Business Questions BBC Parliament on BBC Two

Questions to the Secretary of State for business,

With your permission, I'll answer this together

Since I was appointed on the 14th of July, my colleagues and I

have met with businesses, investors, workers and local leaders in all

four home nations, as well as travelling to India and Japan.

Furthermore for the first time, each local enterprise area and each

the devolved administrations will have a specific minister

assigned to them in my department.

I thank the Secretary of State from his answer

and also welcome the whole team to the new department as well.

The aerospace industry is absolutely vital to the west of England

Not just for jobs, but also for growth as well.

Will be Secretary of State work with me

order to ensure that the entire aerospace industry receives the

Mr Speaker, I certainly will do that.

One of the biggest privileges of this job is to be reunited with

aerospace, and I got to know the sector when I

My first ministerial meeting, visit, was with breakfast with the

aerospace growth partnership at the Farnborough airshow, where I ran

The West of England was well represented

This is a very important sector for the economy, and will

I too would like to pass on my welcome to the new

I've had a number of correspondence from a few local

businesses, Rochester and Stroud, predominantly small,

partners over a long period of time but has recently seen supply chain

Could he outline his commitment to supporting our small

businesses in our new relationship with Europe, to ensure that local

and regional economies continue to grow?

What I will say, I know many small businesses in

Through the British Business Bank we have made over ?3 billion

available to smaller businesses.

She will know that from April next year, the small business

That will benefit 60,000 small businesses.

This is part of our continuing commitment to small

business, which is the motor of the bigger

businesses that generate so

many jobs together with small businesses in our economy.

My home constituency, long established,

beautiful seaside destination with big future ambitions including

for 2017, a new hot air balloon Festival.

I'm delighted to welcome the Eastbourne

Can the Minister tell me if he has had

discussions with the tourism industry around reducing the level

of VAT on tourism services to bring us into line with competitive

destinations in the European Union and give our industry the

competitive platform from which it can stimulate investment, create

jobs, deliver growth and take full advantages

of the opportunities in

My honourable friend is a big campaign in the

We have one of the highest VAT thresholds in the

European Union here in the UK so that many small businesses don't

Of course, I will continue my discussions with

The hot air balloon Festival sounds a very tempting excursion,

perhaps for many members in this house.

And I look forward to continuing these discussions of her

Does the Secretary of State agree that

British business people are fat and spend too much time on the golf

Mr Speaker, I am yet to meet a lady businessperson,

starting with my own father, who was up before dawn every

morning running his own small business.

reminding us that across the whole country, every business needs to

work hard as it does every day of the week, that is the secret

That is the way we will continue to prosper as a

In light of comments made last week by the Japanese

ambassador, the Secretary of State will be aware

that Nissan, based in

my constituency, contributes ?2.1 billion to the UK balance of trade.

And it exports 80% of all cars made at the plant in Sunderland.

What opportunities to PC for automotive

companies such as Nissan in a post-Brexit strategy and will he

commit to meeting Nissan as soon as possible?

I will not only make that commitment but tell her

that I have already done so and have met the Japanese ambassador.

The automotive sector and Nissan in particular

is a hugely important and

valued part, not only of the Honourable

Lady's constituency, but

I think it's very encouraging that the Japanese

ambassador on behalf of the government shares with us their

That is exactly the sort of relationship

that I hope and expect to have our partners around the world.

Will people be aware of the great anger

felt by Britain's wealth creators at the comments of his right

What conversations, not just to them, but to our reputation

abroad, what conversations has he had specifically with his right

honourable friend and with the Prime Minister

about limiting the damage?

My right honourable friend has been vigorous during the summer

in going around the world, promoting the case

for British business, as is

And members will have the support of everyone in this House if

they join the effort that we are making to promote the great

opportunities already in this country, and the further

Speaker, Secretary of State, can I ask you if

you agree that free trade is at the heart

And will you and your front bench colleagues be resisting any attempts

to impose any form of protectionism when we come to negotiating future

I'm not expressing any view, but I think I

know what the Honourable gentleman had in mind.

I think free trade courses through the veins of this

It is one of the reasons that we've been most successful.

I was surprised last week to hear a commitment to free trade described

I think it is one of our strengths, and he has an absolute

assurance that this will be very much at the four of our reputation

Can I welcome the Business Secretary to

Australia says it's going to take at least three years

after Brexit before a trade deal can be in place of the UK,

States, Japan and China have already expressed their views about the

prospects of foreign investment and trade with the UK.

Can he tell us what he is doing to get behind UK

businesses and deal with the concerns of our international

And can I say to him, that he could not do better

get behind business and stop insulting them.

I would be interested in the support of the

party opposite for promoting British business around the world, and he

will know from our previous work on local growers,

he'll always have a willing ear and assistance from me

Can I welcome the front bench team opposite that has been

I have to say, the Honourable gentleman who was my

shadow in my DC LG role has followed me here.

Perhaps not so much shadow as a stalker, but I regarded as

I think it is important. Relationships are important.

I think it's important you get to know our partners around the world.

I have done that and my colleagues have done that.

I visited our investors and manufacturers in Japan

and India, and I will continue to do so.

Cambridge is a net contributor to the Treasury.

20,000 businesses generating revenue of over ?30

We have had cross-party meetings with business leaders about

the implications of Brexit for our local colony.

What the Minister meet in my constituency to discuss these

It is one of the important features of

our industrial strategy is to have a clear recognition of the

contribution of the local leadership different places bring.

I have appointed the minister of state as the lead liaison

with Cambridge, but I would be very happy to visit myself in future.

I welcome the Secretary of State and his team

There are challenges, one of which is the

trade deficit increasing to ?2.3 billion.

A problem unlikely to be resolved by the withdrawal

from the single market.

Scotland voted to remain, Scotland wishes to remain

it wants unhindered access to the market,

or does he remain committed to the English Brexit.

Many members of the House were impressed by the Honourable member

's contribution to last weeks debate.

I will work very hard to

make sure our negotiating mandate reflects all parts of the United

It was a United Kingdom decision to come out of the European

Union, we will make the most of it together.

The Scottish Government analysis in terms of

European Union is that it could cost the Scottish economy at best ?1.7

billion a year, and at worst ?11.2 billion.

I made clear in my answer continued membership of the European

earlier that free trade is

In further discussions, not only with the devolved administrations

but with business investors around the world, we will make sure the

negotiating mandate we have is ambitious and will ensure the

brightest future for the whole United Kingdom.

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer this question with

I said on the 28th of July the Government will consider

all the component parts of the Hinkley Point C proposed project

We will do just that, and the Prime Minister

said this week, a decision will be research next month.

On my recent summer surgery tour, a number of constituents raised

concerns about the cost to the taxpayer of the Hinkley Point C

Barclays estimated that even if EDF that delivers four years

late, and 25% over budget, it would still make a profit

on the deal, with the deficit being picked up

over the next 35 years by ordinary people.

Does the Minister think such a public subsidy provides value

for the taxpayer?

As I said in my answer, we are looking at all components of the

deal and will make a decision before the end of the month.

I do think it is a responsible act on the part of

the Government to consider our energy supplies for the future in

I know the Scottish Government has turned its face

We regard that as an important part of a diverse

energy mix that gives resilience to UK consumers.

Given that the Brexit vote has thrown the energy sector further

uncertainty, and given that we know that energy from renewable sources

Hinkley is completed, is it

not time for the UK to follow the Scottish

Government's example and

embrace cheaper, safer and more plans for alternatives to nuclear?

Winston Churchill said that in energy,

diversity and the rest is

I think those are wise words and we are wise

to have a range of energy sources, now and in the future.

I strongly support the Prime Minister's decision on this, given

that China insists on trying to hack not

only state agencies as well as

our commercial companies, putting two fingers up to the arbitration

Court in the Hague, these are people through with which we should sup

with a long spoon, and I commend the paper written

by the intelligence committee under Sir Malcolm Rifkind

made is to look at all components of the proposed deal and to make our

We will report to the House when we have

done that and reports on a decision at that point.

The Government is very wise to take a deep breath before committing

itself to the massive cost of Hinkley.

Evidence is mounting all

In particular, fusion rather than vision,

I do commend the Government for considering this decision very

I am grateful to my right honourable friend.

I think it is important for such an important decision to make

sure a new Government looks at all the components.

Looking to the future for energy supply, I think it

is important and we benefit from the full range of technologies,

including some of the ones he mentioned.

This came in on question one, I haven't forgotten it, even if he

There is a company based in my constituency that is the preferred

supplier for reinforced steel to build Hinkley Point C.

Would the Secretary of State please update the House

The honourable lady is right that we,

across all different forms of

energy generation, need to upgrade our capacity

Doing that will have important advantages for other companies,

including steel suppliers, right across the United Kingdom.

In terms of a decision on Hinkley, we will

Can my right honourable friend confirm that,

proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C,

The decision is on the particular contract difference at Hinkley Point

C, that is what we are reviewing and we will take that decision

I'd like to welcome the front bench to their new positions,

along with my stalker friend.

After putting 25,000 highly skilled jobs at risk, after

jeopardising 500 much-needed stem apprenticeships,

after offending the

Chinese Government and risking billions

the UK economy, after sending shock waves to the investment community

who think the PM now doesn't understand the meaning

investment possession, does the Secretary of State agree

with those in the industry who think that the

Prime Minister's courses approach now looks like dithering?

I prefer the Prime Minister's cautious approach to the approach of

the honourable gentleman, which is completely

inconsistent, as far as I

He criticises the Government for reviewing this

important decision, but says at the same time we should take

three months to seriously review the

There is a contradiction in his position.

But it doesn't surprise me, because it is the

complete absence of an energy policy during the 13 years of the previous

Labour governments, that we knew nuclear power stations

were going to come to the end of their life,

this Government is making decisions in a proper,

the lost time under the Labour years.

I am delighted the Prime Minister has asked me to leap the historic

task of leading a proper industrial strategy for this country.

We have a once in a generation chance to

embrace the new opportunities of our global role and upgrade our economy

We will work with industry, local leaders,

innovators, employees and consumers to create conditions for future

May I also take the opportunity to congratulate the entire front bench

The words industrial strategy often conjure up

images of manufacturing and heavy industry.

Can the Secretary of State confirm that...

The service industry will be covered with comprehensive strategies?

It seems to me that in projecting forward how

we are going to earn a

living as a nation, we look to our strengths.

It is correct that the

service sector is one of our greatest assets.

We must create the conditions for that prosper in the

Then I also welcome the secretary of state

ambitious, interesting and challenging brief.

I wish him and his team all the best.

Can the secretary of state state precisely exactly how

this new industrial strategy marks a change

in Government approach to

collaborate with business and intervention in the economy, or is

it just a name change to the old approach?

I would welcome the involvement of the new

Select Committee, which I think will be

important, and making sure we

capture everything we need to make a success of this.

I don't think it is brand-new in that we build on

We talked with the Honourable gentleman's colleague on

We know that has been a strong source

The environment we created with firms in the sector,

capacities and scientific institutions has been crucial to

We will build on the strong foundations and expressed very

As the Government formulates its industrial strategy, and urge my

right honourable friend to look at the small business American

I'm grateful to my honourable friend who is very well informed

to translate research success into small business success.

I'm sure we can talk further about it.

I welcome the new team, but I'm sure even the secretary

this isn't going to be a full English Brexit, it's going to be a

Thank you much, I'm going to be here all week.

On a industrial strategy, one of the problems we face

is that many parts of the

Areas have one industry like tourism, iron

Will he make sure that we take this opportunity to invest in those areas

to increase productivity in those forgotten areas?

The right honourable gentleman is good at the

one-liners, and the creative industries are a great source of

I would say, if you look around the world at some

particular, they have developed in a way that they have resilience

industry. where the was the single, dominant

That is precisely why we want to work with local leaders

sure we strengthen the resilience of our regional centres.

I welcome the Minister for consumer affairs,

As part of my strategy, I hope my right honourable friend will

recognise the importance of science and innovation.

In my constituency, we are a microcosm in the future of

Britain, linking science with high tech, and I hope that it

will feature strongly in his strategy.

The strength of science, not least in Oxfordshire,

It will absolutely be in the heart of

Secretary of State, how will he ensure that future

industrial strategy is mindful of Northern Ireland's particular

reliance on EU support and access to the common market?

As I said earlier, we will make sure that we

work with our colleagues across the United Kingdom.

I had a productive meeting with Simon Hamilton during

the summer to make sure that we coordinate our efforts

with those of policymakers in Northern Ireland.

It needs to be joined up, it will be,

and we will make sure that our negotiating mandate

reflects contributions from across the UK.

Mr Speaker, I join others in welcoming

The country is very badly unbalanced at the moment,

we will support any realistic thoroughgoing industrial strategy

We know how the strategy's gone over the summer.

Sports Direct paying less than minimum wage.

Meanwhile, the companies are being called fat and lazy.

There is still no clear and unambiguous progress on

It has been over two years since the consultation

When will he make clear that the pensions of tens

of thousands of loyal, hard-working steelworkers

When it comes to the steel industry, it is

very important industry in our country.

I grew up in Teesside, where it was particularly prominent.

I've had some very productive discussions during the summer,

including visiting South Wales, to make sure that the government can

give the right support to a sustainable future for the steel

They have been very constructive discussions and I'm

very happy to make sure that he is aware of them.

Solar deployment has been a real UK success story, with almost 11

Of course, it is appropriate to allow now for a period of stability

following the changes made to protect consumer bills.

The Secretary of State continues to keep

the performance of the scheme under review.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report in July showed almost 60% of

companies are looking to diversify away from

solar, and nearly four in

ten considering leaving the solar market entirely as a result of your

What steps will the Minister take to avoid business

confidence in this important sector dropping further?

There is remarkably little sign that

confidence is dropping in the sector.

There is recognition that

those changes had to be made, and the sector has responded

remarkably resiliently to the changes made.

Let us not forget that they have also been spreading expertise in

I welcome the team to their new roles.

Kingspan, a significant employer in my constituency

contacted me regarding concerns about the re-evaluations of business

The result is a six to eight fold increase in

Would my friend agreed to meet with representatives from the

company to see how these effects can be mitigated?

I know the company well, it has substantial operation in

Of course, it is right to acknowledge that valuations

in this area are made by the independent evaluation office.

The department liaising with the

industry and the office on this issue, but I certainly would be

delighted to meet with the company and him to discuss it.

Has the Minister done any analysis of the

relationship of payback periods for commercial and rooftop solar,

particularly school solar, in relation to that proposed hike in

Does he intend to change tariffs if the valuation comes into

I simply repeat that the matter is under review.

We haven't seen what the agency proposes, and

we will look at it closely when we see what they have done.

The Minister talks about stability, by

which he is referring to a 93% drop in solar installations this year.

After a 64% cut in subsidy to solar, an eight fold hike in the proposed

business rates, it would appear that the next attack on solar

Can the Minister confirm whether it is by

incompetence or by calculation that changes to charges put forward by

the regulator to end the unfair advantage to highly polluting diesel

generators, will in fact negatively impact on small-scale renewables

I think it is widely understood, Mr Speaker, that the

sector needed some changes to the feed in tariffs,

because the effect of them was to hit consumers very

Let's not forget that 99% of all solar panels

installed have been installed over the last six years.

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer six with

This government supports innovation, soon to be part of UK

It has invested over ?1.8 billion in innovation since 2007.

Innovators connecting businesses to local

growth through its regional managers.

There is also support through ?200 million of local growth

As Chairman of the Space Committee, the space industry has

outgrown the economy by 10% or through the austerity years.

The space industry is worried about the

issues caused by Brexit even though it is outside

the European Union.

Which he give us your reassurance that the industry will

We recognise the value of space to our economy

and are working closely with industry to understand their

Also working closely across government to understand the

impact of the referendum and all the opportunities associated

with it, and will continue to do this as we

shape our future relationship with European Union.

The success of our agricultural industry is dependent on the latest

innovations in agricultural science and technology driven forward by

world leading research centres like the one

What assurances can the Minister give

that agri- food research will continue to play an important role

in the government's overall strategy for supporting innovation

and ultimately delivering food security?

This government is investing ?160 million in agri- tech, including

incentives for agricultural innovation to ensure that our world

leading science is improving productivity and farms.

In addition, a UK wide food innovation

network which is to be launched very shortly,

will give businesses greater access to technology and

Will the Minister ensure that the devolved legislatures right

across the United Kingdom, the relevant ministers there, are

brought together to ensure the best practice in innovation right across

the United Kingdom is not just replicated

but brought forward in

each of the relevant sections across the UK?

Mr Speaker, we are working closely with the devolved

administrations as we put through the creation of UK research and

Excellent science and innovation will be supported through

this new body, and we look forward to continuing

science and innovation wherever it is found in the United Kingdom.

Innovation is key to our regional economies,

helping to create high skilled, well-paid jobs.

Innovation needs investment and research and

development, and small businesses to make a success of new ideas.

European funding has helped grow our regional

innovation infrastructure, the Northeast alone receives ?130

million in research funding from now until 2020.

While 72% of EU funding to UK businesses goes to small and

Will the minister commit to matching the

funding for innovation which currently comes from the European

Mr Speaker, we have been monitoring the impact, or any

impact, on our research institutions and businesses since the referendum.

The announcement on August the 13th by HM Treasury that it will

underwrite for the life of the project or competitively bid

funding that is applied for before departure.

That shows our determination to take action were ever necessary.

Consumer product safety is a government priority.

We have an effective system of product recall and have

established a steering group to

consider recommendations in

We will engage with the London Fire Brigade

on their campaign as part of

You'll be aware of the fire in Shepherd's Bush tower block last

month caused by a defective tumble drier.

The woman could do nothing to

stop the fire destroying her home and 25 others.

Does the Minister agree that such drivers can continue

to be used if not unattended is irresponsible and dangerous, and

I was shocked to hear about the serious fire in the

Honourable member's constituency and understand

his concerns about the

The advice being provided by the Whirlpool is

based on a full risk assessment of the products that has been agreed

with Peterborough City Council trading standards, who are the lead

enforcement of authority for Whirpool.

Trading standards will continue to monitor the situation

and do have powers to order further action if they consider

it appropriate.

Two tumble dryer fires each day in this country,

almost 2500 since the start of 2012.

Will the Minister ensure there are fireproof

labels on all tumble dryers with make, model, serial number,

so that when fires do occur they can be

I thank my honourable friend for his question.

Although there have been the serious fires, they do actually

represents less than 0.2% of the total numbers

So we have to keep these things in perspective.

The Linfolds Woods review that provides an overview of the current

And the independent recall review group,

comprised of industry safety experts and the chief fire officers

Association, will complete the work on these recommendations.

As a department, where absolutely committed to ensuring

only safe products are placed on the market,

Given the risks associated with misuse of

these pens, we are reviewing what more we can do to protect

Last year, there was over 1300 incidents where certain laser

pens were used to target aircraft and infrastructure.

Will he support the bill to regulate the sale of

these pens, supported by the British airline

Can I congratulate my friend for his persistence and passion

this very important issue, because there are significant

I assure him that the government is taking very seriously

and there is a cross Whitehall group looking urgently now at our options,

including the case for further legislation.

I am happy in that context to meet him.

Would the Minister help the leading manufacturer of laser pens in my

constituency, was a great supporter of the northern Powerhouse, and will

be attending Thursday's big conference in Yorkshire.

On innovation and creativity in Yorkshire.

What he wants to know is

why Lord O'Neill was suddenly pulled as a speaker,

no substitute offered, and we hear that the government will

not have anything to do with elected mayors or northern powerhouse.

Can we talk about laser pens, rather than the

I refute any suggestion we have lost commitment to the northern

powerhouse. He is a well-known exponent of the shoehorning

technique. Whatever he wants to raise, he shoehorns in to a

question, somehow. Let me take this

opportunity to refute absolutely any suggestion

that the government has lost any commitment to the northern

powerhouse in terms I welcome the question

from a colleague I have enjoyed watching at work,

his incisive questioning of a He is now directing

that questioning to me, The department has

received a copy of the PwC great success story

over the past years. The goal now is to try

and move the industry towards the

capacity to deliver without subsidy. I thank the Minister for his

generous comments, and also for chairing my Select Committee,

I wish him well in the new role. PwC suggests a third

of solar jobs have been lost in the last year,

and many more companies expect to lose

staff in the next 12 months. It has been suggested

that rate changes Will the Government

taken in to account these measures and do something

positive for the industry? I share the concerns

about job losses as a result of changes

in the I made some points about the way

the industry has changed, and your report picked out

the resilience of the industry and its capacity to respond

to change, It's noticeable that

of many schemes are already viable without subsidy

in certain circumstances. The key now is to move

further towards that. We will look very closely

towards the issues raised on valuation

highlighted today. With your permission,

I will answer this question The Government has made it clear

we are open for business and

determined to make EU, including seizing

the opportunity to negotiate our

own trade agreements. I believe leaving the EU offers

great opportunity for British My constituency has

a business which works It is very complex

and has a registration He is concerned his

business will be hampered. Will my honourable friend be

vigilant of issues like this, to

make sure that we are able We want to make sure

the new relationship with the EU works for British businesses,

and his constituents raises

an important issue. We need to have clarity

I'm sure we can arrange a meeting to discuss it.

Does the Minister welcome the figures that predict our exports

will go up after the referendum results?

And will he confirm businesses who he has spoken to that

are positive about our potential future?

I voted remain and believe that we should

talk up our prospects are

The chairman I have spoken to have expressed some

desire for more certainty but we are fundamentally optimistic

There is a British jurisdiction that is entirely accessed by road, air

and by sea through another European Union member

state, and that is the

British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar.

They are absolutely of the opinion they need to retain

access to the single European market.

What discussions has he had with Gibraltarian counterparts

to ensure that happens?

We are engaged with a series of discussions with stakeholders and

Will the Minister or his team meet with the leader of the official

opposition in Northern Ireland, where we have an excellent document

on the vision of the future of Northern Ireland after Brexit?

The short answer is yes, we are very keen to

ideas on how we meet this fundamental and exciting challenge

of how we transition to a post-Brexit world that works for

The Department of business energy and industrial strategy was formed

on the 14th of July, and it is my privilege to serve

We are creating a new focus on industrial strategy.

This is a powerful department, out of the task of promoting

a competitor, low carbon economy.

And an economy that works for everyone.

As part of an excellent team of ministers and officials, I will

continue to work both locally and globally

The Swansea Bay tidal lagoon, along the Cardiff Bay,

new port and Bridgwater Bay has the potential to create huge

Second largest rise and fall in the world's tides.

When are we going to get a result, we need

long-term funding for a project which will reach 8% of our energy?

My understanding is that the feasibility study is being

I haven't received its final conclusions yet.

At that point, I will look with the same

The European Commission says that Apple should

taxes for revenues created across the EU, including the UK.

Most businesses pay their fair share of

taxes and expects all other businesses, large or small, to do

Can the Secretary of State confirm he is doing everything he

can to make sure the very biggest companies pay up, and also that we

receive our share of the ?13 billion Apple tax pie?

The responsibilities that come with being in business in this

country and paying taxes that contribute to

public services that we enjoy as part of that.

He does have my assurance that we will make

sure that we pursue the

correct tax by all companies that locate here.

On Thursday I'll be chairing a panel at the enterprise innovation and

In developing an industrial strategy,

does the Minister agree with me that we need

to do to win more hearts and minds in the North.

More examples of regional procurement and more

jobs in the North, particularly with HS2 perhaps

The passion with which my honourable friend

opportunities that are in our industrial strategy to make sure

that growth is across the United Kingdom,

He will know I have taken great interest in this and my previous

roles, he can be assured that interest will not be diminishing.

The current review of network charging for small embedded

generators will mean huge increases in the costs of these small

Is the department just determined to make energy generation

What we have to do is strike a balance between looking to drive

down the costs of all sources of low carbon generation,

the best value for consumers and taxpayers.

That includes reviews of

Can the Minister ensure that breaks and financial services, and tourism

sectors, as we approach European negotiations?

I can assure the honourable member that we plan to put at the heart of

industrial strategy science and innovation,

financial services as

part of the services sector will also play an important

Last week, the Government committed to ratifying the Paris climate

Will it commit to doing so for the next conference

in Morocco so the Government can play a full role in that summit?

We helped shape the Paris agreement, we said

we will ratify as soon as

Britain is undoubtedly a world leader in scientific research.

Will my right honourable friend detail

what role science will pay to the the Government's

It will position the UK as a leader for the 21st-century.

The UK bio economy is worth billions, 36%...

The potential is there to grow, and will continue

The Secretary of State is a thoughtful man who, I believe, is

Will he assured me I'm right in this understanding by cancelling his

predecessor's decision to centralise department functions in London.

Thereby maintaining and building upon its presence in Sheffield?

I would say that I am certainly very attached to the work done in

Sheffield, and the valued colleagues we have up there.

The decision has made some time ago, and many changes

As we sort out the responsibilities of different parts

of the departments, I'll look carefully at what Sheffield can

What can be done to make sure community energy schemes are viable?

As explained previously, the Government

is very committed to the

deployment of renewable energy, and has had

The expansion of Heathrow would create demand for 370,000 tonnes of

So it is not only in the interest of the UK economy generally that we

expand Heathrow, but specifically in the interest of the manufacturing

So why don't we just get on with it, have the vote

chamber, and get on with building the third runway?

Across many different forms of infrastructure,

we do need an upgrade in the infrastructure we have.

That'll have many important benefit to the steel

It's hugely encouraging the Government is developing this

industrial strategy, which I believe for great boost

and confidence to our steel industry.

Can the Minister update a House what discussions he has had

I have had extensive discussions with these steel industry.

It is important we should have a is a

stable future for what is an important factor in our economy.

A huge shipping company has gone into receivership,

The inability to dock has impacted on UK retail,

critically juddering Christmas trading...

What action is he taking to assist traders and our seafarers?

In terms of immediate impact, the Local

Enterprise Partnership are engaged with making sure the delays are

Many will commend the Minister for putting science at the centre

a strategy, but I wonder if as he plans for the future

sciences industry if he will work with the Minister of health, because

the health service will be critical to the growth of that industry?

I was interested to read my honourable friend's article earlier

In some point in the Government takes a

collective approach on this, I've already

Health Secretary on how we can make the most of the NHS

Will the Government look again at the unjust 50% Government

claw back from the mine workerss' pension service?

I will certainly take that away and I'm happy to meet with the

honourable leader issued like to inform you more about this outside

Does the Department intend to develop a single industrial

for the whole country, or have different strategies different parts

My honourable friend makes a good point.

It seems to me essential that of course we should

have a strategy for the whole country, but place is incredibly

The challenges of the places like greater Manchester are

We should reflect the different strengths and opportunities more

clearly in how we do business as a government.

Does the Minister accept that changes to subsidy for the CHP

biomass plans have been brought in to quickly and longer grace

period before an implementation should have

In my constituency, a company doing what the government

want by investing in renewable technology but stand to lose 3

Will he meet with me to discuss these changes?

All kindness and charity to the honourable gentleman that he was at

his best at the end of the first sentence.

A blue pencil should therefore after have been applied.

As a former treasurer of the SNP, he knows a bit

about the challenges as

He knows in the context of these changes, are

overriding aim is to provide better value for the tax payer.

They will apply to new participants with they

Those who fully qualified on or after the

1st of August will be subject to the change.

If it is a specific issue you wish to raise with me I'll

Brexit provides the UK with an opportunity

to be the global leader in energy technology.

Offshore wind, energy storage and carbon capture.

Can the Minister confirm that the government

will reset energy policy so that the country can

take full advantage of

My honourable friend is absolutely right.

One of the historic strengths of the United Kingdom is in areas

such as marine engineering and power engineering,

which is at the heart of the opportunities around the

world as many countries look to develop their capacity in renewable

This is a big opportunity, especially for his constituency.

Can the Secretary of State guarantee that all employment protection

currently enjoyed by British workers will be

maintained post Brexit and

does he back my bill to do just that?

We will certainly look carefully at the Honourable Lady's

Employment protections are an absolute priority for this

The financial viability of many low-carbon on-site heat and

power technologies is under threat due to the reduction in the tarrif.

Would his department consider having a separate tariff rate for the new

technologies rather than being treated the same as other

The government is reviewing how the renewable heat incentive

works and is being forced to make some changes

to tariffs in order to

provide better value for the tax payer.

I'm more than happy to sit down and talk with him about his

Welcome Secretary of State to his place as I do my

A new report from a professor of Aberdeen University has

found the re-engineering of the fiscal regime may be necessary

before we reach the North Sea's potential.

What further support will

the government bring forward for the oil and gas sector

Very productive set of discussions in Aberdeen during the

summer with representatives of the oil and gas sector.

The industry centred in Aberdeen but involving

other places in the country is very important.

We have made big changes for the fiscal regime but we'll

He earlier described himself as being on a historic task

writing industrial strategy.

If he studies strategy, it is written primarily by

civil servants and ministers tend to fail.

engage businesses in Lancashire to make sure we have a successful

I'm grateful for my honourable friend's point.

It is the case that an industrial strategy for

the country should not be instructions from ministers or civil

servants to businesses and the rest of the country.

We are engaging with businesses all across the country

and in every different sector to make sure

Does the Secretary of State believe it is conceivable this

country can negotiate full membership of the single market

without accepting free movement?

Mr Speaker, the Honourable gentleman entices me

into making early decisions on what our negotiating

I think it is the sensible step to be

careful and to put together our negotiating

brief and to do that in

consultation with businesses and every part of the country.

Speaker, I welcome the government's and

genuine commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.

Will the secretary of state meet with me and other leaders

I'm always keen to meet the Honourable gentleman,

despite the fact that I've moved from one department to another.

I hope the invitation to fish and chips still stands!

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