Contributions
624 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI was pleased to meet the hon. Lady yesterday to discuss this matter. I share her concerns about the case that she mentioned and take her suggestion very seriously. As I have…30 Apr 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe are the leading country in Europe when it comes to the production of electric vehicles, and as the hon. Lady is well aware, we have, through the industrial strategy, advanced…19 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am glad the hon. Lady recognises the importance and effectiveness of our automotive sector. She is absolutely right that the acceleration of the shift to new technologies is…19 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend is correct that our reputation for science and innovation, and the standing of our universities, are among the best in the world. At a time when every country…19 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsOne of the frustrations about the dominance of our Brexit debates over the last two years is that insufficient attention is given to the fact that this is one of the most exciting…19 Mar 2019HANSARDEnergy MixQuite the opposite is true. One of the reasons why it has proved impossible to finance privately some of these nuclear power stations is that the cost of renewables was falling…19 Mar 2019HANSARDEnergy MixI will indeed meet my hon. Friend, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth will join that conversation. We have a good record in bringing…19 Mar 2019HANSARDEnergy MixI think the hon. Lady should recognise the huge progress that has been made, which is beyond what anyone would have expected 10 years ago when the Climate Change Act 2008 was…19 Mar 2019HANSARDEnergy MixThe UK is leading the world in decarbonising our energy supplies while driving down the cost of clean power. The proportion of our electricity coming from renewables has increased…19 Mar 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Businesses in ScotlandMy hon. Friend makes an excellent point. That is absolutely the intention. The fund will be UK-wide and continue the progress that has been made, not least through the city deals…19 Mar 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Businesses in ScotlandMy right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. As he knows from the industrial strategy—he was closely involved in its construction—grants and assistance for training, especially…19 Mar 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Businesses in ScotlandNo. Advice and support are available to every business across the United Kingdom, including, of course, businesses in Scotland. I work very closely with the Scottish Government.…19 Mar 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Businesses in ScotlandThe best chance for Scotland to enjoy prosperity in the future is to stay in the United Kingdom, and I hope the hon. Gentleman would support that. I am very surprised that he…19 Mar 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Businesses in ScotlandI have regular discussions with the Chancellor about support for businesses in Scotland, as well as in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As the hon. Member for Glasgow North…19 Mar 2019HANSARDInsecure WorkI value very highly the work of all the staff in my Department. I met some of the staff she has mentioned, who were affected. I asked my officials to review the comparable levels…19 Mar 2019HANSARDInsecure WorkI do indeed expect this to continue. Many of the rights that we have introduced—including, for example, the right to request a stable contract—were pioneered in this country, and…19 Mar 2019HANSARDInsecure WorkI share the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. In the last few weeks, I have been discussing with the trade unions how any loopholes that might be being exploited should be closed. It is…19 Mar 2019HANSARDInsecure WorkI do agree with that analysis and with what my hon. Friend has said. The conclusion of the panel in that completely independent report was: “To ban zero hours contracts…would…19 Mar 2019HANSARDInsecure WorkThe hon. Lady should recognise the commitment to 60% and the progress that has been made towards that, which meant a very big pay increase for many of the lowest paid workers in…19 Mar 2019HANSARDInsecure WorkMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Obviously, it is a great source of confidence to people that they can obtain a job. It is the case that employers across the country value the…19 Mar 2019