RMT Strikes: Impact on Businesses
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Lord Fox(2 days, 17 hours ago)
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Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
In answering, I thank my noble friend for all the work he has done in this area; he probably understands more than anyone just how important it is to bring parties together. He raises absolutely critical points. We have to bring benefit from collaboration, and I think we have the right building blocks in place to make sure there is the respect due between different parties to make sure that we can move forward positively.
Lord Fox (LD)
My Lords, part of the noble Lord’s Question alludes to the frailty of British high streets. I am sure that, in her travels as a Minister, she is visiting lots of high streets and seeing shuttered restaurants, empty shops and boarded-up pubs. This kind of hit from the strikes is the final straw for many of these businesses. She may not be able to control the unions, but which of these other policies can she control? There is the huge rise in employer NIC, the huge rise in business rates, the hike in employment costs and the most expensive energy costs in Europe. Does she recognise that there is work to be done, not just on strikes but on preserving and saving our high streets? This Government have to act now to do that.
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I did wonder when I saw this Question if it would result in the question that the noble Lord asks. As a former local government leader as well, I am absolutely aware that the problem with high streets is not a recent phenomenon but goes back years, and we have to do everything we can. There are some real innovative schemes coming together to support businesses, but I go back to the point that strikes are not helpful in this scenario, and that is why we are determined to improve industrial relations as we move forward.
Carer’s Allowance: Repayments
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Lord Fox
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My noble friend Lady Pitkeathley has been working on this issue for many years, and I know we all commend the extraordinary work she has done on this. I know she will be involved in the review that takes place as we go forward. We have to introduce real understanding and compassion and also look at the ways we can improve the circumstances that carers are in today. This is an incredibly complex area, and we need to do everything to make sure the department’s communications are as transparent and clear as possible and to give support to carers so they do not get into difficulties as they go forward.
Lord Fox (LD)
My Lords, when I was piloting my Carer’s Leave Bill through your Lordships’ House, I became ever more aware of how perilous the economy of many carers’ families is. My right honourable friend Ed Davey in the other place has been campaigning very hard on the needs of carers, not least on this issue. Does the Minister agree that this is not the carers’ fault? The error lies with the DWP, and it is entirely inappropriate that carers should be fined for the DWP’s error.
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
Again, I thank the noble Lord for his work on this agenda. I very much recognise the sentiment behind his comments. I think the important thing is that we allow the review to take place at speed, to really get to grips with and understand the problems and complexities that carers are facing, so we can come up with a way forward that is fair and sustainable for the people who have been caught up in this problem and make sure we have policies going forward to make sure it cannot happen again.