Live Innovation, Business and Skills Questions House of Commons

Good morning and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the

comments. Now the Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn will be asking the

question of the Russian forces from Syria following last night's

dramatic announcement of the withdrawal from President Putin. The

first debate on the legislation widely called the snooper's Charter,

more properly known as the investigators Howard Bill. It talks

about giving powers to look at people's internet browsers. He said

it will not be giving a blank check for the Bill through the comments.

First, it's question to the Business Secretary and his ministerial team.

Or it, order! Questions to the Secretary of State for Business,

Innovation and Skills. Thank you, number one please. Britain is one of

the top ten places in the world to start and run a business. We are

boosting skills, productivity, raising the quality and quantity of

apprenticeships in England. We are cutting tax and building stronger

tax... Links with emerging markets. I thank the secretary of state for

that answer. My role constituency is home to many businesses with strong

local roots but global aspirations. May I ask what this Government is

doing to help small and medium-sized companies become exporters? Mr

Speaker, he speaks with a great deal of experience. He is an experienced

entrepreneur and a taken very seriously. I can assure that my

department is working on exports. UTI is one of those things that

connects businesses all over the world. We travel around the country

and meet businesses face to face. It has already visited Yorkshire. How

on earth are small and medium-sized businesses going to be competitive

it in 100 days' time they find that their access to those level playing

field markets are going to be firmly thrown away. The door will be shut

in their face and what is the secretary of state going to do to be

much more vocal in highlighting the phenomenal risk to our businesses if

we end up losing access to some of those important markets? The

honourable gentleman is right to raise this issue. There are a lot of

risks with that decision. It's my personal belief that this

uncertainty created would be bad for business and jobs and growth.

However, there is a lot the Government has gone and will

continue to do to support business, such as cutting the tax rate, which

I hope he welcomes. Mr Speaker, I am yet to speak to a smaller

medium-sized businessman who has that what they want is more

regulation either from this place or the European Union. Do you not agree

that the thing that would most help small and medium-sized enterprises

become more competitive both in this country and around the world, would

be for this country to leave the European Union? I think my

honourable friend is right to raise the issue of red tape of regulation

for businesses. It can strangle businesses and that's why in the

last Government we were proud of cutting red tape by ?10 million and

with this Government we are going to cut it by another 10 billion. SMEs

in your question going to be competitive with the cuts to local

authority. Business rates are soaring 11% on top of additional

costs. Can I ask, do you want the high street without any shops? I

think what Frank would want is a high street full of customers and

what that means is making sure our economy remains strong. It grew

faster than any other G-7 country last year and that is because of the

long-term plan that this Government has. We will hear more about it

tomorrow from the Chancellor. Is not vital that my right honourable

friend's target of 100,000 new businesses exporting 2020 is met by

lighting that sparked in small and medium-sized businesses to exploit

the first time, but above all to keep exporting. Mr Speaker, he is

absolutely right. Not enough British businesses exploit. There are more

than double the amount of businesses exploit Germany, compared to the UK.

We can do more and that is at the heart of our strategy. And surely

ministry will agree with me that it part of helping small and

medium-sized businesses become more competitive is to make sure there is

access to a skilled workforce. The younger women's trust has shown that

sectors are not welcoming young women. Less than 4% of engineering

apprentices are female. Can the Minister tell me what he is doing to

encourage more young women into apprenticeships? I think the

honourable lady does raise an important issue. We want all people

to benefit from the apprenticeship programmes that we have both in

England and Scotland and elsewhere. That means more and more women. In

the last three years we have tripled the amount of women in England that

take up into sheds in engineering. That is something that I think

Scotland can look at as well to see how we can achieve that. I also

think that trying to think about how many women think about these must

start at an earlier age. We must start at an earlier age to encourage

women to look at these careers. He will be aware that the Scottish

Government has done some great work and arrow Minister for education has

been doing, but I would suggest that he needs to work every specifically

on the issue of pay for women apprenticeships. Their male

counterparts can be paid as much as 21% more an hour. What steps is he

and his Government taking to make sure that everybody is equal? I'm

sure the honourable lady will welcome that under this Government

what we have seen is the gender pay gap all to its lowest level since

records began. Of course, there is still much more to do and at the

heart of that is a strong economy. I hope she will support the budget

tomorrow. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are immobilising the Government to

improve the export performance. A UTI will be at the centre of the

approach and relative departments will be at the centre of this to

help British business export. The reality is, the UK expert story is

one of declining market share in the global market. Does the Secretary of

State agree with the statement of the Chamber of Commerce and will he

accept their position on exporting? I do accept that more needs to be

done to get British businesses to exploit. But also implemented means

that all governments has a role to play, for example the great British

food unit, where a UTI works with that unit. I think a lot of the

Government can get behind exporting by working together. If the UK left

the single market, my understanding is that the highest tariff that

could be applied would be the 4.1 9%. Can my right honourable friends

write to me to put say that is correct and provide a factual

concept for the risks of leaving the European Union? Can he also read to

me to confirm that that number is lower than the annual fluctuation of

the euro and sterling for the last three years? First of all, in answer

to his first question about can I check that, of course I can. You

raise is an important point about trade and tariffs. He will also be

aware that there are lots of non-tariff barriers as well,

particularly when it comes to services. It's important to look at

that also. For the 40 staff in the steel factory in my exigencies that

will close in May, can I ask him to listen and back their proposals for

a materials cut that will provide and promote our competitive nurse

and exports? First of all, I'm sorry that in your constituency the firm

may close. We shall do everything we can to try and protect jobs like

that and certainly research has an important role to play. We are

looking very carefully at that proposal and we will here shortly.

Spartan global services export refurbished computers to businesses

across the globe. Can he outline what is being done to encourage more

businesses like Spartan to take the opportunities that experts offer?

Again, she has raised an issue about exporting and what might we can do.

I know there are many companies in her constituency that can do a lot

more if we had fewer barriers. One of the suggestions is that we should

get on with the deal with the EU and US. It would be the world's largest

free trade agreement and it would certainly help companies like Harris

export more to one of the world's largest markets. Will the Secretary

of State have immediate discussions with his Cabinet colleague regarding

the need to ensure the export of pork from both Britain and Northern

Ireland to Taiwan, which has been awaited since August last year? I

think that's a very important issue. British food is our biggest

manufacturing industry, but a lost my can be done in terms of exports.

I know my right honourable friends has taken this very seriously and I

will look at this issue. We have a massive trade deficit with the

European Union, but it is with the rest of the world. We had just

celebrated Commonwealth Day. If you look at how much are our traders

with the Commonwealth, it is relatively small. Will he embarked

on his project Commonwealth so we can export far more of our goods to

our cousins abroad? I think my friend is absolutely right about

trying to do more with the Commonwealth. The links are very

strong and with some of those countries, like India, we have had a

big focus for many years now about exploits and tourism. All that has

helped, but there is always more we can do. He is a silly rates to raise

this issue. Deficit and trade goods was 123,000,000,020 14.

Manufacturing accounts is only 8% of jobs in our economy. Scottish

Government has boosted this. What is the Minister and the UK Government

doing to support manufacturing? Is he just singing type? Very

irregular? Ever I heard you correctly, he was suggesting that

the SNP should get the credit for the rise in exports in Scotland.

That is the hard work of Scottish businesses who have worked very hard

to achieve that. I don't think anybody would credit the SNP with

that. Where Government policy is important is making sure we have a

stable and strong economy, and that is down to the long-term economic

plan that comes from Westminster. I might warn the secretary of the not

to be too gleeful about the long-term economic plan.

What the stock of band -- bank lending fell after the financial

crisis but is now recovering, with four consecutive quarters of

positive lending. Peer-to-peer lending is becoming

important as an alternative to bank finance, it has grown from ?20

million in 2011 to nearly ?1.5 billion in 2015.

Perhaps he has already given the warning about the budget, given that

he probably knows that in the North West we have seen just half the

business investment than we have seen in London. So clearly something

has gone wrong with the long-term economic plan if we are not actually

seeing rebalancing. What conversation have they had with the

Treasury about their attack on other financial institutions, for example

building societies? I think the honourable lady's right

to raise the importance of credit for every region in the UK, for that

thinks of having a vibrant growing economy as being important. We talk

regularly with the Treasury on these issues, for example the work we do

in the British business bank, which has provided over ?2.4 billion of

financing over the last four years, helping some 40,000 businesses, many

in the North West. When people take the decision to

start their own business it is either on the back of a great idea

or they have got skills which are useful. But turning a great idea or

having skills into a business for most people requires expert advice.

What steps is the Secretary of State doing to ensure potential

entrepreneurs have that advice available to them?

I know my honourable friend speaks with experience, he is a very

successful businessman, and no doubt he has talked to many businesses

about just this type of issue. One of the ways we try to help is

through the growth hubs, we have made sure everywhere in England has

a growth hubs. You can get a locally tailored advice for local companies.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am pleased to tell you, since you have been so

kind unwelcoming to me, I would like to tell you 4 million homes now have

superfast broadband. -- kind and welcoming. I have recent -- frequent

talks to ensure the world -- the UK's position as a leader.

It is lovely that the member likes having his name and Ernst!

It is clear that lots of businesses are not happy with the service they

are receiving from BT. Can my honourable friend tell me what

discussions he is having with BT to ensure that they are delivering for

businesses, not only across the country but specifically in Basildon

and folic? I don't want to labour the point but

I think -- I don't think you fully understand the effect might -- your

words have on me. -- Basildon and Thurrock.

The Secretary of State for business recently announced we are going to

have a review of business broadband, because we understand how important

broadband is for businesses, and also of course Ofcom has recently

published its digital communications review which will impose minimal

quality requirements on open reach, much tougher than currently exists.

-- Thurrock. -- Openreach. The Government claims

to champion the contribution that small businesses make to our

economy, but Ofcom's latest figures show that half of small businesses

in business parks cannot get 10 megabits broadband, a quarter cannot

get 5 megabits, and one in ten cannot even get 2 megabits. My local

Chamber of Commerce tells me of businesses where the staff have to

go home if they want to send an e-mail. So responding to me in a

debate last week, the Minister said that the Government's broadband roll

out had been an old -- unadulterated success. If it -- if this success,

what would fail look like? -- failure looked like. As usual my

colleagues on these benches have anticipated my answer. There is a

picture of failure, Mr Speaker, we have had to write or ?50 million

from a failed Labour schemes to deliver broadband in South

Yorkshire, and if they had been elected they would be two years

behind us in the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Speaker-macro, the balance of trade and services has improved from a

surplus of ?4.3 billion in 2010 to it a surplus of ?88 billion in 2015.

This answer highlights that while exports in goods are vital

especially to manufacturing cities like Gloucester, there may be even

more vulnerability to the surplus of our services if we were to leave

Europe. Can I ask what assessment my right honourable friend has made of

sectors but like insurance and investment managers whose businesses

are past ported across Europe, and also other sectors like advertising,

animators, designers and film producers?

My honourable friend speaks with experience, he is a distinguished

former pension fund manager, a very important service the UK industry

provides, and yes, the UK -- EU's financial services passport means

that financial services firms are authorised in the UK to provide

their services across the UK is back EU without the need for further

authorisations. Services represent almost 80% of our economy and access

to the world's largest single market helps them create thousands of

British jobs. The Secretary of State must know

that however good and we all applaud the growth in services exported from

this country, it must go hand in hand with an increase in

manufacturing. Isn't he not worried that one of our leading agriculture

technology company is going to be taken over by a China company,

backed by the Chinese Government? What will that do for our

competition, and our supply chains, and why will he not meet a

cross-party group of members of Parliament that we have begged him

to meet? Of course the honourable gentleman

is right about the importance of manufacturing in our economy, that

is why it has increased in terms of output, employment and value since

2010. But the company he mentions have said there should be no change

in their footprint, but also when it comes to foreign investment in

British industry I see that as a vote of confidence. If you look like

companies like Jaguar Land Rover, since foreign investment employment

has gone up threefold. Our strong performance and services

are still not enough to offset the difficulties we are having with our

trade with the European Union where we have an annual trade deficit now

of 62 billion pounds. Given that non-EU trade exports have increased

by 30% since 2010, isn't it clear that the best future for this

country is outside the European Union, so we can negotiate

free-trade agreements with China, India, Brazil, the Commonwealth and

the rest of the world's I think where I agree, Mr Speaker, that it

is clear that trade agreements can lead to more trade with these

countries, they do reduce barriers in other ways that would be in the

way. What we have through the EU at the

moment is access to over 50 trade agreements, if we look at some other

countries like the US or China these are countries with 14 or trade

agreements. I do agree with him that we need to focus a lot more on

trade, but the trade agreements we have accessed today are very

valuable in terms of global trade, not just with the EU.

If the Minister aware that productivity in our flagship service

industry, financial services itself, productivity has fallen behind

similar productivity in the United States, in France, even in Italy?

Can the Minister explained that, is it something to do with the

regulations his Government has imposed on financial services?

I am not sure if it is to do with what the honourable gentleman asked

about regulations, because all of the other markets he mentions have

also had to look at regulations after the financial crisis. But he

rightly highlights a general productivity problem across British

industry, all sectors, were compared to our G7 competitors we are some 25

points behind, that is why we have a productivity plan working with

industry to turn that around. Speaker-macro, last year we passed

the consumer rights act which established a defined period of 30

days to reject faulty goods after purchase.

My constituents -- my constituent has raised concern about the delay

in having his faulty Hotpoint tumble drier fixed. Given the risk of fire

with these projects -- products, what is the Government doing to

ensure consumers have speedy assistance?

I understand that this risk was assessed as being a low risk, but

nevertheless it is very important that the company deals with it. His

local Trading Standards service has informed us they are currently

satisfied that the companies taking this matter seriously, but I am sure

the company will want to pay particular attention to this

constituent, since his case has been raised in the House of Commons.

The Minister referred to the consumer rights act, when that Bill

was going through I tabled a number of amendments to address the issue

of unsafe and faulty electrical goods, and the then Minister gave a

series of assurances which now appear to be hobbled when we see the

campaigning work by the daily Mirror. -- hollow. Is it under

review? Absolutely, and I will make sure I

have a conversation with the honourable gentleman to understand

what continuing concerns he has. Today is world consumer rights day.

And the consumer rights Bill in the UK was trumpeted as bringing a new

era of simplified clearer consumer laws. However, most Trading

Standards services have been cut by at least 40% of staff since 2010.

Can the Minister explained how consumers can enforce these new

rights, and Rogue traders be brought to justice in the light of these

cuts? I'm afraid it is somewhat typical of

the opposition to assume that unless there is public money and public

money always growing, that it is impossible to enforce rights?

Trading standards are simply one of the enforcement mechanisms for

consumer rights, consumers can enforce their own rights which is

something established by the consumer rights act, and Trading

Standards are working more efficiently across the country.

Of course we do know that for small businesses late payment is a serious

problem and continues to be so, that is why we are creating the small

business commissioner, who at -- he or she will have as the fundamental

principle absolutely to tackle this problem, because we want to change

the culture, that is why it is good to see that some of the larger

companies have changed their late payment policies. That is why from

October larger companies will be under a duty to report their payment

policies. We show that for Government

departments were failing to meet the Government's own departments. I

won't public sector departments included? What I can say is that I

have particularly asked that we have a full look at the way that all

Government at all contracted levels I making sure that late payment is

not a problem, and particularly that subcontractors don't breach are very

clear rules about late payment and the terms and conditions that are

only fear and should be in all contracts and all Government

contracts. They should not just be seeing it, but doing it. Number

eight, Mr Speaker. It's absolutely the case that our country will

indeed be stronger, safer and better off remaining in the European Union.

The United Kingdom automated industry exported ?15 billion to the

EU in 2015, were the aerospace and mounted to 5.8 billion. Our

membership allows us to continue to attract international investment

into the United Kingdom, as well as working with those countries to the

various trade agreements we have two other countries in the world. Toyota

UK and another company are two companies heading huge supply chains

in north-east Wales, which employed 10,000 people. Does the honourable

lady agree with me that it would be absolute madness to throw those

anchors away by risking leaving the European Union and placing jobs in

Wales and the rest of the UK at risk? It's a pleasure to agree with

the honourable gentleman, who might become a honourable friend on this

matter. We are undoubtedly better remaining as a member of the

European Union. It's not just that the sake of those larger companies,

but we know that it goes all the way through the supply chains, which

often accompanies the smaller companies. I would urge him to speak

to the leader of his party and urge him to make sure that the Labour

Party throws its full weight behind the steering in a campaign. He would

be better at doing that than engaging on CMD rallies. The Right

honourable lady knows that planes have the honour of crossing borders

without pesky border controls. Having found her to be a champion

for my constituency contact can she confirmed that she will come to knew

the discussions with UTI irrespective of what happens on the

23rd of June? It was a great pleasure to come to his constituency

and see Bob ideate's construction. I am delighted to say that I will

continue to make sure that UTI is properly used by all industries,

especially the one that he represents to make sure that the

increase sales force it is an excellent plane, Mr Speaker. Since

1995, Europe's share of commercial aviation manufacturing across the

world has risen from 16% of the world market because of the

cooperation between France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Wouldn't she be better off having a word with some of her own

colleagues, rather than worrying about the Labour Party, which is

united in its support to remain in the European Union. Doesn't that

statistic give a practical and potent example that she can use with

her own backbenchers and supporters of why it is absolutely in the UK's

long-term interest to remain in the European Union? As I've already

said, we are stronger and safer with the European Union. I am delighted

that the leader of my party, the Prime Minister, is leading the

campaign for us to remain in the European Union. If I may say, Mr

Speaker, I was totally yesterday for the majority of Conservative MPs

actually support the Prime Minister. However, I will make the point yet

again that unfortunately, the leader of the Labour Party is failing in

his duty to play a full part, and instead of supporting Trident, he

goes on CND rallies, instead of going out and supporting Stronger

In. With your permission, I will answer this question along with

question 11. I continue to promote the plan for the region. This will

bring thousands of jobs to the middle of the economy by 2030. Last

week I opened a factory and innovation centre in the Midlands.

The grouping is with number ten. As its national apprenticeship week, we

can all welcome the creation of over 2.6 billion and ships since May,

including half a million in the Midlands and 1440 in my

constituency. Will you join me in welcoming a report published today

which shows the potential for a degree of pensioners to help meet

the needs of employers in my constituency and across the country.

Yes, I will. Let me congratulate my honourable friend and the hardware

key has already put in in the small time he has been in his new role --

the hard work he has put in. We have seen an increase in partnership

stats. He is right to raise this issue because it is about quantity,

not quality -- quality, not quantity. We will do everything we

can to support quality apprenticeships. The people of

Lancashire are grateful for the Government's investment so far with

apprenticeships. Can he advise me if I should be at fault for any further

investments which I have previously discussed, in the budget tomorrow?

He is an incredibly powerful advocate for the people of Lincoln.

His energy is legendary. He is like the Jura sell bunny. I can

congratulate him on what he has already achieved in securing

investment and like him we will all have to wait to see what the budget

holds. I think it was meant as a tribute. Thank you very much. It was

a great pleasure to meet with the honourable gentleman yesterday to

discuss his campaign, which I can put the support. We had already

begun to look at this very important problem to look at whether or not we

need to change the legislation. As a result of the meeting, I have

already undertaken the trading standards officer, the primary

authority in particular, we would need to look at what this is and

particularly the legal sale of laser pens to children. They should be

bought by people who will use them for the intended purposes, not

children. We will now look at the EU and how we can change some of the

regulations. As I thank the Minister for that answer. I told her about

the case of a seven-year-old boy in my constituency who was almost

blinded last year by a laser pen that he purchased at a Christmas

fair. The problem is that these laser pens are very dangerous and

they are being marketed for children as toys. Can the Minister update the

House further as to what the Government will be doing to stop

this form of marketing? I don't see how it can possibly be legal. It

must be illegal. We are contacting trading standards, but also the

police, and I know that the honourable gentleman has already

contacted his local Trading Standards, they have contacted the

police and an investigation is taking place. As a result, I am

confident that the message will be put out there so that we stop the

imports. That is one of the reasons why I want to stop working with the

European as well. I don't see how it can be legal for these pens to be

sold as toys. They are clearly not toys. As we raise the standard of

apprenticeships by making them a longer and more testing, it is not

surprising that there has been a slight drop in success rates to 69%.

That is why we are sure that 29% of the trading pay advisors is only

paid on completion. There has been a drop. The Minister knows of my

concern that achieving his quantity of apprenticeship targets could be

at the expense of quality and a fall in completion figure. There seems to

be a particular problem in London. I wonder if he has any further

proposals for improving apprenticeship completion is? I

would hope the honourable gentleman, who is a very consistent champion of

high quality apprenticeships, should in some sense be actually

encouraged. The steps that we are taking to insist that and apprentice

ship must last a minimum of 12 months, and secondly to insist on

the training content of the apprenticeships being relatively

progressive. That is flushing out poorer quality training provision

and having a temporary effect on completion rates. As he knows, we

propose to put employers in charge of the money. They will training

provision and they will have a very strong interest to ensure that as

many apprentices as possible complete the programme. With 19,000

apprentice ship starts this year, an increase of over 12%, in my

constituency nearly 3600, can I congratulate the Government on what

they have done so far and urge the Minister to go further and faster?

He agree with my honourable friend, because while that figure is

encouraging, it is a tiny percentage of the number of apprenticeship

starts every year. We want to see more, as especially chartered by the

Secretary of State. People will see that they can start and a petition

at any level and go anywhere. What assessment has the Minister made of

post-19 loans and training options? We are delighted that we have been

able to extend these loans and have the general subsidy of student

loans. They are now available to people over 24 and over the age of

19. They are available for levels three and above any programme of

study. We believe it is a wheel opportunity for people to invest in

their own futures and study. Can I associate myself with the Secretary

of State's advocacy for national apprenticeship week, which of course

is the Labour Government started. It is worrying to learn that the people

who are completed apprentice ships in London last year, compared to

those who started them is only 50%. Across England, only 52%, a drop on

6% of the previous year. The latest umber of apprenticeships starting in

two as is down on 2010, and only 4% of our woman of friendships do

engineering. Does the Minister agree with me that 50% of the population,

women, must be crucial elements for his 3 million apprenticeship

targets? How will he have the muscle to achieve that with the cuts in

apprentice ship the staffing in the last month alone. More cuts to come.

I do think the opposition will find that it is a hiding to nothing to

consistently pickles and talk down the apprenticeship programme, which

is dramatically successful and. Of course, some people will not

complete the apprentice ships because it is not just a programme,

it is a job. Sometimes employers will decide that that person is not

suitable for that job. We want more numbers and it would be quite good

to have some support from the opposition about a programme that

they claim to have invented. This is consulting for 90 days with staff

and trade unions on the move of jobs. We are consulting on how they

can avoid making redundancies. The consultation will be on the 2nd of

May. I thank the Minister for confirming that no decision will be

taking on the closure of the office before the end of the 90 day

consultation. The Sheffield Council has said that moving 247 jobs from

Sheffield to London will add around ?2.5 million to the annual operating

costs of the department, and he has offered to work with him to look at

alternatives. But the Department take up this offer before the final

decision is made? The department is in consultation with staff and trade

unions and local authorities. These changes will result in ?350 million

across the spending review period or a 30 to 40% of such budgets. This is

an important saving. Number 15, Mr Speaker. I can carry on where I left

off and explain that broadband business is going very well. We

anticipate that 80% of businesses will have access to broadband by the

end of 2017. We have surpassed our target for the UK as a whole. I

thank the Minister for his response, but my constituent is struggling to

run a business with broadband speeds of no more than 1.8 megabits. He is

not due to get faster broadband until July, 2017 at the earliest. It

is a necessity, not a luxury. Will he make a concession to escalate the

broadband so that my constituents can compete with other businesses? I

am confident that her constituents will achieve levels of 96%

broadband. The point she makes that I would like to emphasise to the

opposition spokesman, is that that is why we have brought forward the

Labour target. We will achieve this by the end of 2015. Many of my rule

and forming constituents are looking to diversify and I setting up their

own businesses and working from home. Many of them are frustrated

for the wait for BT to deliver superfast broadband and have been

left to take their own trenches. What messages does the Minister have

my constituents who have been let in this situation? I message to her is

that people have to make up their mind on... On my moment I'm being

berated because BT has a monopoly, and then I been berated because

people have a different provider. It is a fantastic amenity broadband

programme. We encourage lots of competition and I am pleased that

they are thriving and providing an excellent service.

Order. Topical questions. It is a busy week for the department

of business, we are in the middle of British science week. Yesterday I

helped launch national apprenticeships week and met some

young people learning skills to do the jobs for tomorrow, and of course

tomorrow is the budget and we will see the Chancellor and hear from him

about our long-term plan to make Britain the best place in the world

to start and to grow a business. The Secretary of State will remember

several visits to my constituency, so he will be delighted to know that

on Thursday this week the Telford International centre is hosting a

national apprenticeships show. Including local employers such --

Telford has had dramatic fall in youth unemployment, and will he join

me in congratulating Telford businesses, colleges and many people

who have helped youngsters get the first step on career ladder?

I am pleased she is wearing the apprenticeship urged today to mark

this important week. I recall a number of visits to Telford and some

of the visits we had with local businesses. I will warmly join her

in congratulating those local businesses, the colleges, the

training providers, in the work they have done to boost prevent --

apprenticeships. It means thousands of young people helping to achieve

-- being helped to achieve their full potential.

It is national apprenticeship week. It is British science week. It is

global consumer day, and it is the Ides of March. Today the CBI has

released a survey showing that 80% of its members support the case that

staying in the EU is best for jobs, growth and investment. They are

right, aren't they, Secretary of State?

I think the best outcome of this referendum is that we stay, it

provides as the opportunities that we need. And I think the uncertainty

of a leave that would be the enemy of jobs and growth.

I thank the honourable gentleman for that response, it wasn't heard

brilliantly on parts of his own backbenchers, but isn't it the case

that his lukewarm call -- the Prime Minister is back when the Prime

Minister launched the Conservatives propose campaign, the Business

Secretary had a prior engagement, announcing that "With a heavy heart

and no enthusiasm, I will be voting for the EU to remain a member -- for

the UK to remain." He asserted he would remain a Brussels bashar, but

isn't it really the case that he is increasingly seen in his own party

as a Brexit, -- Brexit betrayer. Doesn't the case to remain in the EU

deserves a Business Secretary who can campaign with his heart as well

as his head? It is a shame that this is the best

the right honourable lady can come up with. You would think she would

want to make a positive case. I think what she -- what the right

honourable lady should focus on is speaking to her own boss and asking

about the contribution that he wants to make to this debate.

As a conference of schoolgirl who left school at 16, social mobility

is very important to me, and I'm pleased to be involved in APG G and

getting people from diverse backgrounds into top professions.

What steps are the Government taking to make sure more people can secure

further Investec -- education or employment?

I am pleased to set out the Government's support, we have

committed to double spending and rose to 3 million apprenticeships

each year, they are providing a crucial platform to providing

opportunity and social mobility. Small care home providers in my

constituency tell me their businesses will not be viable from

April because they face the living wage increase with no chance of an

increase in fees from Hull City Council. With Hull's lower council

tax base, even year-old percent social care level will not close the

funding gap. What advice can ministers give to the small

businesses which are very valuable in my constituency?

I have had meetings with various providers of social care. I don't

entirely accept her assessment that the increase in council tax

specifically to create extra funding for social care is not going to be

able to address the higher costs resulting from the national living

wage, and I do note that in a week when we have had a very significant

increase in the national minimum wage and a month before the national

living wage comes in, that this we hear from the opposition will be --

is an attempt to say that these interventions are actually going to

be damaging to the people they represent, rather than substantially

boosting their incomes? Like many in the House I welcome the

Chancellor's moves to develop a northern powerhouse. But my

constituents are also interested in the Secretary of State's work to

drive forward the Midland engine. Can he assure me that tomorrow's

budget will contain some welcome news for my constituents and people

across the West Midlands? I can absolutely reassure my

honourable friend, the Government is absolutely committed to a long-term

economic plan for the Midlands engine. I was involved in the launch

of the Midlands engine prospectus, and we are looking by 2030 to have

?34 billion increase in the local economy and 300,000 jobs which will

benefit his constituents and mind. I welcome the Minister on Wednesday

reiterating her department's view that she and they will abide by the

will of the House of Commons with regard to the code. But tenants

would have two measure -- surrender the length of the lease. Will she

ensure this is taken out of the final stage of drafting?

What I will undertake to do, Mr Speaker, is to be true to all that

we promised we would be when this matter was considered last year when

the Bill went through, and that is what we will do. I do hope now that

they honourable gentleman might be adopting the words if I may say of

the Institute of innkeepers, who have welcomed the appointment of Mr

Paul Newby as the pub code adjudicator, saying that it has

fantastic integrity. He will be both feared and respected by a pub

companies. Sounds like a job we have done well.

A large number of young people interested in setting up their own

business, can my right honourable friend tell the House what steps are

being taken to make sure they can achieve their ambitions?

As he will know, we have had a real look at how the self-employed work

and all the sorts of changes that might be made to improve their

condition -- conditions, and to make sure there is more fairness between

those who don't have self-employment. We are having a

look at that excellent report, and seeing how we can encourage more

people to start up their own business and indeed if they are self

employed to have a better deal. In February the Cabinet Office

announced its intention to insert a new clause into grad agreements for

charities. Many investors are worried that this will prevent them

from being -- on the Secretary of State confirm if universities will

be exempt from this, and if so, what form the exemption will take?

We are discussing with Cabinet colleagues exactly how we might

treat universities with respect to this proposal.

The Secretary of State will know that in the West Midlands the beer

and pub industry employs 86,000 people in 5000 pubs with 124

breweries and contributes ?1.3 billion worth of tax. Given his

support for the brewing industry when he was in the Treasury, being

the man who led the call for the duty cut, will he outlined what his

department is doing to support the beer and pub industry, and will peak

as the Chancellor for another cut? My honourable friend has been an

excellent advocate of that industry. And he would just have heard from my

honourable friend on the pubs code adjudicator which I think is a

positive development, I have heard him loud and clear on a further cut,

I know he has made those representations to the Chancellor. I

do recall when I was the economic Secretary I had a beer named after

me, which was a fine brew. There are lots of reasons to cut beer duty.

Government spend on small business -- SMEs topped ?2.1 billion last

year. I wrote to the Government to find out how much we were spending

in the North West. With an average UK spend of per head population, why

does the North West get just ?29 per head, and Oldham, just ?15.

As we know, we have a Chancellor committed to the northern

powerhouse, and worked -- that is what we continued to do.

As ministers know, the steel industry is a very important

employer in Corby, and with the final prebudget discussions taking

place, with ministers impress upon the Chancellor that business rates

holiday for the industry would be a very welcome news?

Will continue to fight for our steel industry and the views of myself and

my right honourable friend the Secretary of State about the need to

look at business rates and in particular plant and machinery at

employment -- important arguments that we continue to put forward.

Last week and that a large number of companies involved in securing and

maintaining -- they expressed extreme concern about the

environmental impact. Will the Minister commit to an immediate

environmental review of the site? Moleskin to make sure we do the

right thing by the site, and we will be -- and I will be reintroducing

revisiting Redcar. But she makes a good point, why are things I am keen

to make sure is that this must not be a white elephant, and if we have

to make decisions now to ensure a proper future for it now we will do

it. Businesses are continually telling me that their plans for

expansion are hampered by over and excessive regulation. Much of which

emanates from the European Commission. Can the Minister give an

assurance that the Government will also -- always be fighting on of

businesses than regulators? I'm absolutely delighted that in the

last Government we reduced the cost of regulation by ?10 billion on

small businesses, and we are furthermore committed to

turbo-charging, it is one in, three out.

A recent report highlighted innovation is a key driver of growth

across the economy, and found UK companies were less innovative and

less focused on innovation. With the UK GDP growth advised down, isn't it

time the Minister said greater attention to supporting innovation

and economy? Says 2010 the UK has risen from 14th

to second place in the global innovation index, behind only

Switzerland. We continue to support innovation in this country, and are

expanding. The most promising sector in the

British economy at the moment is life sciences, yet historically

start-ups to the sector have had difficulty attracting venture

capital. The Minister update us on progress he is making on getting

this vital resource into this vital sector?

Gives me a chance to congratulate my honourable friend for his

leadership. The life sciences sector is growing, we hit a 17 year

financing higher last year. The challenge is to make sure those

emerging businesses grow into substantial global companies.

May I love them national apprenticeships week as a great

opportunity to praise all apprentices and promote

apprenticeships as a means to secure training skills and jobs for the

future. A statement to the House about apprenticeships, the Minister

said, we do not expect people to pay the levy. So what does this mean?

Can any company take up and and spent levy? What does the Minister

mean about the apprenticeship levy that will not be used by smaller

firms? As ever, be asked some penetrative a good questions, but I

fear that he will have to wait until tomorrow where he will hear more and

then over the next few weeks. Does the Minister agree with me that we

need to do more to support small businesses in terms of training

support, to encourage and to hire women re-entering the labour market

post-children. Yes, I absolutely agree. This is something that we are

very much focused on. We are working with the equalities minister on this

and we want to make sure that women have the same opportunities as men

to re-enter the workforce, and we will take this as a big priority.

The Government has pledged to have the disability employment gap. What

is the Minister going to do our disabled people undertaking

apprenticeship employability and fulfilling their potential? It takes

me great pleasure to be able to agree entirely with you honourable

lady. The participation in disability of friendships is not too

bad but we can always do more. We need to make sure that the

qualifications were English and maths, that they don't discriminate

against disabled people. Does the Secretary of State agree with me

that with conservatives keen to promote the economic case of

promoting the European Union, it is excellent news that CGI pointing out

that 90% of their members support as. Absolutely. It is excellent to

see the CBI support the campaign. We are seeing more voices in businesses

standing up for British businesses and putting forward the argument is

not just about how bad it will look and what Brexit operas, but making

the positive case for staying, within a reformed you European

Union. It is in our better interest. Further to a previous question, the

Minister will know that right across the whole of the United Kingdom, we

have many young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas within

universities. What more can the Government do to encourage them to

stay in the country to produce our goods? Scotland is doing

particularly well in the minute with 11 Bush sent -- 11% share of

Innovate UK. Scotland is punching above its weight and I have hope

this continues to be the case. What does the Minister of universities

doing about the appalling anti-Semitism at Oxford University?

We now hear of an anti-Semitic play being played at York University.

This is an appalling example of disgraceful and blade tips --

blatant anti-Semitism. What is the Minister doing to deal with it?

Well, I have of course discussed this with the Vice Chancellor of

Oxford University, as well as with the Chief Executive. Anti-Semitism

has no place in our universities or anywhere else in our society, which

is why last November we asked universities UK to read a review

into harassment and hate crime in higher education. We expect

university leaders to deal with anti-Semitism without any

hesitation, taking disciplinary action and involving the police

wherever necessary. In this glorious week of the Cheltenham and Festival

and St Patrick's Day, with the Secretary of State join me in paying

tribute to the Irish community in Britain and all those who work to

promote trade between our two countries, would he acknowledge and

pay tribute to the fact that this relationship has been cultivated

within the European Union and long may that continue. It is a great

pleasure as the son of a jockey who won at Cheltenham Festival of two

congratulates him and the economy. Thank you, Mr Speaker. My

constituency is a centre for aerospace. With the Minister Joe me

for congratulating everyone involved in the Mars space programme? The

space economy is growing. I look forward to the results from the Mars

sniffer when it comes back from Myers. -- Mars. I received an update

that a signal has been received and we can successfully say that the

launch has been a success. Thank you. Order! We come now to the

urgent question. Mr Hilary Benn. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. To

ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if

he will announcement by Russia that it is

redeploying the main part of its force from Syria,

implications of this for the peace process? We have of course seen the

media reports of Russian withdrawal of forces, including this morning

that the first group of Russian planes have left the airbase to

return to Russia. However, I should tell the House that none of the

members of the International Syria