Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

John Cryer Excerpts
Thursday 13th January 2011

(13 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Prisk Portrait Mr Prisk
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I am pleased to say that we are not only going to extend the manufacturing and advisory service for all businesses, including the excellent ones in my hon. Friend’s constituency, but improve it so that we can help the productivity and competitiveness of small businesses in Lancashire and, indeed, across the country.

John Cryer Portrait John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)
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The Business Secretary continually tells us that the economy is steaming along very nicely and that everything is wonderful. If that is the case, why are wage settlements running at a rate far below price inflation?

Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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The British economy is indeed recovering. It was in an appalling state, but economic growth is now strong. It will become stronger as a result of the work that the Government are doing in stabilising finances, and real wages will appreciate on the back of that.