0:00:08 > 0:00:12Good morning and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the
0:00:12 > 0:00:16House of Commons. In an hour's time the Labour MP Harriet Harman will
0:00:16 > 0:00:20ask an urgent question about the resignation of the Chairman of Kings
0:00:20 > 0:00:25College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Lord Kerslake resigned at the
0:00:25 > 0:00:29weekend, criticising what he called the unrealistic approach to NHS
0:00:29 > 0:00:33finances. If you're counting, you will know that today is day six of
0:00:33 > 0:00:36detailed consideration of the European Union withdrawal bill. The
0:00:36 > 0:00:41focus will be on so-called Henry VIII powers which will allow people
0:00:41 > 0:00:47to marry six times... I'm which will allow ministers to change aspects of
0:00:47 > 0:00:50EU law as they are incorporated into EU law. The government have accepted
0:00:50 > 0:00:56a proposal for MPs to scrutinise the executive powers granted by the
0:00:56 > 0:01:00legislation. Join me and Mandy Bakker for a round-up of the day at
0:01:00 > 0:01:0511pm. First, questions to the Business Secretary, Greg Clark.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer this question together
0:01:14 > 0:01:22with questions 11, 12 and 13. Almost all will melt's 142,000 staff are on
0:01:22 > 0:01:28permanent contracts -- Royal Mail's. And earn above the living wage.
0:01:28 > 0:01:34Employees owns 12% of its shares and at times it has been the times top
0:01:34 > 0:01:36employer for women for four consecutive years. The government
0:01:36 > 0:01:41will protect workers are rights to make sure that it will keep pace
0:01:41 > 0:01:45with the changing labour markets. Today's postal workers, I'm sure
0:01:45 > 0:01:50this House will like to thank all postal workers. For the good work
0:01:50 > 0:01:54they do all year round, six days a week and all kinds of weather across
0:01:54 > 0:02:03the UK. Royal Mail was not for sale. The privatisation, they face worst
0:02:03 > 0:02:06pay and conditions and attacks on pensions with the threat of more job
0:02:06 > 0:02:11losses. Will the Minister renationalise the Royal Mail?
0:02:13 > 0:02:18I would like to start by hardly agreeing with the Right honourable
0:02:18 > 0:02:23gentleman, the honourable gentleman's celebration of our
0:02:23 > 0:02:28postal workers today. They will deliver, as he says, in all weather,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32229 million addresses across the country over the festive season. I
0:02:32 > 0:02:39can't agree with that renationalisation is the answer. --
0:02:39 > 0:02:47to 29 million. Royal Mail are in negotiations with the CWU. I can
0:02:47 > 0:02:53assure him that it would be a great loss to the postal workers, let's
0:02:53 > 0:02:59not forget, they own 12%...We have a lot to get through, please be more
0:02:59 > 0:03:03brisk.I refer to my registered members interest. Does the Minister
0:03:03 > 0:03:06accept that as postal workers drudge through the snow this morning they
0:03:06 > 0:03:10have a right to be aggrieved at losing their pension? Moira Greene
0:03:10 > 0:03:14gets paid £1.9 million and three flights paid by the Royal Mail to
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Canada.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23I disagree with the honourable gentleman. The pension scheme, if it
0:03:23 > 0:03:28were left unchanged, would result in virtual bankruptcy for the Royal
0:03:28 > 0:03:36Mail. It would require injections of £1.3 billion annually. Against
0:03:36 > 0:03:38profitability of approximately 700 million. I think it can do the maths
0:03:38 > 0:03:40himself.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47The Royal Mail is paying out over 200 million dividends every year to
0:03:47 > 0:03:51private shareholders, last year the chief executive saw her pay increase
0:03:51 > 0:03:55by 23%, how can this government stand by a model of ownership that
0:03:55 > 0:04:00sees postal workers pay being frozen and pensions unaffordable.In fact,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04I understand that the Royal Mail's offer of pay increases to their
0:04:04 > 0:04:08workforce is far from frozen. I don't really propose to comment much
0:04:08 > 0:04:13further than to say that the figures that the honourable gentleman refers
0:04:13 > 0:04:19to are misleading. Because they go way beyond the base salary of the
0:04:19 > 0:04:25Chief Executive. They include performance related benefits. Which
0:04:25 > 0:04:29are in line with a position of that stature.The Minister may judge that
0:04:29 > 0:04:33the figures are misleading but I am sure she wouldn't suggest that the
0:04:33 > 0:04:35honourable gentleman would deliberately mislead the house.I
0:04:35 > 0:04:42certainly wouldn't.In a privatise Royal Mail we have seen 500 jobs
0:04:42 > 0:04:47lost while at the same time the Royal Mail has dished out close to
0:04:47 > 0:04:55700 million in dividends to private shareholders. Is this privatisation
0:04:55 > 0:04:59the Minister is proud of?As I said earlier, the Royal Mail contribute
0:04:59 > 0:05:05£400 million a year to the pension scheme. They have provided access to
0:05:05 > 0:05:10capital, following privatisation of 1.5 billion. They have converted
0:05:10 > 0:05:13losses of 49 million into profits of over 700 million, I would say that
0:05:13 > 0:05:18is a pretty successful record.Does the Minister agree that regardless
0:05:18 > 0:05:21of ownership, Royal Mail me to continue to modernise and become
0:05:21 > 0:05:27more efficient because it operates in a competitive marketplace.A good
0:05:27 > 0:05:32point. When it was privatised, Amazon was one of Royal Mail's
0:05:32 > 0:05:36biggest customers. Amazon now is one of its biggest competitors. My
0:05:36 > 0:05:41honourable friend is absolutely right. More investment required in
0:05:41 > 0:05:44technology and in modernisation. For Royal Mail to maintain its market
0:05:44 > 0:05:49share.The posties in Kettering worked extremely hard all year round
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and do a tremendous job, especially at Christmas. For your average
0:05:52 > 0:05:57postal worker, what is the value of their individual stake in the Royal
0:05:57 > 0:06:03Mail now worth?I can confirm to my honourable friend that the workforce
0:06:03 > 0:06:08owns 12% of the Royal Mail. By Factor that the leadership of the
0:06:08 > 0:06:11party opposite should consider as it contemplates a round of
0:06:11 > 0:06:18nationalisation.Thank you Mr Speaker. All the evidence is that
0:06:18 > 0:06:20the employment standards in Royal Mail add more widely have been
0:06:20 > 0:06:24driven down. Including job losses and cuts to pensions. Is she
0:06:24 > 0:06:27seriously argue that employment standards today are higher than they
0:06:27 > 0:06:33were at the point of privatisation? The honourable gentleman should
0:06:33 > 0:06:36accept that Royal Mail needs to maintain its position in the
0:06:36 > 0:06:41marketplace. It already has employment conditions that are the
0:06:41 > 0:06:45envy of delivery workers for its competition.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Royal Mail employs a significant number of people in the northern
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Scotland and protecting those jobs and the universal service they is
0:06:52 > 0:06:58vital. Particularly when according to citizens advice Scotland more
0:06:58 > 0:07:01than 1 million Scots face surcharges, like delivery or refused
0:07:01 > 0:07:06delivery altogether when you buy goods online. Will the Secretary of
0:07:06 > 0:07:09State committed to protecting those Royal Mail jobs and confirm a review
0:07:09 > 0:07:12into de-radicalisation of prices for parcels to support our rural
0:07:12 > 0:07:18communities?-- into renationalisation. Royal Mail is
0:07:18 > 0:07:23regulated by off, which is a benefit to everybody involved in the
0:07:23 > 0:07:29service. -- Ofcom. Universal postal service does provide a parcel
0:07:29 > 0:07:33service and companies have to have regard to fairness in their delivery
0:07:33 > 0:07:44charges. Also, failure to be clear to customers prior to booking --
0:07:44 > 0:07:48bookings also breach consumer protection.Mr Speaker, today marks
0:07:48 > 0:07:53postal workers' day when we thank our posties for their hard work and
0:07:53 > 0:07:57determination in providing this key public service. Not the party
0:07:57 > 0:08:01opposite will take notice, because in a privatise Royal Mail service we
0:08:01 > 0:08:06have seen 12,000 job losses and proposals to slash pensions by 45%.
0:08:06 > 0:08:12Such is a classic case of one rule for the rich and one for the rest.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17Royal Mail has paid out 70 million in evidence to private shareholders
0:08:17 > 0:08:22and that is only in the last six months. Does the Minister stand by
0:08:22 > 0:08:25the government's decision to privatise the Royal Mail? -- 70
0:08:25 > 0:08:32million in dividends.I stand by it 100%. Royal Mail would have had no
0:08:32 > 0:08:38future had it not been privatised. Number two Mr Speaker.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46Doctor Greg Clark.Two weeks ago I announced the location for the new
0:08:46 > 0:08:48national Faraday battery scaler facility which will be built in
0:08:48 > 0:08:53Coventry. The same day, Jaguar Land Rover announced their intention to
0:08:53 > 0:08:56produce battery electric vehicles in the West Midlands, bringing the
0:08:56 > 0:09:00region to the forefront of modern mobility in the United Kingdom.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, public trust in this
0:09:07 > 0:09:10exciting technology is key to making the most of the opportunities it
0:09:10 > 0:09:13presents. Can my right honourable friend therefore tell me what
0:09:13 > 0:09:18discussions he has had with industry to combat the Luddites and dispel
0:09:18 > 0:09:23the mythical fears that are being promoted against this exciting
0:09:23 > 0:09:26technology?My honourable friend makes an excellent point, a part of
0:09:26 > 0:09:30the programme is to have test-beds to demonstrate these new
0:09:30 > 0:09:33technologies. They will be open to the public to see for themselves.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39They will begin in Milton Keynes, Greenwich, Bristol and in Coventry.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I would say that people are experiencing these technologies
0:09:43 > 0:09:48through sat nav, cruise control, automatic parking. The increasing
0:09:48 > 0:09:50exposure to these technologies, I hope, will demonstrate their
0:09:50 > 0:09:56benefits.The Secretary of State mentioned Jaguar Land Rover, he will
0:09:56 > 0:09:59be aware that Bridgend, which neighbours my constituency, are
0:09:59 > 0:10:03pulling out of their contract early. As he had conversations with Ford
0:10:03 > 0:10:07about possibly looking at, versions of airlines to produce electric
0:10:07 > 0:10:11batteries for electric cars?I am seeing the European head of Ford
0:10:11 > 0:10:15immediately after the these questions and it is to discuss the
0:10:15 > 0:10:19fact that they have based their new developments of electric and
0:10:19 > 0:10:22autonomous vehicles in Britain.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27But has the potential to be a world leader in developing the new
0:10:27 > 0:10:30regulatory standards that will govern electric and autonomous
0:10:30 > 0:10:33vehicles, will you work with industry and other departments to
0:10:33 > 0:10:36make sure that Britain leads the world to adopt our standards?I will
0:10:36 > 0:10:40indeed. The Industrial Strategy makes clear that being at the
0:10:40 > 0:10:43forefront of the regular tree standards for these new technologies
0:10:43 > 0:10:47gives us a big advantage. -- regulatory standards. We have this
0:10:47 > 0:10:51bill before Parliament to establish before most other countries to make
0:10:51 > 0:10:56sure we can progress with these technologies.Does the Secretary of
0:10:56 > 0:11:01State know there has been no impact assessment on this sector by anyone
0:11:01 > 0:11:05apart from the Rand Corporation that tells us that this sector and every
0:11:05 > 0:11:10other sector is going to be deeply harmed by Brexit even for Europe,
0:11:10 > 0:11:15what does he say to that very important thorough investigation?
0:11:15 > 0:11:19The honourable gentleman knows I have constant continuous discussions
0:11:19 > 0:11:23for the sectors that I am responsible including the automotive
0:11:23 > 0:11:27sector. As part of our negotiating mandate, we will get the best
0:11:27 > 0:11:32possible deal. What we saw in the agreement that was achieved in
0:11:32 > 0:11:38Brussels last week, including the transitional phase, was something
0:11:38 > 0:11:41that automotive sector pressed for in particular. That has now been
0:11:41 > 0:11:47agreed by both parties.Question number three, Mr Speaker.Secretary
0:11:47 > 0:11:48of state.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55We know the best way to improve our productivity is by investing in
0:11:55 > 0:11:59research and develop it, proving the level of skills in our workforce,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01upgrading our infrastructure, creating an attractive environment
0:12:01 > 0:12:06for new and growing businesses and making sure that every grace in the
0:12:06 > 0:12:10-- every place in the country can prosper. That is what the Industrial
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Strategy does.Given our productivity has been far worse than
0:12:14 > 0:12:19any other G-7 country apart from Italy, does the secretary of state
0:12:19 > 0:12:23admit that the public investment figures in the revised Industrial
0:12:23 > 0:12:30Strategy is far below leading OECD nations?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33If the honourable gentleman reads the strategy, he will see that there
0:12:33 > 0:12:38is a commitment to have the biggest increase in research and development
0:12:38 > 0:12:42with private sector and public sector that we've ever had in this
0:12:42 > 0:12:46country. It's been the foundation of our success and I hope he will join
0:12:46 > 0:12:55me in welcoming the progress we are making.Productivity in the
0:12:55 > 0:12:59construction industry is a key requirement of building houses. How
0:12:59 > 0:13:03will the Secretary of State ensure quality in on and off site bills for
0:13:03 > 0:13:12the 1.7 billion investment for construction?I'm glad my honourable
0:13:12 > 0:13:15friend mentions that because construction is one of the areas in
0:13:15 > 0:13:19which there are big opportunities and as part of the industrial
0:13:19 > 0:13:23strategy it has a sector deal which has been concluded and
0:13:23 > 0:13:28representatives of the sector have said that this is a major
0:13:28 > 0:13:33opportunity, especially in off-site manufacturing.The Secretary of
0:13:33 > 0:13:36State has just touched on the sector deals that the Government and
0:13:36 > 0:13:41agreeing with different sectors of the economy. Some of the sectors of
0:13:41 > 0:13:43the economy with the laws productivity Lake regional,
0:13:43 > 0:13:48hospitality and social care don't have a sector deals yet if we closed
0:13:48 > 0:13:52the productivity gap in those sectors, we would boost productivity
0:13:52 > 0:13:57overall compared with our main competitors. What is the Government
0:13:57 > 0:14:03doing to obtain sector deals in those sectors?She is right that the
0:14:03 > 0:14:07opportunity for sector deals goes to many sectors of the economy
0:14:07 > 0:14:10including those that she mentioned will stop we had already in
0:14:10 > 0:14:15discussions with many of these sectors like food and drink and the
0:14:15 > 0:14:24hospitality sector. We expect to see every sector deals included. --
0:14:24 > 0:14:29early sector deals.The life science sector deal has already triggered 1
0:14:29 > 0:14:34billion of new investment. Would you agree the key is to negotiate a
0:14:34 > 0:14:39Brexit deal that avoids a cliff edge but gives us the regulatory freedom
0:14:39 > 0:14:44that allows us to continue in the data of tomorrow's medicine?I do
0:14:44 > 0:14:48agree and I would like to congratulate my honourable friend as
0:14:48 > 0:14:52the life sciences minister who saw the opportunities for this strategic
0:14:52 > 0:14:56approach and I think he is being honoured this week for his
0:14:56 > 0:15:00contribution to promoting science in Parliament so I can graduate him on
0:15:00 > 0:15:06that. He is absolutely right, we do need to build on these successes.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11The life sciences sector deal is an indication that a long-term strategy
0:15:11 > 0:15:15can have immediate benefits and we have had over £1 billion of
0:15:15 > 0:15:18investment on the basis of the confidence that the sector has in
0:15:18 > 0:15:30the strategy we have set out.With a few notable exceptions, we would
0:15:30 > 0:15:34agree technology has improved the productivity of this House but the
0:15:34 > 0:15:39same is not true of the country. Productivity has stagnated since
0:15:39 > 0:15:482010 and Burgess 25% less in an hour than the Germans and French -- 20 --
0:15:48 > 0:15:52we produce 25% less. Last week the Chancellor tried to blame disabled
0:15:52 > 0:15:57workers but it is as one budget which feels to invest in science and
0:15:57 > 0:16:02productivity until 2021 so will the Secretary of State and that it is
0:16:02 > 0:16:05his ideological austerity which fails to invest in our engines of
0:16:05 > 0:16:11economic growth, which is the real handicap here?I don't agree with
0:16:11 > 0:16:13the honourable lady and if she reads the industrial strategy she will see
0:16:13 > 0:16:19the biggest increase in investment in science and innovation has been
0:16:19 > 0:16:25triggered by this. It has been welcomed by all parties across the
0:16:25 > 0:16:30country and it would be helpful if she would recognise what many other
0:16:30 > 0:16:37countries have benefited from, which is a strong national commitment to
0:16:37 > 0:16:41improving investment in productivity such as size and investment and
0:16:41 > 0:16:53overseas investments.Question four, Mr Speaker. With your permission, I
0:16:53 > 0:17:00will ask this with question 18. Over one third of projects are located in
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Scotland. In October we announced plans to allow wind projects from
0:17:04 > 0:17:09the remote Islands of Scotland to compete in the next auction. We have
0:17:09 > 0:17:15submitted a notification to the European Union of our plans.My
0:17:15 > 0:17:19constituency has much going for it including an abundance of wind and
0:17:19 > 0:17:23water making it ideal for renewable projects so what will the Government
0:17:23 > 0:17:26do to provide revenue support to renewable energy companies during
0:17:26 > 0:17:34the innovation period while they work to bring down costs?I'm sure
0:17:34 > 0:17:37the honourable gentleman has read the industrial strategy but if he
0:17:37 > 0:17:45hasn't I would recommend he does so. This is covered extensively.In the
0:17:45 > 0:17:48EU, we have benefited from funding from the European investment bank
0:17:48 > 0:17:54which has contributed to the development of renewable energy in
0:17:54 > 0:18:00Scotland including £525 billion for wind farm projects in Caithness. Can
0:18:00 > 0:18:02the Secretary of State we are sure that the UK will continue to
0:18:02 > 0:18:06participate and have access to the capital provided by the European
0:18:06 > 0:18:15investment bank after Brexit? As the honourable lady said, the
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Government is totally committed to renewables and overall investment in
0:18:19 > 0:18:24getting a carbon free environment and it has been very successful over
0:18:24 > 0:18:30the last few years.Can the Minister confirm that up to £570 million will
0:18:30 > 0:18:34be made available for less established new electricity project
0:18:34 > 0:18:37as part of the clean growth strategy and that projects in Scotland will
0:18:37 > 0:18:45be able to compete for the shin of this fund? -- share of this fund.My
0:18:45 > 0:18:48honourable friend is right in what he says and it is an important part
0:18:48 > 0:18:55of the industrial strategy.Does my honourable friend agree that key to
0:18:55 > 0:19:04this is policy settings it so that our green companies can finance this
0:19:04 > 0:19:08themselves rather than relying on Government subsidy?I agree with my
0:19:08 > 0:19:11honourable friend and I am impressed with the way the finance industry is
0:19:11 > 0:19:22adapting towards the clean projects ahead of us.In order to get green
0:19:22 > 0:19:27renewables, it will require support from the Government. Renewables UK
0:19:27 > 0:19:29have but power purchase agreements. What viewed as the Government take
0:19:29 > 0:19:41of that?We are studying this proposition very carefully.Question
0:19:41 > 0:19:46five, it is important that this much-needed report gets the
0:19:46 > 0:19:50consideration it deserves and that we take action when needed. In the
0:19:50 > 0:19:54industrial strategy, the Secretary of State took responsibility of
0:19:54 > 0:19:58improving quality of work in the UK and continued an important dialogue
0:19:58 > 0:20:06on this issue. We will publish our full response shortly.The TUC
0:20:06 > 0:20:10report for 3.2 million people are now insecure work, an increase of
0:20:10 > 0:20:15more than a quarter over the last five years, will the Minister accept
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Martin Taylor's recommendation endorsed by the select committee
0:20:19 > 0:20:24that a longer break in service, a month rather than a week as a
0:20:24 > 0:20:28present, should be allowed before there is any loss of employment
0:20:28 > 0:20:33rights?That'll be something that we consult on as we will be consulting
0:20:33 > 0:20:37on the vast majority of other proposals in the Taylor review. It
0:20:37 > 0:20:43does acknowledge the excellent track record of employment in terms of new
0:20:43 > 0:20:49jobs but as he rightly points out and the TUC endorses, there is an
0:20:49 > 0:20:55issue with insecure work and far too much risk being transferred to the
0:20:55 > 0:21:00employee.The Taylor review says the same basic principles should apply
0:21:00 > 0:21:05to all forms of employment in the UK but does my honourable friend see
0:21:05 > 0:21:10page time off for women attending antenatal appointments as a basic
0:21:10 > 0:21:14principle and does she agree that for health reasons the law needs to
0:21:14 > 0:21:20clearly extend that principle to all female workers?I thank the
0:21:20 > 0:21:23honourable lady for her question, excellent question. We will review
0:21:23 > 0:21:28the matter as she raises in tandem with the rest of the review of
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Taylor's recommendations but she does make a very good point indeed.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38I welcome the Government last week having their latest round of naming
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and shaming employers that had failed to properly pay the minimum
0:21:41 > 0:21:45wage. One area were state enforcement has had some success.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50Can I urge her to respond positively to the Taylor review recommendations
0:21:50 > 0:21:55that says it should be enhanced beyond just the minimum wage?
0:21:55 > 0:22:00Indeed, we will consult on the remainder of those recommendations
0:22:00 > 0:22:04and in particular the recommendations Taylor made with the
0:22:04 > 0:22:16enforcement of awards that go unpaid.Insecure working practices
0:22:16 > 0:22:21at Uber enabled companies to engage in a pricing policy which drove out
0:22:21 > 0:22:25competition. What can the Government do to improve working practices for
0:22:25 > 0:22:31Uber and ensure further competition between taxis and private hire
0:22:31 > 0:22:38vehicles?It is important to maintain decent standards of
0:22:38 > 0:22:42employment and also to offer new opportunities to the consumer and we
0:22:42 > 0:22:48will be reviewing those proposals in light of those.Recent report
0:22:48 > 0:22:52uncovered that drivers on behalf of hammers on were forced to deliver up
0:22:52 > 0:22:59to 200 parcels a day -- on behalf of Amazon. Faced with impossible
0:22:59 > 0:23:02schedules that left little to no time for breaks and with no access
0:23:02 > 0:23:08to paid holiday or sick pay, many drivers experienced conditions that
0:23:08 > 0:23:13can only be described as Dickensian saw as another high-profile
0:23:13 > 0:23:17employment case emerges, why is the Government not taking robust action
0:23:17 > 0:23:19to crack down on bogus self-employment and enforce
0:23:19 > 0:23:25employment rights?The honourable lady put her finger on precisely why
0:23:25 > 0:23:30the Prime Minister commissioned the Taylor review in the first place.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35When employers are indulging in a sort of practices that she has just
0:23:35 > 0:23:39outlined, these practices will definitely have an effect on
0:23:39 > 0:23:48employees' health and they should be roundly condemned.It keeps hiding
0:23:48 > 0:23:52behind its forthcoming response to the Taylor review, but Sir David
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Metcalf, the Government's director of Labour market enforcement stated
0:23:56 > 0:24:00that even a Government's existing powders have not been used to
0:24:00 > 0:24:03protect workers despite numerous official statements that the
0:24:03 > 0:24:08Government has taken abuse by employers seriously. Only last week,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11the Government identified 16,000 workers pay below the minimum wage
0:24:11 > 0:24:17yet the low pay commission believes that the true peat figure is between
0:24:17 > 0:24:23300000 and 580,000 -- peat figure. I asked the minister, does she agree
0:24:23 > 0:24:26with Sir David Metcalfe that the Government's enforcement of basic
0:24:26 > 0:24:32employment rates is wholly inadequate?I await the publication
0:24:32 > 0:24:36of Sir David's strategy for dealing with Labour market enforcement which
0:24:36 > 0:24:41we expect in the first quarter of next year. He is doing a great job
0:24:41 > 0:24:45so far in ringing together the enforcement agencies that the
0:24:45 > 0:24:50Government has at its disposal to make sure that they were even more
0:24:50 > 0:24:53effectively -- work even more effectively in the pursuit of
0:24:53 > 0:24:59noncompliance with law.We are leading the world by ending unabated
0:24:59 > 0:25:05coal generation in Great Britain by 2025 and a consultation document
0:25:05 > 0:25:11last year set out on estimates that this could guarantee savings up to
0:25:11 > 0:25:18124 million tonnes of carbon dioxide between 2016 and 2030.Further
0:25:18 > 0:25:22exploration of the North Sea for oil gas which was given a boost in the
0:25:22 > 0:25:26budget, gas is a law emitter of greenhouse gases and is a better
0:25:26 > 0:25:29alternative to call. Will the Minister give oil and gas particular
0:25:29 > 0:25:37focus in developing the industrial strategy?Absolutely, the White
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Paper sets out that oil and gas remain one of the most productive
0:25:41 > 0:25:45sets of the economy and it's the intelligent use of the sector's
0:25:45 > 0:25:47assets and expertise and we would like to thank my honourable friend
0:25:47 > 0:25:52for joining me in a visit to Aberdeen where we saw exactly what
0:25:52 > 0:25:59the prospects were for the green economy that this kind of sweating
0:25:59 > 0:26:08assets that have but started -- that have already started.The lack of
0:26:08 > 0:26:14ambition shown by this UK Government is starting. Can I ask whether the
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Secretary of State will confirm that Welsh wind projects will be eligible
0:26:18 > 0:26:23for any future contracts for difference in the same way he has
0:26:23 > 0:26:29confirmed this for Scotland?Yes, the honourable lady should be aware
0:26:29 > 0:26:32that this country is leading the world in the development of clean
0:26:32 > 0:26:46energy.The good people of Froome in my constituency are leading the way
0:26:46 > 0:26:53for a carbon free economy, we have plans for 2026 with all the energy
0:26:53 > 0:26:57provided by renewable sources so can I invite the Minister Secretary of
0:26:57 > 0:27:00State to Froome in Somerset to hear this story first-hand and see how
0:27:00 > 0:27:06these being realised.The honourable gentleman, my honourable friend,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09should be reassured nothing would please me more than coming to
0:27:09 > 0:27:14Somerset to see the work that he has done locally, but the clean growth
0:27:14 > 0:27:17sector sets out how the UK is leading the world in carbon
0:27:17 > 0:27:23emissions and we have set out £2.5 billion to be invested by the
0:27:23 > 0:27:30Government for no carbon innovation between 2015 and 2021.
0:27:30 > 0:27:39We very much hope the red carpet will be rolled out.Major banks have
0:27:39 > 0:27:42lent a £630 billion to build new coal power stations across the
0:27:42 > 0:27:44world. Many of them in our competitor countries. What
0:27:44 > 0:27:51assessment has key made of the cost of electricity for businesses in the
0:27:51 > 0:27:55UK and their competitiveness and does he not recognise that our
0:27:55 > 0:27:59attempts to save the world while the rest of the world is building power
0:27:59 > 0:28:04stations fuelled by coal only damages our own economy?The
0:28:04 > 0:28:07honourable gentleman is probably aware that we commissioned the helm
0:28:07 > 0:28:10review to look at the different costs of energy. We believe in a
0:28:10 > 0:28:17mixed strategy for energy. He must also understand the employment and
0:28:17 > 0:28:22economic advantages that the development of alternative energy
0:28:22 > 0:28:25sources develops quite apart from the actual carbon free advantages of
0:28:25 > 0:28:32them.Would my honourable friend agree that notwithstanding his
0:28:32 > 0:28:35comments, wind energy requires a subsidy, it also requires the
0:28:35 > 0:28:40National Grid to be realigned. And it also requires extra money for
0:28:40 > 0:28:43back-up sources when the wind isn't blowing. Does this not actually mean
0:28:43 > 0:28:47that the electricity will be far more expensive than that which is
0:28:47 > 0:28:50produced by gas or coal?
0:28:52 > 0:29:00The actual facts are that the... Tell him his role!There is lots of
0:29:00 > 0:29:04chuntering from a sedentary position, Mr Speaker. I will not
0:29:04 > 0:29:07take any notice of it. LAUGHTER I will like to answer the question
0:29:07 > 0:29:12if you will allow me. Yes. The honourable gentleman should know
0:29:12 > 0:29:17that the cost of renewable energy is coming down and down. Offshore wind
0:29:17 > 0:29:21farms, for example, have halved in price since the first... The
0:29:21 > 0:29:24opposition may interpret this to mean that my honourable friend is
0:29:24 > 0:29:28wrong. I would say he is not wrong but he needs further education on
0:29:28 > 0:29:30this subject. LAUGHTER I would be delighted to meet with
0:29:30 > 0:29:35him at any time to discuss it.What an enticing prospect for the
0:29:35 > 0:29:41honourable member for Monday.Number seven.-- honourable member for
0:29:41 > 0:29:45Monmouth.Through the Industrial Strategy we will drive over £20
0:29:45 > 0:29:48billion worth of investment in innovative and high-growth
0:29:48 > 0:29:53businesses. We will increase the national productivity investment
0:29:53 > 0:29:59fund to £31 billion. We are working to ensure that SMEs win more public
0:29:59 > 0:30:02sector contracts to enjoy the benefits of this investment.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07She will know that many local authorities have small-business
0:30:07 > 0:30:11relief, which could be used. Not all of them are using them. Could the
0:30:11 > 0:30:16minister say what the government could do to encourage these local
0:30:16 > 0:30:22authorities to benefit?The Department for Communities and Local
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Government have issued clear advice to councils that will enable them to
0:30:24 > 0:30:29calculate the relief that he refers to. That is payable in the current
0:30:29 > 0:30:34year to businesses. I urge them to pay heed to that advice and
0:30:34 > 0:30:41implement it. You may be interested to know that Merton Council has been
0:30:41 > 0:30:44allocated £459,000 worth of business rates discretionary relief in the
0:30:44 > 0:30:51current year.Many small businesses have been in catering and
0:30:51 > 0:30:55hospitality, we wish them well. When we leave a tip, we expect it to be
0:30:55 > 0:30:59paid to them, when will the Minister published the report on fair tips,
0:30:59 > 0:31:03so we can ensure that their workers get paid properly?
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Following the commissioning of the work we have done on tipping, an
0:31:09 > 0:31:14important issue, she rightly raises, we have put guidance out. We have
0:31:14 > 0:31:18publicised the issue. It is grossly unfair what is happening. I am glad
0:31:18 > 0:31:23to report their has been a significant improvement since we
0:31:23 > 0:31:26commissioned the review -- that there has been.Unfair trading
0:31:26 > 0:31:31practices used by big retailers have been identified as a factor in
0:31:31 > 0:31:36limiting the growth of small and new businesses, sublime to the groceries
0:31:36 > 0:31:41sector. Could the Minister reassure me. -- supplying to the. That the
0:31:41 > 0:31:45government will bring in proposals widening the remit of the
0:31:45 > 0:31:50adjudicator in response to this year's consultation.We will be
0:31:50 > 0:31:56publishing our response to this year's consultation on the future of
0:31:56 > 0:31:58the groceries trade adjudicator. I have committed to meeting my
0:31:58 > 0:32:02honourable friend to discuss it with the farming Minister and I look
0:32:02 > 0:32:06forward to that meeting.What business growth has been made
0:32:06 > 0:32:10difficult due to the decision of the Royal Bank of Scotland to close 269
0:32:10 > 0:32:15branches and has been described as a hammer blow by the FSB policy
0:32:15 > 0:32:18convenient in Scotland, saying this will make it more difficult to run a
0:32:18 > 0:32:25business in much of Scotland. Will the to working with the bank and her
0:32:25 > 0:32:27colleagues the Treasury to ensure that those businesses and the
0:32:27 > 0:32:30communities they serve are not left without the banking services they
0:32:30 > 0:32:34require?The honourable gentleman raises a crucial point. It is of
0:32:34 > 0:32:38concern to communities across the country. Whilst there is limited
0:32:38 > 0:32:42action the government can take about how banks run their businesses, what
0:32:42 > 0:32:46we have done is to work with the Post Office to enable the post
0:32:46 > 0:32:53office, through its national 11,600 branches to run a full complement...
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Despite having the fifth biggest economy in the world, soon to be the
0:33:00 > 0:33:07sixth, the UK is ranked only 48th in the global enterprise league. 48 out
0:33:07 > 0:33:10of five takes some doing. But it isn't just the lack of support for
0:33:10 > 0:33:17start-ups. Among SMEs, business confidence of falling and costs are
0:33:17 > 0:33:21rising. The Bank of England figures shows, access to finance is still at
0:33:21 > 0:33:27its lowest level since 2010. Does the government have any excuse for
0:33:27 > 0:33:32its woeful failure to support our smallest businesses?The honourable
0:33:32 > 0:33:37gentleman really should stop talking small businesses down.Absolutely
0:33:37 > 0:33:41wrong in his estimate. You are running them down.We are not the
0:33:41 > 0:33:46four in the world for the best place to start a business in the UK. Look
0:33:46 > 0:33:52at the OECD figures, you will find we score very highly on enterprise.
0:33:52 > 0:33:58He does raise a valid point about the growth. We need to improve our
0:33:58 > 0:34:01record in supporting small businesses to grow, which is
0:34:01 > 0:34:04precisely why the Chancellor has made available a vast amount of
0:34:04 > 0:34:08money in this year's budget to support the growth of small
0:34:08 > 0:34:13businesses.Number eight, Mr Speaker.Thank you, Mr Speaker. The
0:34:13 > 0:34:17UK's automotive industry is a great British success story and building
0:34:17 > 0:34:20on the success of institutes like the advanced propulsion centre, we
0:34:20 > 0:34:26have agreed and automotive sector deal to continue to reap benefits
0:34:26 > 0:34:30from the transition to ultralow and a zero emission vehicles. Our
0:34:30 > 0:34:33ambition is to build innovative and competitive supply chains, to
0:34:33 > 0:34:40increase the value of UK content. From one third in 2011 to over a by
0:34:40 > 0:34:4520 22.What more is the department doing to encourage further
0:34:45 > 0:34:49investment in UK car plants? In particular in my constituency with
0:34:49 > 0:34:55Honda and BMW.Both Honda and BMW have been part of the sectoral
0:34:55 > 0:34:59Council that has helped create institutions together but have
0:34:59 > 0:35:05trained people, that have developed RND. They are a valued part of the
0:35:05 > 0:35:11sector deal that has been so warmly welcomed by the industry.My
0:35:11 > 0:35:13constituency has many small businesses involved in the supply
0:35:13 > 0:35:20chains for the motor industry. These chains stretch right across Europe
0:35:20 > 0:35:26and are largely ventilated by EU law. Can the Secretary of State
0:35:26 > 0:35:29commit that these will not be disrupted by Britain's exit from the
0:35:29 > 0:35:36EU? -- largely regulated by.I hope the honourable gentleman will
0:35:36 > 0:35:39welcome the supply chain initiative which is at the heart of the sector
0:35:39 > 0:35:44deal to increase the level of UK content. One way or another, the
0:35:44 > 0:35:50motor industry, like so many others, is based on its good relations
0:35:50 > 0:35:53across not just the continent of Europe but around the world. It is
0:35:53 > 0:35:56absolutely essential that the deal that we do allow that to continue
0:35:56 > 0:35:59and indeed to prosper in the future.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05The Minister has a proud heritage in the automotive sector and I welcome
0:36:05 > 0:36:08the government's recent announcements which will see the
0:36:08 > 0:36:13region be a global leader in the sector. Does he agree with me that
0:36:13 > 0:36:16supporting innovation and new technologies is key to addressing
0:36:16 > 0:36:21productivity and creating a higher skilled and well-paid jobs?My
0:36:21 > 0:36:27honourable friend is absolutely right. The commitment that we have
0:36:27 > 0:36:32made to being the world centre for research in new battery technology
0:36:32 > 0:36:36through the Faraday challenge is already commanding attention right
0:36:36 > 0:36:42around the world. The investment in skills that accompany this strategy
0:36:42 > 0:36:45will make sure that her constituents and others in the region will
0:36:45 > 0:36:47benefit from the jobs that result.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Every day, about £35 million worth of components are imported from the
0:36:53 > 0:36:59EU to the UK. For just-in-time delivery to plants. Many of which
0:36:59 > 0:37:06then go to help build over 6500 cars and nearly 10,000 engines to be
0:37:06 > 0:37:10re-exported back into the European Union. It doesn't take much, as we
0:37:10 > 0:37:13saw from the operational department a couple of years ago, for the
0:37:13 > 0:37:19Channel ports to completely clog up the South East, losing millions and
0:37:19 > 0:37:24millions of pounds. What guarantee can the Secretary of State give to
0:37:24 > 0:37:28the automotive sector that Brexit will not allow any extra customs
0:37:28 > 0:37:33checks that will clog up that industry?The honourable gentleman
0:37:33 > 0:37:36is right in describing the importance of ensuring that the
0:37:36 > 0:37:41agreement that we reach will not just be free of tariffs, but will be
0:37:41 > 0:37:45free of the types of frictions that he describes. It is very important
0:37:45 > 0:37:49for our successful industry, not just in this sector, but that is the
0:37:49 > 0:37:53deal that we conclude. I hope he will welcome the progress that has
0:37:53 > 0:38:00been made towards that last week. Number nine, Mr Speaker.The
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Industrial Strategy White Paper highlighted the emphatic support for
0:38:02 > 0:38:08sector deals, encouraging any sector to come forward with proposals on
0:38:08 > 0:38:12how working in partnership with the government that sector can grow,
0:38:12 > 0:38:16increase investment and their productivity and earning power. A
0:38:16 > 0:38:18number of sectors have signalled their interest in developing a
0:38:18 > 0:38:21sector deal, including, as my honourable friend knows, the
0:38:21 > 0:38:26ceramics sector.Thank you. I was wondering if you could please update
0:38:26 > 0:38:30this House in the progress that has been made to develop the sector deal
0:38:30 > 0:38:37for ceramics.Very good progress is being made. With the leaders of the
0:38:37 > 0:38:40sector. In North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, there is a very
0:38:40 > 0:38:46significant cluster. Doctor Laura Cullinan leads the ceramics sector.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47Contract Laura Cullinan.
0:38:47 > 0:38:53We hope to can conclude a deal with the sector in the months ahead which
0:38:53 > 0:38:57will capitalise on the enormous opportunity, especially in the new
0:38:57 > 0:39:01uses of ceramics, for example in the medical sector.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05The government isn't just a funder and regulator, it is also a
0:39:05 > 0:39:10customer. Would it help if government, nationally and locally,
0:39:10 > 0:39:15acted like every other country and actually bought vehicles built here
0:39:15 > 0:39:21by British workers and actually supported the companies and British
0:39:21 > 0:39:24workers?The most important thing is that we have excellent products
0:39:24 > 0:39:28here. I am proud to say that we do in the automotive sector. In times
0:39:28 > 0:39:34of our procurement guidelines, he will be aware that the procurement
0:39:34 > 0:39:37guidelines were changed by this government to allow the importance
0:39:37 > 0:39:43of local impact to be taken into account, I hope he welcomes it.This
0:39:43 > 0:39:46government has rightly recognise the UK now has the most fiscally
0:39:46 > 0:39:50attractive regime for investment oil and gas in the world. A good
0:39:50 > 0:39:54sectoral deal will build on this. The north-east of Scotland will look
0:39:54 > 0:39:57forward to a future where it is not only Europe's energy capital but the
0:39:57 > 0:40:03world's.I agree. I have the privilege of leading a trade
0:40:03 > 0:40:05delegation to India, including many companies from Aberdeen and the
0:40:05 > 0:40:10north-east of Scotland who are selling their wares and their
0:40:10 > 0:40:14expertise right around the world. That is one of the big opportunities
0:40:14 > 0:40:19in the deal that is being negotiated.The steel industry met
0:40:19 > 0:40:22the criteria for sectoral deal, they wanted one and apply for one but
0:40:22 > 0:40:27they didn't get one, can you explain why?The discussion with the steel
0:40:27 > 0:40:32industry are continuing and I expect to conclude a very important and
0:40:32 > 0:40:35ambitious one in this very foundational industry.Ten, Mr
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Speaker.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Mr Speaker, the UK was the first country to introduce the climate
0:40:43 > 0:40:50change act and we have met our targets, we met our first carbon
0:40:50 > 0:40:55budget and are on track to exceed the second and third.Does the
0:40:55 > 0:41:00Minister agreed that the clean growth plan will not, on its own,
0:41:00 > 0:41:05meet the fifth carbon budget? Given this, does the Minister agree that
0:41:05 > 0:41:09this plan is wholly inadequate and that, as the committee on climate
0:41:09 > 0:41:13change has said, this should not be the plan?
0:41:15 > 0:41:19The clean growth strategy has been broadly welcomed, warmly welcomed.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Low-carbon innovation is at the very heart of our approach to our
0:41:23 > 0:41:28Industrial Strategy with over £2.5 billion in government investment
0:41:28 > 0:41:36from 2015-2021.A shy government backbench member?Graham Jones. The
0:41:36 > 0:41:42Labour manifesto in the summer committed to heat and power to be
0:41:42 > 0:41:46produced, 60%, by zero Carbon all renewable energies. How will the
0:41:46 > 0:41:51government matched that ambition?I can tell the honourable gentleman
0:41:51 > 0:41:56that our clean growth strategy is rightly ambitious. The climate
0:41:56 > 0:42:00change act allows us to be flexible in our means of achieving the goals
0:42:00 > 0:42:04that we have set out. As I said, we are ahead of our targets on the
0:42:04 > 0:42:15second and third carbon budget. In the recent budget, the Treasury,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19following consultation with the Minister's department, will pull the
0:42:19 > 0:42:23plug on all future support for renewable energy deployment, except
0:42:23 > 0:42:28for already allocated new term support for offshore wind?Can the
0:42:28 > 0:42:33Minister tell me whether he himself supports this action? And whether it
0:42:33 > 0:42:36helps or hinders the UK's progress to meeting its carbon reduction
0:42:36 > 0:42:42targets.As I have already said, we are in a position where we met our
0:42:42 > 0:42:45first carbon target and we are on track to exceed the second and
0:42:45 > 0:42:49third. This government is taking this agenda exceptionally seriously
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and is leading the world on it having legislated with the climate
0:42:52 > 0:42:54change act and putting clean growth at the heart of this country's
0:42:54 > 0:42:59Industrial Strategy.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05In the last ten years, successive Westminster Government... Number 14,
0:43:05 > 0:43:13sorry.On industrial strategy is for the whole United Kingdom. I was
0:43:13 > 0:43:16pleased to hear from institutions in Wales and colleagues in the Welsh
0:43:16 > 0:43:21Government as we develop the Saturday have held discussions with
0:43:21 > 0:43:26a range of sectors including life sciences, steel and nuclear. They
0:43:26 > 0:43:32are well placed to benefit from the second week on the industrial
0:43:32 > 0:43:37strategy challenge fund.In the last ten years of Government,
0:43:37 > 0:43:43productivity has fallen by 10% in my constituency and risen by 5% in
0:43:43 > 0:43:48London. This regional inequality is evidence that the Government is not
0:43:48 > 0:43:51working for Wales. Will the Minister agree we should be seeking the tools
0:43:51 > 0:43:57to build our own future?The lady is right that there are big disparities
0:43:57 > 0:44:03in regional productivity and in the long term we had to work with
0:44:03 > 0:44:08leaders across the country, industries and universities to make
0:44:08 > 0:44:13sure that the drivers of improved productivity are in place and I know
0:44:13 > 0:44:19the Government in Wales have participated and endorsed the
0:44:19 > 0:44:24approach we are taking and I take on endorsement for the direction as
0:44:24 > 0:44:32further encouragement.The UK is the world's largest offshore wind market
0:44:32 > 0:44:36and will remain so for the foreseeable future and the CFD
0:44:36 > 0:44:45results in September will ensure more offshore employment than
0:44:45 > 0:44:50Denmark in the last four auctions combined.Offshore wind has brought
0:44:50 > 0:44:53then if it's to the Waverley constituency but can the Minister
0:44:53 > 0:45:02outline what the Government is doing to make sure that you take companies
0:45:02 > 0:45:06-- UK companies have the chance to participate in this success story?I
0:45:06 > 0:45:11am pleased that companies like that are benefiting in projects off the
0:45:11 > 0:45:16East Coast. I met several of them this year at the east of England
0:45:16 > 0:45:24energy group event in October and they must submit a supply chain
0:45:24 > 0:45:29planned before entering into option. Wales is one of the key offshore
0:45:29 > 0:45:37sectors in the whole of the world. The Minister has announced £570
0:45:37 > 0:45:41million for renewable energy. How much of that is going towards
0:45:41 > 0:45:45renewable offshore energy?As the honourable gentleman will know, the
0:45:45 > 0:45:49system of CFD options are very efficient in allocating the money
0:45:49 > 0:45:57and I believe the North Wales coast will be a major beneficiary of this.
0:45:57 > 0:46:05The pension age was agreed by Parliament in 2013 and I have met
0:46:05 > 0:46:09with both the chief constable and the Journal of the civil nuclear
0:46:09 > 0:46:12police authority to hear their concerns about the planned increase
0:46:12 > 0:46:18of the pension age and after listening to their concerns, I have
0:46:18 > 0:46:21arranged to meet the civil nuclear peace Federation early in the New
0:46:21 > 0:46:33Year.Stewart, a firearms officer in my constituency, says why is he any
0:46:33 > 0:46:37different to the police to protect us from terrorists on the street
0:46:37 > 0:46:42when he is protecting a cornerstone of our power industry?I heard the
0:46:42 > 0:46:48honourable gentleman's point before and I am looking into it.Topical
0:46:48 > 0:46:56questions.Since we last met, ministerial colleagues and I have
0:46:56 > 0:46:59launched the Industrial Strategy White Paper and can already see it
0:46:59 > 0:47:02in action. We launched the third sector deal with the life sciences
0:47:02 > 0:47:07sector which is attracting significant investment in the UK
0:47:07 > 0:47:11from companies including Glaxo Smith Kline. We are determined to make the
0:47:11 > 0:47:17UK the best place to start and grow a business as many colleagues joined
0:47:17 > 0:47:20us in celebrating small-business Saturday on the 2nd of December. I'd
0:47:20 > 0:47:30like to congratulate the organisers on this great event which saw over
0:47:30 > 0:47:34£75,000 -- 75 million -- a
0:47:43 > 0:47:47a colleague of the energy industry is attending Emmanuel Macron's
0:47:47 > 0:47:57Summit in Paris.Does the Secretary of State agree with me to make sure
0:47:57 > 0:48:00that the electric arc remark is proper
0:48:05 > 0:48:09It is why we're taking a lead to make sure we invest in research and
0:48:09 > 0:48:12development but make sure we're ahead of the world in having the
0:48:12 > 0:48:22regulatory system.Recent Government figures show that UK funding from
0:48:22 > 0:48:25Horizon 2020 dropped significantly last year so can the Secretary of
0:48:25 > 0:48:30State tell us what he is going to do to address that alarming fall in
0:48:30 > 0:48:35funding and well he commits to participating in Horizon 2020 beyond
0:48:35 > 0:48:43March 2019 should the UK leave the EU then?UK participation in Horizon
0:48:43 > 0:48:482020 have held up remarkably well since June 2016 we remain one of the
0:48:48 > 0:48:52strongest performers across the EU system and as the honourable lady
0:48:52 > 0:48:55will have seen last Friday, the joint report between the commission
0:48:55 > 0:48:59and the UK Government painted a very positive outlook for our continued
0:48:59 > 0:49:03participation in this valuable programme.Given the importance of
0:49:03 > 0:49:08the automotive industry to the UK and West Midlands, does the Minister
0:49:08 > 0:49:12agree with me that it is essential to invest in testing environments
0:49:12 > 0:49:16for self driving cars to ensure that the UK can compete with other
0:49:16 > 0:49:21countries who want to become the world's test-bed for new vehicle
0:49:21 > 0:49:24technologies?I agree with my honourable friend and it is one of
0:49:24 > 0:49:27the reasons we have established a series of test-beds between London
0:49:27 > 0:49:33and the West Midlands that include the motorsports cluster. It is
0:49:33 > 0:49:38already attracting huge interest around the world and reinforcing our
0:49:38 > 0:49:43reputation.Onshore wind has been Scotland's success story with the
0:49:43 > 0:49:48Scottish Government on track to meet 100% electricity generation by
0:49:48 > 0:49:52renewables. The possible block is UK Government. As we approach the point
0:49:52 > 0:49:55of zero subsidy onshore developments, while the Government
0:49:55 > 0:49:59find a way to allow Scottish onshore developments to bid in the next CFD
0:49:59 > 0:50:16option? -- option auction.I do have discussions with the Scottish
0:50:16 > 0:50:20Government which resulted in the remote islands policy that we have
0:50:20 > 0:50:23adopted so I will continue to have those discussions with his
0:50:23 > 0:50:32colleagues.Does my honourable friend that retaining full sovereign
0:50:32 > 0:50:35control of our regulation is essential to getting the most out of
0:50:35 > 0:50:45our economy? 80% of which doesn't relate to the EU.Regulation is
0:50:45 > 0:50:53crucial to business workers and consumers. Approximately 4 million
0:50:53 > 0:50:57export directly to countries within the EU and will have a keen interest
0:50:57 > 0:51:01in the outcome of our trade negotiations.Northern Ireland have
0:51:01 > 0:51:13a very good basic digital skills programme but with one quarter of
0:51:13 > 0:51:17businesses lacking confidence in the basic digital skills, what is the
0:51:17 > 0:51:20department doing to provide help for smaller businesses to fill this
0:51:20 > 0:51:26skills gap on the UK mainland?We're rocking with the Department for
0:51:26 > 0:51:33Education who are investing hugely in lifelong learning, skills,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36employability and we're prioritising the digital skills capability within
0:51:36 > 0:51:45that commission and I'm sure that'll be of great benefit.Recent report
0:51:45 > 0:51:50identified £2 trillion of global opportunities with AI and driverless
0:51:50 > 0:51:51carders. Can the
0:51:56 > 0:52:00I'm delighted my honourable friend draws attention to this. He will
0:52:00 > 0:52:06know that in the industrial strategy, one of the grand
0:52:06 > 0:52:11challenges in the analysis of big data, a crucial part of that is to
0:52:11 > 0:52:14make sure that young people and people retraining at the skills to
0:52:14 > 0:52:20take up those jobs.Rumours abound that the Westminster Government is
0:52:20 > 0:52:24seeking to changes policy on nuclear decommissioning. Can the minister
0:52:24 > 0:52:28explain if he has any plan to introduce a policy of continuous
0:52:28 > 0:52:33decommissioning for the ageing nuclear state in the UK?I can
0:52:33 > 0:52:41assure the honourable lady that nuclear decommissioning is a very
0:52:41 > 0:52:46important factor and will be for many years to come.What recent
0:52:46 > 0:52:49discussions as my honourable friend had with the Secretary of State for
0:52:49 > 0:52:55Transport about increased investment in broad and rail projects to
0:52:55 > 0:53:00improve drug activity, particularly in the North of England?I have had
0:53:00 > 0:53:04regular conversations with the Transport Secretary. He will know
0:53:04 > 0:53:10that in Greater Manchester there was an investment of a quarter of £1
0:53:10 > 0:53:19billion in improving connections in and around the city.Given the
0:53:19 > 0:53:23amount of time that has already passed since the promise of an
0:53:23 > 0:53:26energy icecap, and the Secretary of State confirm he remains committed
0:53:26 > 0:53:33to implementing the cap and other in the process by which his party is
0:53:33 > 0:53:36expected to introduce it?We have published an important bill and we
0:53:36 > 0:53:42have requested Ofgem to develop proposals as we progress with the
0:53:42 > 0:53:46bill. The select committee are scrutinising our draft legislation
0:53:46 > 0:53:50which we intend to bring to the House and the eldest opportunity.
0:53:50 > 0:53:55Last week I was pleased to welcome a delegation from Thailand to my
0:53:55 > 0:54:01constituency to meet businesses in the offshore renewables sector --
0:54:01 > 0:54:09Taiwan. They regard the UK one as a model. What is available to small
0:54:09 > 0:54:14and medium-sized businesses to those in this country but want to extend
0:54:14 > 0:54:20to businesses abroad?I can assure my honourable friend that part of
0:54:20 > 0:54:23the industrial strategy and part of our discussions on the sector deal
0:54:23 > 0:54:33have been based on Skilling up small businesses with a view to export.
0:54:33 > 0:54:38The Secretary of State may not that officials from the Belfast
0:54:38 > 0:54:50bombardier plant eyed in Montreal -- are in Montreal. Will he continue to
0:54:50 > 0:54:54engage in this process?I certainly am and as the honourable gentleman
0:54:54 > 0:54:59knows, throughout this project, process we have been determined to
0:54:59 > 0:55:09send a clear message boards too -- to Boeing and it reflects badly on
0:55:09 > 0:55:16Belfast and is unfair. I continue to press it this week with all the
0:55:16 > 0:55:24parties concerned.The Cambridge biomedical campus brings together
0:55:24 > 0:55:26academia, business and health care. Does the Minister agree with me that
0:55:26 > 0:55:31this is important collaboration that will help boost productivity,
0:55:31 > 0:55:36improve our economy and create jobs for the future?Indeed, Cambridge is
0:55:36 > 0:55:41leading the way in this regard. We want to see more collaboration
0:55:41 > 0:55:44between business and university to drive commercialisation and to make
0:55:44 > 0:55:50the most of what we had investing. It is good news that the Prime
0:55:50 > 0:55:54Minister is attending the summit in Paris today but can I want the
0:55:54 > 0:55:57Secretary of State that Emmanuel Macron is positioning Paris as the
0:55:57 > 0:55:59world's leading green finance and to tackle the threat and protect
0:55:59 > 0:56:05London, ministers must back the Bank of England's task force on
0:56:05 > 0:56:08disclosure and bring in new corporate requirements on fossil
0:56:08 > 0:56:13fuel assets.Britain leads the world on climate finance so one of the
0:56:13 > 0:56:20major contributions the Minister and pray Minister of state is promoting
0:56:20 > 0:56:25the availability of clean finance in the UK, including Edinburgh and
0:56:25 > 0:56:30London, and that is getting very good reception.The Secretary of
0:56:30 > 0:56:33State has already spoken about the great news for the West Midlands on
0:56:33 > 0:56:41electric vehicles. You will remember the electric taxi being manufactured
0:56:41 > 0:56:45which was certified for use in London this week. Does he agree the
0:56:45 > 0:56:49opportunity for a platform for a delivery vehicle is also very
0:56:49 > 0:56:52important?I agree with my honourable friend and I would like
0:56:52 > 0:56:57to congratulate the London taxi company on having the first electric
0:56:57 > 0:57:01taxi on the streets of London this week, manufactured in the West
0:57:01 > 0:57:08Midlands. A big vote of confidence in our world beating water industry.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11-- motor industry.Access to finance is critical for small businesses but
0:57:11 > 0:57:15that is the Government agreed the protection in place when things go
0:57:15 > 0:57:17wrong doesn't exist and other Government look at extending the
0:57:17 > 0:57:28role of the FCA in that?I will be raising the very issue to the FCA of
0:57:28 > 0:57:35unregulated small business lending.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38Does the secretary of state agree that the key to successful
0:57:38 > 0:57:45industrial strategy is one that focuses on all areas of the UK,
0:57:45 > 0:57:49including North Warwickshire?I do indeed. One of the features of this
0:57:49 > 0:57:53industrial strategy which is an approach that previous business
0:57:53 > 0:57:58policies have not taken over many decades sufficient account of is the
0:57:58 > 0:58:02importance of local places. These skills, clusters of industry they
0:58:02 > 0:58:09have there. As he knows, it is at the heart of industry.On the 8th of
0:58:09 > 0:58:14March the Chancellor announced a full review of business rates. On
0:58:14 > 0:58:20the 14th of March they said that the review would report in the not too
0:58:20 > 0:58:24distant future. There is barely a mention of the business rates having
0:58:24 > 0:58:30an impact in York. When will the review stop?The Chancellor has
0:58:30 > 0:58:35announced business rate relief for small businesses, including making
0:58:35 > 0:58:43the relief permanent and retrospective redress for SMEs.The
0:58:43 > 0:58:46urgent question I have selected I have selected because I judge it to
0:58:46 > 0:58:51be urgent. But I should advise the house that it is focused very much
0:58:51 > 0:58:57on London and I have that in mind. I am sensitive to the interest in the
0:58:57 > 0:59:01subject, but I am conscious also that we have other business that
0:59:01 > 0:59:05will run for several hours and in which there is intense interest.
0:59:05 > 0:59:09That is a guide to the house that I do not intend to run the urgent
0:59:09 > 0:59:22question be half an hour. Urgent question, Harriet Harman.