:00:08. > :00:13.Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the
:00:14. > :00:18.House of Commons. In an hour, Jeremy Corbyn will ask an urgent qtestion
:00:19. > :00:23.on the UK and the EU. Diane Abbott will ask what the Government is
:00:24. > :00:28.doing to support countries worst affected by the Zika virus `nd what
:00:29. > :00:31.it is doing to mitigate the risks to travellers. The main business will
:00:32. > :00:36.be the second reading of thd enterprise Bill which will tackle
:00:37. > :00:41.the problem of small and medium-sized firms not having their
:00:42. > :00:46.bills on time by larger companies, an estimated 27 billion is owed to
:00:47. > :00:49.these firms. Join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses of
:00:50. > :01:01.Parliament at 11 o'clock to night. In a moment we have questions, but
:01:02. > :01:11.the speaker will deal briefly with the City of London Corporathon Bill.
:01:12. > :01:19.Order, order. The clerk will proceed to read the title of the prhvate
:01:20. > :01:27.bill set down for consideration City of London Corporation Bill open
:01:28. > :01:32.spaces Bill. The question is that the bilby now read a second time. As
:01:33. > :01:38.many as are of the opinion, say aye. To the contrary, no.
:01:39. > :01:46.I think the ayes have it. Qtestions to the Secretary of State for
:01:47. > :01:58.business, innovation and skhlls The UK automotive industry hs a
:01:59. > :02:03.great success but we want to make sure it stays at the cutting edge.
:02:04. > :02:08.We are committing ?1 billion to help develop the next generation
:02:09. > :02:14.technologies. This woman thd UK be going to location for connected
:02:15. > :02:20.vehicles and facilitate automotive. We read about his enthusiasl for
:02:21. > :02:24.driverless cars. What incentive does he give her the more mature and
:02:25. > :02:31.greener technology of hydrogen fuel cells? I am glad the honour`ble
:02:32. > :02:37.member raised the issue of driverless cars. That is solething
:02:38. > :02:40.that Britain is already leading in. Yesterday I announced 20 million
:02:41. > :02:45.awards. Green energy and grdener cars also important and that is why
:02:46. > :02:52.we announced more funding for research from Government. C`n
:02:53. > :02:56.Secretary of State confirm that since 2013 when the Prime Mhnister
:02:57. > :03:00.announced his intention to hold referendum on our EU membership
:03:01. > :03:03.foreign investment in the British automotive industry and new
:03:04. > :03:07.technologies has been at record levels because foreign comp`nies are
:03:08. > :03:16.confident that British cars will be well made, whether we are in the EU
:03:17. > :03:20.or outside? What I can confhrm to my honourable friend is not only as
:03:21. > :03:24.foreign investment continued throughout British industry
:03:25. > :03:31.including the car industry, the auto industry has had a record ydar. Over
:03:32. > :03:36.?64 billion of turnover and 80% of those cars being exported. Doctor
:03:37. > :03:39.Hunt, you are not taught to behave like that you're very expensive
:03:40. > :03:57.public school! A very funny joke, Mr Speakdr. The
:03:58. > :04:06.environment protection agency in America is suing a -- soon be deal
:04:07. > :04:11.-- suing VW for cheating emhssions in millions of cars. What is the
:04:12. > :04:13.secretary of state doing to work with manufacturers in Britahn to
:04:14. > :04:22.ensure these devices aren't installed and we can look to a
:04:23. > :04:27.future of greener cars. All cars should be properly tested so the
:04:28. > :04:32.public are more and more people are assured that they will not die from
:04:33. > :04:38.pollution? First of all, all companies should be clear. Hf they
:04:39. > :04:41.engage in such cheating or bad practices, the Government whll crack
:04:42. > :04:44.down hard on them and we will work with our colleagues in the Duropean
:04:45. > :04:49.Commission and elsewhere to make sure all rules are implied. We are
:04:50. > :04:57.introducing real emission tdsting and we are working on that `nd with
:04:58. > :05:00.colleagues at the European Tnion. In the mid-90s, I stood up in this
:05:01. > :05:11.Chamber and said that somed`y there will be self drive cars and they all
:05:12. > :05:16.thought I was mad. I am relhably told that by 2020, autonomots drive
:05:17. > :05:22.cars will be available in the United Kingdom and elsewhere and mtch of
:05:23. > :05:28.this work is being undertakdn in Paddington by Nissan. When will my
:05:29. > :05:30.honourable friend visit Nissan and other British manufacturers like
:05:31. > :05:36.Jaguar Land Rover and Toyot`, to talk to them if he hasn't already
:05:37. > :05:41.done so about autonomous drhve cars? I have had lots of thoughts about my
:05:42. > :05:47.honourable friend the madness is not one of them. I agree with hhm about
:05:48. > :05:52.driverless cars and this new technology. Britain is a world
:05:53. > :05:55.leader in this list yesterd`y in Nuneaton, a world-class fachlity, we
:05:56. > :06:01.announced 20 million funding which will fund eight projects across the
:06:02. > :06:05.country including in the Midlands and also 14 feasibility studies
:06:06. > :06:09.With work like this, his drdam of a driverless car to carry him wherever
:06:10. > :06:17.he wants to go will come trte by 2020.
:06:18. > :06:23.We have made ?50 million av`ilable to support floods recovery `cross
:06:24. > :06:29.the north of England followhng Storm Desmond. We have allocated ?11
:06:30. > :06:33.million to local authorities to support 4500 businesses that were
:06:34. > :06:37.impacted. Local areas have the discretion to provide grants to any
:06:38. > :06:40.local businesses that have been affected. Floods impact on the
:06:41. > :06:45.entire local business community which is calling for more stpport.
:06:46. > :06:48.At my flood meeting in York, they called for a business recovdry
:06:49. > :06:53.package including help to m`intain customer base and for to tr`de. Will
:06:54. > :06:58.the Minister look into this and agree to a roundtable with flood
:06:59. > :07:00.victims so Abe for packages put in place for the entire business
:07:01. > :07:08.community, not just those that flooded? She is right to rahse this.
:07:09. > :07:12.Many businesses have been affected and it affects the whole colmunity
:07:13. > :07:14.when something like this happens. We are already looking into th`t and
:07:15. > :07:20.she will know with the monex that has been made available, it can be
:07:21. > :07:24.used to support businesses hncome -- in creative ways. There is ` grant
:07:25. > :07:31.to help businesses affected and a further 5000 can be applied for
:07:32. > :07:36.Businesses in Carlisle were affected by the floods but it is not just the
:07:37. > :07:40.businesses but my constituency, the rugby club, the squash club, the
:07:41. > :07:44.tennis club and the cricket club. When the Minister look at stpport
:07:45. > :07:50.for these organisations as well as the businesses? My honourable friend
:07:51. > :07:55.makes an important point about how such a disaster can affect the whole
:07:56. > :08:02.community and it has given some excellent examples of that. Money
:08:03. > :08:11.has been available for local councils and I will look into the
:08:12. > :08:15.further suggestions he has lade The Association of British Insurers put
:08:16. > :08:22.the average cost of flood d`mage per business at ?50,000 per property yet
:08:23. > :08:30.the average pay-out under a pay and review has been just ?1666. Well
:08:31. > :08:36.under the ?5,000 promised whth many businesses yet to receive a penny.
:08:37. > :08:38.We heard about the damage c`used in Leeds during the last parli`ment on
:08:39. > :08:42.the promises that haven't bden kept there. Will he make sure th`t the
:08:43. > :08:46.Prime Minister keeps his word that money is no object when it comes to
:08:47. > :08:52.support for those businesses who have been hit hard by the rdcent
:08:53. > :08:57.floods? Of course the Prime Minister will keep his word and it is part of
:08:58. > :09:02.that reason that the Chancellor of Lancaster met with the Association
:09:03. > :09:08.of British Insurers to disctss this issue and understand the sc`le of
:09:09. > :09:12.this problem. Essences have met and that will make a difference. The
:09:13. > :09:16.gentleman may be interested to know that late in the enterprise Bill, we
:09:17. > :09:23.will bring forward measures to make sure that all businesses ard paid by
:09:24. > :09:31.insurance companies on time. -- Enterprise Bill. Many busindsses in
:09:32. > :09:35.my constituency don't own their property. They would like to avail
:09:36. > :09:41.themselves of the generous support available from a Government.
:09:42. > :09:46.Landlords may not want to engage with that system and I know one
:09:47. > :09:50.person who is not interested. I wondered what support the Government
:09:51. > :09:57.can give to those businesses that would look to Government for help in
:09:58. > :10:02.this way. He is right. Thosd businesses should be helped. Many
:10:03. > :10:07.businesses are applying dirdctly to the council is why we have provided
:10:08. > :10:12.funding. They are eligible for the 2500 and grant and can applx for a
:10:13. > :10:20.further ?5,000 and will bendfit from the business rate holiday. Hn
:10:21. > :10:27.particular, our start-up lo`n scheme has provided over 35,000 lo`ns with
:10:28. > :10:31.over ?192 million and with the support we are putting into the
:10:32. > :10:34.growth hopes, these are just two of the many things we do to encourage
:10:35. > :10:40.small businesses and give them the support they need. What help can
:10:41. > :10:48.people in my constituency expect from local growth helps? We all take
:10:49. > :10:53.the firm view that we have created 39 growth hopes and it is a good way
:10:54. > :10:56.of the official small busindsses get the support they need at a local
:10:57. > :11:01.level. We also take the view that the best people who know how to
:11:02. > :11:04.advise and assist businesses are businesses themselves. The lore
:11:05. > :11:08.locally it is done, we think it is a much better of doing -- much better
:11:09. > :11:14.way of doing things than dohng it from Whitehall. Most of the lending
:11:15. > :11:21.from banks is going to meditm-sized firms but a lot of smaller firms are
:11:22. > :11:24.struggling to get loans. Wh`t discussions is the minister going to
:11:25. > :11:35.have a banks to ensure we gdt better lending for small businesses? We
:11:36. > :11:38.describe and say that anyond that employs under 250 is a small
:11:39. > :11:42.business. He makes a good point and we will meet with the banks and
:11:43. > :11:46.encourage them. One of the things which is interesting is the number
:11:47. > :11:50.of businesses who are looking at the alternative sources of fundhng,
:11:51. > :11:54.whether it is crowdfunding, Angels and all of those. It is somdthing
:11:55. > :12:00.that is growing as businessds begin to see the real benefits to them.
:12:01. > :12:07.Small businesses in my constituency are very often starting up hn rural
:12:08. > :12:14.areas. What steps are you t`king two Quad and eight with the Dep`rtment
:12:15. > :12:16.of local Government, they do CMS, about broadband connections,
:12:17. > :12:21.particularly in rural areas that allow them to market themselves
:12:22. > :12:26.online? I very much agree and understand this is a big problem.
:12:27. > :12:31.Not just in rural areas but the lack of superfast collectivity concerns
:12:32. > :12:36.many businesses. I know that Federation of Small Businesses
:12:37. > :12:38.raises it. Properly so. We have put aside ?1 billion to Aceh to the
:12:39. > :12:44.programme. I agree there is more that can be done. The honourable
:12:45. > :12:48.lady can be sure that this hs at the top of our priorities. We are
:12:49. > :12:56.working hard to make sure every business has accessed quickly to
:12:57. > :13:00.superfast broadband. What ftnding and support will be made av`ilable
:13:01. > :13:02.to encourage persons with disabilities to start small business
:13:03. > :13:09.enterprises and will the Minister meet with the disabled Persons APPG
:13:10. > :13:13.to discuss? The short answer is yes, absolutely. I look forward to that.
:13:14. > :13:17.things to do, I am happy to have things to do, I am happy to have
:13:18. > :13:22.those discussions. Is the Mhnister aware that one of the biggest
:13:23. > :13:27.sources of capital for small businesses is the bag of my mind
:13:28. > :13:34.that? In her budget, will she seek to have the restrictions of
:13:35. > :13:41.family... I am grateful to the honourable gentleman. It wotld be
:13:42. > :13:46.dangerous me to make a promhse I could deliver on that but hd makes a
:13:47. > :13:49.good point. We know many sm`ll businesses couldn't do what they do
:13:50. > :13:52.starting up without the support not just from their parents acttally
:13:53. > :13:58.other members of the family. He makes a good point and we are happy
:13:59. > :14:03.to take it up. When it comes to start up businesses in Mersdyside, a
:14:04. > :14:06.lot of them are either in manufacturing or using formdr
:14:07. > :14:10.buildings in manufacturing sites, they are large sites. I rardly visit
:14:11. > :14:15.such a start-up without thel mentioning business rates to me Can
:14:16. > :14:18.I ask the Minister what representations she has madd to the
:14:19. > :14:24.Treasury at head of the budget? If we are going to see relief for all
:14:25. > :14:29.the start-ups working hard hn Merseyside? There is a full review
:14:30. > :14:32.of business rates that has been undertaken. She can be absolutely
:14:33. > :14:37.assured that myself and othdr ministers make the real casd for
:14:38. > :14:40.businesses. My own views ard very much on record. I think we really do
:14:41. > :14:46.need to look at investment hn plant and machinery. Everybody can be as
:14:47. > :14:50.short. We do not hesitate in putting forward our strong views on behalf
:14:51. > :14:56.of all businesses about bushness rates. Number four, Mr Speaker. I
:14:57. > :15:00.would like to group this together with question number eight. We are
:15:01. > :15:04.taking clear action to help the steel industry. We're cutting
:15:05. > :15:08.electricity costs, cutting tnfair trade, introducing flexibilhty on
:15:09. > :15:10.emissions regulations and rdviewing business rates. That is what the
:15:11. > :15:16.steel industry has asked for and we are delivering. I thank the
:15:17. > :15:21.Secretary of State for that answer. The Foreign Secretary said the other
:15:22. > :15:27.week this chamber that it is through the prison of steel that Chhna's
:15:28. > :15:31.claims to be treated as a m`rket economy are likely to be judged in
:15:32. > :15:34.the European Union. The Minhstry of Defence has recognised the strategic
:15:35. > :15:40.importance of the steel injtries three and the support it has given
:15:41. > :15:44.to Sheffield. -- steel industry When is the Secretary of St`te going
:15:45. > :15:47.to follow suit? In particul`r, when it is going to pull his finger out
:15:48. > :15:54.and start battling for Brithsh steel? With companies such `s EDF.
:15:55. > :15:57.The honourable lady may be interested to know it was the
:15:58. > :16:00.Secretary of State who asked for an emergency meeting of the European
:16:01. > :16:06.Council to first discuss thhs issue of unfair trade and make sure the EU
:16:07. > :16:12.does make action and takes `ction in our speedy and appropriate `ction.
:16:13. > :16:15.On the status of the economx status, the EU is considering this
:16:16. > :16:20.themselves. When they have been forward a proposal we will carefully
:16:21. > :16:23.look at it. Even if a country does have a market economy status,
:16:24. > :16:31.doesn't stop the European Union from taking action. The USA and Russia
:16:32. > :16:35.are examples. I have concerns about a written answer I received last
:16:36. > :16:37.week from the Minister of ddfence, the Ministry of Defence does not
:16:38. > :16:42.hold full record for steel procurement. In terms of qu`ntity or
:16:43. > :16:47.country of origin over the past six years. White should we belidve the
:16:48. > :16:51.Government's records on procurement if not keeping records question of
:16:52. > :16:56.what adequate to do about it? First of all, we are the first cotntry in
:16:57. > :17:02.the EU to take advantage of new procurement rules. When it comes to
:17:03. > :17:08.the defence of other infrastructure as well, we should use Brithsh steel
:17:09. > :17:11.whenever possible. The queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers,
:17:12. > :17:17.94% British steel was used. 77, 00 tonnes. I visited Crossrail last
:17:18. > :17:24.week, the biggest in the structure project in Europe and almost all
:17:25. > :17:29.British steel. Under the current rules, steel companies pay the
:17:30. > :17:33.highest energy taxes in the whole of Europe. These taxes are then used to
:17:34. > :17:36.subsidise wind farms which `re themselves made from cheap hmported
:17:37. > :17:43.steel. Does the Minister agree that our policy needs to change? I do
:17:44. > :17:46.agree with my honourable frhend about the importance of energy
:17:47. > :17:50.costs. This is something thd steel industry has raised time and time
:17:51. > :17:54.again. We did have a system that was previously announced of compensating
:17:55. > :17:57.for part of the cost and we went further after we listened to the
:17:58. > :18:03.industry, I agree that we ndeded to make the change and we have made a
:18:04. > :18:11.change, which is Apple exemption. -- a fool exemption. In her letter to
:18:12. > :18:15.me regarding procurement associated, the Minister said, there ard a few
:18:16. > :18:19.companies globally that havd the capacity to make the ultra large
:18:20. > :18:22.forgings required for nucle`r power plants. It is widely understood and
:18:23. > :18:27.accepted in the nuclear indtstry that the UK does not have this
:18:28. > :18:32.capacity. Given that Sheffidld has said they do in fact have this
:18:33. > :18:36.capacity and have supplied such forgings elsewhere in the world to
:18:37. > :18:42.nuclear plants, what evidence did the Minister use? What eviddnce was
:18:43. > :18:45.used to make this statement? Does he think it was appropriate description
:18:46. > :18:52.as the rationale behind such a sweeping statement that dislisses
:18:53. > :18:55.world-class British steel? H have to say, I don't think the honotrable
:18:56. > :19:00.gentleman is up-to-date on his information. He was to speak to
:19:01. > :19:03.forge masters himself, I'm sure as the chairman of the select committee
:19:04. > :19:07.they would be more than happy to speak to him, they would ad`mantly
:19:08. > :19:12.have challenges meeting all orders for different types of steel. The
:19:13. > :19:15.important point that we agrde on is that whenever possible, when ever
:19:16. > :19:20.the steel can be supplied bx British companies, that is what we should
:19:21. > :19:26.use. Last year we became aw`re of Tata steel's intentions to lock or
:19:27. > :19:33.two of their sites in Scotl`nd, with our loss of hundreds of jobs. These
:19:34. > :19:40.sites have history. Further job losses have recently been announced.
:19:41. > :19:45.Every opportunity, I and my SNP colleagues have pressed the
:19:46. > :19:48.Government to press a coherdnt strategy for industrial plans. Can I
:19:49. > :19:51.ask the Secretary of State once more to bring forward the strategy for
:19:52. > :19:58.our manufacturing sector before Parliament? The honourable lady will
:19:59. > :20:06.know that we work with many industries. We have industrx
:20:07. > :20:09.councils that I attend. We have strategies including, for example,
:20:10. > :20:12.the metal strategy which I `m sure she is aware of. She will also be
:20:13. > :20:18.aware of the action taken cttting energy costs, flexibility of EU
:20:19. > :20:22.emissions regulations, Germ`n guidance, looking at business rates,
:20:23. > :20:28.this is all action that will help the British steel industry. If the
:20:29. > :20:33.Minister is right about forge masters, why were they so ftrious
:20:34. > :20:39.with his words about this and why did they make it clear they could
:20:40. > :20:44.supply 80% of the components necessary? Shouldn't she apologised
:20:45. > :20:48.to the House or can you do ht on her behalf? What explains that `nswer
:20:49. > :20:54.she gave to Parliament? Ignorance or lack of faith in UK steel? The
:20:55. > :21:01.honourable gentleman, I am happy to tell him, she has nothing to
:21:02. > :21:04.apologise about. She was accurate in her statement. Like his honourable
:21:05. > :21:09.colleague, I would encouragd him to speak to forge masters himsdlf. It
:21:10. > :21:14.is important that whenever we can use that dish steel protest
:21:15. > :21:23.purposes, we should. Number five, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, overall funding
:21:24. > :21:27.for adult learners will increase by 30% in real terms by 2020. @s a
:21:28. > :21:31.result, we expect to see many more adults taking advantage of the
:21:32. > :21:36.opportunities presented by apprenticeship and further dducation
:21:37. > :21:40.courses. I have received a number of representations for local colleges
:21:41. > :21:44.in Coventry worried about their future because of budget cuts. What
:21:45. > :21:51.assurances can we give them that funding will be maintained? I'm
:21:52. > :21:55.delighted to be able to reassure the honourable gentleman that, while
:21:56. > :21:58.indeed there were some concdrns that were expressed to us in a ddbate in
:21:59. > :22:04.this house about the possible threat of such cuts, in the spending review
:22:05. > :22:09.the Chancellor did not cut funding for adult learners. In fact, he has
:22:10. > :22:14.increased it. By the end of this Parliament, it will be 30% higher in
:22:15. > :22:20.real terms and at its highest level in cash terms ever in our hhstory.
:22:21. > :22:24.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Minister agree we have to c`refully
:22:25. > :22:28.understand local needs, indtstry needs, tourism in my own
:22:29. > :22:31.constituency, to ensure adult learners have the best opportunities
:22:32. > :22:36.they have to get the skills for employment in need? I do. I have an
:22:37. > :22:39.excellent meeting with my honourable friend and the leaders of hhs local
:22:40. > :22:44.college and it is very exciting and their plans. We do very much want to
:22:45. > :22:48.make a move towards greater local involvement in the commissioning of
:22:49. > :22:53.adult skills provision locally. So that local industries can bd
:22:54. > :23:01.supported. Is the Minister planning any particular response to the
:23:02. > :23:11.Government commissioned fordsight report of 2014 on lifelong learning
:23:12. > :23:18.and continuous training? If so, when are we likely to see that rdsponse?
:23:19. > :23:22.All of our policies are a rdsponse to that report and many othdr
:23:23. > :23:26.reports that have rightly highlighted the need for continuing
:23:27. > :23:28.investment in adult education through people's long and
:23:29. > :23:34.ever-changing working lives. One of the most significant measurds we are
:23:35. > :23:38.taking the introduction of `n apprenticeship levy, two dotble the
:23:39. > :23:42.apprenticeships available, apprenticeships available to adults
:23:43. > :23:50.in their 40s and 50s, not jtst for young people. The figures that the
:23:51. > :23:53.Minister has referred to, the 3 % increase he referred to, de`ls and
:23:54. > :23:57.covers quite a lot of apprenticeships but the poshtion for
:23:58. > :24:00.non-apprenticeships in highdr education and further education is
:24:01. > :24:04.not looking good. He has not been able to get the detail of those
:24:05. > :24:11.estimates in the next four xears. But in the last four years, adult
:24:12. > :24:14.learners in part-time higher education are down 42%, the equality
:24:15. > :24:19.impact assessment shows scr`pping maintenance grants will imp`ct badly
:24:20. > :24:24.on them. His own research shows that adult learners are often get
:24:25. > :24:29.adverts, which might own experience confirms. We welcome part-thme
:24:30. > :24:34.student loans for 2019 but why has nothing concrete been done to
:24:35. > :24:37.address the decline meanwhile? Can I add the Universities Ministdr
:24:38. > :24:41.through his honourable friend, the higher education green paper is
:24:42. > :24:45.currently a blank canvas on adult learners needs. Please make it good
:24:46. > :24:53.by addressing them and the dconomic benefits they will bring. It was a
:24:54. > :24:56.strange question from the honourable gentleman because he had to admit
:24:57. > :25:01.there were a lot of things he welcomed in order to try and sneak
:25:02. > :25:04.in a question. I thought it was puzzling he seemed to dismiss our
:25:05. > :25:09.investment in apprenticeships as if it doesn't provide opportunhties for
:25:10. > :25:12.adult learners. The truth is, apprenticeships provide the best
:25:13. > :25:16.opportunities for adult learners, better than any alternative, and we
:25:17. > :25:19.are also extending the posshbility of student finance to part-time
:25:20. > :25:27.learners and I hope he would welcome that. Number six, Mr Speaker. With
:25:28. > :25:36.permission, I will answer ntmber six and 11 together. Record numbers of
:25:37. > :25:40.students secured places at STEM courses this year. There is no
:25:41. > :25:51.longer any capital on peopld wishing to study STEM subjects. The number
:25:52. > :25:54.is up 70% since 2010. Thank you Will my right honourable frhend join
:25:55. > :25:59.me in celibate and the work and role of the science and discoverx sectors
:26:00. > :26:03.play in inspiring young scidntists and engineers. Can you tell how is
:26:04. > :26:06.what plans he has to improvd their reach, raise awareness of their
:26:07. > :26:12.existence and supports their important work? Yes, I can. Our
:26:13. > :26:15.science sectors do a fantastic job engaging with over 20 million people
:26:16. > :26:20.each year. This compliment the work we are doing to boost STEM hn
:26:21. > :26:24.schools. Last week I was delighted to announce a ?50 million inspiring
:26:25. > :26:30.science capital fund in partnership with the Wellcome trust. It will
:26:31. > :26:37.allow science centres to make.. It will reach all sorts of people who
:26:38. > :26:41.think science is not for thdm. Many small businesses in my constituency
:26:42. > :26:46.need STEM graduates. Can I `sk the minister what the Government is
:26:47. > :26:48.doing to try and connect STDM graduates with small businesses and
:26:49. > :26:54.to try and encourage them to start their own businesses as well? The
:26:55. > :26:58.Government's productivity plan set out its agenda for even gre`ter
:26:59. > :27:01.collaboration between universities and business. We are supporting a
:27:02. > :27:07.degree of apprenticeships, the first of which which were in STEM
:27:08. > :27:11.occupations. Small businessds are essential to this agenda. It was
:27:12. > :27:16.reported in 2015 by 60% of workplaces for students on STEM
:27:17. > :27:21.courses were in small busindsses. Mr Speaker, not just content whth
:27:22. > :27:24.having support people in terms of social could secure the, including
:27:25. > :27:29.those disabled people in work, the Government has moved on to on to cut
:27:30. > :27:32.to disabled students. In thhs case, the disabled student allowances
:27:33. > :27:36.What is the estimate of the number in terms of the reduction of
:27:37. > :27:42.disabled students in STEM stbjects and the impact on the disabhlity
:27:43. > :27:45.employment gap? Disabled sttdents allowance has continued to dxist and
:27:46. > :27:49.they are available to all students who need them. Universities must
:27:50. > :27:53.step up to their obligations in terms of the equalities act and make
:27:54. > :27:57.their learning environments fit for all sorts of disabled students and
:27:58. > :28:03.that will continue to be replaced. Pig the case.
:28:04. > :28:10.They propose that they should pay an annual charge of ?5,000 for every
:28:11. > :28:17.student brought in from outside Europe. There is a 40,000 annual
:28:18. > :28:23.shortfall of stand -- STEM skilled workers. What effect will this have
:28:24. > :28:26.on the science community and high-tech businesses? We ard
:28:27. > :28:30.considering the recommendathons and will be coming forward shortly with
:28:31. > :28:36.our response to them. I would like to point out that throughout Tier
:28:37. > :28:40.one exceptional talent fees, we are providing opportunities to
:28:41. > :28:48.scientists to work in the UK and contribute to our economy. Hn
:28:49. > :28:50.October of last year, my right honourable friend the Chief
:28:51. > :28:54.Secretary to the Treasury sdt up a group with Scottish Finance
:28:55. > :28:57.ministers to plan the implelentation of the apprenticeship levy. I am
:28:58. > :29:02.going to Edinburgh on Thursday to reach with Roseanna Cunningham and
:29:03. > :29:07.other people from the Adminhstration 's. It would apply to busindsses
:29:08. > :29:12.across the UK including in Scotland. Can I ask the minister if hd can
:29:13. > :29:18.clarify the means by which Scotland's share of funds r`ised
:29:19. > :29:24.will be calculated? This is a matter for the Treasury but she will be
:29:25. > :29:27.aware that there is a systel that will ensure that Scotland and the
:29:28. > :29:32.other devolved administrations will receive the share of the tax raised
:29:33. > :29:35.across the UK to support apprenticeships but any othdr policy
:29:36. > :29:41.that the Government in Scotland once. The Minister has underlined
:29:42. > :29:43.the advantages of apprenticdships for older people but it is striking
:29:44. > :29:48.that the number of younger people taking up apprenticeships w`s less
:29:49. > :29:52.last year that it had been three years previously. What is hd doing
:29:53. > :29:57.to draw the attention of yotng people to apprenticeships? The
:29:58. > :30:00.honourable gentleman is right that apprenticeships offer a fantastic
:30:01. > :30:03.opportunity to young people. I don't think we should be hung upon the
:30:04. > :30:10.question of whether people `re doing and a pension 16 or 17 or at 18 or
:30:11. > :30:13.19 and 20. We want them to do an apprenticeship when it is bdst for
:30:14. > :30:15.them in terms of the impact on our skills and future earnings but best
:30:16. > :30:21.for their employer. Apprenthceships are jobs and not all employdrs feel
:30:22. > :30:26.comfortable taking on a 16-xear old into some jobs. We want to lake sure
:30:27. > :30:28.those young people get an education college that enables them to make
:30:29. > :30:34.the best of an apprenticeshhp whenever they do it. The old party
:30:35. > :30:37.group on the visiting econoly is taking evidence into the whole area
:30:38. > :30:42.of apprenticeships in the c`tering industry. We have discovered that
:30:43. > :30:46.there is a dearth of apprenticeships in that area. How will the
:30:47. > :30:54.apprenticeship levy assist the recruitment of chefs and others
:30:55. > :30:58.within the catering industrx to applying for apprenticeships and
:30:59. > :31:01.training? The large employers in the catering industry will be p`ying the
:31:02. > :31:05.levy and will therefore havd a director must incentive to spend the
:31:06. > :31:11.money that is in their digital account on apprenticeships. There
:31:12. > :31:16.are issues in that industry with seasonal work where it is not
:31:17. > :31:21.possible for an employer to commit to a full 12 months to an
:31:22. > :31:25.apprentice. We are looking hnto the policy of polishing a rap and ship
:31:26. > :31:31.that could last 12 months after 15 or 16 months in order for it to be
:31:32. > :31:39.accessible for seasonal indtstries. I asked the Secretary of St`te on
:31:40. > :31:45.the effects of oil and gas on the apprenticeship levy. I'm gr`teful
:31:46. > :31:50.the Minister will meet with myself and representatives in but can I ask
:31:51. > :31:55.what research and what meethngs he has had with industry bodies about
:31:56. > :32:01.this and will he commit to ` date to produce that information? I am
:32:02. > :32:05.constantly having meetings with all sorts of business groups large and
:32:06. > :32:08.small and I know there have been representatives from various major
:32:09. > :32:13.oil and gas companies in those meetings. I'm happy to meet with her
:32:14. > :32:15.and the industry and to carry on meeting with any industry to
:32:16. > :32:25.reassure them that the apprenticeship levy is an
:32:26. > :32:28.opportunity, not a threat. H was delighted to help launch thd
:32:29. > :32:33.Midlands engine prospectus hn December setting out a programme of
:32:34. > :32:43.action to deliver a plan whhch AMs to add an extra ?34 billion to the
:32:44. > :32:45.Midlands economy by 2030. Excellent universities, a history of
:32:46. > :32:50.manufacturing and some world-class businesses make the Midlands a great
:32:51. > :32:55.place to set up a business. With those -- will they -- they still
:32:56. > :33:03.need to export more. What is he doing to help businesses such as my
:33:04. > :33:11.constituency to help them do better business abroad? UK DTI havd
:33:12. > :33:16.provided support for many btsinesses including companies like yotrs which
:33:17. > :33:23.have given support to help them export to India, Russia, Japan and
:33:24. > :33:26.other places. My noble friend has introduced a statement which talks
:33:27. > :33:31.about the new Government approach to exports and he may be interdsted to
:33:32. > :33:38.know that later this year I will lead the first ever Midlands
:33:39. > :33:42.business trade delegation overseas. A key driver of any age and will be
:33:43. > :33:47.good win engineering in my constituency. This is a world-class
:33:48. > :33:52.steel foundry business hit hard by the Government's massive
:33:53. > :33:58.incompetence over steel polhcy. They are very keen that a swift decision
:33:59. > :34:03.is made on the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon. Can we have news on that
:34:04. > :34:13.decision and something approaching an industrial policy? He can have
:34:14. > :34:18.news but not today. This is the decision that we need to do is -
:34:19. > :34:21.consider carefully. When it comes to major infrastructure, there is over
:34:22. > :34:25.?90 billion of infrastructure that is planned in the Government's in
:34:26. > :34:30.the structure plan and we g`y gas and we are getting ahead with it.
:34:31. > :34:35.One of the key drivers of rdgional growth in the Midlands has been the
:34:36. > :34:38.success of new small businesses They rely on getting access to
:34:39. > :34:44.telecommunications as swiftly as possible. Does my right honourable
:34:45. > :34:47.friend share my concern on the total impact of Midlands growth and the
:34:48. > :34:52.length of time that some businesses have to wait for telecoms sdrvices
:34:53. > :34:58.to connect them? Will he get them to speed up their act? I agree with my
:34:59. > :35:02.honourable friend. I have mdt many businesses from my constitudncy that
:35:03. > :35:08.have experienced the same problem. It is something both the business
:35:09. > :35:11.department and others have had discussions with Beatty and others.
:35:12. > :35:32.While there is improvement, a lot more needs to be done. -- BDT. -
:35:33. > :35:38.Tim. -- BT. We have to do everything we can to help that industrx. There
:35:39. > :35:44.is the crisis where there h`s been dropped -- job losses. We hope to
:35:45. > :35:48.protect some of those jobs. We are talking to a number of comp`nies in
:35:49. > :35:53.the supply chain to see what we can do with skills training to lake sure
:35:54. > :35:57.those skills are transferable. I can assure the House that the Mhdlands
:35:58. > :36:01.engine is firing on all sen`tors. It does need fuel in the tank. --
:36:02. > :36:17.firing on all cylinders. When he talks of venture capital, he
:36:18. > :36:21.talks about the importance of making sure we attract more investlent
:36:22. > :36:28.across the nation but also hn the Midlands. He will be interested to
:36:29. > :36:32.know that the GBA of the Midlands region has increased by 15%, ?2
:36:33. > :36:39.billion. The number of jobs have increased by 300,000. The qtestion
:36:40. > :36:44.about the creation of the Mhdlands engine, thousands of search engines
:36:45. > :36:48.are being built outside my constituency in Wolverhampton by
:36:49. > :36:52.Jaguar Land Rover. The levy is very welcome that there are still kinks
:36:53. > :36:56.to be worked out. Can he sax more about how the Government will be
:36:57. > :37:06.encouraging proper apprenticeships in manufacturing industries? In the
:37:07. > :37:08.West Midlands. Of course, in the West Midlands. There will bd new
:37:09. > :37:13.investment in apprenticeships because of the levy. Companhes like
:37:14. > :37:21.Jaguar Land Rover have welcomed this new initiative and intend to take it
:37:22. > :37:26.forward with a great deal of gusto. In terms of standards, we are having
:37:27. > :37:30.a new board which will be ldd by the industry and it is important in
:37:31. > :37:35.making sure that everyone t`kes part and we get the right outcomd in
:37:36. > :37:43.terms of the skills. The East Midlands has also been accolmodated,
:37:44. > :37:47.as colleagues will have nothced As the Chancellor has made cle`r, the
:37:48. > :37:51.Government continues to turn around the decline of manufacturing and the
:37:52. > :37:56.last Labour Government. That is why in the Autumn Statement and in his
:37:57. > :37:59.speech today, we are setting out our commitment to Manufacturing. ?3 0
:38:00. > :38:04.million for the high-value manufacturing catapult centre. 300
:38:05. > :38:09.million programme and seven centres around the UK. We have doubled
:38:10. > :38:13.capital allowances and we h`ve put ?1 billion into aerospace and
:38:14. > :38:16.automotive advanced centres including a range of measurds for
:38:17. > :38:23.small businesses. That would be way the all-party group said Brhtish
:38:24. > :38:30.manufacturing is currently seeing a resurgence along with a
:38:31. > :38:36.reinvigorated change on polhcy. That report was made before the last
:38:37. > :38:40.budget. We are astonished at the way in which the Secretary of State has
:38:41. > :38:46.waved the white flag at the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In that
:38:47. > :38:50.sneaking out the abolition of the business service, sneaking out the
:38:51. > :38:54.abolition of the manufacturhng advice service, sneaking up the
:38:55. > :38:58.growth accelerator programmd. Where is the industrial policy of this
:38:59. > :39:03.country and what happened to the march of the makers? The march of
:39:04. > :39:08.the makers is working and that is why we are leading the fastdst
:39:09. > :39:12.economy in Europe. It is whx unemployment in the honourable
:39:13. > :39:17.member's constituency is down 6 % and youth unemployment is down 0%.
:39:18. > :39:24.We continue to small businesses ?2.5 billion to the bank and 50 0
:39:25. > :39:28.loans as we have doubled thd small business rate relief. 5000
:39:29. > :39:32.businesses will pay no rates at all. That is why this Government is
:39:33. > :39:34.growing fastest and that's comes after 13 years in which
:39:35. > :39:40.manufacturing under a Labour Government got to a historic low.
:39:41. > :39:45.There are many barriers including energy cost and regular changes
:39:46. > :39:49.which stop manufacturing businesses starting up. What discussions has he
:39:50. > :39:57.had with the Chancellor reg`rding his policy of introducing four times
:39:58. > :40:02.a year, information to be rdturned by businesses to HMRC about taxes?
:40:03. > :40:07.Does he believe and share mx concern that this is to increase thd costs
:40:08. > :40:13.of business, put extra work on the businesses and avert them from the
:40:14. > :40:19.job of manufacturing things? I can assure the honourable member that
:40:20. > :40:24.the Chancellor and the Business Secretary and this ministerhal team
:40:25. > :40:29.take regulation and reducing regulation very seriously. The
:40:30. > :40:32.Chancellor is giving a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses
:40:33. > :40:36.today. I would point out th`t the track record honours for thd
:40:37. > :40:41.Government is incredibly strong We have increased small business rate
:40:42. > :40:45.relief taken 10 billion of red tape off small businesses and we are
:40:46. > :40:54.raising the rates of small businesses. That is why since 2 15,
:40:55. > :40:57.we have a record, 5.4 million new businesses. That is 25% mord
:40:58. > :41:05.businesses created since we came to power. We are giving employdes the
:41:06. > :41:09.opportunity to design high-puality apprenticeships that meet their
:41:10. > :41:12.needs and more than 1300 employers are already involved. We ard
:41:13. > :41:16.establishing the employer ldd Institute for print ships to prove
:41:17. > :41:23.-- to improve standards and safeguard quality. Businessds have
:41:24. > :41:29.welcomed the apprenticeship levy but many have concerns about how it will
:41:30. > :41:33.be lamented. Does my honour`ble friend think it will look at pilot
:41:34. > :41:38.schemes to ensure when it is rolled out, it is rolled out smoothly and
:41:39. > :41:44.efficiently? I want to thank my honourable friend for organhsing one
:41:45. > :41:48.of the most interesting meetings of the all-party Parliamentary group on
:41:49. > :41:52.the subject. I am doing manx meetings of that kind both privately
:41:53. > :41:57.and like that one publicly to discuss the implementation of the
:41:58. > :42:01.levy. We will be publishing later in the spring the details of how the
:42:02. > :42:05.levy will work and there ard questions and we are talking to
:42:06. > :42:11.businesses about them. It is timely for me to accommodate on thhs
:42:12. > :42:14.question. What my right honourable friend welcomed the 2580
:42:15. > :42:22.apprenticeships that have bden started my constituency since 2 15?
:42:23. > :42:26.Will he join me in welcoming the honourable member for
:42:27. > :42:28.Stratford-upon-Avon 100 campaign, encouraging MPs to go out there and
:42:29. > :42:38.get them to take on apprenthceships? I do welcome that and all the work
:42:39. > :42:41.of my honourable friend for Stratford is marvellous but this is
:42:42. > :42:47.a particularly marvellous aspect of his work. To all members on all
:42:48. > :42:51.sides of the House, it is a simple scheme to encourage employers in
:42:52. > :42:54.your constituency to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days. I would
:42:55. > :42:58.urge all members of all parties to take it up and we will do everything
:42:59. > :43:05.we can to help. We will accommodate you on this question as well. Thank
:43:06. > :43:10.you. The six Cornish MPs ard also leading on this and my honotrable
:43:11. > :43:12.friend will be launching thd 10 and 100 campaign in Cornwall. C`n I
:43:13. > :43:17.thank my honourable friend for doing that? Can I ask the Minister to
:43:18. > :43:24.pledge his support to college campaigning for apprenticeships I
:43:25. > :43:27.certainly will and I look forward to visiting Cornwall during National
:43:28. > :43:32.apprenticeship week to celebrate that. In his constituency, there
:43:33. > :43:42.were 82.5% more apprenticeship starts in 2014-15 down in 2009- 0.
:43:43. > :43:46.I'm sure you can double it. In my constituency, I am working with UCAS
:43:47. > :43:51.to launch a apprenticeship pilot. This portal will make it easy for
:43:52. > :43:56.local S M Es to take on a school lever and end the divide between
:43:57. > :44:00.those leaving university and looking for an apprenticeship. Will my right
:44:01. > :44:05.honourable friend support md in backing the aspirations of North
:44:06. > :44:09.Yorkshire's young people? M`ny of the best policies are poliches
:44:10. > :44:12.designed by backbench members and piloted in their constituencies and
:44:13. > :44:17.I want to salute my honourable friend, so soon after arrivhng in
:44:18. > :44:20.this place, for creating thhs scheme. We will watch it carefully
:44:21. > :44:23.and look to see whether we can roll it out across the country. The
:44:24. > :44:35.honourable gentleman feels `ll warm glow. Number 16. Thank you very
:44:36. > :44:41.much. Officials met the TUC and GMB trade union in August and I am in
:44:42. > :44:46.favour of devolving down to local authorities the powers that if they
:44:47. > :44:49.wish and if it suits in thehr local area to extend Sunday trading laws.
:44:50. > :44:52.Perhaps it is coming we will hear more about later on from thd
:44:53. > :44:57.Secretary of State in the Enterprise Bill. In the ad reduction to the
:44:58. > :45:02.Enterprise Bill. I take it from that we can expect an announcement on
:45:03. > :45:08.Sunday trading very soon. Whth small traders worried their only `dvantage
:45:09. > :45:13.of the supermarkets is their ability to have convenience store Stnday
:45:14. > :45:16.hours and over 91% of shop floor workers saying they don't w`nt to
:45:17. > :45:22.work longer hours on a Sund`y, who is going to benefit from ch`nging
:45:23. > :45:26.the hours? Could I just say, what has been interesting in the
:45:27. > :45:29.consultation, is the large number of local authorities welcoming the
:45:30. > :45:34.ability for them to have powers to see what would suit at their area.
:45:35. > :45:38.If a local authority took the view that an extension of Sunday trading
:45:39. > :45:43.hours was not right for thel, for whatever reason, they wouldn't have
:45:44. > :45:45.to do it and that is the be`uty of this policy. It's devolves the
:45:46. > :45:49.powers down to local authorhties though they decide what is best for
:45:50. > :45:53.them and their areas. I can assure the honourable lady, there `re a
:45:54. > :46:01.number of Labour councils who welcome such a devolution down
:46:02. > :46:05.powers. Given that the Sund`y trading laws were relaxed in the
:46:06. > :46:11.run-up to the Olympics and given that the sky has not fallen in in
:46:12. > :46:15.Scotland where there are no restrictions, will be crack on and
:46:16. > :46:21.relax the Sunday trading laws as quickly as possible? I have made my
:46:22. > :46:24.position clear. Can I just say, what is the ideal is, it is not `bout
:46:25. > :46:29.Government imposing this on anybody, it is about giving the power to the
:46:30. > :46:34.local authorities to decide what is best in the area for all thdir
:46:35. > :46:37.shops, of whatever size and, of course, for their shoppers `nd
:46:38. > :46:40.consumers. If they don't want to do it it won't be mandatory. They have
:46:41. > :46:49.the choice, we take the view that they know best. Topical number one.
:46:50. > :46:54.Britain's height manufacturhng continues to lead the world. 20 5
:46:55. > :46:59.was the most successful year ever for our in aircraft industrx. Jaguar
:47:00. > :47:03.Land Rover is no Britain's biggest car maker. It is produced bx the
:47:04. > :47:10.hundred thousand cars last xear three times as many as 2009.
:47:11. > :47:13.Manufacturing output grew once again in January. Britain's high-dnd
:47:14. > :47:20.factory are working harder, more Britons are working ever th`n
:47:21. > :47:23.before. This Government's long-term economic plan is working. Wd are
:47:24. > :47:31.hearing that Lord Heseltine had a big plan for the steelworks plant on
:47:32. > :47:35.Deeside. What is it? I think it is absolutely right that we look at all
:47:36. > :47:40.options to generate more employment in the side. That is exactlx what
:47:41. > :47:43.Lord Heseltine has been working on, working with businesses and business
:47:44. > :47:47.leaders. I am sure he would welcome that. In his own constituency and
:47:48. > :47:52.noticed he has seen a sharp fall under this Government of
:47:53. > :47:57.unemployment, over 40% in the last five years and it is those kinds of
:47:58. > :48:04.policies that will continue. Despite progress that has been made, many
:48:05. > :48:09.small businesses, particularly rural small businesses, are struggling
:48:10. > :48:12.because of birds broadband speeds. Does my right honourable frhend
:48:13. > :48:18.think the time has come for Ofcom to consider splitting BT and open
:48:19. > :48:24.bridge or if it feels that ht can't do that, to repair the mattdr to
:48:25. > :48:31.competition. ? Mr Speaker, lany individuals sheer my honour`ble
:48:32. > :48:35.friend's frustrations. The concerns he has made about BT's percdived
:48:36. > :48:41.lack of investment and a perceived conflict of interest. I takd these
:48:42. > :48:43.issues very seriously. It is right that independent regulators look at
:48:44. > :48:48.this issue. Let me assure mx honourable friend that I have
:48:49. > :48:52.discussed this directly with Ofcom, ahead of Ofcom, I look carefully at
:48:53. > :48:59.their review and what findings they come up with and if we need to take
:49:00. > :49:08.action we well. Does the Business Secretary believed that the Google
:49:09. > :49:13.tax deal, is fair and proportionate? I think it was a very important
:49:14. > :49:17.deal. Not least because it leads to a change in behaviour. It sdnt a
:49:18. > :49:23.message that if you don't p`y your taxes properly and according to the
:49:24. > :49:29.rules, action will be taken. I'm not sure whether we thought it was there
:49:30. > :49:34.and proportionate from that answer. At the weekend you said it wasn t a
:49:35. > :49:40.glorious moment. The Chancellor has hailed it as a success. Which is it?
:49:41. > :49:43.It cannot be both. Doesn't he understand how unfair this cosy
:49:44. > :49:48.sweetheart deal with the colpany which seems to regard a ring if
:49:49. > :49:51.their share of taxes as a voluntary activity is to the millions of
:49:52. > :49:56.Britain's small businesses who are now expected to do their tax returns
:49:57. > :50:00.quarterly and have no opportunity to meet ministers 24 times and
:50:01. > :50:08.negotiate their own private tax rate? When her party were l`st in
:50:09. > :50:14.office, some companies were getting away regularly with 0% tax rates.
:50:15. > :50:19.They took no action whatsoever. Since the change in Governmdnt in
:50:20. > :50:23.2010, we have closed 40 of Labour's tax loopholes which in themselves
:50:24. > :50:31.have helped generate an addhtional ?12 billion in taxation. I know the
:50:32. > :50:34.Secretary of State and his department are working hard to
:50:35. > :50:39.support our steel industry but can I ask what specific steps thex have
:50:40. > :50:48.taken to ensure the sitting ability of Tata steel plant? Can I pay
:50:49. > :50:51.tribute to the great work and at the honourable gentleman is doing in
:50:52. > :50:55.helping to support those workers in his constituency that have been
:50:56. > :51:00.affected bilaterally's unfortunate announcement of redundancies at Port
:51:01. > :51:02.Talbot? Mr Speaker, as my honourable friend the Secretary of State has
:51:03. > :51:06.already outlined, we have ddlivered on boar of the five asks of the
:51:07. > :51:10.steel industry and we continue to work with Tata. When the consultants
:51:11. > :51:13.have finished their work at Port Talbot, Carter will come to us and
:51:14. > :51:21.we would finish the discusshon and we will make sure steel continues at
:51:22. > :51:31.Scunthorpe and Port Talbot. The Government has set a target of
:51:32. > :51:33.troubling exporter by 2020. And the Secretary of State if they had
:51:34. > :51:39.laying a decision on the UK's airport capacity supports this game?
:51:40. > :51:46.! Tripling. It is right that we make a decision on aviation capacity in
:51:47. > :51:49.the south-east. The Governmdnt was right to appoint an independent
:51:50. > :51:52.panel to look at this. They have come back with their findings and it
:51:53. > :51:56.is right and we look carefully at those. We made a statement recently
:51:57. > :51:59.on that. When a decision is made, no doubt it will be one of the
:52:00. > :52:08.contributing factors that whll help us meet that target. Question number
:52:09. > :52:15.seven, Mr Speaker. Your momdnt had arrived! You caught me off guard
:52:16. > :52:22.there. I apologise. Sorry to the front bench as well. The backbone of
:52:23. > :52:26.the Northwest economy is buhlt around FMEs. To the Secretary of
:52:27. > :52:32.State outlined what help his department is giving to help small
:52:33. > :52:39.businesses across the Northwest my honourable friend is absolutely
:52:40. > :52:42.right about talking of SMEs the lifeblood of the economy and the
:52:43. > :52:46.growth they produce. The nulber of measures we have taken, including
:52:47. > :52:49.cuts in taxation, cut and regulation, it on today I whll be
:52:50. > :52:56.opening the second reading of the Enterprise Bill and we will announce
:52:57. > :53:03.a number of new measures. The welcome new procurement guidelines
:53:04. > :53:06.for steel are worthless unldss the impact on procurement practhce. What
:53:07. > :53:11.will the Government do to ensure proper delivery of this and all
:53:12. > :53:14.Government departments and contractors follow these guhdelines?
:53:15. > :53:19.How will the Government assdss its impact? The honourable gentleman
:53:20. > :53:28.makes a very good point. He will know that British Network R`il, of
:53:29. > :53:32.its tracks, 98% I made in hhs constituency. He can be asstred we
:53:33. > :53:36.will make sure there is real delivery on those changes in
:53:37. > :53:41.procurement. Could I pay trhbute to the councils of Corby, Sheffield,
:53:42. > :53:46.Cardiff, Rotherham and his `ll in North Lincolnshire, all havd signed
:53:47. > :53:49.up to the acceptance and agreement that when it comes to their own
:53:50. > :53:57.procurement, they will make sure they use sustainable and brhlliant
:53:58. > :54:02.British steel. Over 4000 people started an apprenticeship shnce 2010
:54:03. > :54:12.in Iran, great news for people who want to learn a new skill and
:54:13. > :54:22.productivity. -- their hand. .. Encouraging people from Fairham If
:54:23. > :54:28.I would, I would spend everx day at an apprenticeship there in `
:54:29. > :54:33.constituency of one of my honourable friends. I was in Carlisle last week
:54:34. > :54:41.at a fantastic skill show and I encourage everyone in Fairh`m to
:54:42. > :54:47.attend the honourable lady's. The crucial industrial opportunhty for
:54:48. > :54:52.the Northern Powerhouse is available. Opportunities to redeploy
:54:53. > :54:57.skills should be seized with both hands before being lost to the
:54:58. > :55:03.region altogether. Port Talbot. . Fabrication. Does the Minister agree
:55:04. > :55:06.that when the British steel industry identifies a new market arotnd which
:55:07. > :55:13.they can bend a recovery, it is time they sat up and listened? Wd have
:55:14. > :55:17.been listening. There were five asks made, we have delivered on four The
:55:18. > :55:21.fifth is the subject of revhew. I hope we can see a delivery of that
:55:22. > :55:24.in due course. We are doing everything we can to ensure steel
:55:25. > :55:31.continues to be produced in Scunthorpe and at Port Talbot. I
:55:32. > :55:37.have to say more jobs were lost under Labour administrations than
:55:38. > :55:39.had been lost under conserv`tive. The proposed Tube strike thhs
:55:40. > :55:44.weekend will add misery to the Monday morning commute of m`ny of my
:55:45. > :55:51.constituents. It will be conducted on the basis of a mandate d`ting
:55:52. > :55:54.from June 2015. Does he agrde that such destructive action shotld only
:55:55. > :56:00.be undertaken on the basis of a fresh mandate from union melbers? On
:56:01. > :56:05.the side of the House we ard clear, it should not be possible to cause I
:56:06. > :56:09.strike, to call a strike, on the basis of an out of date mandate and
:56:10. > :56:13.we are legislating to stop ht. We are clear our candidate for the
:56:14. > :56:17.Mayor of London is clear, the party wants to oppose this measurd and
:56:18. > :56:20.support tube strikes that whll prevent people who are paid a lot
:56:21. > :56:27.less than tube drivers from getting to work over the weekend. C`n
:56:28. > :56:30.ministers confirm what meethngs it has had with the bold
:56:31. > :56:35.administrations, local authorities and other public bodies on this
:56:36. > :56:40.proposed and trade union Bill? Can they confirm the proposals,
:56:41. > :56:47.particularly in... Have no support across the public sector. Is it not
:56:48. > :56:51.time to dump those proposals? No, I am sorry to see yet another party of
:56:52. > :56:57.opposition standing up for illegitimate strike that catsed huge
:56:58. > :57:01.disruption for people who are trying to work hard and get their kids to
:57:02. > :57:05.school and get to work on thme. I am glad to see on the side of the House
:57:06. > :57:11.we will be standing up for working people, not for trade union bosses.
:57:12. > :57:17.Despite the Government's taxes on apprenticeships, disabled pdople
:57:18. > :57:20.face difficulties. Concerns have been raised about requirement of
:57:21. > :57:24.maths and English. Will my right honourable friend review concerns
:57:25. > :57:28.right to them to a sure bet he is taking bidder steps that disabled
:57:29. > :57:39.people are able to take part in apprenticeship opportunities?
:57:40. > :57:45.This is such an important issue I have had similar meetings whth other
:57:46. > :57:50.people and it is important that we get this right. Has the Secretary of
:57:51. > :57:56.State looked at the report which showed a large number of Brhtain's
:57:57. > :58:01.towns and cities are low skhll, low-wage economies? What is he doing
:58:02. > :58:03.to make sure that there is joined up thinking across Government to make
:58:04. > :58:07.sure we tackle not just the education and skills but thd
:58:08. > :58:14.transport links to access those new jobs? I haven't seen that rdport and
:58:15. > :58:18.now the honourable gentleman mentions it, I will be pleased to
:58:19. > :58:22.take a look. He is right to identify skills as a key issue to crdate
:58:23. > :58:26.those jobs and increase productivity and that is why we have introduced
:58:27. > :58:35.the apprenticeship levy and setting forward plans for that. It will make
:58:36. > :58:41.the difference he is looking for. Can I thank the Minister for
:58:42. > :58:45.supporting the apprenticeshhp awards at the Grosvenor house last week. We
:58:46. > :58:48.gave out and wants to small and large businesses and the brhlliant
:58:49. > :59:01.apprenticeships. Wouldn't it be great that next year we havd awards
:59:02. > :59:05.for the public sector? We could see the public sector gets really behind
:59:06. > :59:10.apprenticeships. You will h`ve noticed that my honourable friend
:59:11. > :59:13.has a badge with a capital @ in his lapel. I am sure we can think of
:59:14. > :59:20.many things that this could stand for but in his case, it stands for
:59:21. > :59:22.apprenticeship ambassador. He is a fantastic ambassador for
:59:23. > :59:26.apprenticeships and in the `wards next year, I'm sure the public
:59:27. > :59:35.sector will be able to show itself as supporters of apprenticeships
:59:36. > :59:43.also. Does the Minister agrde that the practice of cash for incentives
:59:44. > :59:49.in the construction industrx should cease? It was a great pleastre to
:59:50. > :59:52.take part in last week's debate The honourable gentleman has made some
:59:53. > :59:57.important points. We are having a review but it is a lengthy review
:59:58. > :00:01.and he knows that I am going to undertake and do everything I can to
:00:02. > :00:05.bring that forward and look at making sure we actually takd a
:00:06. > :00:13.modern look at what is really an outdated practice. With the US
:00:14. > :00:21.presidential elections exciting audiences-macro both sides of the
:00:22. > :00:26.order -- Atlantic, this year we may be able to sign a free tradd deal
:00:27. > :00:30.between the EU and India. Whll he welcomed the resumption of talks two
:00:31. > :00:37.weeks ago after two years of being stalled and do everything hd can to
:00:38. > :00:42.secure a deal this year? He makes an excellent point. The deal is worth
:00:43. > :00:45.?10 billion to this economy and it is surprisingly see the party
:00:46. > :00:52.opposite not supporting it lore loudly. When the Leader of the
:00:53. > :00:59.Opposition ask whether the Shadow Chancellor still campaigns for the
:01:00. > :01:07.overthrow of capitalism? Hartlepool air products, SSI Redcar and the oil
:01:08. > :01:12.and gas industry job losses. Teesside has been hit very hard Can
:01:13. > :01:20.I ask the Minister to meet with me to discuss the future of thd SSI
:01:21. > :01:26.sites. Between 99 to 71992, the Tory party sacked 20,000 steelworkers. I
:01:27. > :01:33.am more than happy to meet with the honourable gentleman and anx
:01:34. > :01:37.colleagues. He will know of all the action that we have taken and are
:01:38. > :01:44.taking to help the steel industry. He makes it sound that when Labour
:01:45. > :01:48.were last in office, they hdlped the industry. Production halved, the
:01:49. > :01:54.number of employees felt by thousands. That is Labour's record.
:01:55. > :01:59.It is left to this Government to support the steel industry. We are
:02:00. > :02:03.running out of time. Can he look into these workers where people s
:02:04. > :02:07.jobs are at risk. One of thd main reasons for closing the offhce was
:02:08. > :02:11.because the phones and comptters don't work properly. Is the Minister
:02:12. > :02:14.of innovation saying the department responsible for sending people to
:02:15. > :02:18.space cannot find a way to communicate properly with an office
:02:19. > :02:21.150 miles up the road and whll the Minister reflect on the way this
:02:22. > :02:30.farcical announcement was m`de and the lack of empathy shown for those
:02:31. > :02:32.workers? No one takes these decisions lightly. There ard a
:02:33. > :02:37.number of people and their families affected and we need to do
:02:38. > :02:41.everything we can to help. We do have an obligation on behalf of the
:02:42. > :02:45.taxpayers to make sure that we spend their money wisely and that means
:02:46. > :02:50.making sure that all Governlent departments are run efficiently and
:02:51. > :02:53.effectively. Even after this change in my department will have lore
:02:54. > :02:59.people come the vast majority of people outside of London and that is
:03:00. > :03:08.the right thing. Urgent question, Mr Jeremy Corbyn. The urgent qtestion I
:03:09. > :03:15.put is to ask the Prime Minhster if he will make a statement on the
:03:16. > :03:18.proposal for discussion of the United Kingdom's relationshhp with
:03:19. > :03:20.the European Union to be published later today by the President of the
:03:21. > :03:39.European Council, Donald Tusk. Mr Speaker, at about 11:35al, the
:03:40. > :03:47.President of the European Council published a set of draft text about
:03:48. > :03:48.the UK's wee negotiation. Hd has now sent