesses by up to 25% from 2027.
We are helping businesses to scale and grow, with the British Business Bank making the largest ever equity investments and UK Export Finance working with banks to generate £11 billion-worth of support for small businesses to export. We are opening new markets, with the India free trade arrangement now through both Houses of Parliament. Just last week, I was in Brussels to sign a new competition co-operation agreement. I expect my Department to match the dynamism of the best of British entrepreneurs, and I am proud to report that with this Labour Government, it is.
Jayne Kirkham
Soul Farm, which delivers organic and sustainable food, is an example of a co-operative business in my constituency that benefits its community. I also have the “Save the Stag” campaign in Ponsanooth, which is trying to take over and run the local pub, as has already been done at the Ship Inn at Portloe. Setting up or transitioning to a co-op model can be difficult. Will the Minister update me on what support the Government are providing to help new co-ops to start up and existing businesses to transition to employee ownership?
Peter Kyle
I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s important question. She will know that our manifesto committed to double the size of the co-op and mutual sector, and we are well on the way to doing so. She will also know that a consultation on this issue closed very recently. We are analysing the results and we will make further statements very soon.
Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs) (Con)
The Government do not create jobs; business does. With unemployment rising, this is the last chance to ask the Secretary of State a question ahead of the start of April when a tsunami of business rate rises will hit. Shops and restaurants will see a 50% increase on average and the business rates of hotels will double. He and I both represent wonderful Sussex constituencies full of hospitality, high street and tourism businesses, but young people need those jobs. For their sake and for others, will he finally postpone his business rate rise?
Peter Kyle
I enjoy these exchanges with the shadow Secretary of State. I note that Reform’s self-styled shadow Secretary of State—or, as I call him, the shadowy Secretary of State—is not in his place, despite being just next door in the Tea Room a few minutes ago. I think that speaks volumes.
The shadow Secretary of State knows that the private sector has created 380,000 jobs under this Government. We will continue to grow the economy and the number of people in work, and make sure that people benefit from all the rights we are delivering, which are pro-business and pro-worker. He spent 14 years letting down Britain. Now he has spent 18 months talking it down.
Andrew Griffith
The Secretary of State forgets that I have not even been here for 14 years. Some days it feels like that, but I can assure him that it is not the case. There was no answer to that question, so let me try another. Does he agree that there is something pretty badly wrong with employment law in this country when Peter Mandelson, the friend of a convicted paedophile and leaker of classified Government documents, walks away with a £75,000 pay-off? The permanent secretary thinks that is good value for money. Will the Secretary of State review Labour’s policy of uncapping employment tribunal payouts for the highest earners?
Peter Kyle
As is so often the case when we have these exchanges, the shadow Secretary of State spends a lot of his time slagging off his own record in office. The Conservatives had 14 years to reform tribunal rights—they did not even touch it. They had 14 years to update workers’ rights and employment status in this country—they did not do it. The economy moved forward; they failed to move forward.
Turning to the issue of Peter Mandelson, I start by recognising that there are victims at the heart of this debate and the issues surrounding it. Those victims are in my mind today as I answer this question, and they have been all the way through. We will make sure that those victims get the justice they deserve. When it comes to the issues surrounding Peter Mandelson, there are multiple inquiries under way. Thames Valley police is leading on a criminal inquiry, and I will leave it at that.
Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
I thank my hon. Friend for her work in this area. The Government believe that trade unions are absolutely essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination, enforcement and low pay. We are providing a legal framework for businesses and unions to negotiate access to the workplace. We recognise that for the framework to effectively facilitate that access, it has to be supported. That is why we are consulting on this. Officials are reviewing those responses, and we will publish a response in due course.
Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Blair McDougall)
Fuel duty is currently frozen. The key thing we can do to make sure we deal with this instability in energy prices is de-escalate in the region. I remind the hon. Member that his party has been calling for us to join the war.
Emma Foody (Cramlington and Killingworth) (Lab/Co-op)
Blair McDougall
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Co-operatives create a really important sense of connection at a time when people feel disconnected, but co-ops and mutuals are also more resilient and more productive. That is why we have made the commitment she references. Our call for evidence has closed, and we are working on the proposals that will flow out of that. I really welcome the news this morning that the John Lewis bonus is returning and congratulate it on its results.
Ian Roome (North Devon) (LD)
Blair McDougall
Our small business strategy sets out the range of measures we are taking to support small businesses. That includes an increase of £4 billion in the finance available to businesses, so that they can invest to take advantage of those opportunities. We will also bring forward the strongest proposals on late payments, to improve cash flow to small businesses, as well as cutting red tape, so that they can take advantage of the opportunities the hon. Member describes.
Melanie Onn (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) (Lab)
The Minister for Trade (Chris Bryant)
I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for the business in her constituency, and she is absolutely right. The Trade Remedies Authority is investigating, as she knows, and I urge industry to participate in that, although I cannot comment on the precise details of the investigation because it might eventually come to my desk. Importantly, we need to make sure that dumping is not acceptable, because it makes it impossible for British businesses to prosper. We will do everything in our power to make sure that we use the remedies available to us to protect British businesses.
Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge) (Con)
Peter Kyle
I am always grateful for invitations to drinks with the right hon. Gentleman. I might well ask him to come to Hove, though; I have been to his constituency a number of times over the years and it is about time he visited mine. When he is there, he will see a thriving hospitality sector, but one that does need support to meet its full potential. We accept that, which is why we have introduced so many support packages since we came into office. What the hospitality sector needs is what every other sector in the economy needs: a stable industrial strategy—
Mr Speaker
Order. Secretary of State, we have a lot of Back-Benchers who are desperate to get in and who want to hear from you.
Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)
For years scotch whisky has faced sky-high import tariffs in India—as high as 150%. The Scotch Whisky Association has described the tariff cuts as “transformational”, and the Scotch whisky industry supports thousands of jobs in my constituency. Does the Minister agree that the increased bilateral trade with India is set to grow the Scottish economy by £190 million a year and is a massive win for the whisky industry, West Dunbartonshire and Scotland?
Chris Bryant
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I commend him for supporting his constituents. Equally importantly, there are many Scottish products in respect of which we need to ensure that British businesses can take the opportunities the India FTA affords, and build on those so that we can build strong British businesses. We also have geographical identification for Scotch whisky in Argentina. We need to build on these gains around the world.
Liz Jarvis (Eastleigh) (LD)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ionoptika, a fantastic local employer in Chandler’s Ford. It told me that UK small and medium-sized enterprises are being impacted by export licence turnaround times, which are taking up to six months for non-controlled goods. Will the Minister confirm when we will see a significant improvement in turnaround times?
Chris Bryant
I am happy to meet the hon. Member if she wants to take me through some of the specific issues in her constituency; I have done that for several hon. Members, and we had a roundtable last week to try to get the timelines down. Sometimes it is difficult. The median time in which we sort them out is 14 days, but if the hon. Member has problems, I am happy to tackle them with her.
Sally Jameson (Doncaster Central) (Lab/Co-op)
From Kingswood accountants to Automated Analytics and our young traders market, Doncaster is home to many businesses run by ambitious entrepreneurs. Will the Minister update the House on how Government support, such as the start-up loan scheme and the growth guarantee scheme, are helping young entrepreneurs and start-ups, and on what more we can do in this policy area?
Peter Kyle
I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s advocacy on this issue. Britain is the start-up capital of Europe. We are doubling down to ensure that once businesses are started up, they can scale up, stay and build their innovation here, which is why we are also the unicorn capital of Europe. We will double down and make sure that all that innovation, job creation and wealth creation remain here benefiting Britain, including my hon. Friend’s constituency.
Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)
Anchor Sound and Security, based in Kings Langley, explained to me how it is disincentivised to hire more employees due to rising compliance costs and regulatory uncertainty. What is the Minister doing to stop regulations stifling small business growth and destroying the strong relationships between employer and employees?
Peter Kyle
The Government have a commitment to reduce the regulatory burden on business by 25%. My Department led on almost £1 billion of regulatory reform for company reporting in just the first weeks of our taking office. The small business plan and strategy will deliver for small businesses, on top of the industrial strategy, of course, which is getting our economy facing the future and into solid growth for now and the future.
Lauren Edwards (Rochester and Strood) (Lab)
I add my voice to that of my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Daniel Francis) in calling on the Government to publish the review of market access for small breweries as soon as possible. I was delighted that Moot Brew brewery from Halling in my constituency produced the guest ale for the Strangers’ Bar in the House of Commons before Christmas. Will the Secretary of State support a national guest beer agreement policy, so that more fantastic local brewers such as Moot are represented in my local pubs?
Kate Dearden
My hon. Friend is a real champion for her local breweries, especially Moot Brew in Halling, which produces excellent beer—I know she visits regularly. We recognise the importance of independent breweries and pubs, and we are of course committed to ensuring that the sector remains diverse, competitive and rooted in local communities. We have reviewed the beer market to assess any barriers, and I will keep my hon. Friend updated.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green) (Con)
Small-volume business manufacturers in the automotive sector are having a terrible time at the moment. They rely on exports, and exports to the US are critical. Although I welcome the agreement the Government struck, costs are still four times what they were before President Trump introduced his tariffs, and those businesses are also being squeezed by business rates and national insurance at home. Will the Secretary of State make urgent representations to the Chancellor? The market is very delicate, and something must be done to reduce costs.
Peter Kyle
The right hon. Gentleman raises an issue that is close to my heart. The Government and I care deeply about the future of the automotive sector. Exports are incredibly important to it, but so is the security of supply chains. I have raised this issue not only with our US counterparts and other export markets but with the EU, to protect supply chains. My ministerial colleague chaired the Automotive Council just yesterday; we are listening, gauging and acting on behalf of the sector. Automotive production fell by 50% when the Conservatives were running the country. We are trying to get it back up to where it deserves to be.
Liam Byrne (Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North) (Lab)
The Select Committee recently flagged that small businesses in our country now face pandemic-level pressures. In April, standing charges for energy are set to rise by 60%, with no price cap protection. Now, soaring oil and gas prices threaten to be the final straw for thousands of SMEs. Will the Secretary of State make an urgent assessment of the risk of soaring energy prices, and give a clear account of how we will keep the SMEs that keep this country running in business?
Blair McDougall
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have taken action through the British industrial competitiveness scheme, which is a downpayment on exactly the sort of support he describes. We are constantly working on ways to cut costs for small businesses, and I am sure we will work with the Select Committee on that.
Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) (LD)
Last time we were here for Business and Trade questions, I asked about exports of paraquat—the use of which is forbidden here—to other countries, and I live in hope that I will get an answer to that question. To update the ministerial team, Syngenta—the company that makes paraquat—put out a press release on 3 March to say that it would stop production this year. May I therefore expand my previous question to ensure that the response includes the export of pesticides and other products whose use is banned in the UK?
Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) (Lab)
The UK economy needs more and more critical minerals, and in Cornwall we have loads of them. Private capital has flown into the duchy on the back of the Labour Government’s investments of about £100 million through the national wealth fund and the Kernow industrial growth fund, but will the Minister update the House on Government plans to unlock more private investment in our critical minerals sector to unleash the Cornish Celtic tiger?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)
My hon. Friend is right: Cornwall has loads of critical minerals. They will be beneficial in driving not only the UK economy but great businesses and export opportunities. As we have said before, we want companies to scale and grow in the UK, to be headquartered and listed in the UK, and to provide great jobs in the UK. That is why I am working with my hon. Friend and his Cornish Labour colleagues, and with the industry and capital markets in the UK, to corral capital into Cornish critical minerals.
Martin Vickers (Brigg and Immingham) (Con)
Since part of Grimsby falls in my constituency, I join my Member of Parliament, the hon. Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Melanie Onn), in celebrating Great Grimsby Day. I recently attended a meeting with the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Sir Nicholas Dakin) and a group of potential investors in the steel industry, who I know have made approaches to the Secretary of State. Can he give me an assurance that all potential private sector investments in the industry will be given serious consideration?
Peter Kyle
I congratulate the hon. Member on Great Grimsby Day, and I can give him that assurance.
Alison Taylor (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)
I thank the Minister for speaking to me about the poor postal service in Dargavel Village in Bishopton. I know he is working hard to resolve matters and answer questions and had meetings yesterday, and I thank him for that. However, as he will appreciate, this matter is of particular importance in Scotland due to the elections on 7 May, because postal votes will be issued soon. In Scotland we have an NHS with significant waiting lists, and we cannot have people missing medical appointments, so on behalf of residents of Bishopton in particular, may I stress the urgency of this matter?
Blair McDougall
My office manager lives in Dargavel Village, so I have a person incentive to ensure that the service improves in the area my hon. Friend represents. We spoke about it yesterday; we have called in Royal Mail, we have brought together unions and management and we had a meeting yesterday with Ofcom to stress that things have to improve. Specific meetings are taking place on postal votes in Scotland, and we have sought assurances that they will not be impacted by the problems with the quality of service.
Dr Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) (LD)
Yesterday I met representatives of the British Chambers of Commerce, who relayed the profound concerns of the UK automative industry that it might be excluded from the European Union’s proposed industrial accelerator Act. Nissan and Honda have already broken cover to say that their futures may be uncertain unless they are included in the “made in Europe” rules. What is the Secretary of State doing, with his Front-Bench team and across Government, to ensure that the UK automotive sector is not placed at a competitive disadvantage as a consequence of those measures?
Peter Kyle
The hon. Member’s question is incredibly important. He will know that my ministerial team and I have been very active on this issue. Just a couple of weeks ago in Brussels I raised it directly with Commissioners. He will also know that in the proposed Act, which has not yet been introduced, there are potential challenges for the automotive sector. We are working with our EU colleagues to make sure that voices of the business community are being heard loud and clear and that the automotive sector—in which 86% of the components assembled in this country come from EU countries—is respected, valued, and secure in the future.
Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Lab)
The sudden shift in steel import policy has created uncertainty for firms that have invested heavily in expanding their operations based on previously stable trading conditions. Will the Secretary of State commit to working with affected businesses in Scotland, including Central Rebar in Alloa, and provide clarity to prevent further disruption and to ensure that companies vital to the Scottish industrial base are not placed at a competitive disadvantage?
Chris McDonald
The Government are incredibly concerned about the gradual erosion of UK domestic steel production compared with imports. I ask my hon. Friend to wait a very short time until the steel strategy is published, and after that he might like a further discussion with me.
Max Wilkinson (Cheltenham) (LD)
High streets are a key concern for us all in this House. On the Promenade in Cheltenham we have Cavendish House, which was a cherished retail centre for 200 years. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Rhondda and Ogmore (Chris Bryant) remembers it. Now it is empty; Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct left and now we have a big, empty building owned by Canada Life. Does the Minister agree that the big pension and investment companies need to pay more respect to our high streets and bring forward planning applications to redevelop and regenerate as soon as they possibly can? We should not be left waiting for as long as we have been.
Blair McDougall
My hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Kate Dearden) mentioned a moment ago that we are working on a new high street strategy, which will seek to deal with some of the issues the hon. Member mentioned. We want investors to step up, but we also have a responsibility, through planning reform, to make it easier to regenerate the types of areas he described.
Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)
Given the global energy crisis, manufacturers reliant on gas will struggle with the recent spikes in energy costs. Will the Secretary of State confirm whether his Department is considering a transitional dual fuel discount, alongside the British industrial competitiveness scheme, for industries that will continue to use gas for the foreseeable future?
Peter Kyle
My hon. Friend will know that the impact of BICS is essential, and it will be fundamental in getting growth into the economy and sustainable businesses into the future. We are looking carefully at how the learning from that can be applied in other areas.
Speaker’s Statement
(5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate
Mr Speaker
Before we come to business questions, I would like to say something about yesterday evening’s proceedings. The final Division of the day on the Third Reading of the Finance (No. 2) Bill was subject to intolerable delays in the voting Lobbies. This Parliament is meant to be respected around the world and should set an example of good behaviour. The behaviour in the Lobby last night involving a group of about half a dozen Government Members, including the Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip, was totally unacceptable. I expect better from right hon. and hon. Members. If Members are asked to move swiftly through the Lobbies, they must do so. The fact that it took 22 minutes to get a vote through is beyond the pale.
I cannot believe this behaviour. It is absolutely not going to be accepted. The Serjeant at Arms lost his authority, because MPs said, “I am not moving,” and pretended to be ill—by 7 o’clock they were suddenly well again. Do we think that gives us good standing in the world? It does not. It is appalling. We should be ashamed. I hope that I will be getting letters from the people who were involved in that protest. If the Government cannot manage the business, perhaps they ought to go on a training exercise rather than disrupting the rules of the House.
I expect better from right hon. and hon. Members. If Members are asked to move swiftly, they must do so and respect the Serjeant. There are other ways in which Government Whips can manage the timings of business in the Chamber. To behave as they did was disrespectful to the House, to the occupant of the Chair—the Deputy Speaker was put in an impossible position—and to the office of the Serjeant at Arms. The Members involved should be ashamed.
Business of the House
(5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con)
Will the Leader of the House give us the forthcoming business?
The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir Alan Campbell)
The business for the week commencing 16 March will include:
Monday 16 March—Consideration of an allocation of time motion, followed by all stages of the Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill.
Tuesday 17 March—Consideration of an allocation of time motion, followed by all stages of the Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill.
Wednesday 18 March—Opposition day (19th allotted day). Debate on a motion in the name of the official Opposition—subject to be announced.
Thursday 19 March—General debate on progress in tackling climate change, followed by a debate on a motion on online harms. The subjects of these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee.
Friday 20 March—The House will not be sitting.
The provisional business for the week commencing 23 March includes:
Monday 23 March—Consideration of Lords amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, followed by consideration of Lords amendments to the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill.
Jesse Norman
Mr Speaker, let me start by associating myself with your remarks just now from the Chair. It is plain to all Members of the House that the Government Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip have badly mis-stepped. Indeed, there has been scant respect for the House more generally from the Government Whips Office. I cannot believe that such a thing would have happened when the Leader of the House was Chief Whip.
If I may, let me join the Prime Minister yesterday, and I am sure the whole House today, in remembering the dreadful events of 30 years ago in Dunblane and paying tribute to the victims and their families.
On a happier note, last Monday saw the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s immortal masterpiece “The Wealth of Nations”.
Jesse Norman
Hon. Members may wish, if they like, to consult works by the shadow Leader of the House on this topic. I doubt whether any other book or any single body of thought has had more effect in improving the lives and livelihoods of people across the world in the intervening 250 years.
We celebrate the service of our armed forces and we rightly treat defence matters, wherever possible, as bound by a united focus on the national interest, but it is precisely that focus on the national interest that requires us now to acknowledge that the past two weeks have been a disaster for this country. Our allies in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and across the Gulf have criticised this country for its “slow” and “weak” response to date. The Cypriot high commissioner and the President of Cyprus have publicly expressed their disappointment and dissatisfaction. Why? Because we have exposed their people and our people to drone attacks as targets, placed weapons systems on their territories, made solemn undertakings to them over many years and now failed to come to their defence in time.
It did not have to be this way, so we must ask how this can possibly have happened. Let us review the history. It was being publicly reported by 15 January that America was starting to build a carrier strike force around the USS Abraham Lincoln, targeted at Iran. On 26 January, The Washington Post reported that this force had arrived in the middle east. On 31 January, our own Prime Minister told the BBC:
“The aim is that Iran shouldn’t be able to develop nuclear weapons…we support the goal and we are talking to allies about how we get to that goal.”
Those remarks come close to an explicit endorsement of the United States on its operation, as they were doubtless intended to.
The key point is this: all this happened four full weeks before the start of the attack. Last week, at this Dispatch Box, I highlighted the gaps and inconsistencies in the Government’s position, between their supposedly settled legal view and the last-ditch political decision reportedly taken in Cabinet on the Friday before hostilities began, and secondly between the Cabinet and the Prime Minister, whose original instinct was to support the USA but who was overruled.
It is now clear that there has also been a disastrous failure of political leadership. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet knew, or should have known, for a full month that the USA was mustering a vast body of forces to attack Iran, that it could not remain on high readiness indefinitely, and so an attack must surely follow. The Prime Minister himself said last week that the Government had pre-deployed some weapons to the region, yet he failed to give instructions in time to the Navy to prepare HMS Dragon, he failed to notify the Cypriots, and he failed to warn our allies and other friends across the region.
Now that they are engaged, our armed forces are discharging their duties with distinction, but the result of this political incompetence has been a fiasco, which brought shame and dishonour on this country. We have the disgraceful sight now of the Government anonymously trashing the Chief of the Defence Staff, in a desperate attempt to deflect responsibility for their own inadequacies, not just via an anonymous leak in The Spectator, repeated in The Telegraph, but by a quoted, but of course unnamed, official to the Financial Times. I cannot recall that a political hatchet job of this kind has ever been performed on a commanding officer in the course of a military operation. It is deeply dishonourable and itself a further sign of failure in No. 10.
Will the Leader of the House support an inquiry into these leaks and briefings? Will he support an investigation, in due course, as to how this embarrassing fiasco can have been allowed to happen and what can be done to prevent it from ever happening again?
Sir Alan Campbell
May I first respond to your words, Mr Speaker, about the events of yesterday evening? I endorse everything that you have said about the need to respect staff—it is absolutely correct that you should say that and I absolutely endorse your remarks. I assure you and the House that not only have the Government heard your words, but they will be acted upon.
May I also associate myself with the remarks that the shadow Leader of the House made about Dunblane? We remember that tragedy. On a personal level, one of the proudest moments in my career was when I voted for a ban on handguns, because that has made a difference to the safety of our communities.
I will turn to the specific remarks made by the right hon. Gentleman in a moment, but the events unfolding in Iran are deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with British citizens and our brave servicemen and servicewomen in the region. The security and safety of British citizens across the region is the Government’s top priority. The first Government-charted flight landed on Tuesday morning, with the second landing on Wednesday. We will continue to explore all options for helping our citizens to return home as swiftly and safely as possible. Drop-in sessions are being held for MPs with concerns. As I said last week, should Members face issues or be unable to get the support that they need for their constituents, I invite them to speak to my office and my officials—we will help in any way we can.
This week, we have launched the social cohesion action plan, which sets out the steps that the Government are taking to improve social cohesion and protect what matters. We will invest in initiatives that create opportunities for connection across backgrounds, and we will expand the Pride in Place programme, which puts more communities at the heart of decision making in their own neighbourhoods. We will develop new tools and powers to safeguard organisations that spread extremism and hate, and that threaten public safety.
It is correct to reflect that last Sunday was Covid-19 Day of Reflection—an opportunity to come together to remember those who lost their lives and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown by many during the pandemic. The Government remain committed to learning the lessons needed from the covid inquiry to protect and prepare us for the future. As a sign of that commitment, just last year the Government held the largest pandemic exercise in British history.
Let me turn to the remarks of the shadow Leader of the House. I agree with his first point; it is incumbent on us in this House that parties work together in times of crisis, which we are facing. I also agree that a bipartisan approach—if we can get one—is the best approach. That is what we did in opposition, even though some of those decisions were very difficult, so I am disappointed in his remarks today. I am particularly disappointed in the leader of his party, the right hon. Member for North West Essex (Mrs Badenoch), because she simply does not seem to acknowledge the importance and responsibility that come with her office.
In terms of the story that the shadow Leader of the House has set out, let me say that we sent assets to the region at the beginning of the year, and HMS Dragon has been dispatched. As I just said, we hold the safety and security of British citizens and servicemen and servicewomen very highly indeed.
On the wider issue that the shadow Leader of the House raises, I simply remind him that his Government left our defences in a shocking state, not least in the diminished surface fleet, with defence expenditure going down. Our task is to rebuild our defences, and we are committed to increasing spending to keep our servicemen and servicewomen safe. In terms of an inquiry, we are in the midst of an international crisis. If such an inquiry is necessary in the future, it should wait until we ensure that our citizens and our servicemen and servicewomen are safe.
Sojan Joseph (Ashford) (Lab)
Overgrown vegetation is impeding access to footpaths on Stansfeld Avenue and Pritchard Drive in Hawkinge in my constituency. When I made representations on behalf of local residents to the local council, I was informed that the footpaths are not registered with the town council, the district council or the county council, because the developers did not consider their long-term stewardship. Until now, local volunteers have ended up having to keep them clear themselves. Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the responsibility of developers to ensure the proper adoption and maintenance of footpaths and other community infrastructure?
Sir Alan Campbell
Unadopted roads and pavements can cause a range of issues for residents, and this Government are currently consulting on the issue of unadopted amenities. I am sure that Members will be updated when that work has concluded, but I will ensure that my hon. Friend’s comments are brought to the attention of Ministers.
Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)
I bring to the House this week a matter that I have raised with the Leader of the House before: fraud. As he knows, fraud is a devastating crime that can destroy people’s life savings and plunge them into debt, and it is now the most frequently experienced crime in Britain. On Monday, the Government released their fraud strategy, but anybody would be forgiven for not noticing, because no Minister came to the Dispatch Box to speak about it, and there was hardly any media coverage.
Given how prevalent this crime is, we have to ask ourselves why no noise was made about this significant strategy. I think the reason is that a key pre-election commitment on fraud was quietly dropped. The Prime Minister himself said that big tech companies need to be held financially accountable for their role in fraud, but when the strategy was released, it did not enforce that commitment; instead, an industry working group emerged, which will talk to the industry and ask them nicely to act. The banks and financial regulators are unhappy about this—of course, the banks are on the hook for paying out compensation to customers when they are victims of fraud. They say that when they try to get big tech companies to act, those companies are far too slow and not responsive, and the only thing that will make them act is if they are also hit in the pocket when fraud takes place. Can the Leader of the House organise for a Minister to come to the Dispatch Box and explain why that commitment was dropped? Also, I raised this matter with the Leader of the House in October last year, and I still have not received a reply from the Minister.
Sir Alan Campbell
The hon. Gentleman asks why there was not a statement on Monday regarding the launch of the strategy. Monday was particularly busy—there were important statements—and the fact that there was not an oral statement on the strategy is not a reflection on the importance of fraud. However, I will bear in mind what he has said.
I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman has pointed out that the Government launched their fraud strategy this week. As he says, fraud is distressing and disruptive, and has long-term effects on victims. I am not as pessimistic as he is about our strategy; it sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen protection and support for victims; £250 million is being invested over the next three years for that fight. However, I note his request for a statement and an update, and I will bring it to the attention of the relevant Minister.
Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Bromborough) (Lab)
Ellesmere Port is benefiting from investment in its new market and £20 million from the Pride in Place fund, but the shopping centre is basically being left to rot by its owners, Adhan. The problem we have is that Adhan is a private company. It has made many promises of investment in the past, but has not delivered; shops are left empty, units are not filled, and the heating in the centre does not even work. Adhan is milking the centre dry and leaving a big hole in the town centre. It is a real shame that this is happening when we have so much other investment, so could we please have a debate about what more powers local authorities could have to compel investment in the whole of our town centres?
Sir Alan Campbell
The reality is that when the Conservative party was in government, it hollowed out our high streets. We are giving unprecedented new powers to local communities to seize boarded-up shops and revitalise neglected high streets, but I will share my hon. Friend’s concerns with Ministers. Should he seek a meeting, I will facilitate one, or if he wants to hear directly from Ministers in a debate, I encourage him to apply for one.
Martin Vickers (Brigg and Immingham) (Con)
In addition to the business that the Leader of the House has announced, I can advise Members that on Thursday 26 March, there will be debates in the Chamber on transport accessibility for disabled people, and on support for Gurkha veterans. In Westminster Hall next week, there will be a number of debates, including one on productivity and economic growth in the east midlands and another—which I am sure will be particularly popular—on the accessibility of banking services. In the week commencing 23 March, there will be debates on sudden unexplained death in childhood, and on outcomes for patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and cranio-cervical instability. There may possibly be a debate on the merits of mandatory body armour for prison officers, but that one is provisional. As the Leader of the House knows, we have a great deal of outstanding debates needing time, and the weekly plea for more time is coming his way.
Turning to an issue of mine, I have many park home owners in my constituency. As I am sure the Leader of the House will be aware, the Government published research only this week about park home owners. The Backbench Business Committee has a pending debate on this subject; if the Leader of the House was particularly generous with Government time, we could bring that forward and satisfy the many park home owners throughout the country.
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank the hon. Gentleman, and indeed the whole Committee for its work. I note with particular pleasure that a debate is scheduled on access to banking services, an issue that has been raised in business questions many times. I cannot promise him more time at the moment, but I recognise that it is important to get confirmation of time as early as possible, and I will endeavour to do that.
We recognise the long-standing concerns of park home residents about things like commission fees. We have launched a call for evidence, and I encourage the hon. Gentleman’s constituents, and everyone else’s, to contribute to it. I remind the House that park home residents are entitled to free independent legal advice about their rights through the Government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service.
Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)
My hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster Central (Sally Jameson) and I have often spoken in the House about the appalling audiology service at Doncaster Royal infirmary. It has put an action plan in place, and the situation regarding first-time appointments has improved, but second and third appointments are just not happening, and people are waiting for hearing aid refits and repairs. Will the Leader of the House ask Ministers to set out how they will support trusts to expand capacity for follow-up audiology care, including through the use of high street provision, where that can be provided under the NHS?
Sir Alan Campbell
We know that people are waiting too long for community health services, and we are committed to cutting waiting lists, including for audiology. We are providing capital investment to upgrade audiology facilities in NHS trusts and expand audiology testing capacity through community diagnostic centres. I have raised my hon. Friend’s concerns with Health Ministers, who I believe wrote to him on the matter earlier this week, but I will ensure that the Department hears his latest question.
Sir Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)
Manufacturers and distributors of bullets in the UK are extremely concerned about the decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ban lead bullets in 2029. The EU was about to make the same decision, but pulled back from it. Can we have an urgent debate about the impact of the decision on UK sovereign capability?
Sir Alan Campbell
I can offer the right hon. Gentleman a meeting with Ministers, if that is what he seeks, and will certainly draw to their attention the point that he raises.
Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)
Lots of us in Aylesbury and the villages have watched the Channel 4 drama “Dirty Business”. One resident described it to me as harrowing, powerful and emotive, and they are right. The Government have made some good progress in tackling the crime of sewage in our waterways through the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, but will the Leader of the House ensure that further parliamentary time is allocated to debate and advance our long-overdue reforms to the water sector?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend raises a very important matter, and the programme to which she refers has rightly caused concern among people and started a dialogue on these matters, which it is important that we have. The reality is that the previous Government should never have allowed the water sector to get into this state, because the public deserve better. As she says, our Water (Special Measures) Act will introduce tough enforcement measures, the most powerful in a decade. The water White Paper goes further, setting out clear powers for the new water regulator, and a new water reform Bill will create the laws that we need to fundamentally change the system. When that Bill is introduced, there will be plenty of time to debate this matter.
Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)
The situation at Zachary Merton hospital in my constituency is causing deep concern locally. Services there were closed on what residents were told was a temporary basis, but that closure has now been made permanent. The evidence behind that decision has not been clearly set out. Communities rightly expect candour when decisions are taken about the future of local healthcare provision. Does the Leader of the House agree that there is a wider issue here about transparency and accountability for NHS service decisions, and will he consider granting a debate in Government time on the future of community healthcare provision?
Sir Alan Campbell
I agree on the need for candour and openness for residents, who are obviously concerned about the matter to which the hon. Lady refers. Should she wish to make her case to the relevant Minister, I will make sure that she has that opportunity.
Samantha Niblett (South Derbyshire) (Lab)
Comedy has always been part of the fabric of British society, so I am delighted to be a patron of the newly launched CRAFT, the Comedy Representation and Artform Trust, which has been set up to give the comedy industry the formal recognition that it deserves, and to ensure fair funding and Government and industry support. Comedians range from national treasures and emerging talent to home-grown funny people in our communities, such as Steve Cook in my constituency of South Derbyshire, who runs “I love Swad” on Facebook with Pete Jacob and Dan Brass. Steve never fails to make me laugh. The council decided to turn a roundabout into an “interesting feature”, which he has called “Swadhenge”. Members will find it if they google it, and it features on Tripadvisor. Does the Leader of the House agree that comedy is an art form, not just a genre? Will he join me in thanking Lu Jackson—the founder of CRAFT—Steve Cook, and all those who support comedy in the UK?
Sir Alan Campbell
Comedy, much like me, brings light and laughter to our lives. It is a talent and an art that I am proud to join my hon. Friend in recognising. I thank everyone who supports the incredible UK comedy scene, including Lu Jackson from CRAFT and Steve Cook from her constituency.
Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)
It was good that the Government hosted a session on heating oil. In rural constituencies, such as North East Fife, almost 15% of people rely on heating oil, so it is really important that the Government are debating this issue. As the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, my right hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael), has said, red diesel is also an issue. The rural impacts of the conflict in Iran go beyond heating oil; fertiliser is another challenge, with reports of a 40% increase in the cost. Given that food security is becoming even more vital, will the Leader of the House ensure that we have a statement from the Environment Secretary on the rural impacts of the conflict?
Sir Alan Campbell
I do not think we have been shy in bringing forward statements on matters that have arisen from the crisis in Iran, and we will continue to do so. The hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise concerns about heating oil and other matters. As she knows, the Energy Minister has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to make sure that consumers are treated fairly, and there is the option of an investigation into unfair practices, if that becomes necessary. The Government are very cognisant of energy prices in general, but also of the price of heating oil and fuel. We will keep that under close watch and, when appropriate, update the House on what we intend to do about it.
James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)
This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the West Ham station attack, in which an IRA bomb exploded on a tube train, injuring nine people. Post Office engineer Peter Chalk was shot and seriously injured, and the tube driver, Joseph Julius Stephen, was shot and killed, as they attempted to stop the attacker escaping. Mr Stephen was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry medal, and we are marking his sacrifice at the station this week. Will the Leader of the House join me in marking this anniversary, and in sending the House’s best wishes to his widow, Janet? Does he agree that we should always mark significant anniversaries, particularly when they involve public sector workers who stepped up, went above and beyond the call of duty, and sacrificed or risked their life to protect the public?
Sir Alan Campbell
I join my hon. Friend in sending our best wishes to the friends and family of Mr Stephen, and I thank him for raising this important anniversary. It is important that we remember such events, not least because it underlines the importance of community. I join my hon. Friend in recognising all public servants who have acted in the face of danger to protect us as we go about our daily life.
Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)
Last week, I met Toby Hammond, the lead volunteer for West Yorkshire scouts. Astonishingly, the scouts have learned that they could be hit by Labour’s new tourist tax, which is being introduced by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. Because the tax is on overnight stays, it could apply to youth camps, outdoor experiences and sleepovers run by volunteers at scout groups across Keighley and Ilkley, who give up their evenings for the benefit of our young people. The tax will hit thousands of children and young people, who will be negatively impacted. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on this issue, and join me in urging the Mayor of West Yorkshire to scrap this tax once and for all? It is impacting many of our scout groups, which continue to do vital work for our young people.
Sir Alan Campbell
I sincerely hope that the impact is not as the hon. Gentleman has led us to believe. If he wants confirmation about that, I will arrange for a Minister to explain the situation to him. It is absolutely right that mayors are given the choice of whether they introduce a tourist tax. It will be controversial in many ways—we understand that—but let us not forget that there are benefits in what that income can be used for. I join with him in his worry that, if it impacts negatively on scouts, that should be borne in mind because they do a fantastic job.
Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) (Lab)
Bank closures have affected many communities. In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, we have a banking hub in Abertillery and will shortly have one in Ebbw Vale, so that residents have access to bank services on their high street. These are very popular, and it is great that the Government are committed to delivering 350 banking hubs. May we have a statement to find out how that is going, and to hear about lessons learned and whether access to hubs could be widened in the future?
Sir Alan Campbell
Banking is changing, with many customers benefiting from the convenience of managing their finances remotely, but the Government understand the importance for many people of face-to-face banking and are committed to supporting sufficient access for customers. That is why the financial services industry, with Government support, is committed to rolling out 350 banking hubs. That 350 is not an upper limit on how many there will be. There will be 350 by the end of this Parliament, but there is no reason why the process cannot continue. The Government are working closely with the industry on this commitment, including through regular ministerial engagement. As we assess the roll-out of banking hubs, I am sure Ministers will want to bear in mind the need to update the House when appropriate.
Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)
May I associate myself with the remarks of the Leader of the House and the shadow Leader of the House about the anniversary of Dunblane?
Many of us in this place have pensioner constituents abroad, and the 90% of them who are in the Commonwealth had their pensions frozen from the point at which they left. This is an issue of great concern not just to them, but increasingly to the Governments of Canada and Australia in particular, as it places a heavy burden on them. The annual regulations were recently passed by this House, but that happened without scrutiny because of the way in which they are passed. Is there a way to arrange a meeting with Ministers or a debate in the House so that we can examine this policy and see if there is a way to amend it to make it fairer both for those pensioners and for everyone else affected by it?
Sir Alan Campbell
I do not know the answer to the hon. Lady’s question, except to say that if she seeks a meeting with a Minister, I will help her to facilitate one.
Catherine Atkinson (Derby North) (Lab)
Monday 16 March marks the start of Sign Language Week. Derby has the largest deaf community of any local authority in the country, thanks in large part to the Royal School for the Deaf, which was founded in 1898, and the strong and supportive community that has arisen ever since. Even in Derby, however, too many people find public services inaccessible. Does the Leader of the House agree that, across our public services, everyone should be able to access information and communicate in a way that works for them? Will he join me in wishing everyone who uses British Sign Language in Derby and across the country a very happy Sign Language Week? [In British Sign Language: Happy Sign Language Week.]
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House, and I absolutely endorse her remarks about more people being able to use and understand sign language, because it is a vital means of communication for many people. I hope that this week raises some much-needed awareness of the importance of British Sign Language, so I take this opportunity, along with the whole House, to wish everyone a happy Sign Language Week.
Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire) (Con)
Farmers in Kingswinford and South Staffordshire have contacted me in recent days about the steep rise in the price of key inputs such as fertilisers and straw. Current events are likely to make these pressures even more acute, with serious implications for farm viability and domestic food production. Could we have a debate in Government time on the rising costs facing British farmers and the long-term resilience of UK food production?
Sir Alan Campbell
It seems longer, but we are 11 days into this particular crisis and, as I said, the Government have not been shy in bringing forward statements where necessary on particular aspects of it. I will raise the hon. Gentleman’s concerns with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ministers who, I am sure, are watching the situation very carefully. Should the need arise to update the House, I am sure that that is what they will do.
Jim McMahon (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)
There are around 430 farmer-owned co-operatives in the UK and around 150,000 farmer members, with a turnover of £10 billion a year. They deliver high quality food produced the highest welfare and environmental standards. With food security being national security and the Government being committed to doubling the size of the co-operative sector, will the Leader of the House grant time for a debate on expanding the agricultural co-operative sector, so that it can play a role in strengthening the UK’s food production?
Sir Alan Campbell
I pay tribute to the co-operative movement for the work it does in this regard. It is a very important part of the story of food production. Should my hon. Friend seek a debate on these matters, I am sure there are many Members across the House who would want to join in to discuss what is a very important subject.
Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)
May we have an update from a Health Minister on progress in the review of prostate cancer policy and whether it will focus, as it should, on such issues as targeting particularly vulnerable age groups or ethnic groups, such as black males, one quarter of whom will be affected by this disease at some stage in their lives, and speeding up National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approval of relevant drug treatments in England and Wales which are already being prescribed in Northern Ireland and Scotland?
Sir Alan Campbell
The right hon. Gentleman will know that the Government have produced England’s first ever men’s health strategy. We are not just reforming the way things are done; we are putting in the investment as well. On the specific issue he raises, which I agree is an extraordinarily important matter, I will seek an update from a Health Minister for him. Should he seek further detail after that, I will help him to arrange that, too.
Noah Law (St Austell and Newquay) (Lab)
I was delighted to see the Eden Project’s recent report, which shone a light on the nearly £7 billion-worth of positive impact it has drawn into the Cornish economy and our community over the past 25 years. Will the Leader of the House work with me and across Departments to ensure that our high street strategy and our local visitor economy strategy work for Cornish businesses, local wealth creation, skills development and our wider communities, just as the Eden Project has done?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is a strong advocate not just for his constituency but for Cornwall, and I commend him for that. As he said, the Eden Project has been an amazing initiative, contributing to the local community and economy, attracting visitors, creating jobs and generating a £6.8 billion boost to the area since it opened. My door is always open to my hon. Friend to discuss what further action can be taken to champion this cause. If he seeks one, I will also get him a meeting with the relevant Minister.
Anna Sabine (Frome and East Somerset) (LD)
For decades, local people in Frome have used Packsaddle fields as a valued space for walking, recreation and nature. Plans to build housing on the site were refused twice last year, because of the harm it would cause to the communities who use the land. Despite that, and the fact that it has no live planning application, LiveWest is now taking legal action relating to access to the fields and has forced Somerset council to fence off the area, which simply denies local people the many benefits of being able to enjoy the outdoors. Will the Leader of the House urge the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to consider whether it can be reasonable for land to be fenced off in that way and help me to organise a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss it?
Sir Alan Campbell
I will raise the matter with the relevant Minister and ensure that the hon. Lady gets an update on the important point she raises, but I gently point out, as I do when housing matters are considered, that it is much better if these things are decided locally and communities can go along with them, because we do need more houses. We need more houses for people to live in and to make sure communities are resilient, but I will ensure that she gets a response to the specific point from the relevant Minister.
Ian Lavery (Blyth and Ashington) (Lab)
Silicosis is a particularly nasty, debilitating respiratory disease. Alarmingly, it is on the increase in the UK, predominantly in young people between the ages of 20 and 30, so we really need to look at it. It is a preventable disease. The reason it is escalating is the increase in dry cutting of engineered stone. May we have a debate in Government time on how the Government can intervene to prevent this debilitating disease from becoming the next national tragedy like asbestos?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend, as ever, raises an important issue. The Government are committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services, and the NHS has specialist centres for diagnosing and managing lung diseases that cause scarring, such as silicosis. I will ensure that the relevant Minister hears my hon. Friend’s concerns. If he wants a meeting with the Minister, I will help to facilitate that too. We should use the experience of people like my hon. Friend on these matters, because he brings a loud, strong voice to them.
John Glen (Salisbury) (Con)
My constituent Kate Szymankiewicz’s daughter, Ruth, tragically died in a mental health in-patient unit. She has been told by the Government that the law as it stands already provides adequate protections to ensure that family contact and visits can happen, but that plainly did not happen in this case, with tragic consequences. Will the Leader of the House facilitate a debate, statement or meeting with the relevant Minister on this matter? When such a tragedy happens, it is not enough to say that the law is satisfactory as it is. My constituents will not rest until the tragic death of their daughter is properly met by Government action.
Sir Alan Campbell
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise these matters, and I commend him on the way he has raised them today. It is an awful tragedy when these things happen, and I understand the family’s reluctance to accept that the law is strong enough. Should he seek a meeting with the relevant Minister, I will help him to facilitate it.
Mr Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)
March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. As we know, this Labour Government have created a men’s health strategy in which the men and boys summit later this year will be an essential pillar. Today, the all-party parliamentary group on prostate cancer heard powerful testimony from Movember, Maggie’s, the British Association of Urological Nurses and Alphonso Archer, a survivor who spoke powerfully about the inequities in prostate cancer care provision and the place for music therapy in the recovery process. I welcome the powerful response to the right hon. Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis), but will the Leader of the House ensure that a roundtable on prostate cancer is included in the lead-up to the very welcome summit later this year?
Sir Alan Campbell
As my hon. Friend points out, this is the second time this matter has been raised today, which underlines its importance. Should he seek a debate, I am sure that others would join him in raising these important matters. I will certainly look into the idea of a roundtable before the summit.
Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Reform)
Every year, for St George’s day, my local scouts in Romford have a parade and a service at a local church; in fact, there are two parades in Havering, as this also happens in Hornchurch. This year, however, the police have withdrawn support as they are not prepared to marshal the very short parade on the basis of cost. We pay in huge sums of money for the Metropolitan police and, as with any kind of event, I expect them to be there to look after the safety of the young people celebrating the patron saint of scouting. Will the Leader of the House allow time for a debate on the importance of celebrating St George’s day as part of our great English cultural heritage, as well as the failure of the Metropolitan police to ensure that the London borough of Havering is given the police cover that we deserve and pay for?
Sir Alan Campbell
I am sure that this was not an easy decision for the police, but I can understand the distress that it might cause. Even now, I hope that a local solution can be found. The hon. Gentleman raises the question of whether there will be a debate to commemorate St George’s day—let me see what we can do in that regard. Such a debate would give him and others the opportunity to raise issues like this one.
Jim Dickson (Dartford) (Lab)
It has been a really big step forward to see the statutory levy on gambling operators up and running since April last year, with the money raised from it ringfenced for much-needed gambling-related harms research, prevention and treatment. However, with only three weeks until the new financial year, I am concerned that funding allocations have not yet been announced, leaving vital organisations such as GamCare, Gordon Moody and many others uncertain of their future. Will the Leader of the House pass on my concerns to the relevant Health Minister and ask that they update the House on this issue as soon as possible?
Sir Alan Campbell
We are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk and to reducing harmful gambling. Levy commissioners are best placed to make decisions on the future of their work. I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard my hon. Friend’s concerns and that he gets an update, but it will be a Minister from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, because that is the Department responsible for the implementation and oversight of the gambling levy.
David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)
I would like to associate myself with the earlier remarks about the Dunblane tragedy.
Could the Leader of the House arrange for a statement on Government support for egg production in the UK, which is a vital part of the food chain? My constituency has some of the UK’s largest egg producers, such as Glenrath Farms, which is very concerned about a consultation on the phasing out of enriched colony cages. They point out that current UK trade policy allows the tariff-free import of eggs and egg products from lower-welfare systems, including conventional cages, which are still legal in many non-EU countries. A unilateral UK ban on cage egg production without equivalent import restrictions would accelerate imports of shell eggs and egg products from systems that would be illegal domestically and would undermine UK producers and processors who have invested heavily in enriched cages.
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for bringing this matter to the House. I agree that support for the British egg industry is vital. He will know that DEFRA recently held a public consultation on this matter, and the call for views closed last week. We await the outcome of that consultation, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard the right hon. Gentleman’s remarks this morning. Once the outcome of the consultation has been considered, we will help to arrange a statement or debate should one be necessary.
Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)
For my constituents who have been affected by the loan charge, the McCann review is a long-anticipated step towards bringing a year of uncertainty to an end. However, some individuals still feel that cases dating back decades remain unsolved and that enforcement has not been applied evenly between scheme promoters and those who use the arrangements. What analysis has been carried out on how the recommendations of the McCann review will affect individuals and businesses currently engaged with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on loan charge matters?
Sir Alan Campbell
The Government understand the strength of feeling about this issue, which is why we accepted all but one of the independent review’s recommendations and at the Budget made the decision to write off £5,000 from the liabilities of everyone affected by the loan charge. I will ensure that Ministers have heard my hon. Friend’s concerns today.
Zöe Franklin (Guildford) (LD)
In my constituency and right across the country, the continuation of the spike in the oil price is having a huge financial impact on families who are reliant on heating oil. Will the Leader of the House please allow a debate in Government time on the plans to help with this issue, and will he ask his colleagues in the Treasury to look at a heating oil price cap?
Sir Alan Campbell
As I said previously, the Minister for Energy has asked the CMA to make sure that consumers are being treated fairly, with the option of investigation into unfair practices should they occur. We will not tolerate companies profiteering from this conflict. Should it be necessary, I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Energy Secretary will set out to the House what further action the Government intend to take.
Joe Morris (Hexham) (Lab)
Last summer, I did a tour across my constituency, holding 80 surgeries in four weeks, and the No. 1 issue in west Northumberland was potholes on rural roads. We are unfortunately lumbered with Conservative-run Northumberland county council, which manages to be both incompetent and neglectful of the west of the county to an almost historic degree. I wonder if the Leader of the House will join me on a visit to one of the potholes in my constituency.
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that matter in the House—he is a strong advocate, not just for his constituency but for the west of the very beautiful county of Northumberland. The Government are investing £24 billion in maintaining and improving motorways and local roads across the country. I join him in urging councils, such as Northumberland county council, to act so that our constituents can reap the benefits of that funding. As for the tempting invitation that he sends me, I will certainly look at my diary.
Greg Smith (Mid Buckinghamshire) (Con)
The Liberal Democrat-chaired Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes fire authority has just consulted on closing Stokenchurch and Great Missenden fire stations and removing nearly a quarter of the fire engines from the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes fire authority area. It is no surprise that the consultation responses are in and the public do not want to see those dangerous cuts taking place. Yet the papers for next week’s meeting of the fire authority seem to show that it will ignore the consultation and carry on regardless. May we have a debate in Government time about the duties on public bodies to listen to consultations? Otherwise, the public will just look at these things as token exercises rather than real, meaningful engagement.
Sir Alan Campbell
I understand public concern when issues such as those arise, and whenever possible, of course the authorities need to listen to residents. Should the hon. Gentleman seek a Westminster Hall debate, I am sure that others will seek to join him in that because there are common concerns in other areas of the country.
Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)
A constituent contacted my office to say that their daughter and her partner are caught in a student loans trap, where although they are both working and paying back their loans, they are hardly making any headway in reducing their debts. Apparently, of those with student loans, 76% feel trapped by a student loan balance that keeps growing despite their repayments, 87% do not think that the 6.2% interest rate on plan 2 loans is fair and 81% say that they were not fully informed about the terms of the loan when they took it out. I am aware of the inquiry that has been launched by the Treasury Committee, but will the Leader of the House please agree to a debate in Government time in due course about how we can make student loans fairer, so that our young graduates do not face a life of never-ending, overwhelming debt?
Sir Alan Campbell
We inherited a system of student loans that was effectively broken for many people. We are trying to make changes to the system to make it fairer, and we will continue to look at ways to do that. My hon. Friend refers to the Treasury Committee, which is looking into the matter. Once the Committee has been given time to consider it, hopefully it will be brought to the Floor of the House and will lead to the debate that my hon. Friend seeks.
Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin) (PC)
I have been inundated, as have many in the House, with messages from constituents facing impossible heating oil costs, with one telling me that their 500-litre order has soared from £302 to over £900. At yesterday’s meeting arranged by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the Government said that people should apply to their local council for emergency support via the crisis and resilience fund; however, we know that councils are on their knees financially and simply do not have that money. Additionally, the fund is England-only. May we have a debate in the House on the need for the UK Government to take responsibility by providing new crisis support funding for off-grid households in Wales and the other devolved nations?
Sir Alan Campbell
This issue has been raised a number of times this morning and that demonstrates the strength of feeling. I encourage the hon. Lady to seek a debate on these matters to hear from the Minister, or if she wants a meeting with him to explain her concerns, I will help her to facilitate that.
Paul Waugh (Rochdale) (Lab/Co-op)
Rochdale’s BASA football club recently returned from its tour of Bangladesh, where members met street children, blind children and autistic children who were helped by the amazing £20,000 that the club had raised for charity. Will the Leader join me in congratulating Doliz Miah, Saj Miah and all the lads at BASA, as well as their sponsors: the Pavilion, Pandora, Panchi, and Amor restaurants?
Sir Alan Campbell
I am delighted to hear about the fundraising success of Rochdale’s Bangladeshi Arts and Sports Association football club. I join my hon. Friend in congratulating the whole team and everyone associated with them, including the sponsors who made it possible.
Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)
In the late 1930s, this country’s defence industrial base grew very fast to deal with the mounting threat. The failure to publish the defence industrial plan is not in that tradition, from Spitfires in Trowbridge to the Royal Ordnance factory in Chorley—you will know that very well, Mr Speaker. Can we have a debate in Government time to establish when the defence investment plan, whose delay is holding back our defence industrial base, will be published?
Sir Alan Campbell
The Government are committed to publishing the plan and we will do so at the first opportunity. We are facing a similar situation to the one that the right hon. Gentleman describes at the end of the 1930s, when defences were run down and the decision had to be made to start to rebuild them. That is why the work at the end of the 1930s had to happen. Of course, we hope that what happened later will not happen now—that is evident—but we are trying to rebuild our defences. We are working on the plan, and we will publish it as soon as we can.
Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab)
I associate myself with the words of the Leader of the House in support for the armed forces, particularly HMS Dragon, which left Portsmouth’s shores. Residents in Cosham, Paulsgrove, Hilsea and Drayton and Farlington have faced years of dangerous antisocial behaviour along Portsdown Hill. Following what seems to be delays from the Hampshire police and crime commissioner’s office and potentially the council, the average speed cameras promised to the community are still only at tendering stage, and they will not be installed under after the summer. Understandably, my constituents do not want to face another summer of disruptions and unsafe driving. What further steps can I take to expediate action and ensure that these communities finally see the enforcement measures that they were promised?
Sir Alan Campbell
We published our road safety strategy in January, which marks a turning point in the Government’s approach. We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard my hon. Friend’s contribution. This is also an opportunity to thank everyone involved in getting HMS Dragon ready to embark; I pay tribute to them. I also congratulate the city of Portsmouth, which I understand celebrates its centenary this year.
Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD)
Criterion Capital has recently embarked on a series of mass no-fault evictions in my borough of Merton, including Emerald House in my constituency. It is a shameless attempt to do so before the practice becomes illegal under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Section 21 notices have been accompanied by ostensibly fraudulent electrical safety reports issued by a company dissolved at the date of issue, after supposed visits that do not appear to have taken place. The owner of Criterion Capital is Mr Asif Aziz, who has given tens of thousands of pounds to the Labour party and to the Conservatives. Will the Leader of the House assist me in securing a debate in Government time on this rogue landlord? Does he agree that the Labour and Conservative parties should immediately return his donations?
Sir Alan Campbell
That issue was raised earlier this week by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame Siobhain McDonagh). I understand the concern. It is important that the Government are changing the law in this regard, and the hon. Gentleman is right to call out people who are acting unfairly in the run-up to that change. It is much more important that we protect the people involved, rather than seek to play party politics.
Adam Thompson (Erewash) (Lab)
In Erewash, we are very lucky to have a fantastic community radio station in Erewash Sound. Thanks to the incredible Jeff Martin, Paul Stacey, Emma Duthie and dozens of other volunteers, we have a proper local radio station that focuses on hyper-local matters, promotes our community and has created a media training pipeline through the Erewash Sound Academy, which creates real excellence. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on community radio, so that everyone can hear more about the magic that my community and many others around the country enjoy?
Sir Alan Campbell
I join my hon. Friend in thanking all those involved in community radio, including Jeff, Paul and Emma at Erewash Sound. I know my hon. Friend was a keen musician in his youth, and that community radio stations such as those in his community are vital for local and grassroots music. I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on the topic, because I am sure others would wish to join in and celebrate what is happening in their areas.
Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)
On Monday, my wife asked me what we were doing at work this week, and I said I was trying to support the British pub industry. She looked at me and said, “Trust me, you’re doing your bit already.” We probably will not agree on the reasons why the pub industry is suffering a bit, but does the Leader of the House agree that we would show some leadership in our communities if all 650 Members committed to going to their local pub and buying a drink this weekend?
Sir Alan Campbell
I certainly encourage Members to visit their local pubs, because they are an important part of local communities, but I also encourage them to be moderate in their actions, because we might save the pub, but we might not save our marriages.
Dave Robertson (Lichfield) (Lab)
Residents of St John’s Grange in Lichfield have serious concerns about the property management company, Remus, that is running their estate. Some residents have submitted formal complaints and had no reply from the company, and a promised meeting between the company and concerned residents has never materialised. I wrote to Remus in October to ask it to meet me but got no reply. I wrote again in November and got no reply. In February, I escalated it to the CEO. He did get back to me and told me that the regional manager would be in touch. A month later, I have heard nothing. Will the Leader of the House join me in calling on Remus to stop dodging residents’ complaints and meet me as a matter of urgency?
Sir Alan Campbell
Yes, I will. It is important that Members of Parliament raise matters such as these on behalf of their constituents. Remus and other companies should accept that responsibility and respond in an appropriate way.
Jess Brown-Fuller (Chichester) (LD)
Developers building in Bosham, Earnley and Bracklesham in my constituency were given planning conditions that did not allow them to move residents on to the new developments until there was sufficient waste water treatment works capacity. Well—surprise, surprise—there is no extra capacity at the waste water treatment works, yet the developers are now going back to the council to ask it to remove from the planning conditions the commitment that got them the planning permission in the first place. Will the Leader of the House arrange for me to meet the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, so that I can talk to them about an infrastructure-first approach to development?
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr Speaker
Order. We are going to finish this at 12 o’clock. To help each other, we will have to really speed up.
Daniel Francis (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Lab)
Last year, the Conservative-controlled council in the London borough of Bexley demolished the much-loved Parkside community centre in Barnehurst. The council has now said it will allow the centre to be rebuilt if a charity funds the rebuilding. I have conducted a survey of local residents, and 89% believe that the council should rebuild it, rather than a charity. Can time be made available for a debate on the importance of community buildings and the level of support available to voluntary groups who run them?