Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Kyle and Leigh Ingham

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

This Government are investing record amounts in the transition to renewable energy. We need to break the dependence on fossil fuels that our country has been forced into by the Conservative party. We will do so by creating wealth, jobs and businesses in the meantime.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

T4. In Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, 12.6% of the workforce, which is nearly 5,000 people, work in logistics and contribute about £400 million to our national economy. However, with over 85% of UK fulfilment warehouses expected to be automated by 2030, many of these jobs will face significant changes. Please can the Secretary of State tell me what assessment the Government have made of the impact of automation on working communities, and what support will be available to help communities such as mine?

[Peter Kyle]

I am extremely grateful for my hon. Friend’s really important question. As I have said throughout this session, we are investing in young people and people in work, so they can adapt to the changes happening in the economy because of the transition to digital technology, particularly with AI. We are providing flexible support through bursaries for younger learners and learner support funding for adults. Do not forget the work that Business and Trade Ministers are doing jointly with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure that people in the workplace are trained and have all the skills they need to thrive in the digital age.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Kyle and Leigh Ingham

Thursday 21st May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

What businesses in Didcot and right across the country need is a fast-growing economy, and that is what we are delivering.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

In my constituency we are seeing good growth in our large employers and a great skills pipeline coming through from our advanced technical college, but we need a little support for our SMEs. Will the Minister say what targeted support is available for SMEs in towns like Stafford?

British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme

Debate between Peter Kyle and Leigh Ingham

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

I have done more in six months than his Government did in 14 years. If I am not bold, what the heck was his Government?

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to give the statement. I also welcome the expansion of the scheme; I know it is desperately needed across our manufacturing sectors. However, as my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Gareth Snell) has already highlighted, there is a missing sector, in that ceramics does not feature heavily. It is not just pottery—not that potteries are not very important in Staffordshire—but our brick-making factories need support because as a Government we are committed to building homes. We are also committed to buying British, backing British and building British. How does the Secretary of State intend to support a sector that is a linchpin for our wider economy?

[Peter Kyle]

I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s thoughtful words. I can assure her that the ceramics sector and the subsectors she mentions are in my mind. I said in my statement that the Chancellor will set out in the near future the approach that we will take for industries that have been put into distress as a result of the action in the middle east—a war that we did not start, but a war that we are having to respond to. I am happy to stay closely in touch with her and the industries for which she is being a magnificent voice to ensure that we get any response right.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Kyle and Leigh Ingham

Wednesday 8th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

I think the hon. Gentleman missed the investment summit that the Government held just before Christmas, at which a record £60 billion was invested into this country, £24 billion of which was AI-related. That is almost as much going directly into AI as was committed in total at the previous Government’s investment summit. This Government are unlocking investment; the previous Administration wrecked our economy and public services, and failed to secure faith in our economy for foreign companies to invest in this country.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

6. What steps his Department is taking to increase levels of innovation in Staffordshire.