Contributions
1,148 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for his question. I met the newly appointed US Energy Secretary a couple of weeks ago and we work very closely with the United States. Of course, this week…03 Mar 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI think it is unfair and wrong to say that—we are not kicking the matter into the long grass. I have repeated over and over again that we are committed to dealing with this issue.27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his encouragement. The hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun talked about a clear majority supporting the retention deposit scheme. I take…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsThe temptation is great, but the issue is complex, as I have said—27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI do not agree. I hope I have built a reputation over the past decade of being someone who is evidence led; it is important that we do that. My hon. Friend the Member for…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsThe hon. Lady is right to continue to push on this issue; I agree that the process has been far slower than I would have anticipated or the Government would have liked. That is…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI think that my stating clearly and repeating over and over again that we are committed to dealing with this issue should give my hon. Friend the comfort he seeks that we are…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI will answer the hon. Member for Sefton Central (Bill Esterson), because he asked an important question—why will the Government not expand the remit for the Small Business…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier. We are absolutely committed, but it is a complex issue. My hon. Friend the Member for Waveney rightly asked the Government…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsThe right hon. Gentleman makes a powerful point. He is right that we have to make a decision, but it is complex and we do not want to create perverse incentives in a different…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr McCabe. I thank the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Alan Brown) for initiating this important debate. I also thank my…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Construction Industry: Cash RetentionsI opened by saying that the Government are committed to tackling the problem of late and unfair payments, so I hope that answers the question whether we are going to do something…27 Feb 2020HANSARD Government Support for BusinessIt is a shame and disappointing not to see any representation. As part of my personal mission to improve the business environment, I am working across Government, including with…26 Feb 2020HANSARD Government Support for BusinessIt is an absolute pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Bone. I thank my hon. Friends the Members for Arundel and South Downs (Andrew Griffith) and for North Norfolk…26 Feb 2020HANSARD Nuclear Energy Policy: Climate ChangeI congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Virginia Crosbie) not only on securing this evening’s debate, but on her fantastic recent election result. I thank…05 Feb 2020HANSARD Nuclear Energy Policy: Climate ChangeI am grateful to my hon. Friend for her intervention. She is absolutely right and I hope to address that point in a few moments. EDF has informed us that Wales is already…05 Feb 2020HANSARD Nuclear Energy Policy: Climate ChangeI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. I am happy to write back to him on how much of the benefit has gone to businesses in Northern Ireland. A total of almost £4…05 Feb 2020HANSARD Nuclear Energy Policy: Climate ChangeQuite right, Sir. It has been over three decades since Ynys Môn elected a Conservative Member of Parliament and I look forward to working with my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys…05 Feb 2020HANSARDDraft Electricity Supplier Obligations (Excluded Electricity) (Amendment) Regulations 2019The regulations deal with the cost of current renewables. Obviously, in the future, other mechanisms will be in place. The sectors eligible for the existing exemption scheme…03 Feb 2020HANSARDDraft Electricity Supplier Obligations (Excluded Electricity) (Amendment) Regulations 2019Let me be clear: during the implementation period, we have to follow EU state aid rules. The legislation that we are considering today will continue to apply under EU state aid…03 Feb 2020