Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Answer of 25 October 2016 to Question HL2367, on motor vehicles, if it remains his Department's policy to support all UK-based or manufacturers and ensure that their ability to export is not adversely affected when the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Claire Perry
Yes, BEIS officials are working closely with the UK automotive industry to understand the impacts and opportunities of leaving the EU. The Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the competitiveness of the UK automotive industry, including pursuing a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement with the EU that provides the greatest possible tariff free and frictionless trade in goods and services.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to support the British automotive industry after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry to understand the impacts and opportunities of leaving the EU. The Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the sector’s competitiveness. We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and advanced manufacturing. This includes seeking a tariff and barrier-free comprehensive free trade deal in goods and services with the EU for a new, mutually beneficial customs agreement that allows cross-border trade to be as frictionless as possible
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to encourage investment in the automotive industry.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry, including through the Automotive Council, to understand the issues and opportunities the sector faces. The Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the sector’s competitiveness. The UK has been very successful in attracting inward investment from automotive companies. Companies such as Nissan and Toyota have continued to re-invest, thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, strong partnership between government and industry, and long-term investment in new technology and innovation.
We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and advanced manufacturing. This includes seeking a tariff and barrier-free comprehensive free trade deal in goods and services with the EU for a new, mutually beneficial customs agreement that allows cross-border trade to be as frictionless as possible.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what contingency plans the Government has in place to offset the decline in investment in the automotive sector since 2015.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry, including through the Automotive Council, to understand the issues and opportunities the sector faces. The Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the sector’s competitiveness. The UK has been very successful in attracting inward investment from automotive companies. Companies such as Nissan and Toyota have continued to re-invest, thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, strong partnership between government and industry, and long-term investment in new technology and innovation.
We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and advanced manufacturing. This includes seeking a tariff and barrier-free comprehensive free trade deal in goods and services with the EU for a new, mutually beneficial customs agreement that allows cross-border trade to be as frictionless as possible.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to Nissan's announcement of 27 October 2016 on the production of the next Qashqai and X-Trail models in the UK, what support and assurances the Government has offered to that company.
Answered by Nick Hurd
I refer the hon Member to the statement made by my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State to the House on this matter on 31 October 2016, Official Report col 679-80.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Answer of 17 October 2016 to Question LH2367, what steps his Department is taking to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises involved in the supply chain for the production of Nissan vehicles in the North East automotive sector remain competitive.
Answered by Nick Hurd
Work by the Automotive Council has identified £6bn per annum additional opportunities for UK suppliers, where they can compete successfully to win this business. The Government is working closely with the Automotive Council and the wider sector to help secure this.
Government support for small and medium sized enterprises, including suppliers to Nissan, is provided through the range of measures and competitive funding competitions. This includes the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, with projects running through to 2019, and the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which promotes collaborative R&D between suppliers and vehicle makers to develop products to improve vehicle efficiency and reduce emissions.
As part of a wider programme of long term investment in the North East, the Sunderland and South Tyneside City Deal includes a £5million government investment in a new Advanced Manufacturing Park, which will support the local automotive supply chain.
Further support is provided by the North East Automotive Alliance, which runs a supplier competitiveness programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has responsibilities for the Land Registry; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Margot James
I can confirm that the department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, has responsibility for Land Registry. As Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Land Registry forms part of my portfolio.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2016 to Question 905556, when he plans to publish the results of the Government consultation seeking views on options to move Land Registry operations to the private sector.
Answered by Margot James
Following the close of the consultation on moving operations of Land Registry to the private sector Government is carefully considering its response, taking into account consultation responses received. It is only right that new ministers take the time to look at all the options before making a decision on the best way to proceed and no decision on the future of Land Registry has yet been taken. Government will publish a response in due course.