Live Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions House of Commons

This morning and welcome to BBC

Parliament's live coverage of the

Commons on this final day before

Parliament takes a brief half term

break and it is a busy day in the

chamber. In one hour, Matthew

pinnacle will be asking a question

on the release of the papers on the

economic impact of Brexit, followed

by a second urgent question on the

recent controversial meetings of the

Cabinet minister pretty Battelle on

holiday to Israel. A third urgent

question will be as uneasy monetary

concession in Yemen. -- Priti Patel.

Boris Johnson will also update MPs

on the combating Islamic State. A

backbench motion on temporary

accommodation will be discussed

before a short recess. Don't forget

to join me for a round-up of the day

in both Houses of Parliament at

11pm. Firstly the Business Secretary

Greg Clark.

Order.

I beg to move.

Simon relating to private business

matters as on the order paper.

As

many as are of the opinion, say

"aye". To the contrary, "no". The

ayes have it. Energy, business and

industrial strategy.

Thank you.

The

Secretary of State, Secretary Doctor

Greg Clark.

Thank you, with

permission, I want to put this

question six, an industrial strategy

on strength as the build our next

generation of motor vehicles, in

July, we committed £269 to try and

make Britain the centre of battery

storage. We have also and £51

million to find automated vehicle

test across the country and in

October, and are likely to say that

Ford opened their first European

mobility headquarters in Britain.

Thank you. Whether it is more result

tractors, it is in rural areas where

Thomas vehicles had the potential to

make a regularly profound impact.

Can my honourable friend assure me

that the reason she is funding will

look in particular at rural areas

rather than simply focusing on very

well connected cities?

My honourable

friend makes an excellent point and

he is right in saying that if this

is to apply right across the

country, the opportunities in rural

areas are very important not just

for the vehicle he describes by

public transport as well for

example. He will know that any

University of Lincoln and not far

from them, there is excellent work

through the centre of autonomous

systems that is looking at the

future of mobility. I very much hope

they will be his friends in this

great way across the country of

development in the technology of the

future. -- they will be

participants.

Thank you. Silverstone

technology cluster support many

thousands of jobs in and around and

Sinjar including my constituency of

Northampton salve. With companies

will... -- in and around

Northamptonshire. What steps are

being taken with them?

My honourable

friend is right, the joys that some

of the best motor manufacturers make

to locate in a cluster reinforces

our reputation. Last year, we

launched an ever cries zone which

supports the Silverstone

high-performance technology cluster.

-- and enterprise zone. It provides

an environment which helps deliver

new jobs in the sector and of course

the local growth fund for his area

includes an innovation Centre which

is geared towards automotive

technology and the enterprise zone.

Can I urge the secretary to say

something to the leading engineering

businesses at the University of

Huddersfield where we do a lot of

research on autonomous vehicles?

They might have listened to Radio 4

to day and heard another secretary

of state talking in mysterious

language, talking about a

post-Brexit trade policy, a new

post-Brexit trade policy, a new

remedy body, what is a new trade

remedy body? Fine forget what that

is, what I'm concerned about is

autonomous vehicles, electrical or

otherwise. Let's hear about that.

He

asks a very important question and

it is absolutely right that the

research is in the University of

Huddersfield again to have huge

opportunities in this area, they are

very much a part of the reputation

for excellence that has been

established in that University and

is well known not just across the

country but around the world. I had

the privilege with the Prime

Minister of attending a Round Table

of the leading managers across the

motor industry including the supply

chain. They united in their

excitement about what is the biggest

change in mobility since the

invention of the petrol and diesel

engines. We are replete with these

possibilities and we are

establishing, and it is increasingly

recognised on a reputation for being

the place in the world to come for

it.

Whether it is with autonomous

vehicles or indeed other exporter as

with the automobile industry within

my constituency, what they need

going forward is a concept that

regulatory framework. What kind of

guarantees any Secretary of State

gave exporters like this in my

constituency as we leave the EU?

The

honourable gentleman makes a good

point and the regulatory environment

is extremely important to the

predictability of that for future

investment. It's one of the reasons

we have introduced the bill that is

currently before Parliament to be

ahead of the world in establishing

the right regulatory environment for

electric and Thomas Eagles. Bass is

something that has commended the

attention of the world, exactly in

line with what he says.

As we take

steps to grow the economy and

decrees submissions, Can the

Secretary of State commit to working

with all businesses around

autonomous vehicles and as

highlighted by my constituents who

are deaf and blind in terms of the

noise that they make and working

with the disability agenda as well

as this new area moves follow?

My

honourable friend is absolutely

right in one of the advantages of

this being that they give particular

hope to people who find it difficult

or impossible to use conventional

vehicles at the moment. Part of the

point of joining together the

research in the automotive sector in

the renewable energy sector and in

health care and social care is that

we are able to join the benefits of

all of these in a single programme

full party is right.

If we're going

to be having these electric these

autonomous vehicles and everything

else is going to be wonderful, why

bother with £100 billion on the HS2?

Because we need both. Our ambition

is to make this country will of the

best connected in the world so it is

possible to go from the capital to

our Midlands and northern city and

beyond quickly and efficiently. We

have capacity to move freely frayed

around the country and I thought of

a Derbyshire MP given the importance

of the major industry, he would

welcome the investment and progress

you're making. -- move freight

around the country. Including

quarter of £1 billion investment by

Toyota and uplands.

-- in the

uplands. Germany said 2030, Norway

and Holland April 2025, the Chinese

owners of all their new models will

have electric motors and by 2019. --

Chinese owners of Volvo. The UK plan

to ban the sale of fossil fuel

vehicles by 2040 is somewhat lacking

in ambition, failing to provide

strong leadership or downright

pathetic and making the UK would

like a laughing stock?

What I would

say to the honourable gentleman is

if he reflects on our reputation in

the world, issued now that our

reputation for international

leadership in climate change is very

strong and he would do well to

comment back rather than seek to

undermine it. Relaunched, in the

last few weeks, the green growth

strategy which connects across a

range of areas not just to meet our

legal commitments, not just to

generate jobs in these important

technologies, but to lead the world

in Joseph Xbox we have and I would

have thought he would use this time

in the dispatch box to commend the

governed for a doctrine that has

been very well received right across

the world. -- we launched.

Thank

you. The Government has made clear

its commitment to the continuing

success of the nuclear sector

including nuclear research in this

country. We are aiming for a maximum

level of continuity with the good

arrangements and my department held

discussions with the sector to

ensure we understand and address

their concerns.

Will the Minister

agree that given the uncertainties

ever leaving EU as well as the

falling prices of solar energy and

the timescale for delivering these

projects will make nuclear energy

projects like Hinkley point the very

little value for money?

I very much

disagree with the honourable lady

border-mac assessment. The policy of

the Government is to go for a mix of

different types of energy of which

nuclear power is firmly one of them

as our renewables and all the

others.

As the minister well now the

nuclear industry is extremely

important to Cumbria. Would he agree

with me at leaving the EU does have

its issues but far more report on

the come at a jury, we have a

nuclear sector deal as part of the

industrial strategy which will see

rail investment and growth in this

sector?

Thank you. I agree with my

honourable friend and I would like

to commend him for Ollie Ricky has

done to support the nuclear

industry. We are very well aware of

this. -- for all the work he has

done. We are making sure the deal is

an important one and will carry the

industry forward for a long time

into the future.

The civil nuclear

industry is getting increasingly

twitchy about your rat in transition

arrangements. Can the Minister to

day verify whether Euratom

membership can continue during the

transition period and will they

support the cross-party agreement

added 300 to the EU withdrawal bill

which seeks to reject the industry

from a cliff edge Brexit?

The

honourable lady probably is aware

that we are discussing these matters

in committee at the minute and it is

my intention than the Government's

intention to build a consensual view

to gratify this problem but whatever

she must be aware and she is very

keen interested in this and that she

is -- we are aware of this and will

have the closest possible Asian ship

with members of Euratom.

It is very

important that we achieve an

agreement with the EU that enables

us to retain as many of the benefits

as possible of Euratom but I wonder

if the Minister could say something

about the future of small modular

reactors in the UK?

My honourable friend makes an

excellent point that small nuclear

reactors are something the

Department is looking closely at. We

had presentations from many

different companies and entities

involved in developing this

technology, which we hope will be

brought to a inclusion quickly. I

would like to commend him. I have

visited in his constituency to seize

the research work being done will

stop.

Exiting of the European Union

is putting an added complication on

the effort to rescue the deal and

the security that will bring. If the

Government open to the idea of

offering a stake in the mirror side

project if the conditions were the

secular buyer are right?

I would

like to make two points, the

Moorside arrangement is a matter for

Toshiba, this is a private

commercial matter. I would like to

also tell him my view that the

issues with Euratom and the EU are

not relevant at all.

The Government

has acted quickly to underwrite

Horizon 2020 funding. As we set out

in our future partnership paper, we

will be seeking an agreement on

science and innovation that protects

us now end in the future and

continues to ensure we deliver these

partnerships.

Edinburgh is blessed

with three was class universities in

Napier, Herriot Watt and Edinburgh.

They punch significantly above their

weight in being able to gain EU

funding for research and

development. Can the Minister

reassure those universities that

research and development funding

will still be able to be accessed a

European level when we leave the

European Union?

As I said, we are

working towards an agreement which

will ensure our continued success in

European science and research

collaboration. Scottish institutions

do indeed do exceptionally well,

they punch well above their weight

in terms of their share of UK

participation is an Horizon 2020.

Really, about 20% of participations,

well above their populations and we

want that to continue.

The Mr is

right to highlight the Scottish

universities as world beating. The

university of Saint Andrews gets £38

million of research funding, that

relies on partnerships with the

European Union and European Union

institutions. What reassurances can

he get other plans post 2020 that

these partnerships will continue?

As

it is said, we're working hard to

ensure there's an agreement with the

west of the European Union that we

can continue to collaborate closely

in these important areas. Aye

editions do well in terms of their

scare of participation in Horizon

2020, we want that success to

continue. A lot of research is done

in Scotland in collaboration with

the continent and we want that to

continue.

Question number four, Mr

Speaker.

We have committed just now

to the single largest increase in

science innovation funding, adding

an additional £4.7 billion to our

signs spending. This helps drive

growth across the country. I'm pleas

that the consortia will be under

taking local research and innovation

strengths to drive economic growth.

Thank you. Following the commitments

in the industrial strategy green

paper to build new institutes of

technology, can I ask the Minister

to meet with me in Redditch, if his

diary permits, to review what an

excellent location it would make for

one of the first institutes of

technology, given its fantastic

transport links, access to business

and a great opportunity for young

people?

My honourable friend is a

strong champion of Redditch and I'm

happy to say where's recently

issuing a statement confirming our

intention to establish high and

prestigious institutions which

specialise in high-level technical

skills which employers need across

all regions of England. Will be

launching a call for proposals

before the end of the year and will

welcome applications from Redditch

and other places across the country.

Question five, Mr Speaker.

As I have

said, Scottish institutions are

performing well in terms of their

participation levels in Horizon

2020. We want that to continue in

the years ahead. We're working hard

as a Government to ensure the

success of our institutions and are

working hard to get an agreement to

enable us to continue to collaborate

in years ahead.

First, we want our

institutions to work well as well.

Our research says terror does these

a -- our research sector faces a

lack of funding due to Brexit. What

communication has this Government

had with Scottish universities about

the funding threat posed by Brexit?

The Department for business, energy

and industrial strategy are in

constant contact with all the

devolved administrations at various

levels on a wide range of issues,

including? Exit. Officials have

recently participated in a number of

Scottish and students.

The cleaner

growth strategy...

Number seven,

very good.

With your progression, I

will answer this in question for

together. Carbon capture and use and

storage has huge potential to play a

vital role in reducing emissions

across a range of activities, but

the technology has to be made more

cost-effective to deploy at scale.

That's why we have committed to £100

million of public money and why

we're working with the private

sector to and other governments to

drive innovation drive down costs.

I

think the grouping is with question

13, I think.

Apologies, that's my

mistake.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

cleaner growth strategy falls short

of boosting investment necessary to

stimulate change for the future ofcc

as an industrial strategy green

paper, failing to mention and in the

light of the previous failure to

deliver for Peterhead, what an ass

and were the Mr Maker cover that

investment?

The world has not yet

decided to invest in this matter.

There are several plants across the

Worrall is operating in this area.

It is not cost-effective in its

current form to commit large-scale

investment. We have to get the cost

down. We are now and then world

whether private sector wants to

bring costs down, and ensures he

would well, projects like project

Acorn with the UK and Scottish

currents have committed funds.

The

Business Minister does not like

being reminded that the pulling of

funding for Peterhead was a

betrayal. There is not value for

money in the Hinckley project. When

will the governments make

commitments to CCS for Scotland?

In

the world I live in £109 is quite a

substantial investment in things

like CCS. The Scottish Government

invested £100 million -- Lescott

Strowman invested £100,000 in

Haboubi acorn. There are six plants

in awards operating this additional

revenue from enhanced oil recovery.

We want Britain to be the

technological leader. I hope that we

can work together to achieve that

aim.

I welcome to the return of some

consideration of Horizon 2020 after

the dreadful mistake by the

honourable lady's Government of the

cancellation of the 1 billion UK CCS

pilot plants in 2015. What

discussions has she had with her

Norwegian counterparts on prospects

for UK for its national way

collaboration on that country's

advance plans for carbon cess

cassation in the North Sea?

Norway

is unsure about the level of its own

financial commitment at the moment.

There is an excellent energy

minister within my fat multiple

conversations, because to me eight

seems strange that we wouldn't

cooperate in this area. There are

frequent conversations. He will have

seen in the cleaner growth strategy

would like to work with other

countries, not just the Norway,

claiming US and Canada as well.

We

have just heard about the broken

promise of establishing a

world-leading carbon capture project

at Peterhead, another Virgin Rail to

the North Sea industry. -- another

betrayal to the nasty industry.

Isn't it true that when it comes to

the North Sea, this Government is no

good at anything except a breaking

promises?

Some might say that the

SNP aren't very good at forecasting

oil prices. However, as I think I

have illustrated, the fact that no

Government had taken a very

substantial bet in the last few

years, and I got a bed because it is

not cost-effective, he will know

that organisations are coming to us

to ask how can we work in a

public/private way to deliver the

most cost effective solutions and

create technology we can export, as

we did with oil and gas services

that have delivered such economic

value in the North Sea.

Support was

also promised by the Prime Minister

in January 2016, when he said that

an oil and gas ambassador would be

appointed to promote oil and gas

around the world. Yet the current

energy minister recently told the

press and Journal it was a good

idea, but he was not aware of it. It

hasn't crossed his desk. His death

did it cross? Was just another

fantasy, of fantasy from this do

anything, do nothing governments?

It

doesn't appear... I would take

lessons from the honourable

gentleman in terms of support for

the North Sea, it is a vital

industry, I will discuss it with my

colleagues.

Narrates, Mrs Vicault.

I

have frequent discussions with the

Secretary of State for Exiting the

EU. Companies such as Nesson, B&W

and so are to continue to invest

thanks to our highly skilled

workforce, and long-term investment

in innovation.

Thank you for that

reply, however I am sure that he

will be aware that some current

factors have questioned whether to

make further investments in the UK

because they are uncertain about the

validity of proposals after we leave

the European Union. Can the

Secretary of State confirm they will

be valid and when will be in a

position to confirm that there are

components are not going to get

stuck at either long queues at Dover

Calais?

I have been clear in my

discussions with industry, it is

absolutely essential that we have a

trading relationship with the

European Union that is not only

tariff-free, but allows the means of

production, which involves multiple

components going back and forth,

often in very short notice, to be

continued. There are questions such

as rules of origin that we are

working with the industry to make

sure that it is part of the deal we

want to achieve. I think that's

something all sides of the House

would commence.

Mitsubishi have

their headquarters in Cirencester,

when they employ 250 people

supporting dealerships throughout

the UK. Then I wholeheartedly

endorse my right honourable friend's

remarks about needing a Brexit that

supports the automotive sector?

I'm

grateful. We are clearer that the

industry know the firmness of our

intention. It doesn't make any sense

to disrupt what has been a very

successful relationship between this

country and some of the home

countries of these manufacturers.

That is very clear in all of our

mines.

When a successful car

manufacturing sector exports nearly

a million cars to the rest of the

European Union. But with the Society

of motor Manufacturers saying Brexit

is the greatest challenge of our

times, what is the Secretary of

State doing to ensure there are no

costly carers or time-consuming

customs checks in the automotive

sector after we leave the European

Union?

We've met with the members of

the sector to discuss every aspect

of the challenges and opportunities

ahead. She's right that the issue

Brexit is very much on the minds of

every motoring manufacturer, and it

is why every discussion we have had

has reinforced our commitment to not

only have a good deal at the full,

but also to make sure that the

particular aspects for that industry

are addressed. But the other thing

the industry was enthusiastic about

was our clear commitment, with

mounting enthusiasm being shown on

behalf of our partners, to invest in

the future and make sure what makes

a Briton attractive as a place to

locate continues to be

Ten years in low-paid work and four

years as an apprentice, I will never

remember Warren waxing lyrical about

the place he loved, moving into the

house of his dreams of the women of

his dreams but does the Secretary of

State begin to understand that as a

consequence of the disastrous

mishandling of Brexit by this

Government, investment has fallen by

over 50% and does he begin to

recognise the damage the Government

is doing to workers like warring and

the jewel in the ground of British

manufacturing?

What I would say to

the honourable gentleman committee

talks to people in the motor

industry as in other industries,

there is no one more vigorous than I

am in meeting with prospective

investors to explain our strategy,

explain the attractiveness of the

UK. As a result of the work of the

industry supported by the

Government, we've had a commitment

from BMW to build the electric mini

in the UK, we have had Toyota

investing 250 thousand pounds in

Derbyshire, Nissan confirmed they

will build new models in Sunderland.

We have other discussions

continuing. -- what what they

billion pounds. The access to the

European market is giving confidence

to the industry and I think it's a

matter of consensus file to across

the house that we should maintain

that confidence rather than...

Recent research has been conducted

by Smart energy GB who are an

independent not-for-profit

organisation responsible for the

National consumer engagement in

smart meters. They found that 86% of

people with a smart meter said they

had made energy saving changes to

their behaviour and this positive

action was maintained after

installation.

The Minister is

obviously aware that by encouraging

better energy consumption, average

consumer save about £75 per year

through a smart meter. But he also

agree that smart meters will enable

more switching of suppliers saving

the average cost of a £200 per year?

Is this not therefore good for the

environment and consumers?

I totally

agree with my honourable friend's

analysis, smart meters enable

consumers to make more confident and

informed decisions about which

supplier and Paris is right for

them. Interestingly, a Serbian

showed that consumers who say they

have a smart meter are more likely

to switch supplier in the last 12

months. -- which tariff suits them.

Energy consumption and awareness is

a two-way street and companies are

aware of what energy is being

consumed in the home. Can the

Minister tell us what steps he is

taking to make sure that energy

companies do not increase the

customers' daily rate as they have

energy consumption.

The honourable

lady should rest assure that this is

something that is on our agenda and

the free increases have to come with

approval from of gem and it is

something we are monitoring very

carefully.

And wonder what

assessment we can hear that the

Government has made and that

security of smart meters.

The

security of smart meters is

something that is very relevant to

the governments because it is most

important. I think the honourable

gentleman should be aware that the

whole smart meter programme was

designed with the approval of the

cyber Security and all the other

authorities as well.

Howard is the

Minister intends to make the process

for switching gas or electric

companies easier for those who have

smart meters? The process is

extremely complicated. As president

--, located at present. With manuals

being sent out.

The honourable

gentleman should be aware that a

programme increases compatibility

between the meters enabling people

to switch. Nico current system being

installed will be relevant in a

year.

Thank you. The UK was a

leading negotiator in the

extraordinary Paris agreement which

saw 195 countries agree to act to

keep global temperature rise below 2

degrees. In 2016, there are only two

countries any role to cut their

carbon emissions intensity in line

with that Paris goal, China and the

UK. Last month, growth strategy sets

out how we hope to go further and

faster in cutting our UK emissions

to reach the Paris goal while

delivering economic growth.

And

grateful to the Minister for her

answer and many constituents have

contacted me with concerned about

climate change. Following Paris,

what's that has the Minister taken

to ensure there is a global

political movement to combat climate

change?

I will be going to Bonne

next week for a conference where we

will join other leading nations to

reaffirm commitment to the Paris

goal and work on practical

initiatives -- were contractual

initiatives to phase out coal and

the use of innovative financial

solutions to mobilise private

investment in low carbon technology.

How did the Minister intends to

support carbon capturing storage in

the Tees Valley given that too would

improve the environmental ambitions

and enhance economic growth?

The

honourable lady will know the Tees

Valley in many farms has been

incredibly deciduous at campaigning

as a location for some of the

deployment of the new technology,

working actively with them and they

will want to see some investment

proposals coming forward.

In

reaffirming the UK's commitment to

the Paris climate change, well my

honourable friend reassure me that

she and her colleagues will continue

to pressure and persuade other

countries who may either not have

signed up to it or may be reticent

about it, of its merits and why they

should be involved?

The honourable

gentleman make a good point, we are

only as good as the problems we work

with. -- we are only as good as the

partners we were there. China set

their own goals and that remains the

case that Paris is fit for purpose

and will not be renegotiated. We

would like all countries,

particularly major OTC countries, to

perhaps change the minds and get

behind a ground-breaking agreement

for the world. -- particularly OECD

countries.

We have heard that

fracking cannot be compatible with

the climate change targets unless

they test are met on meeting yes,

Cass consumption and carbon budgets.

-- methane gas, gas consumption. In

Riddell North Yorkshire, it is under

consideration, is she planning to

ignore the advice?

We cannot comment

on particular cases but it does seem

odd to me frankly that we have

testing Wells being drilled at the

moment, we need to understand the

scientific basis of weekend prove or

disprove these tests and I find it

all that those who argue loudest

that people should accept the

scientific basis for climate change

refused to have conversation about

the scientific basis that prove or

disprove fracking.

Non-relevant.

--

number 11.

Including financial

regulation. The Financial Conduct

Authority has published a summary of

skilled persons report to which I

think the honourable gentleman

refers. The SCA is now considering

the report's inclusions, including

whether there is a basis for further

action. -- we FCA.

Constituent of

mine used in good faith Government

back schemes such as the priority

Finance guarantee seem to grow the

business only to find out that the

Royal Bank of Scotland use the same

scheme to close down businesses.

Given the litany of such cases drag

a report is not the time that we had

a proper investigation and a judge

let enquiry?

The enterprise Finance

guarantee scheme is exactly designed

to enable businesses to borrow when

they lack collateral with taxpayer

support. If a bank is closing down

overdraft facilities as the case I

believe the honourable gentleman

refers, in order to claim on the

guarantee, that would clearly be a

gross abuse of the scheme. Any

evidence of this will certainly be

looked at very carefully by my

department. Vincent cable.

Does my

honourable friend not agree that the

finding of the 22% of small bank

customers of the restructuring group

were mistreated has been pathetic

and these are unworthy of a publicly

owned institution?

I would suggest

that the honourable gentleman holds

fire until the FCA has decided on

what action it may still take. It is

empowered to take action. I totally

agree with the sentiment by the

honourable gentleman's question.

Thank you. What happened at RBS

global use doctrine group is a

scandal of the highest order.

Businesses were ruined, families

torn apart, people to their own

lives. The Minister must know that

the Financial Conduct Authority on

its own cannot deliver justice for

the victims as most business banking

is not regulated. I've asked

ministers this question six times.

For the seven time, will be

Government set up a judge let

enquiry into RBS GRG all they do

have something to hide? -- do they

have something to hide? Muller I

sure we have nothing to hide. I the

practices of the global

restructuring group at RBS and the

devastating impact on people's

businesses representative to many a

lifetime of work and I'm sure they

have not heard the last of this

enquiry yet.

Number 14.

Thank you.

Still only car industry, the UK's

automotive industry is a great

British success story and as I said

earlier in the Prime Minister and I

met senior executive last week and

reiterated our determination to

secure a better deal at the sector's

competitiveness. I will continue to

work with these companies.

Thank

you. I'm grateful to the Secretary

of State from mentioning Ford in the

answer the cause that is a major

manufacturer in my constituency. Can

we hear what they are doing to make

sure this country remains the

epicentre of the car industry as

they move out of the EU?

To

industrial strategy, we have a very

clear focus on being the go to place

in the world for the future of

mobility in all its different forms

and of course in his constituency,

Ford as its technical centre.

Obviously one of the major global

forces in that future and it is

particularly gratifying that they

have chosen the UK DVD centre of

their European operations for the

future of mobility. -- chose in the

UK to be the centre. Iraq with your

permission, I'll answer this

question together with number 17. --

with your permission. I have closely

to ever meant a national minimum

wage enforcement approach which will

protect the interests of both social

care workers and vulnerable service

users. The Government recognises the

financial pressures some provider

says and exploring further options

to minimise any impact on the

sector. Any intervention would need

to be proportionate and Government

has opened discussions with the

European Commission about issues

relating to the state aid.

Thank

you. Can I thank the Minister for

that and so? Tallied the governments

supporting individuals with personal

budgets or could be facing bills for

thousands of pounds in back

payments.

We recognise that such

individuals can be among the most

vulnerable in society and we are

working to ensure this group

receives the necessary help and

support. We expect local authorities

to work with HM RC to ensure the

right outcome for such individuals.

It is only fair that the budget

provided to personal budget holders

reflect their legal obligations to

pay national minimum wage to workers

who are on duty both now and when it

comes to any arrears owing.

If

enforcement action does result in

closure or disruption of service

providers, how will the Government

Guaranty vulnerable people will not

be left our services?

I would like

to reassure the honourable lady that

the new social care compliance

scheme we'll be giving providers to

one year to identify what they owed

to workers supported by advice from

HM RC. Employers who identify

carriers at the end of the review

period will have three months to pay

workers. The scheme is designed to

both support workers and to ensure

the continuation of the crucial

services that provide is performed.

Thank you. The Government's new

compliance scheme announced last

week unfortunately adds to the

uncertainty facing the social care

sector. Can I urge the Minister to

do all she can to ensure as quickly

as possible the Government get back

around the table with the sector to

find unacceptable long-term

solution?

I can assure my honourable

friend that we are working very hard

across Government with the

Department of Health and the

Department for community in local

government to continue our

discussions at the Treasury about

possible solutions to the long-term

viability of certain providers.

I welcome the Government's efforts

to try and find a permanent solution

to sleeping shifts. But the

situation has arisen from a changing

guidance around employment tribunal

in 2014. Do not be sensible to

consider revisiting the decision to

return legislation to the

pre-tribunal situation?

We have made

clear that we expect all employers

to pay all employees in accordance

with national law. This issue has

been subject to a number of cases.

Even if we were to do as my

honourable friend suggests, which we

certainly will not be revisiting

legislation, even if we were to, it

would not have impact on workers'

eligibility prehistoric backpay.

This week is living wage week. Some

sectors in the UK are better

predisposed to pay these wages than

others. But the cost of living

rising applies to all. What will the

Minister do to require all sectors

to sign up as living wage employers?

I applaud this work, but the crucial

role we have to play is danger HMRC

have the resources to enforce the

minimum wage where it needs in

forcing. That is our priority,

although I respect, obviously, the

work done by the National Living

Wage fund.

Number 16.

As my

honourable friends will know, the

Libyan programme cost in the region

of £15 billion. The questions in

association with employing this

technology in the marine

environments, all programmes had to

begin with the following in mind,

the possible contribution to the

green economy.

The Hendry review was

to limit on time by a distinguished

former Conservative energy minister

who started a sceptic and edit a

conference, strongly recommending

the Government but ahead with a

pilot project. Although we would not

want to see the current rush into

decisions, what is my friend think

of the chances of a formal response

before the first anniversary of this

review in January? Whitty agree with

me that the budget is an excellent

opportunity for a positive

announcements?

My honourable friend

may be frustrated. I know the

Government has yet to respond to the

review, but this is a complex issue

and we need to make sure we make the

right decision. We will be

publishing our response in due

course.

Number one, Mr Speaker.

Since we last met, my ministerial

colleagues and I have brought

forward three major pieces of

legislation to the house, a draft

bill to cut consumer energy prices,

new laws to make sure every home and

business will be offered a smart

meter and a nuclear safeguards bill

to maintain our safeguards as we

lead the EU. We continue to develop

new policy which will benefit in the

scissors and wider society. We are

publishing today eight call on the

independent review of energy. We are

tackling climate change through the

queen growth strategy. And can I

take this opportunity to invite all

members and all sides of the House

to join with us and celebrating

Small-business Saturday, Keisuke Is

Coming Up In December.

Is The

Secretary Of State Concerned That

Almost Half Of The Net Jobs Created

In The Uk In Receiver Since 2010 Are

In London And The South East?

I

thought the honourable gentleman

would welcome that jobs are being

created in all parts of the united

Quay. We have the highest level of

employment since records began. This

is a signal of the UK economy. He's

absolutely right that we want to

make sure every part of the UK which

is the height of prosperity is is

capable of. Through the industrial

strategy will have more to say about

how we can propel that forward.

Businesses in my constituency and

across the West Midlands need the

investment and skills to write and

flourish. I wandered the most could

update me on what work Government is

doing in that regard?

We are

investing in a world-class technical

education system, growing

apprenticeships and introducing

levels for teenagers. Were

investigating to create technology

across all regions and £80 million

for specialist national colleges to

deliver a higher technical

education.

Last week, the Secretary

of State repeatedly refused to

confirm, when pressed by the Select

Committee, that the energy price cap

would be in place by next winter.

Media reports have also suggested

that the Government has already told

energy investors that draft

legislation would be ditched in it

feels the big six power firms are

doing a enough to tackle high bills.

I therefore ask the Minister that he

will today provide a clear answer

whether the energy price cap will be

in place by Winter 2018, and if not,

whether the suggested media reports

are true that there is no intention

of introducing a cat?

I can assure

you there are every attention of

introducing a cab. There is

consensus around it. It is being

scrutinised by the Select Committee.

As soon as they have finished with

that scrutiny, we will introduce

into the House.

I'm are afraid that

answers of the grade D, ambiguity,

Mr Speaker, so let's try a different

topic. The Government scheme to deal

with the social care back payment

announced on the 1st of November has

been cited inadequate by many care

businesses and organisations as it

does not address that many

providers, can't afford to pay, due

to funding cuts, nor will some

workers be paid what they are Giulio

until the 31st of March 2000 19.

Many can state that they will be

reluctant to take part in the scheme

as the field they will be writing

their own suicide note. I therefore

ask the Secretary of State for the

Government commit to the necessary

funding in the budget to avert a

crisis in the care sector which

would see many businesses struggle

to survive, impacting and already

graduate -- impacting already

fragile care services?

I think the

honourable lady knows this is a

difficult and complex issue. We

completely accept with the needs

that we should have confidence among

the providers of care to some of the

most honourable people on society

was recognising the legitimate claim

that has been upheld by the courts

of those that have worked in that

sector. Bringing those two together

requires precision and care so that

its robust and does not create

further uncertainty if it were found

to be not legally possible to

advance eight. That is why the

interim proposal has been made. But

I am very happy to keep the

honourable lady informed.

Mr

Speaker, yesterday afternoon we had

an excellent debate in this chamber

about the benefits of EEA and editor

membership, with mail those on both

sides of the chamber supporting our

continues membership. I don't expect

my honourable friend to pass comment

on his own views on this matter, but

I do know he will be Sir Reg Empey

the best interests of British

business. To that end, witty

undertake in the negotiations he is

word to make sure all options are

kept open as to how we get a Brexit

deal, and that includes the EEA and

Efta.

I do represent very strongly

the views of the business duty,

because they are absolutely vital

for our continued prosperity as a

country. I think the whole of the

business community, and the vast

majority of members elected to this

House, were elected on a platform

and a manifesto of getting the best

possible deal for the United

Kingdom. I will be tireless and

pressing the case for that.

After

years of the SNB lobbying this

department wants to review limited

partnerships. While we welcome that,

in light of the categories are those

papers, many members will be forced

to reveal their own's identities.

When will this Government publish

the full findings of the review?

At

the International anti-corruption

society last year, we committed to

an ownership of overseas companies

review, and we have evidence this

April, and calls for evidence are

being analysed and we will publish a

response that provides to

legislation in due course.

Geezer

helms recently published cost of

energy review has shown that the

cost had fallen contrary to the

modelling of both the Department and

committee for climate change. He

states that no matter their

intentions, regulators are rubbish

are predicting energy prices. So my

writer friend agreed to the draft

Bill's absolute energy cap with

repeat these same mistakes and

should be replaced instead was

something more closely linked to the

few competitive energy prices that

exist already instead?

Are you know

what a great campaigner my

honourable friend has been on this

issue. We have published a paper on

our intentions, I hope he will give

scrutiny to that bill and we are

eager to hear his views on the

Select Committee's views as to

whether they agree with his

analysis.

Does the Secretary of

State accept that the true test of

his industrial strategy will be how

the Government intervene into

directing jobs when companies such

as BAE Systems, Bombardier or box

office crisis?

I agree with him that

the Government and I had my

mysterious team should be and are

active in securing investments

opportunities and employment by UK

companies and international

companies investing in the UK. I do

that tirelessly. In the case of

Ellesmere Port, we have had

discussions with Peugeot. They are

as interested as we are in the

investment in a new generation of

vehicles will

stop. I am working

closely with the greater

Lincolnshire partnership who will

shortly publish a report detailing

areas in which every structure in

Lincolnshire requires investment.

One problem is that Western power is

prevented from making speculative

investments by Jen. , right

honourable friend tell me why there

is as apparent barrier to investment

and what he can do to help?

Can

recommend the honourable lady for

the work they are doing and will it

forward to seeing that report and

having economic grooves.

Net present

value is the economic measurement

generally held to hold the most

robust assessment of all cost and

benefits of any proposed major

infrastructure projects. Some of the

Government ever support and major

infrastructure projects that would

have become purely to have a

negative net economic benefit.

One

of the things this House has

correctly required of the Government

is that we should take into account

the impact on local economies, on

small businesses, that is something

that has changed in the guidance for

impact. I think it was right to do

so.

On the 100th anniversary of the

commonest revolution introducing the

system that impoverished and

imprisoned tens of millions, what is

is department doing to promote the

benefits of free markets for

workers, consumers and society as a

whole?

The history and reputation of

this country, during the last 100

years, but especially during the

last decade, has been the more that

we have in this country, a system of

vigorous competition in which

businesses compete not because they

are guaranteed a position by the

state, but because they face

pressure from competitors, that has

introduced its from a prosperity

that would be throwing away where we

to adopt a different system, such as

that proposed 100 years ago.

,

Secretary of State given assurance

about is department's amendments and

force the national minimum wage in

the maritime sector, and can he give

reasons why heads officials have

been unable to attend meetings of

cross departments all legal

framework?

The honourable gentleman

raises of what point in regards to

the national minimum wage and

seafarers. It is one were looking

into and I will write to him with

the latest position.

This week is

offshore wind week, and the wind is

renewable sector is vitally

important to my constituency. Many

young people are training to secure

jobs in the industry. It has been

highlighted that the apprentice

advent that will shortly be

beginning here. What ongoing support

for the Government give to young

people entering the industry?

The honourable gentleman likely to

celebrate the fact that we have had

a fall in the price of offshore wind

recently showing that in this case

it did actually work as really for

two further investment in the

industry and are working with the

sector on a sector deal that will

have the address the issue of

skilled and apprenticeships. It's a

vital industry with much more to do

and much more growth to come.

Thank

you. Last year, a tumble dryer

caused a fire at Shepherd's Bush

Green have to whirlpool told

customers it will save to keep using

them contrary to advice from the

Fire Brigade. There are still 1

million of these densely deadly

tumble dryers and people's homes.

What does the Secretary of State

think about that? Will they be

recall this not? Yellow vacuum

Government text product safety can

be seriously and established a

working group on product recall than

safety was reported in July we will

respond very shortly but who are

already taking action in the areas

that have given her course of

concern.

I would point out that will

pool have managed to withdraw now or

modify those machines. To an

unprecedented degree over 2 million

machines.

The Secretary of State

will be aware that Moody's bid to be

the location of the spaceport is

backed by organisations right across

goal will including the business

community and local authority. Gucci

update you as an what progress is

being made in this very important

development for the UK space sector.

I will, he is a great champion for

the development in Newquay? -- in

Newquay and analysis will be made

soon.

The Secretary of State will

know the Red Arrows fly hawksbill at

Ross and they are great ambassadors

for aeronautical engineering and

attracting export orders. With the

production line under threat and

including those skilled jobs, is it

time the Government renewed the

contract to the new the Hawks for

the Red Arrows and keep most

importantly sovereign capability in

this country?

A great advocate for

this and we are going to do all they

can to ensure the future for that

entirely company to get the receives

orders they need.

When will be get a

reply to the modern economy

crashing?, working on the response

time they will publish the response

to the Taylor review recommendations

before the year end. Changes to the

trading system register are likely

to invalidate UK issued carbon

allowances from the start of next

year. These measures which are being

brought about by Brexit will have a

significant impact on the steel

industry. Could the minister let us

know what contingency measures are

being taken to mitigate this impact

in the event that an agreement

cannot be reached with the European

Commission on this issue in time?

The gentleman is right to raise this

important issue, you will be

reassured to know there is active

conversation going on between my

department and the European

Commission. That is worst-case

scenario and they are sure we will

not reach it.

The other Conservative

members standing have been heard but

we do have not heard from Mrs

Powell.

Thank you, you may be aware

that 2017 is likely to be declared

in the top 31 years on record was up

with that in mind -- warmest years

on record. Sticking to our carbon

commitment is more important than

ever. What objectives are there for

the climate conference and what will

consolidate us as global leaders?

Can I first of all commend the

honourable lady for her tireless

advocacy, leadership any

Conservative environment network and

the work she does on behalf of

constituents, they are very lucky.

She and I urge any to continue a

global leadership role and I think

the headline objective for this

conference is to make everyone aware

that there is no going back on the

Paris agreement. We want managing to

accelerate. We will be using the

conference to announce some further

investment and approaches and the UK

is taking it to push our world

leadership for what will stop if you

can make take you more days, I'm

sure she will celebrate them with

you and me make them.

The committee

on climate change in a range of

respected experts all point out that

the existing clean growth strategy

will fail on the fifth carbon budget

as well as the Paris commitment. The

Minister must have some additional

measures in mind. What are they?

The

committee on climate change said it

was one of the most wide-ranging set

of policies that had ever been put

forward and the budget as he knows

and in ten and 15 years. We are on

track to and lead to achieve 94 and