Contributions
2,186 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. I know her constituents will be concerned about this. We are prepared to step up concentration within Jobcentre Plus. We will make sure there…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionMy right hon. Friend absolutely nails it, as usual, in supporting her independent retailers—her small businesses. They are the backbone; 99.7% of businesses in this country are…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionAn online sales tax is one consideration that the Treasury will look at, but it is more than that. We need to ensure, in the fundamental business rates review, that there is a…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionI look forward to joining the New West End Company and, I assume, my hon. Friend on Saturday to celebrate not only small business Saturday but traffic-free shopping in the west…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionMy right hon. Friend raises a really important point. We have wrapped our arms around the economy, but clearly it is very difficult to do things at pace to cover everybody. We…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionThere are plenty of things on which we can work together with the sector and, indeed, the whole gamut of British high street businesses, including talking about getting the rent…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionI agree that it is so important that we continue a viable business where it is possible, and I know that the administrators will have that at heart.02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionIn terms of employees, as well as universal credit and access to other support through Jobcentre Plus, we will connect people to jobs in the labour market, help with their…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionIt is really important that, as we extend hours for retailers to be able to open up for Christmas, we rip up and peel back on our bureaucracy as well. We must also encourage local…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionIt is certainly something that I will ask the Treasury to look at and discuss with me.02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionGiven that these businesses are big brand names, this is clearly an issue for the whole UK. We will continue to work with and listen to the devolved Administrations, and to speak…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionIn terms of shopping centres, it is really important that we get the balance right between landlords and tenants. The moratorium helps tenants but clearly does not help landlords,…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionI wish my hon. Friend every success in that bid—the announcement will be forthcoming. It is important that we have small business Saturday coming up this Saturday, and we must…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionI thank my hon. Friend, and he is absolutely right. When people are bringing back their heavy bags—after a long evening’s shopping, hopefully, in the lead-up to Christmas—just a…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionClearly, as I have said, there are measures in place that govern the administrators, but we will keep on top of this. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionI know that my hon. Friend’s experience as a retailer, and his other work, will be massive in the months to come. Yes, we must ensure that we shape the change of high streets. We…02 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionTo flip the question slightly, I know that a number of people up and down the country have been appreciative of the Government’s increase in universal credit to make sure that we…02 Dec 2020HANSARDStatutory Paid Bereavement Leave: Loss of Family MemberFirst, I congratulate the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Patricia Gibson) on securing a debate on this important issue. I am grateful to her for bringing it to the…30 Nov 2020HANSARDStatutory Paid Bereavement Leave: Loss of Family MemberI have been an employer in the past, and the biggest asset of any business is the employees. Any business owner invests time in training and developing people, and they make up…30 Nov 2020HANSARDStatutory Paid Bereavement Leave: Loss of Family MemberIt is essentially about getting the balance right. I talked about eligibility for statutory sick pay, which I know is not suitable for long periods of time, and access to…30 Nov 2020