Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Commons Chamber

Thursday 15th October 2026

(began 3 hours, 14 minutes ago)

09:34

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Order. Order. Order Order. Order to Order. Order to the Order. Order to the Secretary Order. Order to the Secretary of State for business, innovation, Science and Trade.

09:34

Aphra Brandreth MP (Chester South and Eddisbury, Conservative)

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Aphra Brandreth. Question number >> Aphra Brandreth. Question number one, Madam Deputy Speaker. Well done. Hear, hear. >> With your permission, Madam Deputy Speaker. I shall answer questions one and five together. Everything my Department does from industrial strategy. Small business support, trade and exports to innovation and science has at the heart of it the creation of good jobs in the UK, with a specific reference to jobs for young people. There are challenges, that is no doubt, but youth unemployment has shown to be outperforming comparable economies like France and Italy.

And of course, the government has a further agenda in this area.

09:35

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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So thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The wonderful family run ice cream farm in Tatenhill is one ice cream farm in Tatenhill is one of our region's largest youth employers, giving many young people employers, giving many young people their very first job. But current rule limits children below school, leaving age to just two hours work on Sundays, even during school holidays. For rural businesses, when parents often have to drive considerable distances to get their kids to work, this simply isn't practical.

Will the Secretary of State review this restriction while maintaining important safeguards, so businesses like the ice cream farm can offer more young people that vital first work experience?

09:36

Joe Robertson MP (Isle of Wight East, Conservative)

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Well, I appreciate the hon. Lady's question. It is a subject that has come up with me before, both on a constituency basis and as a Secretary of State. I do think there's the potential to to look at the regulations in this area. I don't think it's about any sort of sense of exploitation, but reasonable opportunities provided for young people in a way that can actually be what the young people themselves are desiring. So I promise I will go and look at that and write to the hon.

Lady with further information.

09:36

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Joe Robertson thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Jobs and opportunities for young people have dried up over the last two years, because the government has made it more expensive to employ them on the Isle of Wight. It's compounded our pre-existing structural problems. Will the government now do the right thing and halve national Insurance contributions for employing under 25 to help grow more opportunities and jobs for young people?

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I would say to the hon. Gentleman, no one in this government is complacent about the challenges of youth unemployment, challenges of youth unemployment, but there's been no spike in the figures since 2024. The rise has been consistent since 2022 and been consistent since 2022 and entirely linear fashion. I would obviously remind him as well that he will know employers don't pay he will know employers don't pay National Insurance and under 21 year olds, they don't pay it for apprentices under the age of 25.

So apprentices under the age of 25. So I think it's important to be clear on how the system works in relation to the challenges and how it feels. It compounds challenges in his constituency. Of course, there is a further agenda coming in this area through the Milburn Review, an exciting set of proposals that I believe employees in his area will get behind if we make them a substantial offer.

09:37

Amanda Hack MP (North West Leicestershire, Labour)

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Amanda Hack.

09:37

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. It was my pleasure to host the British Retail Consortium in Parliament for their announcement of Opening shift, a partnership partnership between government and 40 retailers, pledging over 11,000 work placements to help support young people who are not in education, training or employment into work. How could. Could the Minister update me on progress for other retailers to get involved, but also how we could extend opening shift to ensure semi-rural

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constituencies like mine of North West Leicestershire can benefit? Yeah. Well, I commend my hon. Friend

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Well, I commend my hon. Friend for the work she's doing. One of my first jobs as a young person was in foster menswear in Sunderland city foster menswear in Sunderland city centre. My performance was mixed, to be honest, but it was an important set of skills to learn. I believe that is a sector that is known for the opportunities it provides for young people. The. My

09:38

Brian Leishman MP (Alloa and Grangemouth, Labour)

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provides for young people. The. My hon. Friend will know there is already a set of proposals from the government in terms of not just the tax as it relates to National Insurance, but also incentives to take young people into employment if they've been out of work for a period of time or onto an apprenticeship, if they're in that age cohort. There's more we can do in this area, but there is an offer there, and she's doing the right thing by highlighting that to businesses in her constituency.

09:38

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Brian Leishman. >> Brian Leishman. Speaker. >> Now, very recently, Syngenta in Grangemouth have announced 377 redundancies. This, along with recent closures to Versalis, Fujifilm and of course, the Grangemouth oil refinery, means a real reduction in possible positive destinations for local young people. Now, what can the UK government do to accelerate the readiness of sites in Grangemouth to unlock the £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, so that we can build Grangemouth and Scotland's

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industrial future? I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this question and obviously the for this question and obviously the immediate activities in supporting the affected employees throughout the consultation period. He will the consultation period. He will know the use of the powers of government, the powers of the state to make sites available quickly for to make sites available quickly for inward investment to the UK has always been a priority of mine. He is right to say the National Wealth

09:39

Julia Lopez MP (Hornchurch and Upminster, Conservative)

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is right to say the National Wealth Fund has already made a nominal allocation to Grangemouth, and there are other programmes, such as the Strategic Sites Accelerator that were part of the Industrial Strategy, which are all about trying to improve the pace at which we can take advantage of the investment opportunities the UK is presented with, but I can promise him I'll remain in close consultation with him and of course, the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero about.

09:40

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Shadow Secretary of State Julia Lopez. Lopez. >> Thank you. It's British Beauty Week, which. Madam Deputy Speaker, I can see you've been celebrating. I'm sure that the Secretary of State has. I'm sure the Secretary of State has been celebrating too. But it's tough out there for our But it's tough out there for our salons. It's tough. The industry has lost 1 in 5 employees last year. That's the largest loss of employment of any job type in the UK. Now, many will have been young people starting their careers in the industry, but fewer salons can afford to employ and train them because they are getting hammered by the jobs tax. Soaring business rates and higher utility bills. What hope is the Prime Minister

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offering them? Here? Well, I'm grateful to the hon. Lady for her question. I hon. Lady for her question. I noticed she didn't go to me first on British Beauty Week. Madam Deputy Speaker, she went to you in that that is a that is a fair that that is a that is a fair contribution. British Beauty Week is, is is an important moment, not is, is is an important moment, not least to celebrate the contribution of the sector, but also, I believe, over 5000 new apprentices who'll be over 5000 new apprentices who'll be starting in the sector in every corner of the UK this year.

In terms of the hope. She asks effectively, what is the what is the big economic story in the UK? And I would say hope comes from the fact that despite the challenges that exist in the global economy around the world, the economy under this government is clearly performing more strongly than it

09:41

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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did for 14 years under the Tories. My proof points of that are that wages are rising faster than prices wages are rising faster than prices and, crucially, that GDP is rising not just overall but per head, as opposed to the the modest increases we saw under the Conservatives, really from population increase to large scale immigration. So an economy that's performing more economy that's performing more strongly is in the interests of every business. And in terms of the opportunities for young people, both those tax and fiscal

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incentives that I talked about. And again, a further agenda coming through the Milburn Review. Liberal Democrats spokesperson Sarah Olney.

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Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Youth unemployment stands at 15%. And in London that stands at 15%. And in London that figure is 25%. 700,000 graduates are out of work. Retail and hospitality are cornerstones of the everyday economy, providing vital employment, driving local growth employment, driving local growth and creating thriving town centres. But average employment costs have

09:42

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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increased by 11% since Labour took office, which disproportionately affects sectors which traditionally offer those entry level jobs. Policy decisions taken by this government are making it impossibly hard for businesses to provide young people with their first foot on the career ladder. Will the Secretary of State acknowledge the damage being done to young people, and will they ensure, as they implement the secondary legislation from the Employment Rights Act, that they balance the rights of employees fairly with the needs of businesses to actually provide those jobs for young people?

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Well, a few issues there from the Lib Dem frontbench, but I would say, first of all, doing a job like this, doing any job in government, has to acknowledge the trade offs. And the simple truth was the kind And the simple truth was the kind of things we'll be talking about in this session that everyone in the House wants to see funded. We're not funded in the plans that we inherited. So, yes, it's always difficult to raise the tax burden on anyone in the UK.

But where you on anyone in the UK. But where you have priorities, things that have been promised to the British people. In the case of this department, the successor department, it was the money for the Port Talbot transformation, the steelworks. It was the money for post office compensation for the subpostmasters. They were not funded. So the Chancellor at the time did have to raise or find the money in order to fulfil the existing pledges that

09:43

Q2. What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the withdrawal of UKRI funding for Jodrell Bank Observatory from 2028. (901497)

had been made. I can always promise her, however, that the aggregate impact the balance on business, whether it's on employment rights, whether it's on taxation, is always something that this department fights very hard for in government, because we're aware the only way to because we're aware the only way to fulfil the true ambitions of the British people is an economy that's performing strongly, employing more people, giving them hope and

09:43

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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opportunity for the future. But I do believe this new department, with the extra things that have come into it, are genuinely exciting opportunity to bring a more coherent story to these interventions from government. That economy.

09:44

Hannah Spencer MP (Gorton and Denton, Green Party)

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Maya Ellis Spencer. Funding for the email and Radio telescope. Two two. Sorry. >> Thank you. I welcome this

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Thank you. I welcome this question from my constituency neighbour and grateful to her for raising it. The Prime Minister and I have been clear that Jodrell Bank has a secure future. Just to be clear to the House, what is happening here is the primary radio astronomy project is going to move from the Merlin Radio Telescope from March 2028 to the Square Kilometre Array Observatory at that point. Going forward, however, that was a science based decision, but we are exploring the long term options for the sustainability of Jodrell Bank.

09:44

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Hannah Spencer Thank. >> Hannah Spencer Thank. >> You, madam. Specific funding for the radio telescope network is due to end in 2028, putting Jodrell Bank future at risk, and people across Gorton and Denton have made clear to me the vital role that this observatory plays in opening science up to people of all ages. Many of us went there on school trips as kids, and the Prime Minister assured us that his government will find funding a funding solution. So will the Secretary of State explain how the government intends to honour this heartfelt commitment and secure Jodrell Bank long term future as an active sovereign scientific

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facility? Thank you. I'm grateful to her for raising this, and I recognise the strength this, and I recognise the strength of feeling that she has talked about in her question. She will know on a clear day. You can see know on a clear day. You can see Jodrell Bank from Matley Lane in Tameside and it's a wonderful site. It's important given that we have a It's important given that we have a very significant R&D Budget in the UK, that scientific decisions are made on the basis of the science, made on the basis of the science, but that still doesn't mean there isn't a future for Jodrell Bank as an asset.

That is consistent with making sure we're making science based decisions on the prioritisation of that funding. I met with the University of Manchester just a few days ago about this, and the local MP for the area have been incredibly supportive in finding a solution. I supportive in finding a solution. I that.

09:45

Peter Fortune MP (Bromley and Biggin Hill, Conservative)

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Backbench MPs can only come in if the question is about Jodrell if the question is about Jodrell Bank Observatory. OK. Are shadow

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Minister Peter Fortune. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The renationalisation renationalisation of the railways renationalisation of the railways is not working. The. The Drayson partitions exist to ensure that partitions exist to ensure that costs which the UK must meet and cannot change, such as international subscriptions that give us access to scientific give us access to scientific facilities are treated separately to costs which we have control over, such as grants funding. With the Stfc given a flat cash settlement, but with international

09:46

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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subscriptions rising with inflation, Stfc now has less money to spend on actual research, leading to world actual research, leading to world leading scientific research being dropped by stfc to the closure of dropped by stfc to the closure of facilities like Jodrell Bank. Can I ask the Minister who made the ask the Minister who made the decision? Who made the decision to

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disregard the Drayson partitions? It's good to see the Shadow Minister. Thank you for the question. Let me just be clear with the House. If you take the UKRI Budget in aggregate for the spending review period, it's nearly £39 billion. If you take the overall R&D Budget for the UK in the spending, it's £86 billion. So this is record levels of funding making a difference. It is absolutely crucial within that that we do make sure that these decisions on the prioritisation of funding are science based ones.

Now, the issue he identifies between the tension between research projects and subscription projects and the funding. I am familiar with it. I do know he's making a serious point. There has to be explored. But in terms of who has made this decision,

09:47

Q3. What steps his Department has taken to support investment in science and research. (901498)

that has been a process that runs through, I think, 30 different meetings of the Research Council.

09:47

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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meetings of the Research Council. It has a process where submissions are taken from a very wide range of areas. There will always be more people wanting more funding than is available. How big I make the spending pot for it, but I just think as a house, we should be think as a house, we should be clear that we want these decisions primarily primarily made on scientific basis.

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Adam Thompson Marie Rimmer three. Madam Deputy Speaker. Minister. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker and as this is my first run out in my new brief, I thought it might be nice to just take a moment to recognise the work of Lord Vallance's science Minister and Lord Stockwood as investment Minister. And thank you very much. Thank them very much for their work.

09:48

Adam Thompson MP (Erewash, Labour)

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As we've just heard from the Secretary of State, the government is making record investments in science and technology to keep the UK at the forefront of global research and innovation. We are committing £86 billion to R&D between 2627 and 2930, including £38.6 billion for UK research and innovation. These investments are innovation. These investments are translating into jobs, innovation and economic opportunity across the UK, including in the East Midlands.

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UK, including in the East Midlands. You, Madam Deputy Speaker, can I welcome the new Minister to his new place? Despite the government's significant funding increases to science generally, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Stfc

09:48

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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is facing significant cost pressures. I met recently with some Stfc funded former colleagues who fear an exodus of professional fear an exodus of professional talent from the UK because of these pressures, given the importance of Stfc funded facilities in the UK's scientific capability, can the Minister then set out what he's doing to ensure that the council's financial position is put on a sustainable footing, without undermining the long term pipeline of researchers and the UK's ability

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of researchers and the UK's ability to participate in major international science programmes? Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I think, first of all, it's important to recognise that in the changes that Stfc are making, there is an impact on the staff who work for Stfc. I've been in the unfortunate position of of working in a company, undertaking such a restructure and of having to do such restructures myself in the past, and I do appreciate how difficult that is for staff.

I've

09:49

Victoria Collins MP (Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Liberal Democrat)

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spoken to the executive chair of Stfc, and at the core of this programme is exactly as my hon. programme is exactly as my hon. Friend has described, a desire to get FTF Stfc into a position where it has appropriate financial management, whilst also increasing productivity and modernising in response to new technology. The response to new technology. The government is supporting this with an increase in Stfc funding to £842

09:50

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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an increase in Stfc funding to £842 million by 20 2930 from the £835 million of 2526. >> Victoria Collins.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Harpenden is the home to Rothamsted Research and our universities lead the world. Yet too much of that brilliance never leaves the lab. So will the Minister look at Lib Dem proposals to bring in a standard national framework for spin out IP and quintuple the proof of concept funding. So Britain's discoveries

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funding. So Britain's discoveries scale here and not abroad. Yeah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

09:50

Dame Chi Onwurah MP (Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, Labour)

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>> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I agree very much with her point about the need for Britain's discoveries to be scaled here at home rather than abroad. I'm taking an end to end approach on this, starting with scientific discovery and ending, hopefully with large companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and supporting businesses throughout the whole of the whole of that process. You innovate UKRI innovate UK doing some really great work here and supported as well by the increased role of the British Business Bank.

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Chair, the Scientific Committee. Gen Kitchen Warren. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, and let me welcome Deputy Speaker, and let me welcome the Minister to his new role, and particularly this government's emphasis on driving growth through innovation in every region of our country, as recommended by my country, as recommended by my committee's recent report, Flying Blind. Now, the reason it was called Flying Blind was because it called Flying Blind was because it identified a real lack of data and information about what the factors

09:51

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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that drive growth and how to measure success in our regions and across clusters, and called for a across clusters, and called for a dashboard. Could the Minister tell me what progress has been made on that dashboard? And in particular, that dashboard? And in particular, has he looked at the Manchester X Cambridge baseline report, which Cambridge baseline report, which identified a number of indicators, including company stock funded count, disclosed funding by

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employer, etc. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My my right hon. Friend and I share a great confidence in data and the desire to to make decisions on a daily basis. And as these regional disparities that she is describing, I've looked precisely at this data, and there is a clear distinction between the proportion of UKRI funding and UKRI spinouts, for instance, and then the ability of those companies to attract investment. In fact, the level of funding they received is based on their proximity to London.

So I do their proximity to London. So I do share her concern, and we are looking at the data for that. And and I will certainly be happy to and I will certainly be happy to work with her and her committee on how we ensure that regional funding is more appropriately spread.

09:52

Alison Bennett MP (Mid Sussex, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you.

09:52

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker. Universal Quantum are born out of the University of Sussex, and they're based in my Mid Sussex constituency. They are developing a unique trapped ion modular technology for trapped ion modular technology for quantum computing at scale. They received $77 million from the German government in 2022, and have just last week secured $100 million of series A funding from investors, including the Singaporean government. They have, however, been unsuccessful in getting any funding from our own government.

Can the Minister explain how this tallies with their department's commitment to investing in exceptional home grown companies?

09:53

Q4. What steps his Department is taking under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 to hold online marketplaces accountable for the safety of products sold on their platforms. (901499)

Thank you very much, Madam >> Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. The situation that she described about the loss of UK quantum companies, largely under the previous government, is exactly why my predecessor was so determined to set up the Procure programme to ensure that the UK is leading not only in the procurement of quantum computing, but that we enable the growth of UK businesses enable the growth of UK businesses to do that. In March 2026, the government announced a landmark commitment of up to £2 billion for commitment of up to £2 billion for the next stage of the national programme.

And our ambition is that we will see UK quantum companies scale and stay in the UK.

09:53

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Gloucester Peter Prinsley.

09:53

Dr Peter Prinsley MP (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Labour)

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Thank you. Question number four, please, sir. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker and good morning. I thank my hon. Friend for his question. This was a key aspect of our recent consultations, which proposed a consultations, which proposed a duty for online marketplaces to due care to identify, prevent and remove unsafe goods from their sites. The consultation package also proposes a modernised enforcement toolkit, and my intention is that future regulations will set out strong new duties on online marketplaces backed by appropriate sanctions.

09:54

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Doctor Peter Prinsley. I'm grateful to the Minister for her answer. So residents of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, like millions of us across the country, millions of us across the country, increasingly rely on online marketplaces for everyday purchases. Yet the consumer magazine, which continues to uncover dangerous products being sold on these platforms. So will the Minister ensure that forthcoming regulations place a clear legal duty on online marketplaces to identify and remove unsafe products, backed by

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meaningful penalties for those that fail to protect consumers? I thank.

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I thank. You for raising this really important issue and bringing it to the House today. Reflecting the changes in preferences for his changes in preferences for his constituents and those across the country, and how they buy products online and interact with online marketplaces. I also want to take marketplaces. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the brilliant work that which does in this space. Our recent consultations on modernising the consultations on modernising the product safety framework included proposals for clear duties on online marketplaces, including clear duty for online marketplaces to take due care to identify, prevent and remove unsafe goods from their sites.

We also proposed a modernised enforcement toolkit, including civil monetary penalties, to complement the existing criminal sanctions that exist, and fines would be proportionate to risk and respond to an offence appropriately. respond to an offence appropriately. We are also considering bespoke enforcement measures to ensure that online and international supply chain actors can be effectively addressed. We'll respond to these consultations in due course, and I thank him for his engagement in this space. this space.

09:55

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

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Vikki Slade thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Countless constituents have written to me about their concerns about the

09:55

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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proliferation of high powered e-bikes, e-scooters and conversion kits, many of which are bought online now when you buy them in a shop. I've been liaising with Currys and they being as proactive as they can in telling people their point of sale material makes it clear what the law is. But online it is a Wild West. So given the it is a Wild West. So given the failures in cracking down on the vehicles where they're not permitted by the police, will the government consider limiting their

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government consider limiting their online sales using the Product Regulation and Metrology Act? Yeah.

09:56

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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I thank the hon. Member for raising this issue, and I know she has campaigned on this and colleagues across this House, and I share their concerns in our recent consultation on reforming the product safety framework, we did product safety framework, we did seek views on additional measures and responsibilities that are needed to improve the safety of products sold online. This included products sold online. This included lithium ion batteries and their use in consumer goods such as e-bikes. We have to keep her updated on the We have to keep her updated on the progress of this work when we respond in due course.

Patrick Hurley number six please, sir.

09:56

Patrick Hurley MP (Southport, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker, as we've heard, this new department brings together a range of essential policy areas to back industries, technologies and jobs that will power future growth. For me, sustained economic growth can only come through greater private investment and private capital, and the business investment figures for the UK are encouraging, and our industrial strategy has used the policy tools at its disposal to attract over £390 billion of private investment commitments since it came into force.

09:57

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Patrick Hurley thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome the GDP figures which have been published this morning. If we're serious, though, about growth, we need to ramp up our capacity and manufacturing and ensure that GDP growth is matched with jobs growth. So will the Secretary of State consider setting an ambition of a million new manufacturing jobs in the next decade, putting Reindustrialisation at the heart of

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the government's growth strategy? Well, I warmly welcome my hon. Friend's question about Reindustrialisation, which is an Reindustrialisation, which is an essential part of the government's programme backing Reindustrialisation does not mean we don't recognise the tremendous we don't recognise the tremendous contribution of services, and it's not nostalgia, it's about looking at the brilliant innovation we have in the UK and seeing it scaled up. To do that requires policy interventions, and I'm extremely pleased it will shortly have coming pleased it will shortly have coming online the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which will bring down our energy prices.

Electricity prices for 10,000 British manufacturers, ending the situation we had from the Tories, where we had the highest energy where we had the highest energy prices of any industrialised major nation on a target. I think we have to look at targets. I will look at to look at targets. I will look at the one he has proposed, but I also think there are other areas we have to include in that to get the holistic impact we need. holistic impact we need.

09:58

Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)

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Max Wilkinson. government, and I can see the Minister smiling because I've spoken to him about it a lot. It also enjoyed the support of the last government. It's driven locally by the local council and supported by businesses like the developer HBD. It's going to

09:58

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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generate 12,000 jobs and close to £1 billion of investment, supporting our cyber and tech industry, crucially supporting the industry, crucially supporting the work of Gchq. But to really unlock the success of the development, we need to be given designated area need to be given designated area status so the local council can then start reinvesting in the local business community, as it has done

09:58

Mark Garnier MP (Wyre Forest, Conservative)

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business community, as it has done so far at that development. Will the Secretary of State have a word with the Chancellor ahead of the

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with the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, to see if we can bring about a success in this bid? I'm grateful for the question. Everything the hon. Gentleman has said sounds hugely attractive to me. He's clearly already engaged with government to some degree, but I

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will follow up on his question and see what we can do to support his local area. Shadow Minister Mark Garnier.

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Shadow Minister Mark Garnier. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, can I just start off by thanking the Secretary of State for his very measured and intelligent thoughts about GDP growth rate, but can I lament that some other people in his in his some other people in his in his government seem almost complacent that the the IMF has increased GDP growth expectations from 1% to just growth expectations from 1% to just 1.3%, which puts us second in the G7.

Doesn't that show a certain

09:59

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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lack of of reality in the government that actually what we should be looking for is more like 2.5% GDP growth rate. The reality 2.5% GDP growth rate. The reality of it is, is the G20 is averaging of it is, is the G20 is averaging 3.1% and we're 14th in the G20. So my question to the Secretary of State is, does he recognise that State is, does he recognise that overregulating over taxing and charging too much for energy is holding back our great entrepreneurs and businesses who

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entrepreneurs and businesses who could be delivering that GDP growth of this country really needs? Well, I.

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Believe what the figures show is a level of resilience in an extraordinarily difficult global climate. But in terms of ambitions, climate. But in terms of ambitions, yes, I'm pleased that we are turning around some of the underperformance of the 14 years of conservative government. But I want conservative government. But I want more. I'm very ambitious and hungry for that. But in order to do that, we have the kind of interventions this government has already committed to at that point.

I've just made. I mean, we did inherit just made. I mean, we did inherit the highest industrial electricity prices of any developed nation. We're bringing those down by a quarter for 10,000 British businesses. Of course, I want more in that space. Of course, I'll be speaking to the Chancellor about further work in that agenda, but further work in that agenda, but bringing down the costs for business, giving them new markets through the success we've had in our trade deals, making sure that our trade deals, making sure that the regulatory system supports those objectives.

All of this contributes to what I believe is a set of tremendous opportunities for set of tremendous opportunities for the UK because of the assets that we've had, and we should be ambitious for the future.

10:00

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Cat Eccles question number seven, please.

10:01

Cat Eccles MP (Stourbridge, Labour)

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Minister Madam Deputy Speaker, the government is determined to the government is determined to tackle the scourge of late payments, which causes the closure of 14,000 businesses and costs the UK economy businesses and costs the UK economy almost £11 billion a year. The Commercial Payments Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, will give the UK the strongest laws in the G7 and represents the most significant reform of payment practices in over 25 years. The Bill will ensure that small businesses spend more time on growing, investing in creating jobs and less time on chasing late payments.

payments.

10:01

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Late payment destroys thousands of viable small firms each year, and poor practices have seen large firms using small suppliers as a free overdraft. In my Stourbridge constituency, the impact is felt by manufacturers and fabricators, with local metalwork and transport supply sectors facing the longest payment delays in the UK. How is he ensuring that there is a change in payment culture and lifting that burden from small businesses?

10:02

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Well, she's absolutely right, >> Well, she's absolutely right, and I know from personal experience how frustrating it is to have large firms use small firms as that firms use small firms as that source of free finance. The bill that is going through Parliament at the moment will clamp down on those the moment will clamp down on those late payments through introducing maximum payment terms, providing stronger rights to interest and strengthening the powers of the Small Business Commissioner. But she is right on the need for a culture change, and I think the message from government is that this legislation is coming, this change is coming, and that large companies should get their payment practices in order right now.

10:02

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Jim Shannon Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the Minister for his answer. Rising business rates, wages going up, energy prices, rising national up, energy prices, rising national insurance contributions, all those things have impacted upon small business. But one of the things that my small businesses tell me is the very issue they referred to those who don't pay on time, what can be done to specifically help firms who find that they are not getting the money from the suppliers, that they can get somewhere they can refer to, someone can help them if that's possible.

Thank you.

10:03

Q8. What steps he is taking to help protect consumers from rogue traders. (901504)

Well, he's absolutely right to raise that. And I know it's a huge problem in Northern Ireland as it is in the rest of the UK. And one of the great problems with the current system is that you as a current system is that you as a small business, have to be aggressive towards your customers to chase those those late payments. This bill will turn that power relationship on its head, and people will expect to be paid on time. And if they aren't, there time.

And if they aren't, there will be mandatory interest on that.

10:03

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Bill Esterson.

10:03

Bill Esterson MP (Sefton Central, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker. I know all too well the devastating impact that rogue traders can have on my that rogue traders can have on my hon. Friend's constituents, given similar discussions in my own constituency, I know many colleagues across the House, too. That is why my Department supported the Independent Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman's new approved code and payment protection scheme, backed by independent dispute resolution, to help hardworking families identify trusted traders and make sure people can spend their money with greater confidence and security. We remain committed to supporting the CMA and local trading standards in their ability to impose penalties via the courts. This is this Labour government delivering every day fixes to protect families and give them the room to breathe. We need

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and. Answers must be shorter. Bill Esterson thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My constituent Deputy Speaker. My constituent Joanne paid £11,000 for a new kitchen. Her house was left in a kitchen. Her house was left in a terrible state and she was unable to get the builder to return to to get the builder to return to rectify the substandard work. Also turned out he was associated with

10:04

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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turned out he was associated with 21 other companies, mostly in the building trade, many of which have been dissolved. She mentioned, quite rightly, the new code for the home improvement sector, which will give confidence to consumers and support to reputable traders. But isn't there more needed to go after these cowboy builders to ensure that constituents like Joanne can get the remedy that they so much need?

10:05

Sir Christopher Chope MP (Christchurch, Conservative)

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I thank my hon. Friend. I'm sorry about that incident with his constituent. The damaging impact it constituent. The damaging impact it can have to people who have saved their entire life for savings, for home improvements, to feel unsafe in your home, to feel robbed by that is absolutely dreadful. And that's why we're taking action, starting with backing, obviously, the Furniture Home Improvement Ombudsman scheme that I've mentioned earlier, but I'm absolutely not complacent in this space. We are determined to ensure that customers know what protections are available and can use them with confidence, and I look forward to working in further in this area.

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Speaker. Rogue traders operate with impunity in the park homes sector, yet the government has refused to supply sufficient money to national supply sufficient money to national trading standards to enable them to carry out a national investigation and bring these rogues to book.

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What is the Minister going to do about it? I thank the hon. Member for his

10:05

Q9. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of data centre developments on resource capacity in the South West. (901505)

question. Regrettably, funding for trading standards has been a real terms funding cut of more than 50% since 2010 under the previous government. The system is therefore under severe strain. However, I under severe strain. However, I absolutely back the incredible work that trading standards do across this country and know just how much support they need. That's why we support they need. That's why we are committed to backing them. We want to commit those longer term plans to overhaul the wider consumer protection landscape, consumer protection landscape, particularly for trading standards, to help them continue carrying on with their brilliant job.

10:06

Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology) (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour)

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Caroline Voaden question number nine, please. Mr.

10:06

Caroline Voaden MP (South Devon, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Energy Department, with departments right across government to make sure that critical infrastructure developments are sustainable for local resource capacity. The planning system takes into account a number of those questions, and they all ought to account for the long term implications for water and wider resource supply. We have specifically designed our AI growth zones to be investments in areas where there is sufficient energy capacity and where infrastructure can be enhanced.

10:06

Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology) (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour)

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Caroline Voaden. I thank the Minister for his answer. But water Minister for his answer. But water UK says data centres in England are using about 6.6 million litres of using about 6.6 million litres of drinking water a day, set to triple by 2030. Meanwhile, households in Devon and Cornwall have been under Devon and Cornwall have been under a hosepipe ban since August and businesses are now facing water restrictions. So given the dry weather that we've had and the fact that there is probably a lot more of that to come, has the government considered legislating to require new data centres to operate with low water dependency, particularly when they're being built in the south of England, where water shortages are going to become even more pressing.

10:07

Neil Duncan-Jordan MP (Poole, Labour)

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Madam Speaker, let me say three things. One, it's important to be things. One, it's important to be clear on the data. The estimates we have at the moment suggest data centres account for approximately centres account for approximately 0.2% of non-household water usage in England, in particular. Second, when people build data centres here, when people build data centres here, we want them to build in the light of our values and what local communities need. That in turn means investing alongside technology, infrastructure, in clean energy infrastructure and in wider resourcing locally as well.

And thirdly, I'm always very keen on ideas for how further improvements and demand flexibility, both for resources on energy and water, can be supported by data centres. I'll continue to look at the ideas she has proposed.

10:07

Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology) (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour)

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Yeah.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. There are environmental consequences caused by the consequences caused by the emergence of data centres. There are also overblown claims as to their ability to create large their ability to create large numbers of jobs. But the biggest concern is in whose interests will concern is in whose interests will they be operating. So what steps are the government taking to ensure that AI works for the people, not

10:08

Q10. What steps his Department has taken to support the advanced manufacturing sector. (901506)

that AI works for the people, not just for big tech companies? >> Yeah, yeah yeah. >> Thank you madam.

10:08

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Can I thank my hon. Friend for a question that I know we have discussed at length as well. The central point, Madam Deputy Speaker, central point, Madam Deputy Speaker, is in the last wave of technology, we need to build public trust. Nor did we build British technology. In this wave of AI. We are focussed on building both trust and technology so that we can have sovereign control over what we're building here. Richard Quigley Worcester number ten. Please, sir.

10:08

Richard Quigley MP (Isle of Wight West, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker, the Industrial Strategy sets out the government's long term approach to boosting investment, productivity and growth, building on the UK's industrial strengths, including advanced manufacturing through the complimentary Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, backed by £4.3 billion of government funding, we are helping manufacturers to grow and thrive.

10:09

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. appearance needed any augmentation on the Isle of Wight. We are incredibly proud of our advanced manufacturing sector and for an area our size. The island has one of the biggest concentrations of advanced manufacturing and high tech engineering jobs in the country, and employers on my side of the island are racing to employ under 25. But we always want to do more. So can the Minister set out how the government's drive to buy British, alongside its renewed commitment to strengthening our defence capabilities, will create new opportunities for island manufacturers to secure their contracts, invest in growth and create the next generation of skilled jobs on the Isle of Wight.

10:09

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Madam Deputy Speaker, he's absolutely right to highlight the huge opportunities for huge opportunities for manufacturers on the Isle of Wight. We are determined to use procurement strategically, as other nations do, to back British industry. It is particularly important with shipbuilding, we are expanding the role of the National Shipbuilding Office to oversee that and that renewed investment in defence and shipbuilding will create opportunities right across the maritime supply chain, including for the shipyard company and other island manufacturers.

10:10

Paula Barker MP (Liverpool Wavertree, Labour)

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Paula Barker. Sir. >> Paula Barker. Sir. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The government is clear that Royal Mail's quality of service has been Mail's quality of service has been unacceptable for too long. Royal mail published a plan to improve reliability, and I've been frank in reliability, and I've been frank in my conversations with their CEO, that they now need to increase the pace of improvement and deliver on that plan. I understand there have been operational challenges in the Lachlan and Liverpool North delivery offices, and I urge Royal

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Mail to improve their services for local people. They must do better. Paula Barker thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Royal mail has Deputy Speaker. Royal mail has failed to meet Ofcom delivery targets for first class mail since 2017. Yet over that time, Ofcom has 2017. Yet over that time, Ofcom has allowed the price of a first class stamp to increase by 166% and stamp to increase by 166% and relaxed targets. Royal Mail's continual failure affects the most vulnerable groups in our society.

vulnerable groups in our society. Those who receive letters about hospital appointments, court dates or social security decisions and

10:11

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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these are arriving late. Madam Deputy Speaker, much of the bulk mail lies outside the universal service obligation. So will the service obligation. So will the government review both that and Ofcom's remit so they ensure that Royal Mail provides a timely, affordable service for all post one that doesn't prioritise parcels and that doesn't prioritise parcels and ensure that failure is not rewarded.

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I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for raising this in the House today on behalf of her constituents and those all across the country, because Royal Mail service must improve and it must improve quickly. Customers, particularly the most vulnerable, are being let down, and delayed letters can have serious consequences. The legal correspondence, hospital appointments as she rightly raises, and where people are paying more for postal services, they rightly expect reliable and timely delivery. The government has been clear that Ofcom should carefully consider the role of bulk mail and whether, additionally, additional regulatory measures are needed to secure high standards of reliability for all postal customers. Much of the correspondence that people rely on fall outside the current quality of service targets will continue to press for a reliable postal service

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that meets the needs of all users. Mike Martin. Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker. My question relates to the My question relates to the Tonbridge and Cranbrook delivery offices, which I know also deliver to your constituency. Madam Deputy to your constituency. Madam Deputy Speaker, I ran a survey recently. 85% of experienced delays, 25% have missed a deadline or an appointment, missed a deadline or an appointment, and extraordinarily, 20% of people have experienced a three week gap have experienced a three week gap between postal deliveries.

This is obviously totally unacceptable. So can I ask whether the government has conversations with the Royal Mail specifically about the tne the Tango November postcodes?

10:12

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I thank the hon. Member for for raising this on behalf of his constituents, share his concerns and know from my own inbox. As a constituency MP, the challenges constituency MP, the challenges when people don't receive their post on time and the significant delays have been frank. In my conversations with the CEO of Royal Mail that its service has been unacceptable for too long and the pace of improvement must improve. The public and his constituents deserve a reliable postal service, and they are right to expect better if he wants to share those data with me and with Royal Mail and add to that pressure, I'd welcome it.

10:13

Noah Law MP (St Austell and Newquay, Labour)

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Noah Law well, please.

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Minister Madam Deputy Speaker, please. The central to the industrial strategy, we have been working with Plymouth and the South working with Plymouth and the South West Peninsula to support the development of distinctively national, nationally significant national, nationally significant clusters. I myself visited Plymouth and Cornwall earlier this year to meet with the Freeport to understand the opportunities around understand the opportunities around marine autonomy and to see for myself Cornwall's incredible critical mineral potential.

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critical mineral potential. Madam Deputy Speaker. As you know, in Cornwall we have a resurgent minerals industry which can make our country and our

10:13

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communities wealthy once again. But we can only do this if we process what we dig out the ground. So having strong supply chains is also imperative from a national security and resilience perspective. So what steps does the Minister taking together with Luton North, the together with Luton North, the Treasury and other departments to ensure that that key investment case for our area, including the missing midstream that is battery missing midstream that is battery active material production, will prevent us having to ship that wealth abroad and ensure that we

10:14

Q13. If he will take steps to help ensure Post Office provision in every community. (901510)

wealth abroad and ensure that we create those Cornish jobs back home. Hear, hear. >> Well, he and the other Cornish Labour MPs are incredible advocates

10:14

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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for critical minerals and the potential in the UK. The projects in that part of the world are in that part of the world are essential to our ambitions. We are supporting lithium projects in Cornwall, including an offer in Cornwall, including an offer in principle of £9.8 million through dry 35 for Geothermal Engineering Limited, as well as a £31 million Limited, as well as a £31 million equity investment through the National Wealth Fund and Cornish Lithium. And we will continue to work to ensure that we keep more of

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work to ensure that we keep more of that value in the UK. Rachael Maskell thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Question number 13.

10:14

Rachael Maskell MP (York Central, Labour )

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Mr. role that post offices play in communities across the UK. We've committed to maintaining the 11,500 national minimum branch requirement, and the government set access criteria, including the requirement that 90% of the UK population live that 90% of the UK population live within one mile of their nearest post office. We're backing this with up to £180 million in network subsidy funding over the next three years to support the cost of meeting these policy requirements, protecting access to crucial services.

10:15

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Rachael Maskell. Post Office closed after 138 years, we were given assurances with WH Smith's that we would have a sustained solution. However, the sustained solution. However, the capital, which has taken over W H Smith's, closed their post office yesterday. We only have a teeny weeny post office in the city centre. We have businesses dependent on it, residents as well as tourism. We need a solution. I've met with the post office. They say six months to get a solution.

I need a solution to our post office now. What steps will she take to ensure we've got a temporary solution before we get our sustained outcome?

10:15

Q14. What steps his Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to regulate artificial intelligence. (901511)

I recognise my hon. Friend's concerns about the availability of Post Office services in York City centre in the coming months. Post office has confirmed it remains committed to restoring a replacement branch, and has received interest from several potential applicants. Whilst these are operational matters for the Post Office, I will ask them to consider capacity concerns and will consider capacity concerns and will keep my hon. Friend at NASA officials to work with her and the Post Office in finding that raises.

raises.

10:16

Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology) (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour)

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Olly Glover.

10:16

Olly Glover MP (Didcot and Wantage, Liberal Democrat)

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Madam Deputy Speaker, we have a series of areas of regulatory focus on artificial intelligence already on artificial intelligence already data protection, competition policy, equality legislation, online safety. And I was particularly proud that we were one of the first countries to make sure that the egregious impacts of AI chatbots and our children are mitigated against as well. As I've mentioned earlier in the week, I'm looking forward to working right across the House on any further regulatory measures required to tackle any harms of artificial intelligence.

10:16

Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology) (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour)

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To Olly Glover. >> AI has the potential to transform science and research, including on campuses like Harwell and Culham in my Oxford, Oxfordshire, constituency. However, those benefits will only be realised if the risks of AI are taken seriously. So will the Minister support the call of over 85 parliamentarians for the government to use our 2027 G20 presidency to champion an international agreement to properly regulate AI and prohibit superintelligent AI development.

10:17

Q15. What steps he is taking to support businesses in the hospitality sector. (901513)

Well. advance of the column in particular to cite, I visited and take great pride in as a national asset for us on nuclear fusion and the combination of AI and energy innovation. On this particular point on the G20. I'm very proud, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the Madam Deputy Speaker, that the Prime Minister has set out that AI will be top of the agenda. We will be looking to play a leadership be looking to play a leadership role in making sure we arrive at a global code and principles for safe AI.

10:17

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Sir Julian Smith.

10:17

Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)

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Madam Minister. heart of our high streets, communities and our local economies supporting jobs and growth across the UK, and we recognise the the UK, and we recognise the pressures many continue to face. That is why we're providing targeted support for pubs, clubs targeted support for pubs, clubs and live music venues, including 15% business rates relief in 2627 and additional 20% discount from April next year. While reviewing pub and hotel valuations to help ensure a fairer, fairer and more ensure a fairer, fairer and more predictable business rate system.

We're also investing £10 million through a new hospitality grant scheme to support growth, create scheme to support growth, create jobs and strengthen local economies.

10:18

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Julian Smith for the answer. As she knows, the hospitality sector in areas such as mine, provide the bulk of employment for young people. Could I urge you to look at the proposals from our front bench and also proposals from hospitality UK to provide a lower NICs rate at the upcoming Budget to allow those businesses to employ more young

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people. Minister. I thank the hon. Member for this. Hospitality, as he mentioned, is an absolute key employer of young people in the economy, providing rewarding routes into work. It's a critical sector to help us with resolving the crisis. It's a key priority for this government, and priority for this government, and we really want to work closely with the sector in providing those solutions. I'm sure he'll welcome

10:19

the announcement today of our significant intervention and partnership with the hospitality sector. Working closely with hospitality UK provide those job opportunities, new work experience programmes to turn this around, and hospitality is key to that.

10:19

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. Can I thank Ministers for their engagement? Following Carlsberg's devastating news about the closure devastating news about the closure of Marston's Brewery next year, this risk 310 jobs, along with our heritage ales from Burton like pedigree and bass, hospitality relies on brewing and brewing was left out of the industrial strategy and industrial energy schemes. Will this now be changed?

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Yeah. I thank my hon. Friend for his question. My heart sank when I question. My heart sank when I heard the news, and I pay a tribute to my hon. Friend for not only raising this today, but for all his raising this today, but for all his work in the sector since he came to this House and on behalf of his constituents, I spoke with the chief executive of Carlsberg chief executive of Carlsberg Britvic yesterday, and I know that the proposal to close the brewery has not been taken lightly.

He has not been taken lightly. He reassured me that the team at Burton have shown exceptional commitment, skill and professionalism and have made an enormous contribution to Burton

10:20

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

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upon Trent s proud brewing tradition. This proposal is not a reflection on them or their quality of work. Consumer tastes are constantly evolving, and this proposal reflects the particular proposal reflects the particular long term challenges of cask ale that I know I've spoken to him about and will continue to work about and will continue to work with him closely on. I know it will be a concerning time for workers at Marston's recognise the impact that these proposals may have on these these proposals may have on these workers, their families and local communities as the company begins consulting. I look forward to discussing this further with him.

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Shadow Minister Bradley Thomas. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hospitality sector provides The hospitality sector provides around 300,000 jobs for young people every year and contributes people every year and contributes £96 billion annually to the economy. But despite this, the government continues to hammer them with a series of blows. To the extent that series of blows. To the extent that this sector has the highest effective tax rate of any sector in the economy, paying the equivalent

10:21

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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the economy, paying the equivalent of £0.82 of every £1 of pre-tax profit made in taxes. This eclipses the £0.50 average rate across our economies. 11 main sectors. Can the Minister outline what steps the government are taking to tangibly lower business costs, so that

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hospitality businesses can employ more young people? Yeah. My first job was in hospitality.

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My first job was in hospitality. I remember it fondly. It's given me the skills throughout my career and in my life. It supported my family in my life. It supported my family when we really needed them. I absolutely know the significance and importance of this sector, not just to our economy, but the just to our economy, but the difference it can make to people's lives and change them. They are a key employer of young people all across the country, and his across the country, and his constituency in mine and colleagues across this House, they provide that rewarding route into work and

10:21

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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a critical sector in resolving the crisis and many challenges we face across the country as we grow our economy. We want to grow the economy. We want to grow the hospitality sector. I work really closely with them and the hospitality Sector Council to make sure that we can look at all the sure that we can look at all the challenges, but also the opportunities, how we can work together to provide those more opportunities to provide those jobs, grow the sector in every grow the sector in every constituency across this country, and I'm determined to deliver that. Mierlo.

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Mierlo. Question number one. Madam Deputy Speaker. Madam Deputy Speaker, I have just led one of the largest trade missions we've ever sent to India, the fastest growing economy in the G20. I was joined by northern mayors, the Environment Secretary, the Scotland Secretary, and a great delegation of more than 200 businesses. We announced over £1 billion worth of new deals benefiting a host of British firms, including Menzies Aviation, Pan-asia and Oxford Nanopore. Since our trade agreement was signed, £12 billion of new business has been announced, supporting thousands of jobs and driving good growth in every postcode of our country.

During the visit, I co-chaired the Joint Economic and Trade Committee with Minister Goyal on tackling any remaining trade barriers and with our northern mayors. We also launched a UK Maharashtra Growth Partnership to foster closer regional ties and drive the creation of high value jobs in both our countries. This is just the start. Our FTA is forecast to boost start. Our FTA is forecast to boost bilateral trade by over £25 billion a year. We have opened the door. Madam Deputy Speaker and businesses are walking through it, with government backing them every step of the way.

Freddie Van Mierlo. Diamond Light Source facility and ISIS neutron facility near my constituency of Henley and Thame. They're on the front line of cuts to the Stfc. And now there are concerns that further savings may be required. Can the Minister confirm to the House today that these facilities will remain open and operational by the end of the financial year and through to 2028?

10:23

Alex McIntyre MP (Gloucester, Labour)

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I'm grateful to the question. >> I'm grateful to the question. This champion of science. I would revert to the comments I made about the scale of investment this the scale of investment this government is making in science and R&D, and the prioritisation of funding, which comes from, firstly, funding, which comes from, firstly, a science based assessment. There is an element in funding the defence package where we've had to find the money from the former DSIT Budget to do that.

I'll write about any concerns he has, but I reiterate this is a government and a country committed to science.

10:24

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Alex McIntyre. with the Chief executive of Ofcom, with colleagues from this House, to of. >> Effectiveness of their enforcement action in improving enforcement action in improving Royal Mail services in my constituency in Gloucester, getting post every couple of weeks. At best, people are missing hospital people are missing hospital appointments, they're missing important legal deadlines and quite frankly, they're wondering whether they should put their Christmas cards in the post this week so that they might arrive in time for the 25th of December.

Will the Minister. Will the Minister set out how we can actually ensure that Ofcom have the powers to effectively enforce the USO, so that Royal Mail constituency?

10:24

Julia Lopez MP (Hornchurch and Upminster, Conservative)

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Preston should be really on point, Minister.

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I want to thank him and colleagues on the side of the House for their work on this. I agree that Royal Mail Service has been unacceptable for too long, and the pace of improvement must increase. My constituents share exactly the same frustrations. The government same frustrations. The government expects Ofcom to use its full range of existing tools to secure better outcomes for postal users, and I'll

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continue to work closely with them and with colleagues in this House to deliver that. Shadow Secretary of State Julia Speaker.

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Speaker. The Secretary of State confessed. Last month. That business leaders have urged him not to return to the political uncertainty around our relationship with the EU. The Prime Minister has now completely ignored him and them, now completely ignored him and them, and says the UK could pursue a customs union.

10:25

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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As a. back in. He clearly was not. In the 2017 2018 Parliament. Madam Deputy Speaker, he's barely been in this one. So can the Secretary of State tell businesses which of these prime. Which of these is the Prime Minister's preferred option?

10:25

Julia Lopez MP (Hornchurch and Upminster, Conservative)

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I'm grateful for that question. I'm proud of the trade deals this government has done with the rest of the world. We've talked about India, the Gulf, South Korea, Switzerland. We've retained the Switzerland. We've retained the membership of TPP. But there is uncertainty that comes from actions on the European side. This is the Prime Minister's point. The Made in Prime Minister's point. The Made in Europe agenda is one of great uncertainty to UK businesses. It's primarily about automotive and aerospace at this stage, but it runs through some 50 different bits of EU legislation.

The Prime Minister was right first of all, to have an aspiration of a closer trading relationship with the EU. I support that entirely, consistently with our work with the rest of the world, but also to get to a point where we remove uncertainty by getting clarity on what this will mean for the long term future of Union.

10:26

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Julia Lopez the Secretary of State could not say what the Prime State could not say what the Prime Minister's preferred relationship is. I think that's because the Prime Minister himself doesn't actually have a clue. Now, the Business Secretary trumpeted today Business Secretary trumpeted today the free trade agreement struck with India. He's been taking northern mayors and a rep from Man City on his trip this week to expand it. Sir Keir Starmer spoke about his pride and relief at telling Jaguar Land Rover workers that he had struck a trade deal with America on cars that would save their jobs. Now these deals are possible because we are not in the EU. So can the Secretary of State guarantee that the Prime Minister will offer no concessions in the UK? EU trade talks underway that could jeopardise our non EU

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trade deals. First of all, I'd just say we took 200 businesses to India. The took 200 businesses to India. The mayors took their own delegations. The Manchester City representative came with the mayor of Greater Manchester rather than me. So I Manchester rather than me. So I would just like to put that on the record to avoid any any lack of clarity about it. Yes. Look, again, clarity about it. Yes. Look, again, I say a lot of the things that were promised by the conservative government, they weren't able to deliver on trade, were delivered and have been delivered by this government.

Of course, I am proud about that. But the fact is, the Prime Minister is right, first of all, to have that aspiration for a closer trading relationship. Seven of our major top ten trading partners are of the EU member partners are of the EU member states, and to seek clarity for the future. That is what he's doing and I support him in that.

10:27

Chris Ward MP (Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, Labour)

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Mr. Ward.

10:27

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I know the Secretary of State and the Minister enjoy a good pub as much as the next person. So do they share my concern that in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, our pubs and hospitality sector is under real strain and that we've recently lost two iconic LGBTQ plus bars, Charles Street Tap and R bar. So will they come to the South coast, meet with me and local businesses and see what more we can do to support our hospitality and pub sector.

10:28

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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I'm grateful to my hon. Friend for the question, and I do for the question, and I do recognise that the specific issues in Brighton about what the closure of our bar and Charles Street Tap will mean for Brighton's LGBTQ plus community. The government does recognise the needs of hospitality. We've talked in this session about lower business rates. We've also talked about the doubling of employment allowance. But of course I want to work with him and I'm grateful to raising it directly with me.

And no one ever turns down a visit to Brighton. So we'll see if we can get that sorted. Olney.

10:28

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Monday, the Deputy Speaker. On Monday, the Prime Minister joined the Liberal Democrats in acknowledging that, refusing to countenance closer UK relations with the EU would be a relations with the EU would be a dereliction of duty. However, the government remain committed to their red lines, joining the single market and a new UK EU customs union could boost UK GDP by at least 3.6% and result in around £27 billion a year in extra tax revenue. So would the Secretary of State not agree with me that by refusing to cross these red lines while knowing the damage that Brexit continues to cause to businesses up and down the country is in fact a dereliction of duty?

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Well, I would say when I reflect on my first year doing this job after the election, there was some after the election, there was some mixed advice from Liberal Democrats on trade at various times, particularly on our engagement with the US and with the EU. I do the US and with the EU. I do believe our package of measures that forms the basis of the UK, EU reset is ambitious. I mean, if you look at SPS agreement, what that look at SPS agreement, what that would mean for small businesses, for the hon.

Ladies constituency, for all of us would make a fundamental difference. So of fundamental difference. So of course, we're right to recognise it has been very hard for business. There is more red tape for people exporting to our major export market. We've got to recognise that. But I really do get frustrated at times when people don't acknowledge times when people don't acknowledge the kinds of things that already form. Part of these negotiations would make a difference to British businesses, and I think we'll have businesses, and I think we'll have more ambitions, our own views on how that should go.

There's an ambitious package that we should all get behind.

10:29

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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Callum Anderson.

10:30

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

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Thank you. Taskforce, which I established last year, finalised our investment prospectus, setting out all the opportunities that our town offers. opportunities that our town offers. Will the Minister meet with me and the taskforce to discuss how we can work together to attract the new business and jobs that ensures that

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business and jobs that ensures that we deliver growth in our postcode? Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Well, I'd like to commend my hon. Friend for the work of the Bletchley Investment Task Force and thank him for the very many letters that he sent me, updating me on the work of the taskforce. I learned about Bletchley strengths in innovation, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies all aligned with our technologies all aligned with our industrial strategy. So of course I'd be very keen to come and meet the investment task force, and perhaps we can talk about how the perhaps we can talk about how the work of the Ox-cam growth corridor can Lincoln and bring more investment to Bletchley.

10:30

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To Martin Vickers.

10:30

Daniel Francis MP (Bexleyheath and Crayford, Labour)

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Tomorrow I will be in Scunthorpe to attend a meeting of the Council led British Steel Development Board. led British Steel Development Board. Is the Secretary of State in a position to give me some positive

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news that I can pass on? I was also in Scunthorpe very recently, meeting with British recently, meeting with British Steel Management and the unions. I think the positive news we can give them is now in place. As chair is working hard to stabilise operations, improve

10:31

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Health and safety and develop >> Health and safety and develop that long term plan, which I know he has worked so hard with us to achieve.

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Speaker. Over the last year, I've also had countless constituents contact me about the adequacy of postal me about the adequacy of postal delivery services across Bexleyheath and Crayford. Along with colleagues, I met with the chief executive of Ofcom yesterday chief executive of Ofcom yesterday to look at what more they can do. But could the Minister please outline what assessment has been

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outline what assessment has been taken of the adequacy of those services across Scotland, and what more the government can do to help my constituents? I thank.

10:31

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Reform UK)

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>> I thank. >> My hon. Friend for raising this on behalf of his constituents and the frustrations that I know he shares, and they do, too. I've been clear with Royal Mail that its quality and service has been unacceptable for too long. I understand the concerns in the hon. Member's constituency relate to the Bexleyheath delivery office, and I know that he met with Royal Mail this summer, and I encourage all members to raise their concerns directly with its management and simply hold the company to account, as I will continue to do.

His constituents deserve a reliable postal service and a right to deserve better.

10:32

Josh Newbury MP (Cannock Chase, Labour)

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Mark Hendrick. >> Mark Hendrick. >> Sean Egan. From Morrisons in Walsall. >> Gary McArthur from Sainsbury's in Wycombe, Jorge Costa from Sainsbury's in Hertford. These are all workers who were sacked by their employers for confronting shoplifters. One Gary. Just hours after he'd applied CPR to the store's only security guard who would otherwise have died. Does the Secretary of State agree with me that these workers deserve their jobs back, and that we do need greater protection for workers who just do the right thing and confront shoplifters?

10:32

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I'm more than happy to look into the case as the hon. Gentleman the case as the hon. Gentleman raises, and we'll be in touch with him about it. >> Josh Newbury thank. >> You very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. When I visited Alpro and Novara oat milk over the summer, I heard how rising energy costs are putting pressure on food manufacturers with knock on effects for their supply chain and ultimately on food inflation. Given the importance of these energy intensive industries to our economy, how's the department helping British manufacturers remain competitive, attract investment and mitigate rising food production costs?

10:33

Chris Law MP (Dundee Central, Scottish National Party)

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So I know he's a great champion for that sector in particular. As has been said, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme is open now. In addition to that, we will be reviewing the supercharger later in the year and we will be working very closely with the food manufacturing sector as we do that.

10:33

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Chris Law. legally binding climate commitments and contributing to global climate disaster, the approval of Rosebank will result in a UK continue to facilitate illegal Israeli facilitate illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine being complicit in breaches international law. The Israeli energy company Delek Group, who owns Ithaca Energy, has been named in the UN list of businesses whose activities in the West Bank have raised human rights concerns, and they receive over 200 million in revenue from the Rosebank field. Given Norway's sovereign wealth fund and largest pension fund have already divested from Delek.

Will the Secretary of State confirm that dialect Group limited will be one of the companies sanctioned for its role in illegal settlement expansion?

10:34

Henry Tufnell MP (Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker. Hon. Gentleman knows licensing of North Sea oil fields is a matter for the Energy Secretary. But in relation Energy Secretary. But in relation to his point about our announcement around sanctions for illegal Israeli settlements, I think we've made it clear and consistent stand. We've talked about how the legal regime for that will be the regime that the one that provide more certainty. It will have real consequences. It's not just a symbolic gesture. I won't comment on any individual company, but I think if the hon.

Gentleman's intentions and aspirations are for strong action in this area, this government is providing it. Henry Speaker.

10:34

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I welcome the government's >> I welcome the government's support for British industry, including through the British Industrial Competitive Scheme. However, the oil refinery sector is not included within this scheme, threatening thousands of jobs and our national energy security. So will the Secretary of State consider expanding the scope of the scheme and also reviewing its broader eligibility requirements for.

10:35

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

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Well. consistent support for the refining industry. I have been meeting with that industry this week discussing issues, including the energy issues that he mentions. We recognise the sector is facing real challenges. The work to consider the impacts and the feasibility of bringing refined products, for example, into the scope of the UK Cbam remains ongoing and will certainly continue to engage with him on energy costs and other issues.

10:35

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Tessa Munt. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> By Truth. >> Paddocks, a family run camping business on the outskirts of cheddar, which welcomes over 20,000 visitors a year and supports more visitors a year and supports more than 50 jobs and their business rates liability this year has rates liability this year has increased by almost 2,700%, from £1,070 per annum to £28,820 per annum, with no meaningful warning and no chance to plan for this catastrophic hike.

Will the Minister or the Secretary of State meet with me to discuss what can be done in rural Somerset, where so many businesses depend on hospitality and tourism, but really cannot take this kind of kicking? cannot take this kind of kicking?

10:36

Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology) (Vale of Glamorgan, Labour)

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Well, that was obviously dramatic figures, I assume, through revaluation and will endeavour to get the contact, perhaps with the Treasury rather than this Department, to support our constituency.

10:36

Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)

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Committee chair, Liam Byrne.

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On Tuesday, the head of MI5 warned that AI could help terrorists develop bioweapons while terrorists develop bioweapons while in committee. OpenAI and anthropic told us that statutory AI safety controls are now essential. We are blessed to have the AI Security blessed to have the AI Security Institute in this country, but it's no longer enough. So will Ministers confirm that we will have government amendments at Report stage of the Cyber Resilience Bill to ensure that we have statutory AI protections to keep this country hon.

10:37

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Friend for his advocacy and leadership on this matter over the course of the last many weeks as well. I have mentioned already this well. I have mentioned already this week that I want to work with parliamentarians across the House, including him and his Committee on including him and his Committee on Ideas for the Cybersecurity and Resilience bill, looking in particular at protections on AI security. Christine Jardine.

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security. Christine Jardine. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. A lot of work is being done in Scotland and Edinburgh, Glasgow and elsewhere to develop a space culture. Space technology. Satellite technology. With the controversy this week about the potential interference with Ukrainian war effort using satellite technology. Is the government intending. Stepping up the investment and support for research and development in this

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area in the interests of our own national security? I was very much hoping for a

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I was very much hoping for a space question, and I'm very grateful to the hon. Lady. Space is, I think, one of the most exciting and fundamental horizontal technologies for our economy. I recently attended the International Space Summit in Paris. About that Space Summit in Paris. About that we launched our space strategy. Scotland is key to this. You will know about the Saxavord US launch capacity investment, and I can capacity investment, and I can assure her we'll keep her involved in the progress of this successful strategy.

10:38

Leigh Ingham MP (Stafford, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It will surprise no one in this House to hear that. I believe growth in every postcode should growth in every postcode should start in our towns. So would the Minister please tell me what we are doing to support brilliant businesses like Hill Helicopters in my constituency? Grow, thrive and export.

10:38

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Yes. I spent a fantastic day >> Yes. I spent a fantastic day with the aerospace industry last week, and over and over again they spoke so enthusiastically about 80. And the investments we are putting into that sector. I pay tribute to the company she mentioned in her constituency. Advanced manufacturing of all sorts is one manufacturing of all sorts is one of the things we are really great at in this country, which is why we are backing it with the industrial strategy.

10:38

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Last month. McLaren announced. A £500 million investment. Which will create 1000. Jobs, particularly. Beneficial in my constituency.

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Of Woking. I know the Secretary of. State visited the constituency to share in that good news. What steps is he in that good news. What steps is he and the government taking to ensure McLaren and other businesses can expand like that?

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expand like that? Well, it was always a pleasure to visit McLaren and I was delighted it was part of a investment in the automotive sector investment in the automotive sector this month of £850 million alone, incredibly strong and supportive investments that reflect the incentives we put in place in the industrial strategy. I know there is a specific issue locally on making sure that investment happens. We're talking to the company about that and of course, our trade, our innovation, our wider business innovation, our wider business agenda is all about supporting successful businesses.

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

10:39

me in congratulating Malcolm Wilson OBE and the team at M-Sport in

10:39

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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OBE and the team at M-Sport in Dovenby on securing the Ford World Rally Car Championship programme? Creating new skilled jobs for

10:39

Susan Murray MP (Mid Dunbartonshire, Liberal Democrat)

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Creating new skilled jobs for Cumbria. And can the Secretary of State tell us what support the Department can provide to help high Department can provide to help high performance automotive firms like M-Sport create skilled apprenticeships for our young people?

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I will. Thoroughly endorse that. I believe he and I have once campaigned quite close to where the business is based, and it's

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brilliant news and reflects the tremendous industrial heritage of Cumbria. I thank.

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I thank. You, Madam. Deputy Speaker. I suspect I'm going to add to the Secretary of State's frustration when I ask, on behalf frustration when I ask, on behalf of Scottish food and drink exporters, who still face paperwork and border checks that did not

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and border checks that did not exist before breakfast. Breakfast is. Hungry. Hungry?

10:40

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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>> Yes. >> If growth is the mission, if growth is the mission, will the Secretary of State open talks on a customs union with the EU?

10:40

Alison Hume MP (Scarborough and Whitby, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, we can all go for breakfast soon. Of course, I understand, particularly on food understand, particularly on food and agriculture. That's part of the EU, UK reset to do that. I would also point to, for instance, the tremendous opportunities we've created. If you look at the tariff on Scottish whisky in India, 150% down to 75%, then 40% in time, Scottish salmon as well is part of that. So I promise her we are always championing in every market the interests of her constituents.

10:40

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )

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I think. >> Boulby underground laboratory in North Yorkshire is competing to host XLZD, a prestigious physics experiment that could deliver Nobel Prize winning discoveries in the UK. In the light of the stfc cuts. Can the Minister reaffirm the government's commitment to securing

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the XL z d dark matter experiment for the UK? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It's quite a number of years since I was underground at Boulby, but I do remember the experience and how do remember the experience and how important that dark matter laboratory is. And this particular issue that will be mine is that they've increased their capacity they've increased their capacity there. And so their rental charges have gone up and within the scope of their existing Budget. That means about a half £1 million of means about a half £1 million of their £1 million operating Budget has been taken forward into the £4 million overall Budget that they have, and the government has funded the development of X, of the laboratory that she describes.

And until 2020 728, if the UK is successful, law that would require additional funding above and beyond additional funding above and beyond existing budgets.

10:42

Chris McDonald MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. There is much interest from aerospace companies in the 1950s. Blue Streak launch facilities at RAF Spadeadam in my constituency. Can I ask the Minister what assessment has been made of UK sites for the potential of developing heavy lift rocket testing in the UK? And will he meet with me to discuss the potential of Spadeadam? Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Spadeadam is of course, another amazing facility that I have visited in recent years, and she's quite right.

There is the potential there, and I do agree potential there, and I do agree with her that a full assessment of this, alongside our other launch facility in the Shetland Shetland Islands must be made Euan Stainbank.

10:42

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I think. to avoid this incredibly well positioned site lying vacant. What interventions did the government prepared to make? The Seemlessly secured new industry and new jobs for this site? And more broadly, the Grangemouth Industrial Complex this side of 2030. this side of 2030.

10:43

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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Well, he's a constant advocate for Grangemouth site. Last night I met with the National Wealth Fund with the office for investment and with the office for investment and my officials to push forward on this. We have a task force meeting on Monday where, amongst other on Monday where, amongst other things, we will be pushing for faster action to prepare the groundwork for investment so that groundwork for investment so that we can deploy the £200 million from the national wealth fund that we have set aside.

10:43

Perran Moon MP (Camborne and Redruth, Labour)

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Jayne Kirkham.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Truro lost. Its. Post Office. Last week as well, without. A. Temporary alternative.

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Temporary alternative. Would the Minister consider consulting with the Post. Office on alternatives. When this happens in main cities and looking again at that franchise model, which seems to leave post office branches very vulnerable?

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office branches very vulnerable? I thank her for raising this and bring it to my attention. I'd be further. Halesowen.

10:43

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>> Halesowen. >> Madam Deputy. >> Speaker plans to revive Cornish tin and tungsten mining are well advanced with the support of the National Wealth Fund, but tin ore tungsten, were it to be brought to the surface today, would have to be shipped to the other side of the world for refining and process processing, with only a fraction coming back to the UK and seriously coming back to the UK and seriously increased costs. When Cornish MPs meet with Ministers next week, can we discuss plans from government to invest in domestic refinement of tin and tungsten? tin and tungsten?

10:44

Ian Lavery MP (Blyth and Ashington, Labour)

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Well, absolutely discuss that, as he knows, because he talks to me about this at every available opportunity. We are determined to make sure that more of the value of that entire process remains in the UK, which is why we are putting £50 million on the table for exactly that sort of development work. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Royal Mail Sorting Office is in Blyth and Ashington. In my patch or in absolute chaos. They're in meltdown.

I'm really concerned that

10:44

Kate Dearden MP, Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

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someone in my patch is going to end up in a tragic situation because of up in a tragic situation because of the lack of service. What? I met with the Royal Mail on numerous occasions. There's been no change occasions. There's been no change whatsoever. In fact, it's getting worse. What kind of Minister do to remedy the situation before remedy the situation before somebody needs to be accountable for a very serious situation?

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for a very serious situation? I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I share his frustrations and concerns, whether it's the biggest issue in my inbox and constituency colleagues that I've heard from across the House, it's clear, and I've made very frank in my discussions with the Royal Mail CEO. They have to do better. They have to deliver improvements at a much quicker pace. I'll continue working with him to make sure we can deliver for his constituents and those across the country that need a reliable postal service.

10:45

Urgent question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Sustainable Farming Incentive

That is the end. Of business innovation, science and trade questions. I'll give the questions. I'll give the Frontbenches a moment to shuffle Urgent Urgent Question Urgent Question Robbie Urgent Question Robbie Moore.

10:45

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. To ask.

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Food and Rural Affairs. If she. Will make a statement. On the sustainable farming incentive. Minister. Thank you.

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Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker. In summer 2024, we inherited an SFI scheme from the previous conservative government with no Budget control and no proper alignment of SFI actions to environmental sustainability targets. The farming schemes were underspent, meaning millions of underspent, meaning millions of pounds were not going to farming businesses. This government implemented many improvements to SFI 26 to make it more focussed, more transparent and fairer so that as many farmers as possible can benefit from agreements. For example, we introduced a new rule that each farm business can only have one SFI 26 agreement, which cannot exceed £100,000 per year. We streamline the number of SFI actions to remove complexity, while still having plenty of actions available for all farm types. We held our first application window earlier in summer, which was only open to two groups small farms and also farms without existing environmental land management revenue agreements. Window two of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 opened on the morning of

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Tuesday, the 22nd. Of. September 2026, and closed at

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September 2026, and closed at 3:48 p.m. on the same day. It was open to all farmers and land managers with at least three managers with at least three hectares of agricultural land. Now I recognise some farmers who wanted I recognise some farmers who wanted to join SFI, 26, will be disappointed not to have secured an disappointed not to have secured an agreement this year. There was an exceptional demand for SFI 26, which demonstrates farmers desire to invest in an environment because healthy soils and thriving habitats are fundamental for farm profitability, productivity, sustainability and resilience.

In anticipation of high demand, we allocated additional £20 million to window two on top of the £50 million announced by the Prime Minister in August, so we could fund as many agreements as possible. We have therefore allocated a total of £310 million to nearly 19,000 new agreements across both application windows and SFI 26, including £253 million and 12,200 new agreements through window two. We now have 70,000 multi-year agreements in place. These agreements will invest a total of £930 million in environmental sustainable farming over the next three years.

Nearly £1 billion of investment in nature friendly farming, as part of £11.8 billion in funding for sustainable farming in this Parliament. We plan to offer an SFI scheme in 2027, and we will look to open the 2027 offer as early as possible to ensure farmers can access funding. We are already looking to make changes to improve FSI for next year, continuing our close work with farmers and stakeholders by listening to

10:49

Robbie Moore MP (Keighley and Ilkley, Conservative)

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experiences and learning lessons from this window. In keeping with the commitments made in the Farming the commitments made in the Farming Roadmap 2050, we plan to offer an SFI scheme in 2027. As part of this, SFI scheme in 2027. As part of this, we are scrapping the first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027. We will look to for SFI in 2027. We will look to open the 2027 window as early as possible to ensure farmers can access funding, and we will work access funding, and we will work with farming representative organisations, including the NFU, to consider how we refine the scheme for SFI 27, as set out in the farming roadmap published earlier this year. This government is committed to a farming sector

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resilient. Hear, hear.

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Hear, hear. Madam Deputy Speaker, I cannot stress enough just how bad the mishandling of the sustainable mishandling of the sustainable farming incentive has been under this Labour government. It has been this Labour government. It has been a complete and utter mess, and our hard working farmers and nature have once again lost out. Under have once again lost out. Under this Labour government. But it was not without warning, lots of warning being given to this government well in advance.

After 18 months of inaction following the government's choice to close the scheme in March 2025, for the first time ever, the scheme was changed to operate on a first come, first served basis, making it competitive with no quality control simply based on who could press send first. The consequence? A build up of nearly 40,000 farmers trying to get into the scheme when it finally opened, but only 12,200 were successful. The application window closed within 5.5 hours after it was opened.

After all the money had gone. Farmers had been designing their applications for months, and many are now even under more financial and emotional strain. So I ask the Minister, given the value of the expiring agreements, was over £520 million and the Budget for SFI 26 was significantly reduced to £310 million. Can the Minister explain whether £210 million has gone? With so many farmers being locked out of the scheme, clarity and certainty for next steps is needed now.

So can the Minister confirm when applications for SFI 27 will open? Will he publish a forward plan now so that farmers can start preparing? What support will he give those with expiring agreements to minimise gaps in cash flow? And what Budget has the Minister allocated for SFI 27, so that he can be certain that we will not see this same debacle all over again? The Minister has now had a month to reflect on these issues. Our farmers want answers now, not more warm words or surveys being given out by the farming Minister saying that he is in listening mode.

Answers are needed right now to the questions that have been raised. Minister.

10:52

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am not going to claim that the I am not going to claim that the scheme is perfect or it is working. Or is it what we want it to be? But this is a scheme we inherited from the previous government, and it's one we are fixing under them. Just a quarter of the funding went to 4% of farms offer large ones with no targeting. We have already made changes to address that, with a window earlier this year, specifically for small farms and those that had not participated in the scheme before.

If they thought the scheme wasn't working, why didn't they do anything to fix it when they were in years of power? And if they didn't think that it should be a first come, first served approach, then why didn't they change it? I mean, I noticed that the shadow environment secretary said at party conference, and I quote, after 18 months of inaction, Labour chose to design the scheme for the first time ever on a first come, first serve basis. I mean, this simply isn't true, and I'd encourage him to correct the record.

And as I say, it's a bit rich that he's coming here today with all these different things. He could have done something to change this when he had the opportunity to do so. So they couldn't even get all the funding out the door, leaving money on the table when it should have been going into farmers pockets. And I won't accept that criticism. Madam Deputy Speaker, this scheme was designed by them, but we are fixing it and that's what I will continue doing.

10:53

Daniel Zeichner MP (Cambridge, Labour)

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Daniel Zeichner thank you, madam. >> Parliament. >> The plain truth is it was a complex scheme, but the particularly the IT systems weren't in place to administer it properly. And the frontbench know that. And these IT systems take years to develop. So colleagues at the RPA have done a heroic job working around using existing systems. That is why it is so difficult to make this scheme work. The very difficult circumstances across the country. So does my hon.

Friend agree with me that a little contrition on the other side will be welcome as we try and fix this system.

10:54

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend for his question and also place on the question and also place on the public record the hard work that he undertook as Minister of State in the Department. He was a tremendous contributor to many of the things that I've now inherited to deliver for our country. He's absolutely right to point out the hypocrisy of the party opposite on the SFI scheme, and I remind him that, of course, it was Michael Gove who I think first introduced the first come, first served approach.

And I also want to pay tribute to the hard work of the RPA, who have worked incredibly hard to level up applications and demand we've seen on this scheme, and I look forward to working with him as we make further improvements to ensure the success of the scheme next year.

10:54

Sarah Dyke MP (Glastonbury and Somerton, Liberal Democrat)

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Liberal Democrat spokesperson >> Liberal Democrat spokesperson Sarah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. SFI is the foundation of resilient food system and it resilient food system and it delivers for nature. When it closed without warning last year, the Liberal Democrats warned of the damage to farm finances and our environmental goals. Now farmers face a two tier system once again. Clare Farms, near Puckington. Her Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement is ending and SFI was meant to be the her way forward.

Now farmers deserve better than a Glastonbury ticket scramble. So I welcome the end of first come, first served, but a fairer queue for the same small pot just changes. Who gets turned away. The Liberal Democrats would back farmers with an extra billion pounds a year to produce food and protect nature, not choose between them. With the Budget just two weeks away. Will the Minister back our call and press the Chancellor to fund SFI properly?

10:55

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I thank the shadow spokesperson for her contribution and the constructive way that she's been constructive way that she's been engaging with me and my department on these issues. I absolutely recognise it's been an incredibly challenging time for farmers, and I mentioned in the outset some of the funding that we have been putting in to sustainable farming. 11.8 billion over this Parliament. And I mentioned the significant figure this year alone via various schemes. 2.3 billion has been made available for farming Budget this year.

I will certainly take on board the points that she's raised and reflect on that as we design the scheme for next year, and look forward to working closely with her on next steps.

10:56

Markus Campbell-Savours MP (Penrith and Solway, Labour)

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Markus Campbell-Savours thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Isn't it you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Isn't it time we simply admit that the SFI experiment has failed? The last government could not get the money out the door. We now have an IT system so bad we might as well not have a door. Farmers don't believe it's fair. They don't believe it's getting to those that need support or believe it's delivering the public goods it's stated to. Perhaps we should start again. Reconsider a universal baseline with basic.

With best practice conditions.

10:56

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Mr. >> Mr. >> I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I know he's yet to write to me on any issues that his to me on any issues that his farmers have raised on SFI 26, and I'd encourage him to do so. I meant it when I said it in my opening remarks, that I'm really keen to work in partnership with others to design a scheme that works for farmers next year. I look forward to his proactive engagement with me in order to get the scheme right next year.

Carmichael. Speaker.

10:57

Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)

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So just. >> How many applications did the Department expect they would receive when they opened the window? receive when they opened the window? A the soil benchmark, the farming software platform, publicly estimated that there would be about 40,000 applications. And they thought that there would be Budget for about 15,000 successful ones. In the event, it was about 12,000. So Soil Benchmark could do that calculation. Why didn't the department or did the department do department or did the department do that calculation? And did they then open the scheme in the knowledge that approximately two thirds to three quarters would be disappointed at the end of it?

10:57

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Minister.

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I thank the chair of the Select Committee for his measured intervention and look forward to being before the Select Committee being before the Select Committee later this month. We obviously anticipated there would be high demand for the scheme this year, demand for the scheme this year, hence the reason why we had two windows and increased funding for the overall pot to 310 million. Obviously mentioned earlier, the the window two and the window two process. Defra expected a strong initial demand and made it clear initial demand and made it clear before the window opened that its duration would depend on the rate of applications.

Ministers obviously allocated the 50 million and then the additional 20 million as well. We're really keen to learn from all in the sector on what we can do to improve the scheme going forward, and I look forward to his contributions in due course.

10:58

Josh Newbury MP (Cannock Chase, Labour)

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Josh Newbury. seen some of my comments on this situation already, and I could ask many questions, but I'll limit myself to this one. Many would be applicants once again experienced technical issues, and those who phoned the Rural Payments Agency reported hours long wait times, and I hope that his team are looking into that. The department has said that there will be a further, very limited window for those who had technical issues, but could the Minister tell the House whether that only includes those who were able to speak to someone and report those issues, or whether it will also include those who, frankly, gave up when they knew they'd have agent.

10:58

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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My hon. Friend for his question, and indeed, the way he's been engaging with me in terms of engaging with me in terms of thinking through the design for the scheme for next year, he's right to say that some farmers reported technical issues on the application technical issues on the application service, which prevented them from applying. It's normal to receive these reports after the application window is closed. Some of them will be valid. The RPA is currently working through them as we speak. If he has any particular examples If he has any particular examples he wants to share with me, I can certainly take those away and raise the questions with relevant officials in my department.

11:00

Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP (Herne Bay and Sandwich, Conservative)

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Sir Roger Gale.

11:00

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Kent was once rightly regarded as the Garden of England. Faced with intolerable pressures upon their finances. Many of the small farmers in Kent, having looked to the sustainability scheme for help and having been denied it, and now having to sell their land for housing and other development, further denying us national sustainability and food. Can the Minister tell the House how many Minister tell the House how many farmers in Kent are benefiting from the scheme?

11:00

Minister.

11:01

Douglas Lumsden MP (Aberdeen South, Conservative)

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question. We are publishing the figures for applications across counties and constituencies, so I counties and constituencies, so I can certainly make that information available to him. More broadly, he makes the point around the demands that farmers are facing, and our farming roadmap, published earlier this year, is a 25 year plan to commit to a more profitable, productive sector and building resilience in the farming community. And I'm very keen to work in

11:01

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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And I'm very keen to work in partnership with the farmers in his constituency and area to make sure that is delivered.

11:01

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker, when the Shadow Minister next gets to the despatch box, I hope he will despatch box, I hope he will withdraw the inaccuracy that the scheme was, for the first time ever, built on a first come, first serve basis. This is simply not the case and they know it. Does the Minister agree that farmers deserve better than the rewriting of history from the party that left a half built, half baked transition? And can the

11:02

Rt Hon John Glen MP (Salisbury, Conservative)

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half baked transition? And can the Minister expand a little bit more on his plans to reform the RPA in time for SFR 27?

11:02

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He's a real champion for

11:02

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

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farmers in his constituency, and it's very evident from the contributions that he makes, which opposition for the action or inaction that they took when they had the opportunity to take forward work to improve the lives of work to improve the lives of farmers across our country. I'm very happy to meet with him on the specific points that he raises to

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make sure that I have his insight year. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Most farmers.

11:03

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Invest in a plan over several years, and there are over 12,000 who have been in receipt of previous grants who were unable to fulfil what they expected this year. What thoughts does the Minister have on those individuals where significant sums of money already invested through the taxpayer will essentially go to waste? And with the RPA, what, what what's he going to publish in terms of the barriers? Most farmers get very frustrated that they can't work out what they've done wrong.

Minister. they've done wrong. Minister.

11:03

Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)

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I thank the right hon. Member for his question and the way that he's engaging in these issues. Obviously, our annual report sets out how we spend the farming Budget. If he's not yet had a chance to see that, I encourage him to do so. And on the specific points around the RPA and issues and frustrations of

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farmers in his constituency, I'll certainly take that back to the department and look into those issues that he's raised. Julie Minns thank you, Madam

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Julie Minns thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The government was absolutely right to redesign the SFI to prioritise smaller farming SFI to prioritise smaller farming businesses so that taxpayer money supports more farms. However, in Cumbria, 54% of the land is less Cumbria, 54% of the land is less favourable, which means that my farmers have to hold more land in order to get a viable farm, pushing order to get a viable farm, pushing them into the window. Two. Will the Minister, when he looks at the next SFI, please ensure that it recognises that acreage alone should not determine which window farmers apply in?

11:04

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I thank my friend for her question. It's a real pleasure to have met her recently on some of the particular challenges that her constituency is facing, and wider issues around bluetongue and other matters. I will certainly bear in mind the constructive points that she's raised today as we design the scheme for next year.

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Speaker. My constituent, Anthony Henman farms peg top farm at Woodeaton. He has SFI agreements that expire in March of next year. When I spoke to him this morning, he told me that these are vital to us. We can't survive without them. Does the Minister understand the huge pressure facing our farmers, not pressure facing our farmers, not least in light of the extraordinary global price of fertilisers, and that many of them are simply on the edge? And what assurances can I

11:04

edge? And what assurances can I give Anthony and other farmers in my constituency that the SFI 27

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will be announced early? Adequately funded and properly managed. I thank the hon. Member for his question. I absolutely recognise the difficult year that farmers have faced across the country and indeed in his own constituency, and indeed in his own constituency, and that's why I'm keen to open SFI 27 as early as possible, and I gave that assurance earlier from Dispatch Box. It's worth noting Dispatch Box. It's worth noting that this year, through all the schemes, 2.3 billion is going into the farming Budget and over the the farming Budget and over the lifetime of this Parliament, 11.8 billion.

But certainly keen to hear any further thoughts as we design the scheme for next year.

11:04

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker, the fundamental problem is that for years our country hasn't allocated years our country hasn't allocated enough of our national resources to growing food in a way that boosts biodiversity. We've now got a nature crisis that is increasingly a threat to our national security. We need every farm that can to do We need every farm that can to do more on nature friendly farming. So can the Minister reassure me that his department is talking to the his department is talking to the Treasury about securing greater investment in SFI going forward?

11:05

Rebecca Smith MP (South West Devon, Conservative)

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I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He will know that we were responding to our settlement from Treasury and therefore, you know, Treasury and therefore, you know, there's always more we can do, and that's why we published our farming roadmap earlier this year, which sets out the direction of travel. sets out the direction of travel. We want to take around building a more resilient, productive farming sector, working in partnership with the sector to deliver nature friendly farming.

11:06

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Rebecca Smith. spent the day with the Minister, so therefore, it was unsurprising that on the 22nd of September he went to

11:06

Joe Morris MP (Hexham, Labour)

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market. However, he got home at 350 in the afternoon to complete his agreement that had already been agreement that had already been worked on, to find that he was two minutes too late and £50,000 down as a result. He said to me, I am as a result. He said to me, I am jumping mad. This is a insert expletive here. Show. How can anyone be expected to manage a anyone be expected to manage a small business and compete in a fastest to the button lottery like this? I just wonder how the Minister would have felt if he had

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Minister would have felt if he had to apply for his parliamentary seat in that way. Yeah. Well, I. Thank the hon. Member for her question and for her encouragement for me to visit Dartmoor recently. I know she wasn't able to join me on that visit, but it was very insightful visit and I absolutely recognise the human difficulties being for farmers that haven't been able to apply for the scheme this year. If she's got particular examples, as she's just described.

She wanted to feed into me. It's She wanted to feed into me. It's really important that I hear those, so I thank her again and there is obviously wider support available for farmers, which we can signpost for farmers, which we can signpost people to via the blog post on the DEFRA website.

11:06

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Joe Morris thank.

11:07

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds, Conservative)

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friend for Carlisle said, upland farms, by the very nature have to be larger. I met with upland farmers in Northumberland recently farmers in Northumberland recently and I heard from them their frustration that no one of SFI were excluded. Them simply because their excluded. Them simply because their farms were too big geographically to be included within it. So can he commit to working with myself, working with other Northumberland MPs, working with my friend from Carlisle, but also working with the NFU uplands Group to ensure that a redesigned scheme properly supports

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upland farms. Minister. I thank my friend for his question, the way that he's been engaging with me already on learning lessons from SFI 26 and for convening colleagues in. In doing so, uplands are an area of doing so, uplands are an area of priority for me. I'm very impressed by the work that Doctor Hilary Cottam's been doing in Dartmoor. And obviously we're looking to to deliver that scheme elsewhere in the country. It's absolutely something that I want to take something that I want to take forward with him and I look forward to doing so.

11:07

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Charlie Dewhirst thank.

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Fact of the matter is that this scheme portal opened at 10 a.m. closed at. 3:48 p.m. at a time when most

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3:48 p.m. at a time when most farmers are at work, and for agents representing farmers, that was simply not enough time to fill in simply not enough time to fill in multiple applications. So a very simple question to the Minister Will you apologise?

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Yes, Minister. I thank the Member for his

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I thank the Member for his question. The scheme was what it was. We inherited a mess from the previous administration. I am keen to learn lessons from what worked and as I recognised earlier, I appreciate the heartache it's caused many farmers and therefore there's more action we need to take.

11:07

Adam Dance MP (Yeovil, Liberal Democrat)

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Adam Dance thank you, Madam. >> Adam Dance thank you, Madam. >> Deputy Speaker, because SFI way to funding closed. >> Within hours. Many Yeovil farmers were shut out despite being prepared. That included Tim, who was awarded Water Quality Farmer of the year literally the same day. Does the Minister recognise that even farmers who are being awarded for environmentally friendly land management are now left in a financial hole? So what is the government going to do to encourage sustainable farming in Yeovil?

11:08

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Minister? to our farming roadmap, which sets out the long term vision for delivering a more nature friendly farming sector. This year alone, as I mentioned, we've announced 2.3 billion extra, well, 2.3 billion going into farming Budget, with 11.8 billion going in over the lifetime of this Parliament. There are other schemes available for farmers, and I'd encourage him to to look at the Defra blog, which sets out those details further.

11:08

Greg Smith MP (Mid Buckinghamshire, Conservative)

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Greg Smith thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. hands enough at the attitude to farming of this government, this latest debacle, turning something so important to our farmers so important to our farmers livelihoods into some sort of perverse six hour first fingers on the buzzers game show has them even more in despair. I'm afraid the minister's nothing to see here. Answers that he's given this afternoon will cause even more distress. So perhaps he can engage with some of the detail. My hon. Friend the Shadow Minister asked him a very, very specific question about the £210 million difference between the value of expiring agreements valued at over £520 million and the £310 million SFI Budget. Where is that difference and where is it going to be spent and when?

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Minister Madam Deputy Speaker I'll take no lectures from the party opposite. And the fact that party opposite. And the fact that they had a scheme that was half baked and even deliver anything, or put money in the pockets of farmers.

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put money in the pockets of farmers. Robert Jenrick I went to my agricultural shows in Nottinghamshire in August. All the Nottinghamshire in August. All the farmers told me that this was going to be a complete shambles and it was a complete shambles. This isn't

11:09

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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was a complete shambles. This isn't a surprise. Everyone knew this was going to be a disaster, and we've just heard in an answer to the previous question, that the Minister knew this was going to be massively oversubscribed, and yet he proceeded. He said the scheme he proceeded. He said the scheme was half cocked, but he's now put his own name to it. Is he going to his own name to it. Is he going to apologise for the complete fiasco that he has put my farmers through? And what is he going to do next And what is he going to do next year to ensure this insult is never applied again?

11:10

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Reform UK)

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Minister. the previous conservative government that designed this scheme. But I mean, if he wants to be constructive and engage with my department on any particular examples of how we can improve the scheme going forward, I'd like to hear from him. Madam.

11:10

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Deputy Speaker. >> I've worked with him to secure funding on schools when he was a school Minister. So does he understand, and will he simply say sorry to those small farmers who were out working in Hinckley and Bosworth, up and down the country, who don't have a land agent to get it in within six hours? Will he show some contrition and simply say show some contrition and simply say that on his watch this scheme didn't work? He'll learn the lessons and simply say sorry.

11:10

Dr Luke Evans MP (Hinckley and Bosworth, Conservative)

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Yeah, Minister.

11:10

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I said at the outset, Madam Deputy Speaker, it's been a brutal year for farmers across our country, year for farmers across our country, with drought, with input costs rising and obviously various other rising and obviously various other factors as well. I hear those messages loud and clear from the regular engagement I have with the regular engagement I have with the farming community. We need to learn lessons, but I remind him that most of the scheme we inherited from the previous government Caroline Voaden.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Minister. Recently visited Dartmoor and Richard, a farmer on Dartmoor, was Richard, a farmer on Dartmoor, was just one of the many farmers who wrote to me following the SFI scheme to say that he. His farm, scheme to say that he. His farm, which which protects and enhances the beauty and the environmental the beauty and the environmental environment of. Of Dartmoor. They've been in a scheme for 30 years and they lost out on this application.

And he and his wife

11:11

Caroline Voaden MP (South Devon, Liberal Democrat)

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application. And he and his wife are now seriously wondering how they're going to make ends meet. And I've heard from numerous other farmers who have lost out, whose schemes will now end and don't know how they're going to survive. I frustrations from farmers in her constituency, that I encourage her to get in touch with me, because it's really important that we do learn lessons from the scheme this learn lessons from the scheme this year as we continue to make improvements for next year. Speaker.

11:13

Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)

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I refer to the register.

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Does the Minister have any idea how long it takes to design and then apply for an SFI and all that chucked away in a six and six hour lottery? And his response today, and he's got his back to me. He's not even listening to the question. His response today has been symbolic of the shrugged shoulders attitude of the lanyard classes to farmers for far too long. He's had two and a half years to fix this two and a half years to fix this problem.

If he if, as he says, he inherited it, does he understand even the boiling sense of frustration and anger that farmers have?

11:13

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Yes. >> Minister. >> I thank the hon. Member for his question. I'm engaging all the time with farmers across the country and with farmers across the country and with their representatives. They are at the heart of our redesign of the scheme for next year, with workshops starting today. And I've already met with representatives from the NFU and been on farms, listening to farmers and their views about those that applied and those that were unable to do so. Absolutely understand the frustrations that people feel, but I'm committed to improving it for the future.

11:13

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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To Ellie Chowns. >> To Ellie Chowns. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Minister knows because I wrote to him the day after this latest to him the day after this latest SFI shambles, that farmers in North Herefordshire are livid about this problem. Farmers in Ogle pictured Huddleston, Lindley Green, Kimbolton, Dilwyn and more have all written to me to tell me not only that they're hopping mad, but they're also distressed and depressed at the devastating impact that this is having on their livelihoods and their prospects of continuing to run their farms.

So will the Minister recognise that farmers do need to hear? Sorry. Yes, they need support. They need sustainability and certainty, not a lottery of fingers on the buzzers. And fundamentally, they do need direct answers to these questions. Why is there less money available now under this than there was previously? Why did the government not learn the lessons from the failure last year? And what are they going to do to genuinely own this problem?

11:14

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Minister. >> I don't accept that we haven't learned lessons from the past, and that's why we made a number of changes for SFI 26. As I set out in changes for SFI 26. As I set out in the outset of my statement today. And of course, I am sorry if people applied for the scheme and were unsuccessful. And I understand people's frustrations, and that's right.

11:15

Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP (South West Wiltshire, Conservative)

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Doctor Andrew Murrison. >> Deputy speaker, many. >> Farmers in. >> Wiltshire are marginal.

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Wiltshire are marginal. At best, and now. They're. Having to divert investment into

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a pot to pay future inheritance taxes. They honestly are being pushed over. The edge.

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The edge. What does the Minister think this latest is going to do for this latest is going to do for their businesses? And what assessment has he made? Regardless assessment has he made? Regardless of attribution of blame on how many farms are actually going to be sold farms are actually going to be sold up, that families will pack up and go away as a result of this latest round of Defra incompetence?

11:15

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I thank the Member for his >> I thank the Member for his question. As I said at the outset, it's worth noting that £2.3 billion has been made available for the farming Budget this year, with £11.8 billion for sustainable farming throughout the lifetime of this Parliament. If he's got particular examples he wants to share with me in terms of farmers that have been unable to apply for SFI 26, I encourage him to share those with me. For the first time since the Second World War, a government has published a farming roadmap to bring certainty to the sector, and I'm busy getting on delivering that, working in partnership with the sector to ensure profitable, productive and a more resilient farming sector for the future.

11:16

Mike Martin MP (Tunbridge Wells, Liberal Democrat)

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Mike Martin. security is national security and without playing the blame game, the ineptness of the scheme does cause British farms to close. And you know, the extreme farmers to commit suicide. I wonder if the Minister agrees with that principle that food security is national security. And could you explain to the House how he takes that principle forward in his work, in doing things like administering schemes like this?

11:16

Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP (Aldridge-Brownhills, Conservative)

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I thank the Member for his question and absolutely appreciate the difficulty that farmers have faced this year. And, you know, the challenges that many have faced with regards to applying for the scheme this year. As our manifesto says, food security is national security. And, you know, we're working through what that looks like in the department. But certainly through the roadmap, we set out a clear vision for the future to bring certainty and consistency to the sector.

11:17

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Wendy Morton thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. At a time when the government really should be government really should be supporting the producers of our food and the guardians of our countryside, they saw fit to open the new SFI scheme offer and then close it down after just six hours. Will he acknowledge that his government got this wrong? Will he provide a roadmap, a forward look for the farmers, detailing what the next scheme will be, give them more notice and assure them that and this House that they will have more time next time round.

11:17

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

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Yeah, yeah.

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I thank the hon. Member for her question. And I mentioned at the outset that it was her government that introduced the first come, that introduced the first come, first served approach, but absolutely key keen to make sure we absolutely key keen to make sure we make changes and improvements for future years. And if she's got practical ideas about how we make that happen, I'd be delighted to

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that happen, I'd be delighted to hear from her. Tessa Munt thank. You, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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You, Madam Deputy Speaker. I just I wanted to point out to the Minister that a lot of the farmers in my area have terrible difficulties with buffering broadband access. Internet access is poor, and I had actually thought that those who had agents were the lucky ones. But I was informed

11:18

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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quite neatly after I'd said something about this, on the fact that actually most of the agents only managed to get eight, nine, only managed to get eight, nine, ten applications in in a very short window that was available. So that wasn't the case. He's mentioned the fact that he's going to be running workshops with farmers, but has he actually asked the Rural Payments Agency to do a high speed review, because he's not got very much time before 2027, so that the barriers

11:18

Sir Ashley Fox MP (Bridgwater, Conservative)

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to applicants, particularly those who had expiring agreements and have. >> A question? Minister?

11:19

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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I thank the Member for her question, and I can assure her that I've obviously met with the RPA on I've obviously met with the RPA on lessons learned from the scheme and what worked well this year, and we will do the analysis of what the

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applications tell us. So Ashley Fox. Madam Deputy Speaker farmers across Somerset have been left without certainty and support by this latest snafu by Defra, and they will not be consoled by the thought of a workshop. How does the Minister envisage farmers will be able to plan financially for the year ahead, if they don't know when the next round is, or how the funds will be allocated?

11:19

Gideon Amos MP (Taunton and Wellington, Liberal Democrat)

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We will publish more information about future rounds in due course. He would have heard my message that He would have heard my message that we're keen to open SFI 27 as early as possible into the new year. There are lots of ways that farmers There are lots of ways that farmers can feed in their thoughts and views on the scheme for the future, and indeed there are other funding schemes available for farmers, so I do encourage him to check the DEFRA blog for that information.

11:20

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Gideon Amos speaker. >> Last week from North Kerry, Stokes, Saint Gregory and surrounding areas were visibly shaken by the economic impacts shaken by the economic impacts they're facing. The price of diesel and this latest debacle has been disastrous for farmers. They are considering ripping out the trees and and margins that were planted under previous funding initiatives, because they simply won't be able to continue without the funding being provided under this initiative, which seems to have only gone to around 12, ten, 12% of farms in the country.

Can the farms in the country. Can the Minister tell me what should what he would, what he would have me say to those farmers about the loss of the wildlife that they've already put in?

11:20

Alicia Kearns MP (Rutland and Stamford, Conservative)

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Minister. member to discuss those issues.

11:20

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Alicia Kearns speaker, The NFU and farmers were a klaxon on the and farmers were a klaxon on the impending car crash that unravelled the words of a local farmer a debacle, the words of a Labour MP having had no decency to warn having had no decency to warn farmers that are coming today was an opportunity for humility rather than gaslighting, that some of the technical complaints only some were legitimate. Will the Minister at least now publish a transparent least now publish a transparent breakdown of how the farming Budget in its entirety is being spent? Because that is the least that Because that is the least that farmers deserve after this debacle?

11:21

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Yeah. question. Obviously, our annual report sets out how the farming Budget is spent, and when we announce future rounds of schemes, we set out the overall Budget available. I mentioned earlier the amount available that was for SFI this year. We will continue to be as transparent as we possibly can farmers.

11:21

Stephen Morgan MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Portsmouth South, Labour)

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Final question. >> Jim Shannon thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Thank you, Minister, for his answers. While the sustainable farming incentive sustainable farming incentive applies specifically to England, the funding allocation underpinning it directly impacts upon devolved it directly impacts upon devolved regions. And given that the Ulster Farmers Union, I declare an interest as a member, has expressed severe concern over long term stability of the multi-year agricultural Budget and the transition away from direct support. What discussions has the Minister had with the Dear Minister and the Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure that the unique family farm structure in Northern Ireland is strengthened and protected within strengthened and protected within the Barnett consequentials and the UK wide funding envelopes, and to help towards soaring costs.

Thank you so much. you so much.

11:22

Perran Moon MP (Camborne and Redruth, Labour)

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I always appreciate a question from my hon. Friend and will certainly look into the issues that he describes, but he will know that farming is a devolved matter, but he will know my commitment to working in partnership with the Northern Ireland government and have already met with my counterparts in Northern Ireland.

11:22

Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)

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Point of order. Earlier, the Shadow Minister may have inadvertently led the House by stating that for the first time, this scheme was changed to operate on a first come, first serve basis. That is simply not the case. First come, first serve was set up under the Conservatives. Can the Deputy

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Speaker advise how the record may be corrected? I thank the hon. Member for his

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I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. Members themselves are responsible for what they say in the chamber and not the chair. If the shadow Minister wishes to clarify his earlier remarks that it is for him, but he needs to keep it

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short because I do not want to continue the debate. Shadow Minister. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As a matter of fact, when the SFI As a matter of fact, when the SFI window was closed under this Labour government in March of 2025, that process in itself led to a huge demand that came up to September this time, therefore making it competitive and first come, first scenario.

11:23

Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House

We are not going to continue the debate. Order! Order! We are not debate. Order! Order! We are not going to continue the debate. The urgent question is over. The front bench may wish to shuffle over. Right. If we're ready for business Right. If we're ready for business questions, I call the shadow leader Jesse Norman.

11:24

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Will the leader give the House the business leader? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The business for the week commencing the 19th of October will include Monday the 19th of October. Committee of the whole House of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, day one, Tuesday the 20th of October. Conclusion of Committee and remaining stages of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. Wednesday, the 21st of October. Consideration of an allocation of time motion followed by all stages of the church appointments. Repeal of Discriminatory Provisions Bill followed by an opposition day, a half day opposition day on a motion in the name of the Liberal Democrats, subject to be announced Thursday, the 22nd of October. Tributes to the Clerk of the House, followed by a general debate on Black History Month on Friday the 23rd of October. The House will not be sitting the provisional business for the week commencing the 26th of October will include Monday the 26th of October. A general debate on the performance of Royal Mail, followed by a general debate on the emerging risks of advanced AI. The subjects for these debates, determined by the backbench Business Committee. Tuesday the 27th of October Second Reading of the building safety, remediation of unsafe cladding, etc. Bill. Wednesday the 28th of October. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement Thursday the 29th of October. Continuation of the Budget debate on Friday the 30th of

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sitting. Shadow leader Jesse Norman.

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Shadow leader Jesse Norman. I thank the leader very much for the business. Madam Deputy Speaker, let me associate myself, first of all, with everything that's been all, with everything that's been said in the previous debate about the fiasco of the sustainable the fiasco of the sustainable farming incentive we meet today on farming incentive we meet today on the fifth anniversary of the death, the murder of Sir David Amos. I know all colleagues will want to join me in celebrating David, his perennial optimism, his beaming smile, his enormous gift for friendship and his unfailing energy in assisting and supporting his constituents.

The independent report into his murder, led by Sir

11:26

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

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Robert Buckland, cannot come too soon. I have three matters to raise. The first relates indirectly to David Amos, as the leader will know at Prime Minister's Questions. Yesterday, the Prime Minister

11:26

Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)

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Yesterday, the Prime Minister described the man charged with the murder of our former colleague Ann murder of our former colleague Ann Widdecombe, as the man responsible for her murder. That statement breached the legal presumption of

11:26

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

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breached the legal presumption of innocence, discussed a case which is subjudice and misled the House. It must have been inadvertent, but there has been no clarification yet.

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We don't accuse each other of misleading the House inadvertently

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is the word we use. Prior to that. Jesse Norman. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As I think I said, it's inadvertent whatever took place, but there's been no clarification from the been no clarification from the Prime Minister or any Minister, no withdrawal of the remark and no apology. That is deeply apology. That is deeply disrepectful disrespectful of this House and of the chair. Will the leader now correct the record, withdraw the remark and apologise on behalf of the Prime Minister? Secondly, as the House will know, Manchester City has been found guilty by an independent commission of 114 of the 115 charges brought against it by the Premier League, including inaccurate financial reporting, undisclosed remuneration and failure to co-operate with the investigations this week.

Having previously been neutral on the issue, the Prime Minister sought to distance himself personally from the club and its owners, but otherwise he and Ministers have remained remarkably quiet, especially since his own club, Everton, had an eight point deduction for two breaches. That's 112 fewer than have been found here just three years ago. So can the leader set out the government's position? Does it regard these breaches as extremely serious, or does it believe that a few eggs may have been broken? But broadly speaking, everything is all right? And when will we get a statement from the Sports Minister on this subject? Finally, last November, I highlighted the severe flooding suffered by us.

Harold. In my constituency, homes were inundated. People and businesses were evacuated. Families left with huge financial and emotional costs. Insurance premiums have gone up where insurance remains available at all. The school, the doctor's surgery and access for emergency services were cut off. Other nearby villages, including Clodock, Kentchurch and Altirhinus, were similarly afflicted. But now, 11 months later, despite an all parties meeting, which I convened last March and repeated representations to Ministers to the Environment Agency and Herefordshire Council, there has been no substantive progress.

Madam Deputy Speaker, the government's own office for science believes El Nino is likely to be bigger than ever this year. My constituents are deeply anxious that floods this winter will drive them yet again from their homes and businesses. Fixing this does not require some vast engineering project. Better drainage, watercourse maintenance, management of runoff and other practical mitigations could all make the difference. But the residents are in a catch 22 situation that will be familiar to many people across this House.

No one in authority is taking any responsibility, but they are not allowed by law to help themselves. The works could all be done legally, quickly and effectively this year by local companies at less than

11:30

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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half the cost of the EA's framework contractors, but that is prohibited. contractors, but that is prohibited. No one will come to the aid of these people, but put one foot into the watercourse just to clear the the watercourse just to clear the debris, and they risk prosecution. I've made a final a formal Budget submission to the Chancellor on submission to the Chancellor on this matter. Will the leader now take it up personally with the Chancellor in the Environment Secretary and make funding this Secretary and make funding this scheme the first order of business for the government's new Flood Resilience Task Force?

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Leader of the House thank. You. Madam Deputy Speaker. My first of all, associate myself absolutely with the comments of the shadow Leader of the House with regard to Leader of the House with regard to Sir David Amos. As he said, today is the anniversary, the fifth anniversary of his tragic murder. anniversary of his tragic murder. And I know that the thoughts of the whole House will remain with his whole House will remain with his loved ones. He was well regarded on both sides of the house. He was a mentor to lots of new members and a fantastic constituency MP, and what happened was an absolute tragedy. Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to welcome members back to the House after the conference recess and congratulate the new member for Holborn and St Pancras to her place as she joined us on Monday. It's also good, Madam Deputy Speaker, to see the shadow leader in his place. We missed him earlier in the week and I was concerned that he was still in the half empty conference hall in Birmingham, wondering whether the shadow Chancellor had actually finished his speech or not. It was a busy conference season, and at the Labour conference, the Prime Minister made several important announcements, including outlining plans for a national care service which will provide the elderly with free personal care. The government has also announced that the triple lock will remain until the end of this Parliament, following which it will be adjusted,

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not least to pay for the new National Care Service. Now, I don't blame the official opposition for doing this because opposition for doing this because partly it's their job. But they did jump in very quickly to oppose any change to the triple lock. And I change to the triple lock. And I find that quite surprising, Madam Deputy Speaker, because in August Deputy Speaker, because in August 2021, the shadow wrote a comment piece entitled Unpick the Triple piece entitled Unpick the Triple Lock.

And I understand that this view that it should be unpicked is shared by the current Shadow Secretary for communities and at least one former Chancellor. And it appears to me, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the party opposite are really tying themselves in knots on this matter. And it would be very helpful if the Leader of the Opposition, or someone from her shadow Cabinet, came to the House to clear up the confusion. I want to turn to the the Budget, and I did announce in the forthcoming business the date of the Budget and the beginning of the debate, which will be followed.

And in that debate, I hope that the House will be able to reflect on Britain's economic outlook. And to that end, the House's attention to the positive report of the IMF this week upgrading our growth to 1.3% this year, joint second highest in the G7. Also, the comments of the IMF's chief economist who said that the UK stands out. His words, not mine on deficit reduction. With our deficit falling significantly more than other G7 nations. And also other good news this morning, with GDP having grown more than expected, we're not complacent, Madam Deputy Speaker, but the Chancellor is absolutely focussed on priorities to boost business, help with the cost of living and support people in every postcode, all underpinned by the fiscal discipline which characterises this government.

I also want to talk about Flood Action Week and this ties in really with what the right hon. Gentleman said about the situation in his constituency. On Monday marked the start of Flood Action Week, and the government has invested £4.2 billion in flood protection measures. And with new targets to improve flood protection for 200,000 properties. We've also launched the Flood Action online portal on Monday, which brings together clear, actionable guidance for people to check their flood risk and find the latest weather alerts.

This is an issue which has been raised regularly at business questions by members from both sides of the House, and I thank them for doing so. That does not address the particular issue that the right hon. Gentleman rightly raised on behalf of his constituents. So let me say two things further on flooding. One is that if he wants to make his case to the floods, Minister, I will arrange for him to do so. And he asks about making representation to the Chancellor.

I'll make sure that the Chancellor, he is what he has said today. I'm not going to say, obviously, because I don't know what is in the Budget, but I will make sure that the Chancellor hears that. In terms of the other points that he made, I'm not sure that he's been characteristically fair, as he normally is, because the Prime Minister has acknowledged that he misspoke. The the right hon. Gentleman was out quite quickly and rightly to make his case yesterday, and the Prime Minister did respond.

He said that he misspoke, he has apologised and he has corrected the record. And I think, Madam Deputy Speaker, that there's there isn't an excuse for misspeaking in the House. And I'm not trying to explain that away. But this Prime Minister is characterised by an authenticity and a passion in the way that he responds. It's not unusual either for prime Ministers or for anybody else to speak in the House, as long as you correct the record, which he has done, then I think that that should be put into perspective.

He also raises the issue of Manchester City, and the Prime Minister, again, has been characteristically very clear about this. He's made clear that the initial judgement on the club is very serious, and that there is no one suggesting that anybody is above the rules. There

11:36

David Burton-Sampson MP (Southend West and Leigh, Labour)

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is an ongoing independent process. It's important that it is allowed to run its course as quickly and as fairly as possible. And at the end of that, if the Sports Minister needs to come to make a statement needs to come to make a statement needs to come to make a statement to this I'm quite sure that she'll do that. have.

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have. Pointed out today is indeed the fifth anniversary of the tragic murder of Sir David Amess. In my constituency, and my thoughts today are with his family, his conservative colleagues here and in Southend, and indeed, all colleagues and constituents who knew Sir David as his plaque behind

11:37

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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me says may his light remain. The Children's Parliament was founded by Sir David Amess, and it was a by Sir David Amess, and it was a project that was really close to his heart, and I'm delighted that his heart, and I'm delighted that today, on this anniversary, we're going to be joined by the current child MPs here in Parliament today. child MPs here in Parliament today. And I'm sure it's going to be a really lively debate. So will the really lively debate.

So will the leader join me in celebrating the enthusiasm of these children, who are showing a keen interest in democracy at a young age?

11:37

Bobby Dean MP (Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)

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Here? about David Amess, and also recognise the importance that Sir David gave to involving young people in our parliamentary process. And to that end, I welcome them to the House today. I wish them well in everything that they do, and it's important that we support them, not just learning about the political process, but perhaps exploring how they can contribute more to it.

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Yeah, but Democrats spokesperson Bobby Dean. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And can I join the House in this And can I join the House in this tribute to Sir David Amess? It's clear how well loved he was across the house. And our thoughts are the house. And our thoughts are with his family. And on today, the House also mentioned the party conference season. And I think conference season. And I think Liberal Democrats want to warmly welcome the Prime Minister's moving towards our positions on Europe, social care and electoral reform at social care and electoral reform at a conference.

We urge him to go further and faster on all three fronts. Not not appreciated by these benches over here, but we certainly appreciate progress on Europe's social care and electoral reform. Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to raise an issue today that I think is an emerging scandal, and it's relating to the treatment of Hong Kongers entitled to British national overseas status. Now, the UK obviously has a historic commitment to those people with the promise of democracy being maintained in Hong Kong or a pathway to the UK itself for those citizens.

And many, of course, have taken that up. However, we've received reports that many BNO applications have now been refused on the basis of past convictions made in Hong Kong. Now, UK rules state that if their conviction is an offence in the UK and the sentence is for longer than 12 months, then that should result in an automatic refusal. And some Hong Kongers were convicted for longer than 12 months for the offence of rioting, which is an offence in the UK.

But of course they weren't really rioting, they were engaging in peaceful democratic protest. Now we've raised these concerns directly with the Home Office, and

11:39

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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they say that discretion can be applied, but the guidance we've seen says otherwise. And the fact is, we know that people are now being rejected on this basis. And to add insult to injury, these rejection letters say that these rejection letters say that these decisions have been made by a competent foreign court. I hope the Liberal House agree that this would Liberal House agree that this would be a betrayal of the UK's historic commitment to these people, and so can he organise for the Ministers

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to issue clear guidance about the specific discretion that is required in these cases? Yes. Thank you.

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Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm sure the House won't have missed the opening comment of the hon. Gentleman when he talked about his Gentleman when he talked about his party's positions on Europe. It's not unusual for the Lib Dems to not unusual for the Lib Dems to have many positions on many things. In terms of conference, I I'm sure, In terms of conference, I I'm sure, I'm sure, I'm sure he enjoyed his conference, not least because he probably got more sleep when he was probably got more sleep when he was there than he might have done with a young child at home.

But there we are. But what I would say is a difference between our conference and his is that our leader of the party came out strengthened from our conference. I'm not sure. I'm not sure the Lib Dems can say the same on the serious matter, on the serious matter which he raises because it is a serious matter. We have granted over 230,000 visas under the British National Overseas Visa route, and we are honouring our commitment to supporting Hong Kongers. Facing political pressure, we remain committed to supporting Hong Kong residents and welcoming eligible applications.

Under the

11:41

Torcuil Crichton MP (Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Labour)

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scheme, every application involving a prior conviction is assessed a prior conviction is assessed individually on its merits and we are ensuring that actions which are not considered criminal offences not considered criminal offences under UK law, do not bar applicants from safety. But I give him my word from safety. But I give him my word that I will go back to the Home Office and if that needs to be clarified, then I will draw that to

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their attention. Torcuil Crichton Deputy Speaker. The Western Isles have been struck this week by maritime tragedy with the sinking of the fishing vessel Kilde in a Tuesday night storm off the coast of Lewes, with what is feared is the subsequent loss of three souls aboard. Can I pay thanks and tribute to the Coast Guard officers, the RNLI, crews, helicopters and police officers who are still involved in the search for two of these missing men.

These winds and events like this cut deeply into our communities and leave salted wounds of grief. I think of Ness Barvas and Carloway and homes and villages that these crews left from,

11:42

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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and that pain of grief will be echoed in other coastal communities across the country. All those who fish will mourn and they that fish will mourn and they that spread their nets on the ocean will languish. And for that reason, can languish. And for that reason, can I ask the Leader of the House to join me in expressing deep condolences to the families and communities affected, and to all communities affected, and to all the other families and fishers who touch that razor's edge of the deep touch that razor's edge of the deep every day and for our good. Go down to the sea in ships.

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Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm sure the whole House will join me and the hon. Gentleman in extending our the hon. Gentleman in extending our most heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those who have lost their lives. I want to join him in paying tribute to the brave members of the RNLI and brave members of the RNLI and coastguards involved in the search and rescue, and as a coastal MP myself, and it's coming up to the myself, and it's coming up to the 60th anniversary of the loss of the gall, the biggest single trawler

11:43

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

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loss in the industry's history, and loss in the industry's history, and six men were from my constituency and we marked that event over the summer. I know absolutely the summer. I know absolutely the importance of loss and how it felt to fishing communities, and I know to fishing communities, and I know how important the work of the RNLI and Coastguard are and how deeply appreciated they are.

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Backbench Business Committee chair Bob Blackman. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I join with others in paying tribute to the late Sir David Davis. He was always here for business questions. With a topical question and a smile on his face. I thank the leader for announcing the business for the 26th of October in the chamber and given the experience this week on Monday of the baby loss awareness debate, I thank him for giving protected time for that debate given, as you all know, Madam Deputy Speaker, the debate on the performance of Royal Mail, given business and trade questions this morning is likely to be extremely well attended.

I would ask if the leader could consider giving protected time for those two debates, particularly if there are going to be government statements or urgent questions. Now, the business in Westminster Hall for next week for the 20th of October will be a debate on manufacturing skills. On Thursday, the 22nd of October, there will be a Select Committee statement from the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, followed by a debate on compensation for Equitable Life policyholders, followed by a debate on the legacy of the Jarrow Crusade on the 90th anniversary on the 27th of October, there will be a debate on recognising the production and serving of cask ale as an intangible cultural heritage.

Personally, I prefer drinking about it, drinking it rather than talking about it. On Thursday the the 29th, the. There'll be a debate on mandatory safeguarding 24 over seven helipads at major trauma centres, followed by a debate on the role and effectiveness of Ofcom. Now, Madam Speaker, a couple of House notes. We are short of a Labour member on the committee and I hope that that that can be filled quickly, because we had a problem this week where we had the bare quorum in order to to do our business.

I'll also say that we did have an application for obviously for Black History Month. I note that this is now a government debate. The risk here is, however, the Frontbenches get two bites at the cherry, which is reduces the time for backbenchers to contribute. This would have been a backbench business debate led by the backbenches, but I understand completely that the leader wants to offer that as a general debate. Now I'm just Deputy Speaker. We are in the course of Navratri, a celebration for Hindus across the world, and it's a joyous occasion.

We are literally halfway through it. But last Saturday I attended the World Sindhi Congress, and this week I received a delegation of ex Bangladeshi politicians and senators. They raised the same issue and that the plight of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh is is desperate right now. I received messages literally every day of atrocities committed against the Hindu population of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Now, I know the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is and Commonwealth Office is obviously concentrating on the illegal war between Russia and Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.

But could we have a statement on what the government is going to do to help protect these minorities in Pakistan and in Bangladesh?

11:46

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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DfE Leader of the House Madam Deputy Speaker.

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I thank the hon. Gentleman for his work chairing the committee and indeed, the work of the whole indeed, the work of the whole committee. In terms of the baby loss debate, I think there was an element of discipline this time, element of discipline this time, which was it wasn't just it was it was timed, allocated time, but there was an element of discipline there was an element of discipline which I welcome. I don't think it was perfect, but I think we are getting there.

Now, bear in mind what he says about Monday the 26th. what he says about Monday the 26th. But but my initial reaction is it isn't always either necessary or welcome that we have a time for a guaranteed time for debates. I think maybe we should take on on a case by case basis, but I'll give some thought to what he says. I also take away the point about making sure that the committee has full membership, and I'll seek to ensure that this is resolved as quickly as possible.

And I'll also raise with the frontbench spokespersons on Black History Month to bear in mind what he has said to make sure that backbenchers, because it would have been probably a backbench business debate otherwise, that they do get the time that they need. I just want to get on to the point. The serious points that he made about the protection of minorities, but it would be remiss of me if I didn't, and I hope the whole House will join with me in doing this.

Send our most heartfelt condolences to the friends and family who of those impacted by the tragic school collapse in Pakistan, which. The news came out overnight, and we send our heartfelt best wishes to those communities. In terms of the treatment of Hindus and others, the UK strongly condemns all instances

11:48

Tulip Siddiq MP (Hampstead and Highgate, Labour)

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of hate or violence directed towards minority religious communities in Pakistan, including communities in Pakistan, including Shia Muslims, Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs and we do work with the international community to promote human rights in partnership with Pakistan. But I will draw his with Pakistan. But I will draw his comments to the attention of the FCDO. I hear what he's saying about there being lots of other things going on, and not least what is happening in Ukraine and in the Middle East. But that's no excuse

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for taking our eye off the ball. If we can do something to help in a situation like this. Tulip Siddiq thank.

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Tulip Siddiq thank. You, Madam Deputy. Speaker Vincent. Chan abused. Baby girls.

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Baby girls. At a Bright Horizons nursery in my constituency for seven years. The Guardian has now revealed that The Guardian has now revealed that three years before he was arrested, the complaint was made about Vincent chan, which was Vincent chan, which was investigated by Bright Horizons and overseen by Camden Council, which cleared him and allowed him to return to work, where he continued abusing little children until he was arrested. I have asked Camden

11:49

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Council and Bright Horizons for the full documentation relating to the full documentation relating to the investigation that took place in 2021, but could I ask the leader if we can have a debate in government we can have a debate in government time about strengthening the safeguarding practices in nurseries, particularly in the Bright Horizons chain, where Ofsted has taken the unprecedented step of issuing two unprecedented step of issuing two welfare requirements notices to nurseries in their chain? Yes.

11:50

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I want to thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter again. She's doing an excellent job in keeping it at the forefront of our minds. The safeguarding of young minds. The safeguarding of young children is our utmost priority. We have announced a range of measures have announced a range of measures to improve early year safeguarding over the summer, and the Department for Education has established an expert advisory group on safeguarding, including CCTV and digital devices, in early years settings, and that will report before Christmas. But if my hon. Friend is seeking a meeting with the department to get an update on these matters, I'll help her to arrange one.

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Martin Vickers thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Like many members across the House who attended their various House who attended their various party conferences, I visited the guide dog stand at our party conference and they made the point, as they regularly do, about the as they regularly do, about the dangers of pavement parking, not only to those with guide dogs, but

11:51

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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to the disabled and other groups. I know the government have recently had a consultation and taken a view that further legislation is needed, and devolving the power to local authorities is fine, but of course they need the resources available to them. Could the leader arrange for a statement from the appropriate Minister.

11:51

Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside, Labour)

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And Deputy Speaker and I, too, met with guide dogs at my at our conference, and they do a fantastic job campaigning on what is a really important issue. As the hon. Gentleman has said, we have made some steps forward in government in this, but we recognise that there are more things to do. I can't guarantee him a statement, but if he wants to hear from the mouth of Ministers about what our plans might be going forward, then if he was to seek a perhaps a Westminster Hall debate or an adjournment debate, then he might get that.

11:52

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Kim Johnson thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Palestinian Deputy Speaker. Palestinian families have been denied family reunification. This has been found to be unlawful in the courts. These to be unlawful in the courts. These include the families of Abida and Mahmoud, two boys who met with the former Prime Minister last year, who promised to do everything he could to ensure their families were reunited with them. So can the Leader of the House provide debate time in government, time to debate Palestinian visa schemes so that we can scrutinise these very important issues.

11:52

Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough, Conservative)

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Deputy speaker, my hon. Friend is a strong advocate on these issues and should she again seek an adjournment debate or a Westminster Hall debate, she can put it directly to witnesses. The government is very keen to do all that we can in this regard, but I think a debate, an adjournment debate, a Westminster Hall debate

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is the way forward for her. Part of the House. Sir Edward Leigh with. Regard to the church appointments, discriminatory appointments, discriminatory provision bill, I'm not sure that many of us Jews and Catholics have many of us Jews and Catholics have really felt discriminated. Against since 1829, and we think there may be more important things for the be more important things for the government to do. And I'm not sure many of us want to actually be involved in appointing Anglican involved in appointing Anglican bishops, although we might improve the number of bishops who talk

11:53

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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about God rather than social issues. Can I just turn to a much more immediate and important issue? Restoration and renewal of Parliament? The leader knows I've been involved in this for many been involved in this for many years, constantly urging action. We really need to get on with it. We need to repeal the existing bill, need to repeal the existing bill, which stops work carrying on around us. There's a horrible rumour that we're now going to go back to we're now going to go back to delaying the whole thing to 2032, talking about full decant. So can you give us a report on how we're going to get on with repairing this building? Thank you.

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Madam Deputy Speaker, and I'm sure the right hon. Gentleman will make his points about the Catholic make his points about the Catholic Relief Act, or indeed, the discrimination from the 1860s banning Jews from certain things. I'm sure you'll make that in the debate if he is able to. But perhaps the difference is, of course, that we have a Catholic Prime Minister, and therefore it's Prime Minister, and therefore it's very keen that if he is to take part in any of these deliberations that he has, that nothing gets in the way of that.

But this is, you know, outdated legislation, and I'm sure that we would be keen to the House would be keen to want to make those changes in terms of renewal and restoration. There was a report there is a report suggesting forward. I have committed to bringing forward a motion in order to because I do agree with them. Absolutely. It's time that we did actually get on with this. There isn't a full agreement across the House about what that actually means, but it is important that we get that debate.

I wouldn't believe everything that he has been told or indeed read about any postponement. The purpose is not to postpone it. The reality is it's been postponed for far too long. The longer we postpone it, the more it costs not just to keep this place functioning, but also the cost of eventually getting around to doing something about it. My approach, however, and I admit, has not been 1 or 2 to rush into this and get the house to rush into this because I want a

11:55

Marsha De Cordova MP (Battersea, Labour)

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consensus if we can. I think that's the best way going forward. Actually, there isn't a consensus, but I think that we can work but I think that we can work towards doing that, and I want to build in as many safeguards as possible. For example, I'd like to possible. For example, I'd like to see the outcome of the inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee because, quite rightly, MPs will be because, quite rightly, MPs will be asking, how do you actually ensure that this is going to be if we do decide to do it, value for money.

decide to do it, value for money. But in terms of timing, all I would say is we do need to get on with it. So watch this space.

11:56

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Marsha de Cordova thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Albert Bridge in Battersea has been closed now for more than eight months amid safety concerns. Obviously, this is causing severe delay and disruption to my constituents and businesses alike. Now we know the bridges in Battersea and bridges across London play a vital role in keeping London moving. So can we have a debate in government time on how we can make our bridges a strategic asset under the national government oversight?

11:56

Mike Martin MP (Tunbridge Wells, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Two things. Either my hon. Friend may want to make that point directly to DfT Ministers, or indeed, if it is essential infrastructure to the Cabinet Office, and I can help to arrange that for her. Or of course, she could seek a debate, because I'm sure there are colleagues, not least from London across the House, who will share her frustration about what is currently happening and hear from the Minister how best, if possible, the government can resolve the matter.

11:57

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Mike Martin thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I don't know if the Deputy Speaker. I don't know if the Leader of the House has seen the Sky war game series recently, but the central message of that is that we are not ready. We might be more ready. Had the promised Defence Readiness Bill come into this session of Parliament, but it was inexplicably dropped from His Majesty's speech. Could the leader advise whether there are plans to bring this bill forward at some point, and whether he's had any conversations, or will he have conversations with the Defence Secretary to hasten it along?

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Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Of course, this session was quite crowded. One session was quite crowded. One shouldn't read into the fact that a bill doesn't appear. Is the fact that it's not important to the that it's not important to the government. It is a question of sometimes a priority and what needs to be done. I hear what he says, but the government is absolutely committed to doing everything that we can to make sure that this country stands by our allies, but

11:57

David Pinto-Duschinsky MP (Hendon, Labour)

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country stands by our allies, but also we're able to defend ourselves, too. I'm not going to speculate about what's in the third session either, but I will go away and give some thought and talk to the Defence Secretary, as the hon. Gentleman has raised, and to ensure

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that it's the forefront of his mind. David Pinto-Duschinsky thank. You, madam. Sometimes in our

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You, madam. Sometimes in our lives we are fortunate to meet someone. Truly inspirational. Rabbi Burnley Koshland was such a person Burnley Koshland was such a person came to this country on a Kindertransport just age eight. His parents were not so lucky. He never parents were not so lucky. He never saw them again. Many of us would have been broken by such a tragedy. But burnt triumphed over this adversity. He dedicated his life to education, teaching generation after generation, and telling his story to children around the globe.

In 2018, he was awarded an MBE for his role as one of his country's

11:58

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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leading Holocaust educators. Burnt was a man of huge compassion, warmth, humility and humour. He loved his family and was a proud loved his family and was a proud great grandfather. It was my honour to call him a friend and talk to him almost every week. For many him almost every week. For many years we lost burnt over recess. Our community in Hendon mourns him deeply, but his legacy will live on. Will the Leader of the House join me in celebrating Burns life, thanking him for his huge contribution to this country and passing on this House's deepest condolences to his family.

11:59

Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)

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Yes, I will, Madam Deputy Speaker Rabbi Ben Koshland led a remarkable life. He dedicated himself to educating us about the horrors of the Holocaust, which we must never, ever forget, and we are eternally grateful to him for his significant contribution to our country. And I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our condolences to his friends, his

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family and all those who knew him. It's nice to see you so calm today, sir.

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today, sir. Julian Lewis Deputy Speaker And may I invite the Leader of the may I invite the Leader of the House and other colleagues to do their best to watch the 15 minute video on the Mays YouTube channel entitled The Medical Mesh Scandal Ruining Women's Lives, which was screened last night at a meeting chaired excellently by the hon. Member for Washington and Gateshead South. This deals with, of course, the scandal about pelvic mesh, and

12:00

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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it is rather disconcerting that two and a half years after the and a half years after the publication of the report by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Professor Henrietta Hughes, the Professor Henrietta Hughes, the government's response on her proposals, even for interim redress, proposals, even for interim redress, has not yet been made. Will the Leader of the House take up this cause, which is supported by people

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cause, which is supported by people in all parts of the House? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The right hon. Gentleman is right

12:00

Mrs Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Gateshead South, Labour)

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to invite members to watch that, to be more informed on what I know is an issue of considerable concern across the House. We do recognise the profound, life changing impact the profound, life changing impact that these harms have had on individuals and their families. And as he will know, we are carefully as he will know, we are carefully considering the Hughes report. But I understand the frustration and the timescales, and I will ask that

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the timescales, and I will ask that Ministers will update him and indeed anyone else who is interested in this. Sharon Hodgson thank. following.

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the. House. I, along with. Many other colleagues of. All.

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All. Parties. Attended this brilliant. If, if I may say something that was so devastating to watch for so many so devastating to watch for so many women who have been harmed by mesh and my honourable. The hon. Member and my honourable. The hon. Member has already laid out the details of the Hughes report. Why. We're still waiting for a response, and I would

12:01

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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also encourage colleagues to watch the Mays documentary to share it the Mays documentary to share it with as far widely as they can. And also, if I we seem to be at a also, if I we seem to be at a stalemate with this. The the the government changed hands after the Hughes report was published. But we Hughes report was published. But we are now over two years on. There is definitely a stalemate. So will the Leader of the House meet with me Leader of the House meet with me and my hon.

Member from the Conservatives to discuss how we can take this forward?

12:02

Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP (Herne Bay and Sandwich, Conservative)

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Again, thank. Friend, who's been an assiduous and tireless campaigner on this matter, and she continues rightly, to raise and she continues rightly, to raise this, as I said, to the right hon. Gentleman, I do appreciate the frustration in in this regard and also the timescale that it has taken. I don't know why it has taken so long, but rather than to meet with me, I think it would be more useful, perhaps, if she met. And perhaps the right hon. Gentleman met with Ministers in

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order to see if this can be sorted out. Sir Roger Gale. Deputy Speaker May I first

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Deputy Speaker May I first associate myself with the remarks that have already been made about that have already been made about the murder of Sir David Amos five years ago. To this day, David was a years ago. To this day, David was a dear personal friend. He came into the house on the same day as myself the house on the same day as myself and the right hon. Gentleman the. The leader, the Father of the House in 1983.

And I think I'm right in saying that had David lived as he should have done, it would be he who would have been the Father of the House today. Madam Deputy Speaker, David was a passionate supporter of animal welfare issues. Earlier this week. My friend, the right hon. The lady the Member for.

12:03

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Newport West introduced a ten Newport West introduced a ten minute rule bill to to have a closed season for the killing of hares, something that I lent my hares, something that I lent my name to and I know that David would have been would have done had he have been would have done had he been here. That Bill is due to have its Second Reading on the 19th of March 2027 as a ten minute rule March 2027 as a ten minute rule bill. Ordinarily, it would not go very far. Would the Leader of the

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House see if he can find his way to ensuring that it has government support? Madam Deputy Speaker, that we

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Madam Deputy Speaker, that we also pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman who again, has been a Gentleman who again, has been a passionate supporter on animal welfare issues and a consistent supporter on animal welfare issues, and echo his words about Sir David Amos. I look out for the ten minute

12:04

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

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Amos. I look out for the ten minute rule bill. I do hope that the House gives its support. I'll give some thought as to what the government might be able to do to assist that, but without giving him any false hope. We are looking at a third session to see if there is scope for wildlife issues in that, and therefore it may be that even if the government doesn't bring forward something that I'm sure he will find a way of attaching it to anything that's got the word, the word wildlife in it.

12:05

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Julie Minns thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is one of my region's most distinctive sporting and cultural traditions, and I'm and cultural traditions, and I'm delighted that plans are underway to. For Carlisle to host the 2027 European Championships of the International Federation of Celtic Wrestling. Will the Leader of the House join me in welcoming this exciting opportunity to showcase this unique, Unesco recognised living heritage sport? And can you assist me in securing a meeting with the Sports Minister to discuss how the government might support this prestigious international event?

12:05

Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Hosting the 2027 European Championships of the International Federation of Celtic Wrestling in Carlisle is fantastic news and it Carlisle is fantastic news and it will do two things. First of all, people will learn more about the sport, I hope, but in visiting they'll also learn more about the fantastic city of Carlisle and I'm sure it will bring wider benefits than just the sport itself, and I will ensure that she gets the meeting with the Sports Minister that she requests so that there is a there is a a continuation even after the Championships are finished, of an acknowledgement of this sport and the impact that it

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can have. Alistair Carmichael thank you, Madam Speaker. Might we have a debate in

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Might we have a debate in government time on the various growing crises facing the UK fishing industries? I have learned fishing industries? I have learned today, Madam Deputy Speaker, that recently one Norwegian trawler, the Half Strand, landed from one trip 787 tonnes of safe caught in the 787 tonnes of safe caught in the waters around Shetland. So that is 170 metre freezer trawler landed

12:06

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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from one trip, an amount roughly equivalent to half of the quota equivalent to half of the quota that is available for all Shetland boats in one year. This is not a boats in one year. This is not a new problem. I have complained about the imbalance between UK and Norwegian boats for a long time now, Norwegian boats for a long time now, but it demonstrates surely that if these problems are not going to be

12:07

Mohammad Yasin MP (Bedford, Labour)

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addressed, then they will be, and this has become urgent. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I believe that the best way forward for the right hon. Gentleman is for him to make his case directly to Ministers. If he waits for DEFRA questions, which I think are next week, or if he wants a perhaps a longer and greater opportunity to do that, then I'll arrange for him to meet the fishing Minister.

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I think this is a. Birthday question, Mohammad Yasin.

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Thank you. Amanda. I welcome the Prime Minister's

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I welcome the Prime Minister's pledge at conference that the days of leaseholders being squeezed for every penny are coming to an end. In advance of the government's planned leasehold reform planned leasehold reform legislation, will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on

12:07

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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leaseholders concerns, including spiralling service and insurance spiralling service and insurance charges, non-qualifying leaseholders and bills that are opaque, duplicated or contain opaque, duplicated or contain errors so that members can raise their constituents experiences and press for an end to these unfair

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and often unaffordable costs. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Let me join the House in wishing my hon. Friend a happy birthday. In terms of leasehold reform, we are committed to ending the feudal leasehold system and bringing forward legislation to deliver as quickly as possible. And it is, as

12:08

John Lamont MP (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, Conservative)

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the Prime Minister said at conference, a priority for him, and that's about implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act of last year, but also going of last year, but also going further. If he wishes to make the strong case before any further legislation comes forward, if he legislation comes forward, if he wishes to begin to make the case that he is he's putting forward today, then I suggest an adjournment debate or Westminster

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adjournment debate or Westminster Hall would be well attended. John Lamont. Thank you very much. As the leader. Of the.

12:09

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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House will be aware, the recent works to carriage gates here at Westminster cost the taxpayer over £62 million, which was significantly over Budget. But it's now been brought to my attention that fire engines may not be able to get through these new gates. So can the leader undertake to urgently investigate this further? And can the leader assure us that these arrangements, that the arrangements in place, that arrangements will be put in place so that fire engines will be able to get into Palace of Westminster if there is a fire.

12:09

Rebecca Long Bailey MP (Salford, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am very concerned to hear that, I am very concerned to hear that, and I simply hope it's not true. But I will go away and investigate. There is, for example, a commission There is, for example, a commission meeting on Monday where perhaps we can raise this question to get reassurances. But it also underlines the importance of making sure that we get on with our and our. And we address some of these issues because there is a huge fire risk in this place that's not overegging it.

There just is. And it is important. And as I say, I hope it's not true, but I will take it away and think about it and find out whether it is true.

12:10

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Rebecca Long-Bailey Deputy Speaker, The government's announcement yesterday that it was announcement yesterday that it was partnering with UK hospitality firms to deliver 100,000 jobs to young people not in education, training or employment was hugely welcome. But one such partner, amid widespread claims of bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination, has been placed under human rights watchdog. And will colleagues be bringing a statement to this House so that they can assure us that appropriate safeguards are going to be put in place for any employee taken on.

12:10

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It's absolutely vital that those safeguards are put in place, and if she wishes to discuss her concerns with Ministers, I'll help her to arrange a meeting. But I'll also bear in mind what she said, because the government is doing some important work in trying to support hospitality, but also, crucially, trying to get young people into work. And if there is a need for a statement in the future, then I

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delivered. Jacob Collier Ellie Chowns. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week, I was.

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Last week, I was. Contacted by a constituent who faces a £300 a month shortfall faces a £300 a month shortfall between her rent and her local housing allowance. She's deeply concerned about the rent arrears concerned about the rent arrears and indeed risk of homelessness, that that might force her and her family into. And it's a situation affecting people across the country. On that very same day, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published a report showing how rent controls could reduce the cost to the

12:11

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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exchequer of the unfreezing of local housing allowance by more than £1 billion by 2030. 31 so can we have a debate in government time about the urgent need to unfreeze about the urgent need to unfreeze local housing allowance and to institute rent controls so that we can avoid these risks of can avoid these risks of homelessness and the devastating impacts, and just worry and distress that this is causing to so

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many of our constituents. Madam Deputy Speaker, the government is absolutely committed to do everything that we can to

12:12

Ian Lavery MP (Blyth and Ashington, Labour)

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support people with the cost of living crisis. That includes the cost of housing, but also making cost of housing, but also making sure that we get rid of the problem of homelessness and not add them to of homelessness and not add them to them. Should she seek a debate on these matters. Then she can put those points to the relevant Minister. But I have to say that rent controls and the government's view are not the panacea that she seems to suggest.

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seems to suggest. Ian Lavery thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. On the 1st of January next year, the government will rightly ban the disgraceful practice of fire and rehire. Yet some employers appear determined to exploit the situation these protections before they take effect

12:13

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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in the North East. Taylor Wimpey is just this huge dismissal. Notices to 31 joiners and 19 scaffolders in to 31 joiners and 19 scaffolders in an attempt to force them onto worse terms and conditions, leaving hard working families face and working families face and uncertainty in the run up to Christmas. Will the Leader of the Christmas. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on this shameful practice? And join me this shameful practice? And join me in urging Taylor Wimpey to withdraw these notices and return to meaningful negotiations with the

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workforce and unite the Union. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend, as ever, is a champion for working people in his constituency and the reports which he raised, which I know from contact with my constituency, are deeply concerning. As he points out, the Employment Rights Act aims at preventing unscrupulous fire and rehire practices and guarantees

12:13

Sir Ashley Fox MP (Bridgwater, Conservative)

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rehire practices and guarantees fundamental protections for working people. But let me be absolutely clear it is unacceptable for any employer to attempt to degrade workers terms and conditions before statutory protections come into effect, and I hope that employers, including Taylor Wimpey, hear his comments today, because I can assure you that if they don't, he

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is going to continue to make them. Sir. Ashley Fox thank you, Madam

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Ashley Fox thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The quality of life Deputy Speaker. The quality of life of many local people in Bridgwater is being undermined by a small minority who show little regard for minority who show little regard for others with street drinking, drug misuse, shoplifting and other forms

12:14

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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of intimidating and antisocial behaviour. There is widespread perception locally that Somerset Council and the police are not responding with the urgency that the situation demands. So can I ask for a debate in government time on what more can be done to support towns like Bridgwater, so that the interests of decent, law abiding residents and businesses come first,

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and we can restore pride and confidence in our town centre? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The total funding settlement for the police for 2020 627 provides up the police for 2020 627 provides up to £21.2 billion for police forces for counter-terrorism, policing and for counter-terrorism, policing and wider systems. But it is only important if that money actually finds its way to the front line, finds its way to the front line, particularly in town centres, because what he has said will actually echo in other town centres too.

And that's important that we use that money to get extra neighbourhood officers on patrol. But I hope that his local council and indeed his local police force and indeed his local police force have heard what he has said because they have an absolutely crucial role to play in this if they are role to play in this if they are getting the resources that they need. No excuses they get. They need to get on and use them to make need to get on and use them to make sure that people feel safe in their town and village centres.

12:15

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (Clapham and Brixton Hill, Labour)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

12:16

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I chair the APPG on reparations and this Saturday, the 17th October will be our fourth annual conference. This has been an eventful year in the global eventful year in the global campaign, with the UN declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. the gravest crime against humanity. The king, referring a petition from Jamaica to the Privy Council and a UK representative. Even speaking at Unga side event on restitution. Yet the FCDO still hasn't accepted our invitation to address the conference.

Given the changing global landscape and the likely focus at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit on reparations, will the Leader of the House encourages colleagues to send a Minister, or at least let us know when we might expect a slightly changed statement on the government's evolving position on Reparatory justice?

12:16

Douglas Lumsden MP (Aberdeen South, Conservative)

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Thank you very much indeed. The government's position on reparations, and I saw what happened in particular with the happened in particular with the petition that came from Jamaica. The government's position hasn't changed, but I will take away her request to see whether FCDO can provide a Minister, because it's important that we work together, even if it's the case that some people will not want to necessarily hear what the government has to say.

12:17

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Douglas Thompson. Before recess, senior official from Ofcom gave a dreadful performance at the Scottish Affairs Committee as they failed to justify why my as they failed to justify why my constituents and Aberdeen South were denied bespoke news programme coverage via STV North. And it was Ofcom who allowed this to happen. Despite clear local opposition, Ofcom's local responsibilities have grown substantially in recent years. Yet it appears unable to fill fulfil its basic duty to ensure sufficient regional news coverage.

So can I ask the Leader of the House if he will grant a debate in government time on whether Ofcom is still able to fulfil the legal responsibilities it was founded for?

12:18

Callum Anderson MP (Buckingham and Bletchley, Labour)

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Thank you very much indeed. I'm a big fan of the Select Committee process, but. However, it does need process, but. However, it does need people to. When they give evidence to actually take part in that in good faith and actually give a good response to the questions that come from members. Let me take away to the relevant department and think about this. But if he wants a debate to make length the cases that the case that he's making, then Westminster Hall debate or adjournment debate is the way to do that.

12:18

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Callum Anderson Mr. >> Joining pupils, staff. >> And parents at Buckingham Primary School to celebrate their Platinum Award for outdoor play and Platinum Award for outdoor play and learning, which is so crucial to helping children foster a sense of creativity, independence and confidence. So will the leader join me in joining in in congratulating the school on their achievement? And I consider a debate in government time to grant a debate on the importance of outdoor play on children's health and wellbeing.

12:18

Sarah Dyke MP (Glastonbury and Somerton, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you very much indeed. And >> Thank you very much indeed. And I certainly join my hon. Friend in thanking the staff at Buckingham Primary School and Nursery, as well Primary School and Nursery, as well as teaching staff across the country for their hard work and their commitment. I have seen it firsthand in my own constituency firsthand in my own constituency the importance of outdoor play and outdoor learning, and I agree with him. It is so important. I'd encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate, however, so that he and other members can actually highlight the benefits of outdoor play. Because, as I say, I think this is a really important matter going forward.

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Sarah Madam Deputy. Speaker As the nights draw in and temperatures start. To. Drop, householders who rely on

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Drop, householders who rely on heating oil are facing bills that have doubled in a year. Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil has no price cap to protect them. The sector simply isn't working for consumers. That's why the Liberal consumers. That's why the Liberal Democrats are calling for the cap to be extended to every household that relies on heating oil. So will that relies on heating oil. So will the Leader of the House urge the relevant Minister to meet me without delay? So no family in Glastonbury and Somerton is left to face this winter in a cold home.

12:19

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The government has already made some important steps in this regard, and I'm not going to speculate, but but cost of living and the cost of energy and heating is certainly, I energy and heating is certainly, I know, at the forefront of the Chancellor's mind. But if she wants a meeting with the relevant Minister to draw attention to the Minister to draw attention to the particular issues affecting her constituency, then I'll help her to arrange one.

12:20

Tracy Gilbert MP (Edinburgh North and Leith, Labour)

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Tracy Gilbert thank you.

12:20

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Madam Deputy Speaker. The Leader of the House may be aware of the recent coverage around the industry's concerns on the future deployment of floating offshore wind technology in the North Sea. Simon Opher investment has already been made, including in my Edinburgh North and Leith constituency, to serve as floating offshore wind deployment and the government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which details the energy and economic opportunities for floating offshore wind technology. Will the Leader of the House confirm that the government will support all emerging renewable technology going forward, and will he schedule an oral statement on the future energy generation mix in the North Sea?

12:21

Lewis Cocking MP (Broxbourne, Conservative)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The only way to bring energy bills down for good is taking control through through renewables, to through through renewables, to deliver energy security with clean, home-grown power. We've already secured £100 billion of private investment in clean power since the election, and secured enough clean energy projects to power. 23 million homes, were supporting workers through the transition to clean energy, including through

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