Topical Questions

Patrick Hurley (Southport) (Lab) asked the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, about how the Department will support the next generation of entrepreneurs to further the Government's economic mission. The Secretary of State acknowledged the importance of small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups to economic success, and highlighted the advice, guidance and training that will be provided, as well as the need for stability and consistency in policy to encourage risk-taking. Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) (Con) raised the issue of the Post Office Horizon scandal, expressing concern that the Department was exacerbating the trauma of the victims by delaying the sending of letters informing them that their convictions have been quashed. The Secretary of State responded that the letters are an issue for the Ministry of Justice, and that the Department has moved quickly to set up the Horizon convictions redress scheme. David Pinto-Duschinsky (Hendon) (Lab) asked what steps the Department is taking to reverse the legacy of weak enforcement of the national minimum wage under the previous government. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Justin Madders, outlined plans to create a fair work agency to bring together employment rights enforcement, including of the minimum wage. Sir David Davis (Goole and Pocklington) (Con) pressed the Secretary of State on the issue of the postmasters who have not received their letters, urging him to take responsibility and ensure a faster response. The Secretary of State acknowledged the importance of the issue and the progress made, but agreed that the pace is not fast enough and that he will continue to push for faster action. Mike Amesbury (Runcorn and Helsby) (Lab) welcomed the ministerial team and asked about recent discussions with the Treasury on reforming the broken business rates system. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Gareth Thomas, confirmed that reform of the business rates system is a priority and that colleagues in the Treasury are working to bring forward proposals. Helen Morgan (North Shropshire) (LD) asked about progress on making a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement and a veterinary agreement with the EU to help rural businesses in her constituency trade with Europe. The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Mr Douglas Alexander, assured her that the SPS agreement is a priority and that dialogue is underway between the relevant departments. Melanie Onn (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) (Lab) asked about plans to crack down on dodgy vape shops, and the Secretary of State responded that the upcoming Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will give powers to the UK Government to regulate in this and other areas. Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst (Solihull West and Shirley) (Con) asked when the Horizon shortfall scheme appeal process will be fully operational, and the Secretary of State acknowledged the importance of the issue and the work done to get the scheme in place, while committing to continue working on it. Joe Powell (Kensington and Bayswater) (Lab) asked what steps the Government is taking to address the challenges faced by businesses, especially creative industries, in his constituency due to the adversarial relationship with the EU and the resulting red tape and trade barriers. The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Mr Douglas Alexander, outlined the Government's plans to reset the relationship with the EU and reinvigorate cooperation in a range of areas. Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green) (Con) raised the issue of the use of polysilicon produced in Xinjiang using slave labour in solar arrays, and the Secretary of State gave an assurance that he would expect and demand there to be no modern slavery in any part of a supply chain affecting products or goods sold in the UK. Paul Waugh (Rochdale) (Lab/Co-op) invited the Secretary of State to meet with him, the Rochdale Development Agency and the Rochdale business improvement district to discuss plans for advanced manufacturing and town centre regeneration in Rochdale, and the Secretary of State accepted the invitation. Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP) raised concerns about consumer resistance to electric vehicles and the impact of the zero emission vehicle mandate on the car industry, and the Secretary of State acknowledged the issue and the need to keep the policy under review while remaining committed to the transition. Dan Carden (Liverpool Walton) (Lab) asked the Secretary of State to work with Cabinet colleagues and the local city council to ensure real improvement is delivered for the residents of County Road in his constituency by the end of this Parliament, and the Secretary of State expressed his sympathy for the businesses affected by the riots and committed to continue working with the local community. Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) sought an assurance that the aviation sector will be included in the negotiations on mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and the Secretary of State provided that assurance. Chris Vince (Harlow) (Lab/Co-op) raised concerns about hiring seasonal workers caused by Britain's exit from the EU, and the Secretary of State acknowledged the additional burdens placed on businesses and committed to making tangible improvements. Antonia Bance (Tipton and Wednesbury) (Lab) asked about the Government's response to the union-busting tactics and intimidation employed by Amazon against GMB members seeking union recognition at the Amazon warehouse in Coventry, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Justin Madders, committed to looking closely at the issue as part of the Government's plan to make work pay. Matt Western (Warwick and Leamington) (Lab) raised concerns about dynamic pricing and price gouging systems, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Justin Madders, acknowledged the need for urgent reconsideration of the system. Liam Byrne (Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North) (Lab) asked what thought the Secretary of State has given to attending the Williams inquiry into the Post Office scandal, and the Secretary of State expressed his belief that the inquiry and the lessons learned from it are essential to how accountability and power should be considered in the roles of Ministers, and committed to attending the inquiry.