Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Performance)

Neil Carmichael Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

I was unaware of that but I thank the hon. Gentleman for saying so. We need a revival of all manufacturing, right across the country.

Opposition Members might say that lower corporation tax will not encourage growth, but actually, lower taxes do encourage growth. They encourage people to invest in this country, and encourage people both in this country and abroad to bring jobs and investment here.

I welcome the Government’s move to introduce the enterprise allowance, which will encourage those who are unemployed to create new jobs and to seize the opportunity to create wealth.

[Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)]

My hon. Friend makes some fascinating points. I am amazed that we are talking about the machinery of government. I would like to focus on something on which the Department is doing a fantastic job: improving our skills base. That is an area that really needs attention. If he is right about manufacturing, I am certainly right that we need to ensure that we have the right people to employ in a growing manufacturing sector, and it is important also—

[Gavin Williamson]

I thank my hon. Friend for such a—