Wednesday Volume 684 25 November 2020 No. 141

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 25 November 2020 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2020 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 805 25 NOVEMBER 2020 806

those working in shut-down sectors such as retail and House of Commons hospitality,the workforces in which are disproportionately young, female and from a black, Asian or minority Wednesday 25 November 2020 ethnic background. We have taken action to ensure that disabled people have access to disability benefits, financial support and employment support, such as the Work The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock and Health programme, and we have extended the self-employment income support scheme, in which some ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented. PRAYERS Rebecca Long Bailey [V]: Analysis of the labour force [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] survey by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that the Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Order, shut-down sectors worst affected by the pandemic have 4 June). a higher than average proportion of workers who are women, who are disabled and who are from BAME [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] backgrounds. In Salford, where this economic picture is stark, the number of people claiming universal credit Speaker’s Statement has more than doubled since January. Will the Minister, first, commit to demanding that the Chancellor strengthens 11.33 am support to those struggling, as advised by the Social Mr Speaker: I remind colleagues that a deferred Division Security Advisory Committee, such as protecting the will take place today. Members should be aware that the £20 universal credit uplift and extending it to people on timings have reverted to being between 11.30 am and legacy benefits? Secondly,will she request bespoke financial 2 pm, though deferred Divisions will continue to take support packages for the worst hit sectors? place in the Members’ Library. Members will cast their votes by placing a completed Division slip in one of the Kemi Badenoch: The hon. Lady will be aware that the ballot boxes provided. If a Member has a proxy vote in Chancellor will be announcing his spending review this operation, they must not vote in person in the deferred afternoon, and I think she will find that many of the Division. The nominated proxy should vote on their questions she is asking will be answered at that point. behalf. I remind colleagues of the importance of social With respect to the sectors that have been shut down, as distancing during the deferred Division and ask them to I said in my first answer, we recognise that those people pick up a Division slip from the Vote Office and fill it in who are on low incomes have been disproportionately before they reach the Library, if possible. The result will affected, and those groups are the ones who have most be announced in the Chamber at a convenient moment benefited from the interventions that the Treasury has after the Division is over. put in place. Zarah Sultana: Nearly one in seven people in Coventry are now on universal credit. That is a 97% increase since Oral Answers to Questions March. Low earnings, higher rates of poverty and greater need mean that women, BAME communities and disabled people rely more on UC and the social security system. Fixing it, from scrapping the two-child limit and benefit WOMEN AND EQUALITIES cap to an uplift in payments, is a question of gender, racial and disability justice. What has the Minister done to push for these measures in today’s spending review, The Minister for Women and Equalities was asked— including keeping the £20 UC uplift from April 2021 Covid-19: Economic Effect and extending it to jobseeker’s allowance and employment support allowance? Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): What discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Kemi Badenoch: I am afraid that, as I said in my earlier Exchequer on the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak answer, questions about the spending review need to be on (a) women, (b) disabled people and (c) Black, Asian asked to during the spending review, which will take and minority ethnic people. [909384] place later this afternoon.

Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Lab): What discussions Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) (Con) she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on [V]: We know that we went into the pandemic with the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) women, female employment at a record level and with the disability (b) disabled people and (c) Black, Asian and minority employment gap shrinking. Will my hon. Friend update ethnic people. [909387] the House on the work that she is undertaking with the Department for Work and Pensions to make sure that The Minister for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch): The women, disabled people and BAME people are not pandemic has affected all communities in our country. disadvantaged when we come out of the pandemic? This Government have done their utmost to protect lives and livelihoods. We have targeted economic support Kemi Badenoch: As we discussed at the Women and at those who need it most. For example, rolling out Equalities Committee a few weeks ago, this is something unprecedented levels of economic support worth over that the Government Equalities Office is very much £200 billion has provided a much needed lifeline for alive to. I am working with equalities Ministers across 807 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 808 various Departments to see how the interventions that The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport we are making are not going to impact on those groups (Rachel Maclean): The rail to refuge scheme, as of who are most vulnerable, and I will continue to update 15 November 2020, has assisted 626 adults and 210 children her on that work. in crisis.

Mr Speaker: I welcome Charlotte Nichols to her first Kerry McCarthy: I thank the Minister for her response. outing at the Dispatch Box. She will know that domestic abuse services have, sadly, seen a real surge in demand during the lockdown. Rail Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North) (Lab): Thank to refuge schemes, including the GWR scheme that you, Mr Speaker. serves my constituency, have helped more than 800 people to flee domestic abuse through the use of a free rail There are over 600,000 people in work who are clinically ticket. Can the Minister commit to funding these schemes extremely vulnerable. Current shielding guidance states in the future, because they are really important to people that if they cannot work from home, they should not go who need to get away? to their usual place of work, but this does not entitle them to be furloughed. This means that many disabled Rachel Maclean: I thank the hon. Lady very much for people have had to ask their employer to put them on her support for this scheme. She will know that over furlough in order to receive financial support. Where 63% of victims of domestic abuse accessing the support employers have refused to do so, an estimated 22% of have stated that they would not have been able to access disabled employees have had to choose between their a journey at all if the scheme had not been in place. I am lives and their livelihoods. Does the Minister think that pleased that this vital scheme is extended until next this is fair? March, and we keep all these schemes under review all the time. Kemi Badenoch: As the hon. Lady will know, the pandemic has affected many different groups in very Workplace Discrimination: Pregnant Women bad ways, and we have done everything we can to support and New Mothers them. Specifically on disabled people, we have done quite a lot in looking at the benefits that they have and Mr Speaker: We are now going back to Basingstoke, providing support in many other ways, including to Maria Miller with her supplementary question. employment support. These are the ways that we are protecting those people who are being disproportionately Mrs Miller [V]: In Germany, women who are pregnant impacted. I am sure that my hon. Friend the Minister or on maternity leave cannot be made redundant, to avoid for Disabled People, Health and Work, who is also in any hidden discrimination. With one in four women the House today, is going to be answering more questions who are pregnant during the pandemic experiencing on our disabled strategy, and perhaps he will be able to discrimination here at home, is it not time for the UK to provide more information specifically from a Department look carefully at adopting a similar approach to that taken for Work and Pensions perspective. in Germany? Workplace Discrimination: Pregnant Women Paul Scully: I thank my right hon. Friend for pushing and New Mothers her private Member’s Bill and for her concern in this area. I was pleased to meet her. Germany has a far more Mrs Maria Miller (Basingstoke) (Con): With reference prescriptive labour market. We support the intention to the Government-commissioned research on pregnancy behind her Bill but, having undertaken a full consultation and maternity-related discrimination and disadvantage, in 2019, we have decided on a different approach, working published in 2015, what progress the Government have with the grain of our current regime and extending made in tackling unlawful discrimination against pregnant the existing protection afforded to a new mother on women and new mothers in the workplace. [909385] maternity leave into pregnancy and for a six-month return to work period. We will introduce these changes The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, as soon as parliamentary time allows. I am more than Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully): Since the happy to continue to work with my right hon. Friend in publication of research on pregnancy and maternity that regard. discrimination, the Government have worked with ACAS Social Mobility and published updated guidance to ensure that women and employers understand their rights and obligations, Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): consulted on measures to extend redundancy protections What steps she is taking to promote social mobility and committed to introduce these in an employment throughout the UK. [909388] Bill. Miriam Cates (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Con): Mr Speaker: We are heading to Basingstoke—but What steps she is taking to promote social mobility maybe not yet, as we do not have Maria Miller, so I call throughout the UK. [909390] Kerry McCarthy. Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Con): What steps Victims of Domestic Abuse: Free Travel she is taking to promote social mobility throughout the UK. [909396] Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): What recent assessment the Government have made of the effectiveness Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) (Con): What steps of rail to refuge schemes in providing free travel to she is taking to promote social mobility throughout victims of domestic abuse. [909386] the UK. [909400] 809 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 810

Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con): What steps differently due to dyslexia are able to receive that crucial she is taking to promote social mobility throughout early diagnosis and support so that they can access the UK. [909401] those opportunities equally?

The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Elizabeth Truss: My hon. Friend makes a very good Truss): This Government are focused on levelling up. point; everybody needs access to a world-class education We are transforming our skills system so that everybody that sets them up for life. I am pleased to say that in has a chance to train and retrain, and we are using early years 25% of children with special educational important new data analysis from the Equality Hub to needs achieved a good level of development in 2019, ensure that we are addressing where real inequality lies which compares with a figure of only 14% in 2013, but in the UK. we continue to do more to make sure that children with special educational needs have access to a good education, Sir David Evennett [V]: I welcome all the work my right across the country. right hon. Friend is doing to promote social mobility. However, what assessment has she made of the needs of Alexander Stafford [V]: What steps is my right hon. groups such as white working class children whose Friend taking to ensure that mothers are supported in challenges have not had enough attention to date? the return to work during this recovery?

Elizabeth Truss: I strongly agree with my right hon. Elizabeth Truss: It is very important that working Friend. White British children who receive free school mothers and working fathers have access to the childcare meals perform worse at GCSE than equivalent black they need so that they are able to get into work during and Asian children. We need to ensure that children the coronavirus crisis. That is why it is so important that from all backgrounds are succeeding in modern Britain, we keep our schools and nurseries open, and that we and that is going to be a major focus for the Equality continue to give the support of the 30 hours a week of Department, working with the Department for Education. childcare for three and four-year-olds.

Miriam Cates: Social mobility should not mean having Covid-19: Disabled People and Legacy Benefits to leave your community to go in search of opportunity: we need to spread opportunities across our towns and Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP): What steps villages, including those in my constituency. The digital she is taking to ensure the adequacy of support for revolution should provide an opportunity to make this disabled people on legacy benefits during the covid-19 more achievable, but sadly, many adults, even in my outbreak. [909389] constituency, do not have the digital work skills needed to take advantage of this. Does my right hon. Friend The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work agree that the digital skills boot camps being established (Justin Tomlinson): The Government are committed to across the country, alongside the fantastic work of civil supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 society organisations such as the Good Things Foundation outbreak. We are ensuring that disabled people continue in Sheffield, are vital to opening up the jobs of the to have access to disability benefits and other financial future to people in all communities? support during it.

Elizabeth Truss: We know that digital skills are vital Patrick Grady: I wonder whether the Minister is in the modern economy. We also know that this is a aware that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has shown huge opportunity for us to level up our country.We know that nearly half of people in poverty in the UK are that take-up is particularly low among girls in areas either themselves disabled or live in a household with such as computing, and that is why the digital skills someone who is. As he says, covid has exacerbated that boot camps are vital. They are being rolled out across hardship, and the inequalities disabled people face will the country in spring 2021 to ensure that everybody has only be exacerbated by the fact that those who are on the skills they need to succeed. not on universal credit will not have benefited from the uplift of £20 that was applied to UC. So has he, or Christian Wakeford: Does my right hon. Friend agree anyone else in the Government, carried out an equalities that the lifetime skills guarantee is a landmark achievement impact assessment on the decision not to extend the in opening up opportunity for all, especially in left £20 uplift to legacy benefits? behind communities, such as Radcliffe, in my constituency? Justin Tomlinson: Those on legacy benefits will have Elizabeth Truss: My hon. Friend is absolutely right; benefited from the 1.7% uplift as part of the annual too many people have been let down in the past by poor upratings. Depending on individual circumstances, they education. We want to make that right, through the may have also benefited from the changes to the local lifetime skills guarantee, making sure that there is an housing allowance; the increases in discretionary housing entitlement to level 3 qualifications and access to four support; the various employment support schemes; and years of loan funding, for people to use over their life- the additional discretionary support administered via time, so that everybody, right across the United Kingdom, local authorities. This year alone we anticipate expenditure has the skills they need to succeed. on disability benefits to increase by nearly 5%.

Holly Mumby-Croft: My right hon. Friend will know Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP) [V]: that education is incredibly important when it comes to The reason my Scottish National party colleagues and opportunity and social mobility. What steps are the I, and others, have repeatedly called for this £20 uplift is Government taking to make sure that those who learn that covid-19 costs people with disabilities significantly 811 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 812 more money than it does most others, yet they have George Floyd. A key thing that came across was that been completely ignored. Last week, a petition from the my constituents want to ensure that what we teach in Disability Benefits Consortium calling for the £20 uplift, schools is properly representative of the role that black which had 119,000 signatures, was handed in to the Britons and other people of colour have played in our Chancellor. As the Minister who represents the interests history. Today, the “Black Curriculum” report, led by of people with disabilities, did he ask the Chancellor to Dr Jason Arday of Durham University, has concluded do this in today’s spending review? If not, what did he that the national curriculum in England ask for? “systematically omits the contribution of Black British history”. Will the Minister speak to the Secretary of State for Justin Tomlinson: As I have already set out, we anticipate Education,urgehimtoworkwithcolleaguesinthedevolved spending on disability benefits to increase by 4.6%; we Administrations, such as Kirsty Williams in Wales, and are talking about close to £20 billion and that is targeted ensure that we have a truly reflective curriculum? support for those who most need it. Kemi Badenoch: I have not seen the report that the Covid-19: Disabled People hon. Lady refers to, but I will look at it with interest, decide, from an equalities perspective, whether I agree Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab): What with the conclusions that have been made, and then steps the Government are taking to help protect disabled speak to the Secretary of State for Education about it. people from the effects of the covid-19 outbreak. [909391] Covid-19: Childcare

The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): What steps (Justin Tomlinson):The Government are committed to she is taking to support women returning to work to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 access childcare during the covid-19 outbreak. [909394] outbreak. We are ensuring that disabled people continue to have access to employment support, disability benefits, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, financialsupport,food,medicines,accessiblecommunications Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully): The and updated guidance. Government are supporting childcare provision during the pandemic by funding the free childcare entitlement Vicky Foxcroft [V]: Data published by Scope this for two, three and four-year-olds with £3.6 billion in week shows that the disability employment gap stands 2020-21. We are giving grants and loans to businesses at a shocking 29.2% nationwide. Many are fearful that and ensuring that childcare providers can access the the gap will increase with the economic fallout of covid-19. coronavirus job retention scheme, where necessary. We clearly need a long-term, multi-pronged approach to address this deeply entrenched issue, so will the Paul Blomfield [V]: The Prime Minister has urged Minister commit to examining Scope’s five policy asks everybody who can do so to work at home until April, and work with his Department for Work and Pensions and obviously many people have been doing that for the colleagues to put them into practice? past eight months, but childcare responsibilities are still falling largely on women. As a result, recent data has Justin Tomlinson: I put on the record a tribute to the shown that 67% of women with children—compared proactive and constructive work of Scope and many with just 16% of fathers—are likely to quit their job other organisations to support our efforts, which have because they cannot balance childcare with work. The resulted in record disability employment—up 1.3 million Minister talked about the action that the Government since 2010. Yes, these are unprecedented times, but we are taking, as did the Minister for Women and Equalities have made sure that all the schemes in our £30 billion earlier, but it is clearly not working, so what more will plan for jobs have disability provision embedded. We will the Government do to reset this imbalance? continue with our ambition to have 1 million more disabled people in work by 2027—nothing has changed. Paul Scully: The Government have introduced 30 hours of free childcare for eligible working parents of three Institutional Racism and four-year-olds. We have ensured that the childcare sector has been able to stay open to support parents to Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD): What continue to work. We are investing £1 billion from 2021 steps the Government are taking to tackle institutional to help to create more high-quality, wraparound and racism. [909393] holiday childcare places, both before and after school, and we will continue to push the fact that childcare The Minister for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch): We are needs to be distributed equally between both parents. committed to a fairer society. In July, the Government set up the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, Topical Questions which is reviewing inequality in the UK, focusing on areas that include education, employment, health and [909424] Mary Robinson (Cheadle) (Con): If she will the criminal justice system. The commission is looking make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. at outcomes for the whole population and is due to report at the end of the year. The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss): As we recover from covid, I am determined that Wendy Chamberlain: This year, one of the issues we ensure that everyone across Britain is treated equally about which I received the most correspondence was and has equal opportunity. The Equality and Human the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of Rights Commission is critical to delivering that. I am 813 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 814 delighted that, alongside announcing Baroness Kishwer than ever to ensure that those living with disabilities are Falkner as my preferred chair, I have appointed four treated equally in the recruitment process, so what steps new commissioners with a diverse range of opinions is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that protections and backgrounds—a leading tech entrepreneur, a leading that support equality throughout the recruitment process thinker,a pioneering health expert and a business leader— stay prominent as we focus now on recovery? who are all committed to equality. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Mary Robinson [V]: While the global focus has been (Justin Tomlinson): I thank my hon. Friend who is a real on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, other important champion for disability employment opportunities in issues also need our attention, particularly the rising his constituency. As part of our £30 billion plan for rates of female genital mutilation. What measures is my jobs, disability provision is embedded throughout our right hon. Friend taking to tackle FGM internationally? schemes, including in kick-start, the job entry targeted support scheme, sector-based academies, apprenticeships, Elizabeth Truss: My hon. Friend makes a very good the health and work programme, intensive personalised point. This is an issue of concern for the Government. employment support and access to work. We remind According to the UN Population Fund, the covid-19 employers that, under the Equality Act 2010, they must pandemic could disrupt efforts towards ending FGM. focus on ability, not health or disability. We cannot let that happen. That is why we are continuing with UK Aid supported programmes on FGM, which [909428] Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab) have already helped 10,000 communities. [V]: I will be hosting a national group of experts on decolonising the British curriculum in January 2021. Will the Secretary of State attend that event to listen to Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab) [V]: Today is the expert testimonies from the academics regarding the international day for the elimination of violence this important issue? against women. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show that 1.6 million women experienced domestic TheExchequerSecretarytotheTreasury(KemiBadenoch): abuse last year. Since the pandemic began, domestic I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. As I said in abuse has intensified and women have reported finding a recent debate on this topic, we do not accept the it harder to escape. Yet 10 years of sustained cuts to premise that the curriculum in this country is colonised. services have left just 4,000 beds available for women While I am always very interested in hearing the viewpoints who are fleeing domestic violence. It is obvious that the about how we can improve the curriculum, there are funding provided so far is too little too late, so can the certain premises that we simply will not accept. Minister say when the Government will adequately fund services and give women the confidence they need, so that they will be protected by this Government? [909426] Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con) [V]: What recent steps has the Secretary of State taken with Cabinet colleagues to improve access to sexual and Elizabeth Truss: We are concerned about domestic reproductive health services for young people during abuse during the pandemic. That is why we have provided the covid-19 outbreak? an extra £76 million to support vulnerable people, including domestic abuse victims, and we have recently made Kemi Badenoch: Sexual and reproductive health services available a further £11 million to support domestic have remained open during the pandemic. Services are abuse services as they continue to manage the impacts maintaining access during this time through scaling up of the pandemic. of online services. Guidance from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare sets out that local pathways Marsha De Cordova: The gender pay gap is still for urgent referral for vulnerable groups, including via sitting at around 15%. At the current rate of progress, young people’s outreach, should be maintained. more than 8 million women working today will retire before they see equal pay.This sends a message to women [909429] Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Streatham) (Lab): The EHRC that this Government are happy to turn back the clock report on the hostile environment released today shows on women’s equal pay. I am going to ask the Minister a just how bad the situation has been over the years. It is straightforward question, yes or no: will she restart clear that the EHRC does not have the capacity to gender pay gap reporting in April next year? launch an inquiry into every piece of legislation that has had its equality compliance questioned. Will the Minister Elizabeth Truss: Our focus is on making sure that we explain what steps are being taken to ensure that future are helping women during the coronavirus crisis, through legislation is not labelled as complying with the public the furlough scheme, through making sure that there is sector duty when it so clearly does not? flexible working and childcare support available and through making sure that we get more women into jobs. Elizabeth Truss: It is very important that we conduct My view is that we need to address the causes of the equality impact assessments, but it is also important gender pay gap, including getting more girls and women that they are kept confidential within the Government studying science, technology, engineering and maths to ensure that there is not a chilling effect and we are subjects, so that they are able to earn higher amounts in able to have an honest debate about achieving equality their careers. across all Departments.

[909425] Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) [909427] Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): The impact of the pandemic on unemployment (Con): My right hon. Friend will be aware that more is being felt in every constituency. It is more important than half a million new babies were born during the 815 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 816 first lockdown. What assessment has she made for the learned Gentleman waits a little bit longer today, he will many women who have had to struggle with juggling hear some of the ways in which this Government are childcare responsibilities with going back to work during going to take this country forward, with one of the this very difficult year? most ambitious programmes of investment in infrastructure, schools and hospitals for generations. If he wants to make Elizabeth Truss: First, I congratulate my right hon. any particular allegations about individual Ministers or Friend on her important work leading the early years their conduct, he is welcome to do so. The floor is his. healthy development review. I completely agree that we need to ensure that people are protected during the Keir Starmer: I did not really hear an answer there, so lockdown and that they are helped, as we recover from why don’t we go through these commitments in turn, covid, to find better childcare options and better flexible starting with bullying and harassment? The now former working options. I am working closely with the Secretary independent adviser on ministerial standards concluded of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to that the Home Secretary’s behaviour was, in his words, achieve that. “in breach of the Ministerial Code”, and, he said, PRIME MINISTER “can be described as bullying”, which means: The Prime Minister was asked— “intimidating or insulting behaviour that makes an individual feel uncomfortable, frightened, less respected or put down.” Engagements What message does the Prime Minister think it sends [909239] Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): that the independent adviser on standards has resigned If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday but the Home Secretary is still in post? 25 November. The Prime Minister: Sir Alex’s decisions are entirely a The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) [V]: Good morning, matter for him, but the Home Secretary has apologised Mr Speaker. I hope very much that our connection for any way in which her conduct fell short. Frankly, I works today. This is my last day of virtual meetings make no apology for sticking up for and standing by a with ministerial colleagues and others before I come out Home Secretary who, as I said just now, is getting on of isolation. In addition to my virtual meetings and with delivering on the people’s priorities: putting, already, duties in this House, I shall have further such meetings 6,000 of the 20,000 more police out on the streets to later today. fight crime and instituting, in the teeth of very considerable resistance, a new Australian-style points-based immigration Mr Robertson [V]: Can the Prime Minister guarantee system. She is getting on with delivering what I think that in any agreement that he reaches with the European the people of this country want. She is showing a steely Union, British sovereignty will be protected for the whole determination, and I think that is probably why the United Kingdom and that the UK will exit the transition Opposition continue to bash her. period on 31 December as a whole? Keir Starmer: The reality is that any other Prime Minister ThePrimeMinister:Yes,indeed;Icanmakethatguarantee. would have fired the Home Secretary and any other Our position on fish has not changed. We will only be Home Secretary would have resigned, so I think we will able to make progress if the EU accepts the reality that chalk that up as one broken promise. we must be able to control access to our waters. It is very important at this stage to emphasise that. On to the next: no leaking. Over the summer, we saw repeated leaks about which areas would go into restrictions. Keir Starmer (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): Today The Prime Minister’s plans to go into a second national is International Day for the Elimination of Violence lockdown were leaked all over the national papers, against Women and Girls. On average, a woman is resulting in a truly chaotic press conference, and we killed by a man every three days in this country. It is a have seen more leaking in the past 24 hours. This serial shocking statistic; and, sadly, the pandemic has seen a leaking is causing huge anxiety to millions of people significant increase in domestic abuse. I will join those about what is going to happen next. I know there is marking this day, and I am sure that the whole House supposed to be an inquiry under way, but can the Prime would agree that we need to do far more to end domestic Minister tell us, is he any closer to working out who in violence. his Government is leaking this vital information? The Prime Minister may remember that in August last year, he wrote the foreword to the ministerial code. The Prime Minister: I have already told you, Mr Speaker, It says: that as soon as we have any information about anybody “There must be no bullying…no harassment; no leaking… No leaking, we will bring it to the House. But I may say that misuse of taxpayer money…no actual or perceived conflicts of I think the right hon. and learned Gentleman is really interest.” concentrating on trivia when what the people of this That is five promises in two sentences. How many of country want is to see his support, and the support of those promises does the Prime Minister think his Ministers politicians across the House, for the tough measures have kept? that we are putting in to defeat coronavirus. He makes various attacks on, I think, my leadership and handling The Prime Minister: I believe that the Ministers of of the ministerial code. I would take them a lot more this Government are working hard and overall doing an seriously, frankly, if the Leader of the Opposition could outstanding job in delivering the people’s priorities, and explain why the right hon. Member for Islington North that is what we will continue to do. If the right hon. and (Jeremy Corbyn) is still a member of the Labour party. 817 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 818

Does he support the right hon. Gentleman’s continued This friend also is a major shareholder, as it happens, in membership of the Labour party—yes or no? Why doesn’t a firm that specialises in lobbying the Government on he answer that question? behalf of its clients, and some of those clients have secured tens of millions of pounds of Government Mr Speaker: I think I will just answer that with the contracts during the pandemic. Was the Prime Minister fact that it is actually Prime Minister’s questions, not aware of this apparent conflict of interest? Leader of the Opposition’s questions. The Prime Minister: In so far as there are any conflicts of interest, they will be evident from the publication of The Prime Minister: It is a perfectly reasonable question, all the details of all the contracts. Again, the right hon. Mr Speaker. and learned Gentleman just seems to be attacking the Government for shifting heaven and earth, as we did, Mr Speaker: I think I will make that decision, Prime to get the medicines, the PPE, the equipment and the Minister. Thankfully we have got the sound—we do not treatments that this country needed. What it reveals want to lose it. [Laughter.] really is a deep underlying Labour hatred of the private sector, and it is actually thanks to the private sector and Keir Starmer: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The difference, the Government working with the private sector that of course, is that I am tackling the issues in my party the UK was able to produce the world’s first usable and the Prime Minister is running away from the issues treatment for the disease in dexamethasone and has in his. I take it from his answer that he has no idea who worked hard to secure huge numbers of doses of the is leaking from his Government, so I think we will put world’s first usable room-temperature vaccine. That is that as another one in the “no” column. the private sector working to deliver for the people of Moving on, to perhaps the most serious of the promises this country and it is this common-sense Conservative under the code: no misuse of taxpayers’ money. For Government working with the private sector, rather weeks, I have raised concerns about the Government’s than abominating it and relying exclusively on some spraying taxpayers’ money on contracts that do not deranged form of state control. How else does he think deliver. The problem is even worse than we thought. we could possibly have done it? This week, a Cabinet Office response suggests that the Government purchased not 50 million unusable items Keir Starmer: No one is knocking the private sector; of protective equipment but 180 million, and a new the Government are knocking the taxpayer, and that is report this morning by the National Audit Office identifies not trivial. So I think it is a clean sweep: bullying, a further set of orders totalling £240 million for face harassment, leaking, wasting public money and obvious masks for the NHS that it cannot use. So will the Prime conflicts of interest. It is the same old story: one rule for Minister come clean: how many hundreds of millions of the British public and another for the Prime Minister pounds of taxpayers’money has been wasted on equipment and his friends. Just look at the contrast between his that cannot be used? attitude to spraying public money at contracts that do not deliver and his attitude to pay rises for the key The Prime Minister: Actually, to answer the right hon. workers who kept the country going during this pandemic. and learned Gentleman’s question directly, 99.5% of the If you have a hotline to Ministers, you get a blank 32 billion items of personal protective equipment that cheque, but if you are on the frontline tackling covid, this country secured conformed entirely to our clinical you are picking up the bill. Will the Prime Minister needs, once we had checked it. Of all the pathetic lines finally get his priorities right, stop wasting taxpayers’ of attack that we have heard so far, this is the feeblest, money and give police officers, firefighters, care workers because if you remember, Mr Speaker, we were faced and other key workers the pay rise they so obviously with a national pandemic on a scale that we had not deserve? seen before and the Government were being attacked by The Prime Minister: It is this party and this Government the Labour party for not moving fast enough to secure who have given key workers and public sector workers PPE. I remember the right hon. and learned Gentleman above-inflation pay rises this year, as the right hon. and saying that we needed to unblock the blockages in the learned Gentleman knows, whether that is the police, system and that we needed to shift heaven and earth to the Army or nurses, who are now getting 12.6% more get it done. That is what he said at the beginning of the than they were three years ago. It is this Government pandemic. Then he complained that we moved too slow. who will continue to increase the living wage, as he will Now he is saying that we moved too fast. He has got to discover if he can just contain his impatience for a few make up his mind what his attack is. minutes. Indeed, it is this Government who have not only Keir Starmer: It is obvious that either the Prime Minister delivered free school meals and a vast increase in spending does not know how much taxpayers’ money has been on development around the world but have looked after wasted, or he does not care. So far, we have bullying, the poorest and the neediest. One of the most important harassment, leaking and the misuse of taxpayers’ money. facts about the £200 billion coronavirus package of I must say to the Prime Minister that it is not looking support that the Chancellor has devised for lives and good so far, but let us press on. The next one is livelihoods across the country is that the benefits “no actual or perceived conflict of interest”. overwhelmingly prioritise the poorest and neediest in Where do I start on this one? Last week, we learned that the country. The reason we can do that is because we suppliers with political connections were 10 times more have a Government who understand how to run a strong likely to be awarded Government contracts, and this economy and who ensure that they take the tough decisions week The Sunday Times reports that the Health Secretary now that will allow our economy to bounce back—that appointed one of his closest friends to a key advisory role. is what this Government are doing. 819 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 820

[909240] Laura Trott (Sevenoaks) (Con): I welcome the The Prime Minister: Of course I agree that the UK promised increase in education funding, and I look should be playing a leading role in eradicating covid-19 forward to hearing the detail this afternoon. Can I ask around the world. That is why one of the wonderful the Prime Minister that some of that money be spent on features of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, if it is school building repairs,particularly for voluntary controlled approved, is that it is going to be sold at cost to partners and multi-academy trusts such as Orchards Academy around the world. I wonder whether the right hon. and West Kingsdown in my constituency? Those types Gentleman knows quite how much the UK has already of school were unable to apply for the most recent given to COVAX—to the global Vaccine Alliance. I can round of funding and are in urgent need of repair. tell him. It is more than virtually any other country in the world. We should be proud in this country of what The Prime Minister: Yes, indeed. That is why we have we are doing: I think about the $800 million to support allocated an additional £560 million this year for essential COVAX, to say nothing of what we are doing with Gavi maintenance and upgrades in the school estate, on top and CEPI—the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness of more than £1.4 billion. In Kent, £20 million is going Innovations—and other organisations. We are in the to the local authority, including for West Kingsdown lead in promoting and in inventing vaccines, but also in Church of England Primary School, and nearly £6 million making sure that the poorest and neediest around the is going to Kemnal Academies Trust. I encourage my world get those vaccines. I think the people of this hon. Friend to continue her excellent campaign. country should be very proud of what they are doing—what you are doing. Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP) [V]: Protecting the foreign aid budget has long been a source [909241] Kate Griffiths (Burton) (Con) [V]: I welcome of unity and agreement across this House and across the Prime Minister’s pledge in the 10-point plan to the four nations of the United Kingdom. At the last plant 30,000 hectares of trees a year by 2025. Farmers general election, every major party recommitted to that will play a crucial role in meeting this target. What moral mission of helping the world’s poorest and most financial incentives will be available to encourage them vulnerable. Indeed, a senior Government Minister said to make this long-term commitment? that it “paved the way for Britain to meet the UN target of spending The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is dead right. 0.7% of national income on aid…and that remains our commitment.”—[Official Report, 16 June 2020; Vol. 677, c. 667.] What we are going to do is use the new freedoms we have after leaving the common agricultural policy to Does the Prime Minister agree with that senior Government support farmers to beautify the landscape to make it Minister? less prone to flooding, and we are putting £640 million The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker,listening to Opposition from the nature for climate fund into helping to support Members talking about the 0.7% commitment, you the planting of 30,000 hectares of trees by 2025—every would think that they invented it. It was a Conservative year by 2025. Government who instituted it, and this country can be incredibly proud of what we have delivered for the poorest Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD): Three weeks and neediest people in the world. That will continue. On ago, I asked the Prime Minister to support unpaid any view, this country is one of the biggest investors or carers, who are facing extreme hardship during covid, donors overseas in all its forms—I think we are the second by raising carer’s allowance by £20 a week. It is very biggest in the G7—whether in percentage terms or cash disappointing that Ministers have not found that money terms, and that will continue. We have seen a massive for carers, but have found hundreds of millions for increase, as the House will know, in spending on our contracts handed out to Conservative party cronies. It collective overseas commitments. By the way, as the right is Carers Rights Day tomorrow, so can I ask the Prime hon. Gentleman will know, that is also of huge benefit Minister again: will he raise carer’s allowance by £20 a to Scotland, where there are people in East Kilbride week, as Liberal Democrats are campaigning for, or will who do a fantastic job in development overseas. he explain why Conservatives think unpaid carers do not deserve extra help? Ian Blackford: I am glad that the Prime Minister seemed to agree with the quote, because the words I The Prime Minister: I would be happy to look at that quoted were his—it is exactly what he told the House specific grant again, but I have to say that if the right of Commons less than six months ago. I take it that hon. Gentleman looks at what we have done so far with the briefing that has gone on is not true and that the supporting universal credit and the substantial increases 0.7% commitment will remain in place. in the living wage, we are doing our best to support Weneed to recognise that covid-19 is a global pandemic, families who are the neediest across the whole of the and while we are all in the same storm, some nations UK. As I say, one of the stunning and one of the most have better life rafts. The World Bank estimates that the remarkable features of the package that we have given pandemic will push 88 million to 150 million people to support lives and livelihoods is that the benefits do into extreme poverty. In the world’s poorest countries, fall disproportionately, and quite rightly, on the poorest hunger and cases of malaria are rising, and the UN and the neediest. projects that as many as 11 million girls may never return to education after school closures. The UK [909242] Dehenna Davison (Bishop Auckland) (Con): I Government cannot eradicate the threat of covid-19 if am sure that, like me, the Prime Minister welcomes there is still a threat around the world. Does the Prime the incredibly valuable contribution of our essential Minister agree that keeping the 0.7% commitment is workers in keeping our supplies actually moving, our not only the right thing to do morally but is the sensible economy turning and keeping us safe, but we know that thing to do in helping with the eradication of covid-19? many of our constituents are facing challenges through 821 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 822 covid. So, on that note, does the Prime Minister agree with that will have on jobs, livelihoods and businesses, and me and many colleagues that, as we are having intense indeed the effects on physical and mental health, as the discussions on how to balance the nation’s finances, now Prime Minister is committed to following the evidence, is not the time for an MPs’ pay rise? will he agree to a full public cost-benefit analysis of the impact on our economy and public health before he The Prime Minister: Yes, I do agree with that, and introduces anything that will lead to years of economic that is why we have frozen ministerial salaries this year, harm that could end up being worse for people’s lives as indeed they have been frozen by successive Conservative than the virus itself? Governments since 2010. I know that the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will have heard my The Prime Minister: I have high regard for my hon. hon. Friend and I would encourage it not to proceed. Friend, and he is right to call attention to the dangers and damage that lockdowns can do. Of course, they [909243] Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance) [V]: have to be weighed against the damage to health caused The Northern Ireland business community is extremely by a wave of coronavirus that drives out all other concerned that it is now impossible to be ready to fully patients from our hospitals and affects the health of implement the protocol from 1 January. Its top priority non-covid patients as well so very badly. We will of is to ask the EU for an adjustment or grace period. course be setting out an analysis of the health, economic This request is based on respect for the protocol, and is and social impacts of the tiered approach and the data not about an extension to the transition period. Will that supports the tiering decisions, as we have done in the Prime Minister give his support to this ask? the past.

The Prime Minister: Of course we are not going to [909247] Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab): extend the transition period, but we want to make If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday practical arrangements to help businesses in Northern 25 November. When 72 Londoners burnt to death at Ireland. Wehave agreed, for instance,a one-year adjustment Grenfell because of a cladding defect we all said, “Never period so there is no disruption to the flow of medicines, again”but for hundreds of thousands the living nightmare and we have already launched a £200 million trader of waking watch and the non-existent EWS1 form support service to help agrifood businesses and others. continues. So will the Prime Minister commit that no More details will be announced shortly. leaseholder anywhere should foot the bill for what is no fault of their own and make good on the 2017 Communities [909244] Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con): Flood risk and Local Government Secretary’s promise to end this from new development is a key concern for many of my neo-feudal absurdity of a tenure once and for all? constituents, as highlighted by a case in Ickford, where The Prime Minister: The hon. Member is right to call developers promised that flood risk would be a once-in- attention to the difficulties many people are facing 100-year eventuality, yet the village has flooded three because of the EWS1 form, and I sympathise very much times this year alone. With that in mind, will my right with them. Mortgage companies should realise that hon. Friend commit to seriously beefing up the way flood they are not necessary for buildings of under 18 metres; risk is assessed and treated as part of the planning process? it is absolutely vital that they understand that while we get on with the work of removing cladding from all the The Prime Minister: I have deep sympathy for Ickford buildings we can, and that is what this Government are in my hon. Friend’s constituency and the flooding it has continuing to do. suffered; I know Ickford. It is very important that local authorities follow the rules in making their planning [909248] Miriam Cates (Penistone and Stocksbridge) decisions, as I am sure he would agree, and we are making (Con): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday a huge investment—£5.2 billion—in flood defences to 25 November. I welcome the plans for a green industrial protect the 300,000 homes at risk across the country. revolution, particularly the commitments to public transport. Delivering sustainable rural bus services has [909245] Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab): The Greater always been a challenge, but in my constituency South Manchester Metrolink tram system cuts carbon emissions, Pennine Community Transport is trialling a new low-cost, improves air quality and reduces congestion on our low-carbon bus service that we believe could be a model roads. As part of the post-covid recovery plan, will the for transformed rural bus services across the UK. So Prime Minister commit funding to extend the tram will my right hon. Friend meet me and South Pennine network from East Didsbury to Stockport town centre director, Kevin Carr, to discuss this model and look at in order to improve access and give much-needed support how some of the Government’s £5 billion commitment to businesses and communities in my constituency? to buses can be used to transform rural services?

The Prime Minister: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend asks an excellent I will study the plan he proposes with care, although I question, and we are developing a national bus strategy should tell him that a massive infrastructure programme that will look at the needs and how to get more people is already under way, as the Chancellor will shortly to use our buses. In addition to championing green announce, and it may be that in due time the scheme zero-carbon or low-carbon buses, we are providing the hon. Gentleman proposes could benefit from those £20 million for a rural mobility fund to support demand investments. in rural areas.

[909246] Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): With the [909252] Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab): London area potentially entering stricter tier 3 or tier 2 Food bank use in my constituency has been increasing lockdown measures and the devastating consequences steadily as working families, including public sector key 823 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 824 workers, struggle to make ends meet. Can the Prime brand new state-of-the-art hospital to be built in Sutton, Minister therefore tell us whether he thinks the median with most services staying put in modernised buildings pay of teaching assistants of just under £14,000, and of at Epsom and St Helier. The new hospital will come as nursing auxiliaries of £18,000, is enough to live on? I part of the Government’s commitment, as I say, to will ask him again: instead of delivering a public sector build 48 hospitals by 2030 in the biggest hospital building pay freeze later today, will he give those key workers a programme of a generation. well-deserved pay rise? Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower) (Lab) [V]: In the summer, The Prime Minister: The hon. Lady is right to value we stood on our doorsteps and clapped for all our key key workers and the amazing job that they do—particularly workers; today, they will be hit once again with a teachers and teaching assistants, who have done fantastic real-terms cut to their wages by the Chancellor’spay freeze. work in getting our kids back into school over the last I really do wonder, does the Prime Minister actually few months and continue to do an amazing job. I am realise that claps do not pay the bills? proud not just of the work we have done to increase public sector pay, with an inflation-busting package in The Prime Minister: The hon. Lady will recognise, at July for the third year running, but of what we are doing a time when the private sector—when the UK economy— to support the record increases in the living wage—delivered has been so badly hit, and when private sector workers by a Conservative Government, invented by a Conservative have seen falls in their income, that it is right that we Government. Conservative Governments can do these should be responsible in our approach to public finances, things because we understand how to run a strong economy. and that is what we are going to be. She should be in no doubt that the commitments we have made have been [909249] Gareth Davies (Grantham and Stamford) (Con): outstanding so far: above-inflation increases for public Lincolnshire has one of the highest populations of sector workers just in July; a 12.6% increase for nurses veterans in our country; as such, I warmly welcome the over the past three years; the biggest ever increase in the recent announcement to boost funding for our armed living wage—and more to come in just a minute if she forces. Does the Prime Minister agree that one of the will contain herself. best ways we can help our veterans is to encourage employers to hire a hero? [909251] Richard Fuller (North East Bedfordshire) (Con): Last month, year 6 students at the Edward Peake Church The Prime Minister: Absolutely. I thank my hon. of England Middle School in Biggleswade wrote to Friend for the campaigns that he is running to support me about the impact of lockdown and their ideas for veterans. We support schemes such as that run by Gerry promoting a healthier planet, which include encouraging Hill and his team at Hire a Hero, and we are encouraging people not to put waste into the sea; planting more businesses to hire veterans with a new national insurance trees; building more electric cars; making more nature tax break for businesses that do so and, of course, reserves; cleaning up the waterways; encouraging more making it easier for veterans to join the civil service. local electricity production, and reducing air pollution [909253] Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op): so children can see the stars. Will the Prime Minister BioYorkshire will place York at the heart of the global join me in thanking the students and their teacher, Miss bioscience economy. It will cut carbon by 2,800 kilotons, Twitchett, and tell the House whether their ideas can create 4,000 green-collar jobs, upskill 25,000 workers play a part in his green plan? and return £5 billion to the Treasury. The Government are supportive but are delaying investment until at least The Prime Minister: It is quite uncanny; it is as the devolution deal. Unemployment in York is soaring. though Miss Twitchett and her class were standing over We need this investment now. Will the Prime Minister my shoulder as I wrote the 10-point plan, and I thank start the recovery by investing in BioYorkshire? them for their telepathic inspiration. I passionately agree that that is the right way forward for our country. It will The Prime Minister: As the hon. Lady knows, the mobilise about £12 billion of Government investment Government are committed to the 10-point plan for a and possibly three times more from the private sector, green industrial revolution, which will generate 250,000 and create 250,000 to 300,000 jobs. It is a fantastic way jobs across the country just in the immediate term. I forward for our country. hope very much that BioYorkshire will be among the beneficiaries, and I cannot see any reason why it should Jon Trickett (Hemsworth) (Lab): I am sure that the not be. Prime Minister will share the pleasure that we all have in the great engineering skills that are displayed in our [909250] Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con): The country, especially in the north, and agree that one of news of the covid vaccine is great for both my constituents the great jewels in the crown are the engineers at Rolls-Royce. in Wimbledon and people across the country, but I Is he aware that Rolls-Royce is about to offshore 350 jobs believe that when my constituents get sick, they should from the north of England? That will be a devastating have the right to access the highest-quality healthcare. blow to that part of the country and remove part of our The plans to improve and invest in St Helier Hospital national industrial infrastructure. Does he agree with would do just that. Will the Prime Minister work with the workforce, who are campaigning, that it is in the me to ensure that those plans are brought forward as national interest to retain those jobs in our country? quickly as possible, despite the opposition from local Finally, will he use everything in his power to ensure Labour politicians? that that offshoring does not take place? The Prime Minister: Yes, indeed. How typical of The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman is so right Labour politicians locally to oppose what they call for to support Rolls-Royce, one of the great companies in nationally. I am proud that we are going ahead with a our country. Obviously, at the moment Rolls-Royce is 825 Oral Answers 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Oral Answers 826 suffering from the problems in the aerospace sector—the We will do our level best to support them. I should say fact that no one is flying. When a company makes a lot that we are also giving £1.1 billion to local councils to of its money from servicing aero engines, as Rolls-Royce help them support businesses that are facing difficulties. does, it is a very difficult time at the moment. We are I just want to say one thing to the House. As we come keen to work with Rolls-Royce to ensure that that out of the lockdown, the way forward is not just through company has a long-term future as a great, great British the vaccine, which we hope we will be able to start company. He makes an excellent point, and I can assure rolling out in the course of the next few weeks and him that the Government are on it. months, but through the prospect of mass community testing. I pay tribute to the people of Liverpool, who Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I am aware have really stepped up in huge numbers. Hundreds of that there are obviously no perfect options at the moment, thousands of people in Liverpool have been tested and but may I raise with the Prime Minister the issue of that seems to have helped to drive the virus down in pubs and bars that will be affected by the tier 2 restrictions? Liverpool. We want to see that type of collective action— Many,such as Yorkshire Ales in Snaith in my constituency, stepping up to squeeze the disease—happening across have invested considerable amounts of money in being the country. That, I think, is a real way forward that will covid-secure, and are now to be denied access to their enable the hospitality, accommodation and hotel sector valuable pre-Christmas trade. Will the Prime Minister to come out of the restrictive measures quicker than has look again at those tier 2 restrictions, and if not, look at been currently and recently possible. We have two new what other financial support can be offered to those very important scientific developments— bars and pubs that cannot provide a substantial food offering during this period? Mr Speaker: I think you have managed to answer the question, Prime Minister. I am very pleased that the The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is completely House of Commons has been able to help to deliver an right about the need to support local business, particularly improvement to the sound and vision from No. 10 today, in the hospitality sector. He should know that, in addition but we would like our kit back this afternoon, Prime to the £3,000 grant for businesses that are forced to Minister! [Laughter.] close, we have another grant of £2,100 a month for In order to allow the safe exit of hon. Members businesses that are in the hospitality and accommodation participating in this item of business and the safe arrival sector. That is on top of the support that we have given of those participating in the next, I am suspending the via furlough, obviously, and via business rates and the House for three minutes. cuts in VAT,which were intended to support the hospitality sector as well. I am keenly aware of how difficult it is for 12.41 pm those pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels that will face a tough time in the tiers as we come out next week. Sitting suspended. 827 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 828 Forecast Spending Review 2020 and OBR Forecast of England’s asset purchases, is forecast to be 91.9% of GDP this year. Due to elevated borrowing levels and a Mr Speaker: Before the Chancellor of the Exchequer forecast persistent current deficit, underlying debt is addresses the Chamber, I would like to point out that forecast to continue rising in every year,reaching 97.5% of British Sign Language interpretation of the statement is GDP in ’25-’26. available to watch on parliamentlive.tv. High as these costs are, the costs of inaction would have been far higher. But this situation is clearly 12.45 pm unsustainable over the medium term. We could only act The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak): in the way we have because we came into this crisis with Mr Speaker, today’s spending review delivers on the strong public finances. We have a responsibility, once priorities of the British people. Our health emergency is the economy recovers, to return to a sustainable fiscal not yet over and our economic emergency has only just position. begun, so our immediate priority is to protect people’s This is an economic emergency. That is why we have lives and livelihoods. But today’s spending review also taken, and continue to take, extraordinary measures to delivers stronger public services, paying for new hospitals, protect people’s jobs and incomes. It is clear that those better schools and safer streets, and it delivers a once-in- measures are making a difference. The OBR now states, a-generation investment in infrastructure, creating jobs, as the Bank of England and the International Monetary growing the economy and increasing pride in the places Fund already have, that our economic response has we call home. protected jobs, supported incomes and helped businesses Our immediate priority is to protect people’s lives to stay afloat. It has said today that business insolvencies and livelihoods, so let me begin by updating the House have fallen compared with last year, and the latest data on our response to coronavirus. We are prioritising jobs, shows the UK’s unemployment rate is lower than that businesses and public services through the furlough of Italy, France, Spain, Canada and the United States. scheme, support for the self-employed, loans, grants, We are doing more to build on our plan for jobs. I am tax cuts and deferrals, as well as extra funding for schools, announcing today nearly £3 billion for my right hon. councils, the NHS, charities, culture and sport. Today’s Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to figures confirm that, taken together, we are providing deliver a new three-year restart programme to help over £280 billion to get our country through coronavirus. a million people who have been unemployed for over a Next year, to fund our programmes on testing, personal year to find new work. But I have always said: we cannot protective equipment and vaccines, we are allocating an protect every job. Despite the extraordinary support we initial £18 billion. To protect the public services most have provided, the OBR expects unemployment to rise affected by coronavirus, we are also providing: £3 billion to a peak, in the second quarter of next year, of 7.5%— to support NHS recovery, allowing it to carry out up to 2.6 million people. Unemployment is then forecast to a million checks, scans and operations; over £2 billion fall in every year, reaching 4.4% by the end of 2024. to keep our transport arteries open, subsidising our rail network; more than £3 billion to local councils; and an Today’s statistics remind us of something else. extra £250 million to help end rough sleeping. Although Coronavirus has deepened the disparity between public much of our coronavirus response is UK-wide, the and private sector wages. In the six months to September, Government are also providing £2.6 billion to support private sector wages fell by nearly 1% compared with the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and last year. Over the same period, public sector wages rose Northern Ireland. Taken together,next year,public services by nearly 4%. Unlike workers in the private sector, who funding to tackle coronavirus will total £55 billion. have lost jobs, been furloughed, and seen wages cut and hours reduced, the public sector has not. In such a Let me turn to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s difficult context for the private sector, especially for economic forecasts. I thank the new chair, Richard those people working in sectors such as retail, hospitality Hughes, and his whole team for their work. The OBR and leisure, I cannot justify a significant across-the-board forecasts that the economy will contract this year by pay increase for all public sector workers. 11.3%, the largest fall in output for more than 300 years. As the restrictions are eased, it expects the economy to Instead, we are targeting our resources at those who start recovering and growing by 5.5% next year, 6.6% in need it most. To protect public sector jobs at this time of 2022 and then 2.3%, 1.7% and 1.8% in the following crisis, and to ensure fairness between the public and years. Even with growth returning, our economic output private sectors, I am taking three steps today. First, is not expected to return to pre-crisis levels until the taking account of the pay review bodies’ advice, we will fourth quarter of 2022. The economic damage is likely provide a pay rise to over a million nurses, doctors and to be lasting. Long-term scarring means in 2025, the others working in the NHS. Secondly, to protect jobs, economy will be around 3% smaller than expected in pay rises in the rest of the public sector will be paused the March Budget. next year. But, thirdly, we will protect those on lower The economic impact of coronavirus and the action incomes; the 2.1 million public sector workers who earn we have taken in response means that there has been a below the median wage of £24,000 will be guaranteed a significant but necessary increase in our borrowing and pay rise of at least £250. What this means is that while debt. The UK is forecast to borrow a total of £394 billion the Government are making the difficult decision to this year,equivalent to 19% of GDP—the highest recorded control public sector pay, the majority of public sector level of borrowing in our peacetime history. Borrowing workers will see their pay increase next year. falls to £164 billion next year and to £105 billion in And we want to do more for the lowest paid. We are ’22-’23, then remains at around £100 billion, or 4% of accepting in full the recommendations of the Low Pay GDP, for the remainder of the forecast. Underlying Commission to increase the national living wage by debt, after removing the temporary effect of the Bank 2.2% to £8.91 an hour; to extend this rate to those 829 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 830 Forecast Forecast aged 23 and over; and to increase the national minimum skills, with £291 million to pay for more young people wage rates as well. Taken together, these minimum wage to go into further education, £1.5 billion to rebuild increases will likely benefit around 2 million people. A colleges, £375 million to deliver the Prime Minister’s full-time worker on the national living wage will see lifetime skills guarantee and extend traineeships, sector- their annual earnings increase by £345 next year—compared based work academies and the National Careers Service, with the position in 2016, when the policy was first as well as improving the way the apprenticeships system introduced, that is a pay rise of over £4,000. works for businesses. These are difficult and uncertain economic times, so Weare also making our streets safer. Next year,funding it is right that our immediate priority is to protect for the criminal justice system will increase by over people’s health and their jobs, but we need to look £1 billion. We are providing more than £400 million to beyond. Today’s spending review delivers stronger public recruit 6,000 new police officers—well on track to recruit services—our second priority.Before I turn to the details, 20,000—and £4 billion over four years to provide 18,000 let me thank the whole Treasury team, and especially new prison places. New hospitals, better schools, safer my right hon. the Chief Secretary, for their dedication streets—the British people’spriorities are this Government’s and hard work in preparing today’s spending review. priorities. Next year,total departmental spending will be £540 billion. Today’s spending review strengthens the United Over this year and next, day-to-day departmental spending Kingdom’s place in the world. This country has always will rise, in real terms, by 3.8%—that is the fastest growth been and will always be open and outward-looking, rate in 15 years. In cash terms, day-to-day departmental leading in solving the world’s toughest problems. But budgets will increase next year by £14.8 billion. during a domestic fiscal emergency, when we need to And this is a spending review for the whole United prioritise our limited resources on jobs and public services, Kingdom. Through the Barnett formula, today’s decisions sticking rigidly to spending 0.7% of our national income increase Scottish Government funding by £2.4 billion, on overseas aid is difficult to justify to the British Welsh Government funding by £1.3 billion and Northern people, especially when we are seeing the highest peacetime Ireland Executive funding by £0.9 billion. The whole of levels of borrowing on record. I have listened with great the United Kingdom will benefit from the UK shared respect to those who have argued passionately to retain prosperity fund, and over time we will ramp up funding this target, but at a time of unprecedented crisis, so that total domestic UK-wide funding will at least Government must make tough choices. I want to reassure match EU receipts, on average, reaching around £1.5 billion the House that we will continue to protect the world’s a year. To help local areas prepare for the introduction poorest, spending the equivalent of 0.5% of our national of the UKSPF, next year we will provide funding for income on overseas aid in 2021, allocating £10 billion at communities to pilot programmes and new approaches. this spending review. Our intention is to return to And we will accelerate four city and growth deals in 0.7% when the fiscal situation allows. Based on the Scotland, helping Tay Cities, Borderlands, Moray and latest OECD data, the UK would remain the second the Scottish islands create jobs and prosperity in their highest aid donor in the G7—higher than France, Italy, areas. Japan, Canada and the United States. And 0.5% is Our public spending plans deliver on the priorities also considerably more than the 29 countries on the of the British people. Today’s spending review honours OECD’s Development Assistance Committee, which our historic, multi-year commitment to the NHS. Next average just 0.38%. year, the core health budget will grow by £6.6 billion, Overseas aid is, of course, only one of the ways we allowing us to deliver 50,000 more nurses and 50 million play our role in the world. The Prime Minister has more general practice appointments. We are increasing announced over £24 billion of investment in defence capital investment by £2.3 billion: to invest in new over the next four years—the biggest sustained increase technologies; to improve the patient and staff experience; in 30 years—allowing us to provide security not just for to replace ageing diagnostic machines such as MRI and our country, but around the world. We are investing CT scanners; and to fund the biggest hospital building more in our extensive diplomatic network, already one programme in a generation, building 40 new hospitals of the largest in the world, and providing more funding and upgrading 70 more. We are investing in social care, for new trade deals.Weshould, however,judge our standing too. Today’s settlement allows local authorities to increase in the world not just by the money we spend, but by the their core spending power by 4.5%. Local authorities causes we advance and the values we defend. will have extra flexibility on council tax and the adult If this spending review’s first priority was getting the social care precept, which, together with £300 million country through coronavirus and its second was stronger of new grant funding, gives them access to an extra public services, then our final priority is to deliver our £1 billion to fund social care—and this is on top of the record investment plans in infrastructure. Capital spending extra £1 billion social care grant we provided this year, next year will total £100 billion— £27 billion more in which I can confirm will be maintained. real terms than last year. Our plans deliver the highest To provide a better education for our children, we sustained level of public investment in more than 40 years are also getting on with our three-year investment plan —once-in-a-generationplanstodeliveronce-in-a-generation for schools. We will increase the schools budget next returns for our country. year by £2.2 billion, so we are well on the way to To build housing, we are introducing a £7.1 billion delivering our commitment of an extra £7.1 billion by national home building fund, on top of our £12.2 billion 2022-23. affordable homes programme. We will deliver faster Every pupil in the country will see a year-on-year broadband for over 5 million premises across the UK, funding increase of at least 2%, and we are funding the better mobile connectivity with 4G coverage across Prime Minister’s commitment to rebuild 500 schools 95% of the country by 2025, the biggest ever investment over the next decade. We are also committed to boosting in new roads, upgraded railways, new cycle lanes and 831 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 832 Forecast Forecast [Rishi Sunak] every person in this country the chance to meet their potential. But it is the individual, the family and the over 800 zero-emission buses. Our capital plans will community that must become stronger, healthier and invest in the greener future we promised, delivering the happier as a result. This is the true measure of our Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for climate change. We success. The spending announced today is secondary to are making this country a scientific superpower, with the courage, wisdom, kindness and creativity it unleashes. almost £15 billion of funding for research and development, These are the incalculable but essential parts of our and we are publishing today a comprehensive new future, and they cannot be mandated or distributed by national infrastructure strategy. To help finance our Government. These things must come from each of us, plans, I can also announce that we will establish a new and be shared freely, because the future—this better UK infrastructure bank. Headquartered in the north of country—is a common endeavour. England, the bank will work with the private sector to Today, Government have funded the priorities of the finance major new investment projects across the United British people, and now the job of delivering them begins. Kingdom, starting this spring. Mr Speaker, I commend this statement to the House. I have one further announcement to make. For many people, the most powerful barometer of economic success Mr Speaker: This is an important statement, which is is the change they see and the pride they feel in the places why it has run much longer than usual, but that was we call home. People want to be able to look around agreed with the Chancellor. Obviously, I have divided their towns and villages,and say,“Yes,our community—this up the time to give an increase to the other parties as place—is better off than it was five years ago.” For too well. I call the shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. longourfundingapproachhasbeencomplexandineffective, and I want to change that. Today I am announcing a 1.10 pm new levelling-up fund worth £4 billion. Any local area will be able to bid directly to fund local projects. Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) (Lab/Co-op): Thank The fund will be managed jointly between the Treasury, you, Mr Speaker. This spending review was a moment the Department for Transport and the Ministry for for the Chancellor to take the responsible choices that Housing, Communities and Local Government, taking our country needs. It was an opportunity to protect key a new, holistic, place-based approach to the needs of workers, secure the economy and recover jobs in every local areas. Projects must have real impact, they must be part of our country. delivered within this Parliament and they must command During this crisis, we have seen who has taken local support, including from their Member of Parliament. responsibility: community health workers working round This is about funding the infrastructure of everyday the clock to keep us all safe; the teachers who kept life: a new bypass; upgraded railway stations; less traffic; working so that key workers could too; the delivery drivers more libraries, museums and galleries; better high streets and shop staff who made sure that we had critical food and town centres. This Government are funding the things supplies. Earlier this year, the Chancellor stood on that people want and places need. his doorstep and clapped for key workers. Today, his Today I have announced huge investment in jobs, Government institute a pay freeze for many of them. public services and infrastructure, yet I cannot deny This takes a sledgehammer to consumer confidence. that numbers alone can ring hollow.They stand testament Firefighters, police officers and teachers will know that to our commitment to create a better nation, but on their spending power is going down, so they will spend their own they are not enough to create one. When less in our small businesses and on our high streets; they asked what our vision for the future of this country is, will spend less in our private sector. Many key workers, we cannot point to a shopping list of announcements who willingly took on so much responsibility during and feel that the job is done. So as we invest billions in this crisis, are now being forced to tighten their belts research and development, we are also introducing a now; not in the medium term to which the Chancellor new immigration system, ensuring that the best and refers, but now. brightest from around the world come here to learn, In contrast, there has been a bonanza for those who innovate and create. As we invest billions in the building have won contracts from this Government. Companies of new homes, we are also simplifying our planning with political connections have been 10 times more system to ensure that beautiful homes are built where likely to win Government contracts. So many businesses they are needed most. As we invest billions in the have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to support security of this country, we are also defending free local communities, to keep critical supplies going and to speech and democratic rule, proving that our values are produce drugs and vaccines—at cost price in AstraZeneca’s more than just words. And as we invest billions in case—working with some of our country’s best scientists. public services, we are also protecting the wages of But in their response to this pandemic, the Conservative those on the lowest incomes and supporting jobs, because Government have wasted and mismanaged public finances good work remains the most rewarding and sustainable on an industrial scale: £130 million to a Conservative path to prosperity. donor for testing kits that were unsafe; £150 million for The spending review announced today sets us on a face masks and £700 million on coveralls that could not path to deal with the material matters of Government be used; a £12 billion hit to our economy because the and it is a clear statement of our priorities, but encouraging more effective, shorter, circuit breaker was blocked and the individual and community brilliance on which a a lengthier,more expensive lockdown put in place instead; thriving society depends remains,as ever,a work unfinished. £12 billion so far spent on a test and trace system that is We in government can set the direction. Better schools, still not working; and, today, news of £10 billion in more homes, stronger defence, safer streets, green energy, additional costs for personal protective equipment, which technological development, improved rail and enhanced was at least partly down to the Conservatives’ lack of roads: all investments that will create jobs and give pre-pandemic planning. 833 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 834 Forecast Forecast This waste and mismanagement is part of a longer-term lost since the Green Investment Bank was sold off. Now pattern, showing that claims today around levelling up the Chancellor must boost its firepower, and he must simply do not match the evidence: hospitals in Liverpool deliver on his Department’s responsibility for the drive and Sandwell left unbuilt, over deadline by years and to net zero. We have known since the Stern report that over budget by hundreds of millions of pounds; not a the climate crisis is the biggest long-term threat to our single starter home built, despite almost £200 million economy, yet far too often, this spending review locks being spent; Northern Powerhouse Rail still not even us into a path that will make the transition to net zero approved six years after being announced; the courts harder, not easier, locking our economy out of the green modernisation programme three years behind schedule, jobs of the future. letting victims down up and down the country; and people To rebuild business, the Chancellor also needs to in the north more likely to have been made redundant listen to business. We are less than a week from the end during this crisis holding everything else equal. of the lockdown, yet we have heard nothing about Photo calls are not enough. We need delivery like the whether extra support will be provided through the promotion of green manufacturing in the west midlands additional restrictions support grant for areas subject by my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, once again to tough restrictions. The Chancellor is still Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne) and the work of Labour threatening employers with an increased contribution Mayors and councils across the country. We need a to furlough in January, at the worst possible time for Government in Westminster who take their responsibility increasing and building confidence. towards all four nations seriously. That means informing In fewer than 40 days, we are due to leave the transition the Finance Minister of Northern Ireland about the period, yet the Chancellor did not even mention that in shorter timescale for this spending review ahead of time his speech. There is still no trade deal, so does the and fulfilling the “New Decade, New Approach” Chancellor truly believe that his Government are prepared commitments. It means doing the right thing by the and that he has done enough to help those businesses people of Wales to repair flood damage and make safe that will be heavily affected? Will he take responsible legacy coal tips. It means ending the barney between action to help those excluded from Government support? Westminster and Holyrood and instead working together Why is he still refusing to make the speedy fixes to in partnership to protect jobs and livelihoods. universal credit that Labour has advocated, which would It means a shared prosperity fund that is effective aid the self-employed, and why will he not provide because it is delivered not on the whim of Conservative families with certainty by ensuring that the increase in Ministers but from our devolved Governments and our universal credit continues beyond April? regions. The levelling-up fund that the Chancellor just The IMF has made it clear time and again that now announced—his rabbit out of the hat—yet again, just would be the worst time to slam on the brakes and put as with the Beeching reopening programme, involves the car into reverse. It has called for a “meaningful MPs going to Ministers and begging for support for additional push” from our Government to maintain their areas, rather than that change being driven from fiscal support until the recovery is on a sound footing. local communities. So much for taking back control! The UK’s GDP is 10% smaller now than it was at the This is about the centre handing over support in a very end of last year. We have seen the worst downturn in the top-down manner. G7. We needed ambitious action today to stimulate Labour has been clear about the responsible choices growth and maintain demand, and we needed the that we wanted the Chancellor to make today to recover Government to take responsibility for the real reasons jobs, retrain workers and rebuild businesses. To recover why people and communities up and down our country jobs, Labour called for £30 billion of capital spending are being held back. accelerated over the next 18 months, focused on green Over the past 10 years, child poverty has risen by initiatives, supporting 400,000 jobs and bringing us in 600,000. We have had the worst decade for pay growth line with countries such as France and Germany. This in eight generations. The cost of childcare has risen Government’s ambition is for half that number of new twice as fast as wages. The number of young apprentices jobs. To retrain workers, we needed an emergency has plummeted. Last quarter, we saw the highest level programme to support people back into work, but kick- of redundancies on record. Social care is in increasing start has been slow to get started, and the skills offer for crisis and, despite the Conservative party’s manifesto those over 25 will not start until April. The Chancellor having promised a long-term solution, we are still waiting. said at the beginning of his speech that our economic It was trailed in the press that the Chancellor would emergency “has only just begun”—try telling that to be moving 20,000 jobs out of London, yet cuts to local people who have been out of work since March. authorities over the past 10 years have seen 240,000 jobs Restart, announced today, must meet three key tests lost—12 times that figure of 20,000—with the hardest-hit to be effective. It should help people who need it most, communities often those in the north, midlands and not cherry-pick. It should be up and running as soon as south-west. Today, the Chancellor could have matched possible, yet it appears that only a fraction of Restart his Government’s promise to do whatever is necessary funding will be available next year. And it must involve to support local authorities through this crisis; he did local actors who know their communities, not be imposed not. And yet again he showed his Government’s lack of from Whitehall. Of course, job search support ultimately confidence in their own measures by failing to provide only works if sufficient new jobs actually exist. That is an equality impact assessment. why we needed ambitious action to boost our economy The measure of this Government will not be the and to support our businesses. number of press releases issued during this crisis or the To rebuild business, we called for a national investment number of pictures it published on Instagram; it will be bank. I welcome the announcement of a new UK the responsible action that they took, or did not take, infrastructure bank, given that valuable years have been for the sake of our country. 835 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 836 Forecast Forecast [Anneliese Dodds] called project speed, which is already delivering benefits, with plans for the landmark A66 upgrade shortened in Next year, the eyes of the world will be on the UK as time and reduced in cost, so we can get on with delivering we assume the presidencies of the G7 and the UN what the people want on time and on budget, making a Security Council and host the COP26 summit, yet now difference in their communities. is the time that the Chancellor has turned his back on The hon. Lady asked about the levelling up fund and, the world’s poorest by cutting international aid. It is in I thought rather bizarrely, seemed to suggest that local Britain’s national interest to lay the foundations for Members of Parliament were not a good reflection on economic growth around the world—no wonder many their local communities and able to articulate the local British businesses have condemned his move. needs of their communities. I say to colleagues on the Businesses have been more and more vocal about the Opposition Benches that I am more than happy to hear problems with this Government’s last-minute approach, from them and their local areas about the needs that always one step behind when we need to plan responsibly they want met, because this Government will meet the for the future. We must learn the lessons from previous needs of local communities up and down the country. failures and ensure that the next challenge—the roll-out The hon. Lady talked about support for businesses of the vaccine—is dealt with as efficiently, effectively during coronavirus. We have already put in place support and speedily as possible. through this winter period. The local restrictions grants Next time, we need a comprehensive spending review we announced a while ago are paid monthly and they that takes responsible choices—to build a future for our work. If your business has been closed, you will receive country as the best place in the world to grow up in and a grant of up to £3,000 per month depending on your the best place to grow old in. People should have rateable value. If you are a hospitality, leisure or opportunities on their doorstep, not at the other end of accommodation business in a tier 2 area, where obviously the country. Everywhere in the UK should feel like a the restrictions have an impact on your ability, you will good place to set up home. That is what the Chancellor receive a grant of 70% of that value up to £2,100. Those must deliver. amounts mean that the business can help to cover the fixed costs of rent. They, of course, have access to the Rishi Sunak: I will address all the points made by the furlough scheme right the way through winter. hon. Lady in turn, but it is important to note, up front, That comes on top of the other recent support that despite her criticisms, there is actually a lot that she announced for businesses. Today, I announced major and her Opposition colleagues should welcome: more reforms to the way the apprenticeship system works, funding for public services; a pay increase for NHS workers; giving businesses what they have long asked for: the support for those on the lowest incomes; a once-in-a- flexibility to spend unused apprenticeship levy funds generation investment in infrastructure; a multi-billion down the supply chain with small and medium-sized pound commitment to support those looking for work; enterprises, and the ability to frontload payments for a new schools building programme; and the Prime training. We are also looking at ways to introduce even Minister’s 10- point plan. I could go on, Mr Speaker. more flexibility for some professions. We also recently It is right that the hon. Lady should provide challenge, announced an extension of the annual investment allowance but I think, even if she does not, that the British people will for a further year up to £1 million, giving 98% of small judge this spending review as a reflection of their priorities: and medium-sized businesses the ability to write off protecting jobs, defeating coronavirus, strengthening investments in full next year, which will help to drive their our public services and upgrading our infrastructure. If recovery. there is any politics here at all, surely it is unifying, and I The hon. Lady talked about welfare. Again, I stand think that, deep down, she will recognise that. proud of this Government’s and previous Conservative Let me address the specific points. The hon. Lady asked Governments’ record on this issue since 2010: hundreds about pay and the importance of consumption, and I of thousands fewer people in absolute poverty; several agree that of course there is an impact on consumption hundred thousand fewer children living in workless from pay. She will know that the marginal propensity to households; and income inequality lower coming into consume is obviously greater the lower down the income this crisis than when we first came into office. spectrum you go, which is why, in particular, we have This Government care greatly about those who are protected the incomes of those on lower incomes. most vulnerable. We have demonstrated that during this Anyone in the public sector earning less than the crisis by the support we have put in place. The evidence UK median salary of £24,000 will receive a pay rise of shows that those on the lowest incomes have been £250 or more. Taken together with all the other things protected the most by this Conservative Government. we have done, including giving a pay rise for those who And that does not stop. The temporary uplift in universal work in the NHS, this will mean that the majority of credit runs all the way through to next spring, providing public sector workers will see an increase in their pay security for those families. Of course we will look, when next year. Also, pay progression and promotions—all we come to next spring, at the best way to support of that—will carry on. We have increased wages for those people and their families when we have a better sense of on the national living wage: an extra £345 a year, as the where the economy is and where we are with the virus, wage rate goes up to £8.91. That, again, will help to but we are providing extra support for next year: drive consumption. £670 million to help struggling families meet their council The hon. Lady rightly talked about delivery.We believe tax bills, worth about £150 each for families up and very firmly in making sure we can deliver the change we down the country. We also said we will maintain the promised the British people. The Chief Secretary to the £1 billion increase in the local housing allowance that Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for North we instituted this year into next year, providing support East Cambridgeshire (Steve Barclay) and I chair something for many millions of families. We are also making 837 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 838 Forecast Forecast available further funds, as the House knows, to provide revealed some of the more difficult decisions that he has extra support for food and meals for children throughout to make around a reduction in overseas development the holidays next year. aid and the freezing of public sector pay next year—not The hon. Lady talked about support for local authorities. across the board but on a selective basis—and there will Perhaps she has not seen it yet in the document—that is be many difficult decisions of that type around spending fair enough—but we announced over £3.5 billion of and taxation in the future. Does he agree that, in terms extra support for local authorities next year specifically of dealing with the deficit, it is not just about spending to deal with coronavirus. That comes on top of their and taxation but also very much about growth? Does he core spending power increasing at decade-level highs of also agree that we should look to private sector businesses 4.5%. That £3.5 billion is there to help to meet the and entrepreneurs to provide that growth? Can he set shortfall in sales fees and charges, and the unrecoverable out how he is going to ensure that, as we come out on losses in business rates and council tax that they have the other side of the crisis, businesses and entrepreneurs experienced this year, as well as £1.5 billion for general are given every possible support and freedom to power pressures. Let no one say that we are not standing our economy forward over the years ahead? behind our local authorities at this difficult time. Finally, the hon. Lady asked about green issues. Rishi Sunak: I completely agree with my right hon. I think she compared us with France and Germany and Friend that we will build our recovery through the questioned this Government’s and the Prime Minister’s dynamism of the private sector, and he is right about ambition. Let me say this about our plans. They are, I the power of entrepreneurship.Probably the most important believe, among the most comprehensive and ambitious thing we can do in that regard is to make it as easy as of any developed economy. She talked about France possible for businesses to take on new people. He will and Germany, but in this country we are phasing out have heard about the unemployment numbers. We want certain vehicles in 2030; in France, it is 2040. In this to get as many of those people back into work as country, we are phasing out coal in 2025; in Germany, it quickly as possible, so we will be looking at how we can is 2038. She talked about the billions of pounds being make that as easy as possible for those dynamic businesses spent by our friends, but it is important when we make that are growing. At a very micro level in this spending these international comparisons that we understand the review, we have also announced more funding for detail of what the other countries promise. The German our start-up loan scheme, which provides discounted numbers include the subsidies for renewables; ours do Government-backed loans of up to £50,000 for budding not. That happens separately outside our plan and is entrepreneurs to start their new businesses at the smallest worth £44 billion, supporting renewable energy in this level. I hope that that is something that he will support. country through the tariff system, which is what Germany alluded to. The German numbers also include support Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP): This spending for public transport, which ours of course do not, review was an important opportunity and an important because that is something we do just in the ordinary course test, and instead of posing for photographs in his of business. I am proud of this Conservative Government’s favourite hoodie, the Chancellor should have been listening record. We are the first major economy in the world to to those who are struggling. Spending £29 million on a legislate for net zero, and our economy has decarbonised festival of Brexit while they let weans go hungry at home faster than any other in the last 20 years. This Conservative and abroad just about sums up this tawdry Government. Government will deliver the Prime Minister’s plans to Reneging on the 0.7% aid commitment while the world get us to net zero, and that is something that I hope the struggles with a covid pandemic is just cruel. He says he whole House can welcome and support. has come to talk about jobs, but how many jobs has this In conclusion, this spending review puts the full force Chancellor cost? Last month, the Office for National of the Government behind the priorities of the British Statistics reported that since March 2020 the number of people, and while we may have many disagreements payroll employees has fallen by 782,000, and how many with the Opposition, I am confident that, in private at job losses could have been avoided if the Chancellor least, they will recognise the significant investment we had not wound back furlough and threatened to cut it are making to protect jobs, strengthen our public services short? With a reported £1.4 billion for Jobcentre Plus, and improve our infrastructure. We in this House are all will he restore the job centres in Scotland that were answerable to the people we represent, and it is in their closed by his Government? interests that we serve. Today, we have made some difficult choices to fulfil that responsibility, but with the What about those who have been ignored, patched, positive news about the development of vaccines, the and blanked by the Chancellor at every turn—those winter covid plan being announced by the Prime Minister excluded from his support schemes altogether, many of and the very real hope that we are finally entering the them limited company directors, freelancers, short-term final stages of our fight against coronavirus, now is the PAYE workers, new starters and those on maternity time for us to come together. The British people have leave, who have had absolutely nothing at all from this been through so much this year, as have right hon. and UK Government? He knows this and it is unjustifiable. hon. Members, and it is my belief that, with this spending He might have had some excuse back in March and review and the fresh hope given by medical advances, April, but we are now in November, so I ask him: what we can finally begin our recovery.Now, difficult decisions does he expect these 3 million people to live on this and all, we must deliver on the priorities of the British winter? Will he look at the proposals for the directors people. income support scheme and the Equity creatives support scheme? Many of those excluded are in jobs in sectors Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con) [V]: I very much that cannot safely restart due to the public health welcome many of the positive measures that my right restrictions, so he must apologise and he must take hon. Friend has just announced. However,he has inevitably action to put it right. 839 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 840 Forecast Forecast [Alison Thewliss] see lorries queuing all the way through Kent. We call on him also to make a £98 billion stimulus to invest in a The Chancellor has spoken of the importance of greener, better future for us all. None of this really has getting young people into jobs, but he has utterly failed anything to do with the strength of the Union; it is to address the reality of low-paid, part-time, precarious merely a reflection of the powers that he has as Chancellor work. The Young Women’s Trust says that a staggering that the Scottish Government do not. So if he will not 1.5 million young women have lost income since the do these things—if he will not act—he must devolve the start of the pandemic. Many of them are in sectors such full financial powers and let the Scottish Government as retail and hospitality that have been clobbered by get on with the job. covid. What he should be announcing today is a real living wage: £9.50 an hour, as set by the Living Wage Rishi Sunak: Let me run through the hon. Lady’s Foundation, not his pretendy living wage. I am glad to questions in turn. She asked about my favourite hoodie. see that over-23s are eligible, but he said nothing about I can tell her that it is not the one in the picture, but those in the 21-to-24 bracket, who are on £8.20 an hour, actually the kickstart hoodie that was given to me by the 18-to-20s, on £6.45 an hour, the under-18s, on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which I £4.55 an hour, and apprentices, on merely £4.15 an hour. wear with pride. What about them? Young people do not get a discount The hon. Lady asked about the self-employed and on their rent or their bills due to their age, but this again mentioned this number of 3 million people. I Chancellor continues to short-change them in wages. A would like to address this point properly. It is not a fair wage for a day’s work is the very least young people number that I recognise, and I do not think that it is shouldexpectfromtheirGovernment.Innotacknowledging right to describe those people as excluded, as 1.5 million the injustice, the Chancellor fails to protect the rest of of those people are not majority self-employed; they are our young people. people who earn the majority of their income from We need fair wages, too, for public sector workers. It being employed. That decision was taken to help target feels like the Government are punishing people for the support at those who really needed it. We have heard working in the public sector. The absolute heroes who a lot from Opposition Members about support being saw us through this pandemic have more than earned targeted, especially regarding the self-employment scheme. their pay. A public sector pay freeze takes £4 billion out That decision was made because if someone earns the of the economy, squeezes living standards and starves majority of their income from employment, it is reasonable the economy of investment at the very worst possible to assume that they will benefit from the furlough time. These are the hospital porters, the teachers, the scheme, and that is how the majority of their earnings jannies, the police officers and the firefighters: those come in. That principle was supported at the time by who kept our streets clean and our public services going. every trade association that I spoke to when designing All of them—all of them—deserve better than applause the scheme. In fact, those conversations were supportive on the Chancellor’s doorstep in the summer and a pay of a much higher threshold than the one that we adopted, freeze in the depths of winter. which was just “a majority”; others said that 60% or Not content with short-changing young people and two thirds would be reasonable. public sector workers, the Chancellor wants to change I hope that it is also of comfort to the House to know RPI in a move that will impact about 10 million pension that the median amount of self-employment income incomes and cost retirees over £100 billion. SNP Members that those 1.5 million people who are not majority urge him to see sense and not to pick the pockets of our self-employed have in their returns is somewhere between pensioners. He must also use this spending review to £2,000 and £3,000, so it is not the overwhelming part of make the £20 uplift to universal credit permanent, scrap their earnings. At that level, the universal credit system the benefit cap and extend the £20 uplift to legacy and other support that we provide will be significant in benefits and those with disabilities—who, for unfathomable making up the difference. reasons, he seems to have forgotten even exist—and to increase the pitiful level of statutory sick pay. The hon. Lady asked about welfare and again mentioned Businesses across the country have been racking up universal credit. I guess it is worth reminding the House debt while their incomes have not been there. Businesses that the Scottish Government have plenty of powers are terrified by business rates relief coming to an end over tax policy and welfare policy—and, indeed, have used next year. Will the Chancellor look at this issue so that them in the past. I hear that there is to be a Scottish we can also act in Scotland? Will he make the VAT cut budget. We look forward to seeing what the Scottish for the hospitality sector permanent to see it through Government decide to do with the powers that they have this crisis? over both tax and welfare decisions. We still await proper details of the shared prosperity The hon. Lady asked about jobs and talked about the fund and what it will mean for Scotland. The Scottish OBR. I am glad that the OBR has today joined the IMF Government have done their part in preparation, and and the Bank of England in commending the Government’s the Chancellor needs to bring forward proposals as a economic response and recognising and stating explicitly matter of urgency so that we can spend this money that the interventions that we have put in place have properly in Scotland rather than having it hived off to reduced the level of unemployment and saved people’s Tories in key seats in England. jobs. I think that the OBR actually quantified that in its The spending review is only for one year, and I report today,putting the number at hundreds of thousands appreciate why that is, but this failure to plan effectively and confirming what the IMF said—that our response for the future is why the UK is doing worst in the G7. has held down unemployment. What are the Chancellor’s plans for next year if things The hon. Lady asked about young people. We are do not go as he expects? There is nothing in his statement determined to help young people. They have borne the about Brexit and the cost that that will bring, when we brunt economically of this crisis, which is in part why 841 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 842 Forecast Forecast we created the kickstart scheme—an ambitious programme I turn briefly to my hon. Friend’s other questions. On under which, I think, 19,000 fully funded placements local government employees, he will know that those have now been created for those under the age of pay levels are not mandated by central Government, 24 who are at risk of unemployment. We also provide a and local government will typically make its own decisions. cash bonus to businesses to take on new young apprentices. With regard to the social care workforce, which I know All those things will make a difference to our young he also cares about, he will know that many of those people at what is, without question, a very difficult time. workers are on the national living wage and will benefit from the 2.2% uplift—£345—that we have accepted. Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): The House On my hon. Friend’s last point, I can tell him that the will be glad that the Chancellor has met the needs of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote on behalf poorest, that he is going to maintain the increase to the of the Government to IPSA in advance of this statement state pension and that he is ensuring that people get to inform it of the Government’s approach to public opportunities to get back into work if they have been sector pay and to ask it to take that into consideration out of it. He talks about the £250 minimum for the when it decides what it would like to do. Obviously, it is lowest-paid people in the public sector. May I ask him an independent body, but we have expressed our views whether that includes people working in local government in the light of the pay policy that we have announced or just national Government? That would be useful today. to know. There will be a welcome for the increase in spending Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD) [V]: I listened for schools. There are also many other things that intently to the Chancellor, but what I did not hear was people will think are sensible and that could—or should— enough—enough to protect jobs by extending furlough have been done as the Labour Government went through to the summer, enough for those in the public sector the crisis in 2008, when they also implemented a public who have endured so much in this crisis and now will sector pay freeze. May I put it to him that it would be have a pay freeze, or enough for those millions of incredible if the Independent Parliamentary Standards families facing enormous financial hardship because Authority were to force a pay increase on Members of they are excluded. I point out to the Chancellor that Parliament when others do not get it? One way or another, they do exist; I can give him plenty of examples of will the Government—and perhaps you, Mr Speaker people who phone my office every day in deep distress. —talk to IPSA and ensure that that does not happen? I Will he, for a minute, pause and put himself in the shoes have the view that MPs’ pay should only be adjusted of those 3 million excluded people, and then tell us why after a general election; that may be a minority view, but he still finds it acceptable to turn his back on them? I think it would be wrong for us to have pay forced on us when others cannot get a pay increase. Rishi Sunak: I very much hope that the hon. Lady Let me turn to overseas aid. When the Departments will welcome the £2.4 billion in additional funding that were merged, the Foreign Secretary said that the 0.7% figure has been provided to the Scottish Government to use as would be maintained. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor they see fit. Of course, they can use that to support was elected in 2015, as I was, under a commitment to many of the causes that she articulates. In the interests meet 0.7%. We were re-elected in 2017, and the only of time, I will not go over the answer I gave to the hon. difference in 2019 was that the word “proudly” was put Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss), but we infrontof thatcommitment.Iamproudof thatcommitment. have provided comprehensive support to those who are I will work with anyone across the House to make sure self-employed; between 2.5 million and 3 million people that a change of percentage does not happen. Obviously, have received £14 billion of support, with more to come. with our GNP coming down by 10%, the amount that It remains one of the most generous ways to treat the goes on aid will come down automatically. I fight to self-employed that I have found anywhere in the world. maintainthepledgethatthePrimeMinister,theChancellor, the Foreign Secretary and I made at the last general Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con): I welcome this election. statement and the fact that the Chancellor recognises that debt has to be paid back. May I ask him about the Mr Speaker: I do not like being brought into the changes in public sector pay? According to the ONS, situation on pay. What I would say is that there is no private sector pay has fallen of late, whereas public decision on pay; there is no award to MPs. There is a big sector pay has gone up by about 4%. The Chancellor’s mistake out there somehow that there is an amount that announcement today that the 2 million lowest-paid has been given. Let me reassure the Father of the House public sector workers will receive £250 shows, does it that that is not the case. It will not even be looked at til not, that they are our priority? They are the people who next year—probably later, towards Easter. need this most and they are the people we will give attention to. Rishi Sunak: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his thoughtful and powerful contribution. I respect what he Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It has to say on aid. He is right about the language that would be wrong to describe a situation in which a was used. He will know the extraordinary circumstances majority of those working in the public sector next year that this country and this Government are grappling with. will see an increase in their pay as a blanket pay freeze. In order for us to meet our many other commitments and We have done exactly as he suggests: we have targeted deliver on the British people’s priorities, we have had to our resources on those who need them most, meaning make difficult decisions. Of course, it is something that that over 2.1 million people who earn less than £24,000 I regret that we have to do, but I believe it is the right in the public sector, who comprise 38% of all those in decision so that we can keep delivering on the priorities the public sector, will see that increase of £250 or more of the people at what is an enormously challenging time. in their pay packets. 843 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 844 Forecast Forecast Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): We which is the UK amount. Obviously there are conversations welcome the additional £900 million for the Northern to be had about how best to allocate that, what kinds Ireland Executive—yet again, a benefit of Northern of projects, and how it should be done. Some initial Ireland being part of this United Kingdom. I think we thoughts on that are published today, alongside more all believe that nurses, doctors and healthcare workers than £200 million of funding to start piloting the approach should receive a decent pay rise, but will the Chancellor and working with communities to see what works best. I acknowledge that there are other public sector workers know that people in Wales will welcome that and I look who have been on the frontline on covid, such as our forward to seeing the proposals that they come up with. armed forces and our police officers, and look again at including them in the public sector pay rise? Of course, Derek Thomas (St Ives) (Con): The Chancellor is I agree with the Father of the House that that should quite right that people want to look back and see that not include Members of Parliament. their community is better off than before. To pick up on the point about the shared prosperity fund, Cornwall Rishi Sunak: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman also received European funding and has been promised for welcoming the £900 million in Barnett funding for the shared prosperity fund, but it is often difficult in Northern Ireland. He will be pleased to know that we areas where the population is not so large to demonstrate have had productive conversations about fixing some value for money to the Treasury, and as a result we miss technical baseline issues for the budgeting as well, which out. As he sets out more on the levelling-up fund and I know will be welcomed by the Executive. the shared prosperity fund, wages in Cornwall remain With regard to pay, we are protecting those who earn stubbornly low. Can he reassure me that those funds will less than the UK median salary. Whichever part of the address low wages, provide good jobs, improve skills, public sector they work in, if someone earns less than and provide the pathway to the skills and opportunities £24,000, they will receive the £250. It is the right approach that people in Cornwall need? to provide that support to those with lower-than-average earnings. Rishi Sunak: I commend my hon. Friend, because he consistently comes to the House to champion his Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): constituents and talk about increasing the opportunities I lend my support to everything said by the Father of available to them. He is right that we want to make sure the House. Covid-19 means that the Chancellor’s strategy that we target our resources at the places where they can is broken into three phases: first, as we are doing now, make the most difference. I look forward to hearing spending everything necessary to stop the economy from him what projects he thinks will be able to transform collapsing, which he is doing successfully; secondly, the lives of his constituents and the communities that essentially from next spring, doing everything possible they are proud to call home. to maximise growth and recovery in the economy; and thirdly, after that, when things get on to an even keel, Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green) [V]: The returning to conventional economics. Does he agree Chancellor speaks of a fiscal emergency, but said not a that the enormous deficit inevitably created in the first word today about the climate and nature emergencies. and second phases of the strategy needs to be financed There is a real risk that any green steps will be fatally in a similar way to major incidents such as wars, with undermined by the reckless pursuit of business-as-usual, very long-term bonds, not destructive short-term taxes? environmentally destructive spending, such as the £27 billion road-building programme. He has said that there can be Rishi Sunak: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for no lasting prosperity for people if we do not protect the his comments. I would distinguish between two things. planet, so will he adopt a new economic rule—a net zero The borrowing that we are carrying out this year, which test—and assess all spending and fiscal measures against is, as he knows, at a peacetime high, is financed through the UK’s climate and nature goals, so that the whole the gilt markets. He will be pleased to know that we push package is properly green? as much as we can to the long end of the curve relative to our international peers; the average maturity of our debt Rishi Sunak: The Government firmly believe in making stock is about 14 or 15 years, which is almost double the sure that the recovery is green. I urge the hon. Lady to average of the G7. He is right that we should do that. have a look at the national infrastructure strategy that I would differentiate that from an ongoing structural we have published today,entitled, “Fairer,faster,greener”, deficit, which is with us for many years. As he said, our which outlines the funding for all the green measures first priority coming out of this will be to get growth contained in the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan. I think going again. it represents a comprehensive and ambitious path to deliver our net zero commitments. Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC): On average, Wales received £400 million a year from EU structural and investment Mr Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield) (Con): I thank funds, sadly well above the UK per capita average due my right hon. Friend for his courtesy over the weekend to our greater relative need. Promises have been made and I assure him of my very strong support for virtually that Wales will receive not a penny less from the UK all of his package today. As a result of the pandemic shared prosperity fund. The Chancellor has stated that here in the UK, 50,000 people have died and we are he will match total UK funding, but will he also confirm rightly moving heaven and earth to prevent more deaths that Wales’ share will not be diminished, that it will here at home. Is he aware that his proposed breaking of represent additional investment, and that the fund will the 0.7% promise and the 30% further reduction in cash be allocated according to need? will be the cause of 100,000 preventable deaths, mainly among children? This is a choice that I for one am not Rishi Sunak: We have said that as the EU funding prepared to make. None of us in this House will be able that we are currently financing runs off, we will step in to look our children in the eye and claim that we did not and replace it up to the tune of about £1.5 billion, know what we were voting for. 845 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 846 Forecast Forecast Rishi Sunak: I am enormously grateful to my right after all our communities. Civil servants have lost 19% in hon. Friend for the conversations I have been able to wages over the past 10 years due to austerity, and there have with him, and I fully respect his passion on this is a 12% gender pay gap that affects civil servants. So subject. He brings an enormous amount of experience will the Chancellor recognise the importance of their to this House on this topic, and obviously he will have work and their participation and give an increase of heard the reasons that I set out for doing what we are 10% to begin to make up the ground that they have lost doing. I believe we can still make a difference to the over the past 10 years? Instead of saying to them that, world’s poorest countries with the measures that we as thanks for all their work, they will get a maximum of have put in place. The most pressing issue that the £5 a week for the lowest paid, will he return to proper developing world faces at the moment is the ability to national pay bargaining for all civil servants, so that deliver and deploy a coronavirus vaccine. He will know those people who deliver for us are seen to be treated that we are the largest donor globally to the COVAX properly and fairly as we come out of the corona crisis? advance market commitment, the global initiative that is supporting developing countries’ access to vaccines. Rishi Sunak: I am glad the right hon. Gentleman Right now, that is probably the most important thing gives me an opportunity to thank my fantastic team of we could be doing. We are doing it. We are leading the civil servants in the Treasury,who have been extraordinary world in helping tackle coronavirus. I know that my in their hard work and creativity throughout this right hon. Friend and I will carry on this conversation. crisis, and have remained so over the past few weeks in concluding the spending review.I put on record my thanks Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance) [V]: The to them. covid pandemic has exposed structural weaknesses in our economy and society, but it is also likely to accelerate Unsurprisingly, my numbers are slightly different to change in how people work, live and interact. May I those of the right hon. Gentleman. According to the also point out to the Chancellor that the excluded are a ONS, before this crisis even started in 2019, there existed genuine problem? One of the difficulties is that the at least a 7% pay premium between the public and private Government are not counting those who are sole directors sectors after accounting for characteristics and pensions. of limited companies as part of the self-employed, which That gap no doubt has been exacerbated and widened is how the figures are coming across as confusing. Does over the past six to 12 months as a result of widening the Chancellor accept that public spending should not pay inequality between public and private sector pay. necessarily assume a restoration of the status quo ante That is why I believe it is fair to take the approach we but must be based on a transformation of our society have, but I share with him a desire to protect those on and economy around social justice, inclusion, reskilling lower incomes, which is why those 2.1 million people who and investment in a green new deal? earn less than £24,000 will receive a pay rise of £250.

Rishi Sunak: We want our recovery to be green and Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): I the national infrastructure strategy sets out an ambitious commend the Chancellor for having to make some very way to do that. Skills are at the heart of what we believe, difficult decisions, but as President-elect Biden commits giving people the tools they need to improve their lives to a new era of western leadership, here we are about to and go on to better things. We are funding £375 million mark the start of our G7 presidency by cutting our today to deliver our commitments on the Prime Minister’s overseas aid budget. Downgrading our soft power lifetime skills guarantee and other matters. The hon. programmes will leave vacuums in some of the poorest Gentleman can rest assured that that remains an area of parts of the world that will further poverty and instability. enormous focus for this Government. It is likely to see China and Russia extending their authoritarian influence by taking our place. Will my right Dr Luke Evans (Bosworth) (Con) [V]: In the light of hon. Friend concede that we cannot genuinely claim to the difficulties the country faces with its finances, I was be global Britain, or claim to be serious about creating pleased to see the commitment to infrastructure. Is the post-conflict strategies for countries such as Libya and Chancellor aware of Hinckley bridge on the A5, which Yemen—strategies that could lead to greater UK prosperity has been awarded the status of “most bashed” bridge in —when our hard power is not matched by our soft Britain? It has been hit 25 times and causes a delay of power? Will he meet me to discuss how these dated rules six hours every time. It is a prime example of the pinch governing overseas aid should be updated? points littered up and down the A5, which strangle productivity. Will he commit to provide funds to the Rishi Sunak: My right hon. Friend will I am sure likes of the A5 to bring prosperity to the midlands and welcome the very significant increase in our defence grow our economy out of the covid situation? budget, which he has campaigned for to fix many of the issues of the past. He also alluded to our ability to help Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend articulates well an example lots of different parts of the world in lots of different of local pinch points being a blight on communities, ways; Libya was one example that he gave. He will know stopping people improving the quality of their life and that we are the fifth largest contributor to the UN’s driving growth. It seems like a very good example of the peacekeeping operations. He makes a good point about type of project that our new levelling-up fund would be aid rules. For example, we spend about half a billion interested in, and I look forward to discussing it with pounds every year on peacekeeping and security operations him further. in countries such as Libya, Mali, Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. That spending, Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Ind) [V]: Throughout that difference we make on the ground and that security the corona crisis, public sector workers in all areas have that we bring to some of the world’s poorest places is delivered brilliantly and helped to save lives and look not currently counted as overseas development aid. 847 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 848 Forecast Forecast Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) (Lab): Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): In this covid The Chancellor has spoken well today of the scars that crisis, the Government have presided over an horrific are felt by so many in society due to the triple whammy double whammy of one of the largest per capita death of covid, climate change and Brexit. Will he outline rates in the world and the deepest recession in the G7, how he will manage to ring-fence money for mental and that is before the Brexit disruption due at the end of health within the health spend? Mind, the charity, has the year. Is the Chancellor really proud of his record? said that phone calls have doubled, with many young people experiencing debilitating anxiety, depression and Rishi Sunak: My priority throughout this crisis has self-harm. Will he urgently look at mental health and been protecting jobs. I am pleased to see that that is ring-fence money for workforce changes, which are something the OBR, the Bank of England and the desperately needed, and for a decent revenue spend to IMF all acknowledge has happened as a result of our bring mental health up into line with physical health? interventions. We currently have an unemployment rate that is lower than Italy, France, Spain, Canada and the Rishi Sunak: The hon. Lady makes a good point, and United States. So, yes, I do think what we are doing is I am pleased to tell her that of the £3 billion of extra making a difference to millions of people up and down money for the NHS that we have announced for next the country. year to help recover from coronavirus, half a billion pounds of that is specifically earmarked to address waiting times Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con): Can I in mental health services, to give people the support commend all the work that the Chancellor has done this they need and to invest in the workforce that she rightly year? Many constituents I speak to credit him personally identified. I hope that gives her some reassurance. That with keeping them in a job. I am also pleased to see that, is incremental to the existing NHS plans. despite the financial pressures, the Chancellor is investing in transport. We see multi-year settlements for road, rail Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con) [V]: I and active travel, and changes to the way infrastructure congratulate the Chancellor on how he has handled the projects are appraised to increase the number of transport financial pressures that the pandemic has thrown at the projects in deprived parts of the country, as well as a Government, by thinking outside the box with brilliant, green book, a national infrastructure strategy, a red innovative solutions. However, I cannot support the book and a £4 billion levelling up fund—and I am new tiering system, because it is totally illogical and will pleased to see that the Department for Transport is a force too many people to stay holed up at home.Hospitality sponsor. Can I ask him to keep a watchful eye on how businesses will fold in their tens of thousands, and I all that is spent? Will he continue to place transport cannot condone that when they have spent tens of investment at the heart of our recovery and his long-term thousands becoming covid-safe. vision for this country? I will also not support the reduction in the aid budget. This country has made an amazing difference Rishi Sunak: I am very grateful for my hon. Friend’s to the lives of millions, but with the reduction of GNI intervention. He is absolutely right, and he has championed and the proposed cut, the aid budget will be decimated. tirelessly for his constituents and the country the importance No longer will girls have 12 years of quality education— of transport in our levelling-up agenda and in helping resulting in more child marriages, more instances of to drive growth and spread opportunity. He is also right early childbirth, more female genital mutilation and more that we should be careful about how this money is spent domestic violence. We will not be vaccinating millions, and make sure that it is delivered. I talked about Project preventing polio and TB, providing medication for HIV Speed earlier, and I would welcome his involvement and or preventing malaria. We will be reduced to spending advice on that. He will notice in the spending review on humanitarian crises in emergencies only— document a new focus on outcomes across public services with a new public value framework. That will deliver Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. Please what he is asking for. could we just have a question? Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP) Mrs Latham: So many things will be damaged, and [V]: Could I raise with the Chancellor the issue of our relations with the developing world will lose the soft statutory sick pay? Even before the crisis hit earlier this influence that we have today. I cannot condone this, and year, statutory sick pay in the United Kingdom was not therefore I will not be supporting this statement. comparable with that in similar advanced economies. Sitting at only £95, we know that it is not enough for Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend makes a passionate case, those who need it for self-isolation, and that it is estimated and a right case,for our ability to help provide immunisation to make up only about a fifth of workers’ wages. Will to the world’s poorest children. It is something that I the Chancellor look at building up the statutory sick proudly support, and I am happy to tell the House that pay mechanisms in this country, so that they are fit not we are the largest donor to the Gavi consortium globally, just for the present times, but for the hard times people of any country in the world. That is the multilateral are going to face in future, and give workers the proper body that provides immunisation against infectious diseases financial security they deserve and are lacking right for 75 million children, and as I have said, we are proudly now? the largest donor to that effort. Rishi Sunak: At the beginning of this crisis, we made Mr Deputy Speaker: I just remind Members that we changes to the way that statutory sick pay operates, must not have a speech and eventually a question. Can ensuring that it was payable from day one rather than we get quickly to the questions in order that we can get day four, and for those who are self-employed, and we everybody in? made changes to the way that universal credit, employment 849 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 850 Forecast Forecast and support allowance and the minimum income floor Rishi Sunak: I believe we have, with £1.3 billion of work—all to enable some of the things that the hon. extra funding next year for the Welsh Government to Gentleman mentioned. It is worth bearing in mind that, spend as they see fit on their devolved competencies, of on the last survey evidence we have, a majority of people which flooding is one. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman —something north of 60%—get more than statutory can raise that with the Welsh Government. Wein England sick pay as a result of the treatment of their employers. are doubling investment in flood defences over the next few years to over £5 billion, protecting over 300,000 homes, Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey) (Con): I recognise and the £1.3 billion of Barnett funding for Wales will that the Chancellor will have made the decision on 0.7% enable that funding to go to where it is needed. with an extremely heavy heart, but does he recognise that the respect felt for this country around the world is Sir Robert Syms (Poole) (Con): I thank the Chancellor because we have championed causes throughout our for his statement. Over the last 10 years, we have spent history that matter to people everywhere,such as democracy, over £100 billion on overseas aid, with a lot of it human rights and the rule of law? One of those causes borrowed. Most of my constituents will understand the is tackling extreme poverty. To cut our aid budget by a difficult decision that the Government have had to third in a year when millions more will fall into extreme make. At 0.5%, our aid spending will be higher than poverty will make not just them poorer but us poorer in that of most of our neighbours, and probably higher the eyes of the world, because people will worry that we than the Major Government and many other Governments are abandoning a noble ideal that we in this country in the past. He has set out the recovery in GDP and have done more to champion than anyone else. growth over the next three or four years, and no doubt the budget will go up again. Rishi Sunak: I am enormously grateful to my right hon. Friend for the approach that he has taken and I Rishi Sunak: I thank my hon. Friend for his comment. appreciate our conversations on this topic. Of course he He is right—I think the average aid spending of the last rightly feels passionately about it. As he knows better Labour Government was 0.36%, so it will be sufficiently than anyone, there are many ways in which we exert our ahead of that. As I said, we intend to return to this over influence and our values across the world—aid is just time when the fiscal situation allows. He will appreciate one part. Even at 0.5%, we will still be more generous as better than others the unbelievable uncertainty at the a percentage of GDP than almost all our major economy moment, but that is our intention. peers—France, Japan, Canada, Italy, the United States— and than the average of the OECD. The values that he Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab) [V]: May cares deeply about I also care deeply about, and I look I declare an interest in this question, as I suffer from forward to talking with him further about how best we myeloma, a form of blood cancer? can express those values and make a difference to those We all recognise and applaud the incredible work that who need our help everywhere that we find them. the NHS and its staff have done for us all in the past few months. In terms of the future, does the Chancellor Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op): Charities recognise, however, that much research for cancer is up and down the land will wonder why the Chancellor funded by charitable donations, which have fallen has abandoned them today. Charities have already significantly during recent months for reasons that everyone accumulated £10 billion-worth of debt, and 20% of can understand? To ensure that treatments continue to them could fold, despite the extraordinary work they improve in the future, will he agree to fully fund cancer have done for our nation during the pandemic. His research to make up the difference in charitable donations, statement says that there will be further rationing in the at least for the next few years? Office for Civil Society. Will he reflect on that and come back to the Dispatch Box with real money to support Rishi Sunak: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for our valuable charities? his question. I know that it is a topic on which he speaks passionately. He will be pleased to know more generally Rishi Sunak: Almost uniquely among other countries about our record spending on R&D next year of just during this crisis, we have provided enormous financial shyof £15 billion; the exact allocation is for the Department support to our charity sector. The Department for for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, but there Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has distributed is a significant increase for basic research. Also, within £750 million to small and large charities up and down the Department of Health and Social Care Budget the country. They do fantastic work, and it has been a settlement, there is about £1.3 billion to fund research difficult time for them. That is why this Government for the National Institute for Health Research and stood behind them at a time of acute crisis. Genomics England—both of which do a fantastic job, and I am sure will be working on treatments for us all Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab): for many years to come. On 26 February, I asked the Prime Minister to offer additional support to Wales over and above the devolved John Penrose (Weston-super-Mare) (Con): I welcome settlement in the face of unprecedented flooding caused the Chancellor’s continuing commitment to sound money. by Storm Dennis. The Prime Minister gave an assurance It is particularly easy to forget, in a year when we have that funding would be “passported”to Wales.Nine months just seen an 11.3% cut in the size of the economy, that later, with winter approaching, that funding still has not ultimately, all the money that we are borrowing must been delivered. What discussions has the Chancellor eventually be paid back by us as taxpayers. So I urge had about that, and when does he think the Government him not to lose that focus, and as soon as possible to get will be able to deliver on the Prime Minister’s promises back to a sustainable basis. As part of that, could he say to Welsh communities? more about the Restart programme, which he mentioned 851 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 852 Forecast Forecast [John Penrose] John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): The Chancellor has announced a pay freeze for hundreds of earlier—a crucial thing to get members of the long-term thousands of public sector workers today who do not unemployed back into work? How many people does he deserve it. Firefighters, care assistants and teaching expect that to help, and what benefit does he expect that assistants will all suffer a pay freeze. What is the assessment to have for our long-term, sustainable economy? of the economic impact of that pay freeze? There must be one in the Treasury somewhere. What is it? Rishi Sunak: As ever, my right hon. Friend speaks fantastically good sense. He is right; we will need to Rishi Sunak: It would be wrong to describe this return to a sustainable fiscal position, not least to build policy as a blanket pay freeze when a majority of those resilience for the next crisis or shock that comes along. working in the public sector will see an increase in their We want to be able to react in the same comprehensive pay next year, because they earn less than the UK and generous way that we did this time, and that requires median salary of £24,000 or they work in the NHS, or, us to have a strong set of public finances going into it. indeed, they are on the national living wage. Across all My right hon. Friend is right about the Restart those areas, there will be a pay increase. That will programme, which will help, we hope, around 1 million benefit millions of people and make a difference to the of those who are long-term unemployed; it will be an economy. exciting and ambitious programme. The Institute for Employment Studies has spoken very well about the Laura Farris (Newbury) (Con): I welcome the significant evidence in favour of that type of high-quality, individual financial commitment to mental health services. One of work-focused approach making an enormous difference the striking takeaways in my constituency is the proliferation in getting people back into work. If we can do that, we in anxiety, depression and sometimes addiction that is can reduce some of the long-term scarring that they will emerging from the crisis. We know that these have a face. So I have high hopes for what that programme can pernicious correlation with long-term unemployment achieve. and, for that reason, I invite my right hon. Friend to keep a sharp focus on mental health spending over the Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): I first welcome years ahead, because the best training programmes and the £900 million that will be available to the Northern the best labour market interventions in the world will Ireland Executive, which is a reminder to the people of only work if the workforce is mentally well enough to Northern Ireland of the economic security that we have engage. as a result of being part of the United Kingdom. The Barnett consequentials for Wales and Scotland should Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend makes an excellent also be a reminder to the people there of the benefits of point and it is a topic that she knows very well. I hope the Union. that she was heartened to hear what I said earlier about May I ask the Chancellor one thing about the levelling £500 million of the increase of £3 billion for the NHS up fund, the infrastructure bank and the shared prosperity this year being specifically targeted on mental health to fund? When will he have the details of access to those, address all the things she said. She is right about the and can he assure us that the access to all those funds difference they will make for many people in our country. will be equally available to different parts of the United Kingdom? Darren Jones (Bristol North West) (Lab): Over 4 million children are in poverty in the UK. Under successive Rishi Sunak: I can give the right hon. Gentleman that Conservative Chancellors, Sure Start centres have closed, assurance. Those are UK-wide programmes and we hope child trust funds have been slashed, nurseries today are to have more details about the infrastructure bank in on the brink of collapse and the number of children the spring, so that we can get it up and running, at least falling into poverty increases month after month. It is in shadow form, as quickly as possible and make a an unnecessary national tragedy, so why, especially at difference to communities all around the United Kingdom. these difficult times, could the Chancellor not today commit to eradicating child poverty in his economic Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): May I first join my statement? hon. Friends in expressing concern about the proposal to reduce overseas aid, but welcome today’sannouncements Rishi Sunak: On the last numbers, there are 100,000 in particular on infrastructure,apprenticeships and research fewer children in absolute poverty than in 2010 and and development, which will create wealth and jobs? I 750,000 fewer children living in workless households also welcome the substantial support that the Chancellor than in 2010. The hon. Gentleman asked about nurseries has provided to help businesses and people get through and early years. He will be pleased to know that an coronavirus. However, my constituents know that those above-inflation increase in the hourly rate for nursery measures will all have to be paid for, so can he assure providers is contained in the spending review. them that when this economic emergency is over, he will return to a policy of balancing the books? Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Lab) [V]: A few months ago, the Conservative party was clapping public sector Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. workers. Now it is cutting the pay of millions. This crisis Although it is right to act in this way during the crisis, it should not be paid for on the backs of the working would not be a sustainable way to operate. The important class, but it is. Over 2 million people are now paid less thing to know is that right now the focus should be on than the minimum wage—up fivefold. Sick pay is so low supporting businesses and jobs; but once our economic that people are forced to choose between their health recovery is secure, we can turn our task to making sure and putting food on the table, and millions of people’s that we have a strong set of public finances. benefits—largely sick and disabled people—will rise by 853 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 854 Forecast Forecast just 37p a week. Instead of forcing millions into poverty, we have made some tough choices, but we have done will the Chancellor impose a windfall tax on those who that so that we can continue investing in the things that have made super-profits from this crisis? our constituents value most. I look forward to talking to him further about the bypass and flooding defences Rishi Sunak: The hon. Gentleman talked about those that he needs, but, hopefully, with a doubling of our on the lowest pay. We accepted the recommendations flood defences over this Parliament, it is something that from the Low Pay Commission to increase the national we can make progress on for him. living wage by 2.2%. That will make a difference of £345 to full-time national living wage workers, as well as Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con): May I protecting those in the public sector who earn up to the place on record my thanks to the Chancellor for the average UK salary of £24,000, who will receive a £250 uplift. recent announcement of support for airports, which has been very welcome? I also thank him for the measured Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con) [V]: I and sensible way that he is approaching the unprecedented commend the Chancellor on many of these measures, challenges that we are facing, but may I just raise the including the support for the lower-paid. When it comes challenges facing the hospitality sector, which has been to funding, I encourage him not to stifle enterprise impacted more than any other? Although the Government through increases in taxes, as these are often counter- have provided incredible support in recent months, the productive. May I raise with him the case of social care sector is facing real challenges this winter with the workers? They provide an essential service but they are restrictions that we are placing on it. It says that 94% of often overlooked, in part because they span the private businesses in tier 3 will be unviable, 74% in tier 2, and, and public sectors. What more can he do for them? For even in tier 1, 30% of businesses are likely to be unviable. example, further to my letter to him, will he consider The sector has played an incredible part in our growth raising their personal tax threshold so that they can take and job creation over the past 10 years and wants to home more of their pay? continue doing so as we recover from this crisis. Will he Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is right about the please look again at what support we can give to the importance of social care workers. He will know that sector to make sure that it is still around in the spring to they are not formally part of public sector pay settlements, help our recovery? but many of them are national living wage workers, as Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is, as ever, a passionate he knows, so they will benefit from the increase of champion for the hospitality sector, and he is right to be 2.2% that we are putting in place for next year. He will so. It employs 2 million people, often lower paid, and it also know that we have already made a start in the has been hit harder than almost anybody by this crisis, Budget on our desire to raise the national insurance which is why, as he acknowledged, we have put in place threshold, delivering cash benefits to people of about unprecedented support, from VAT cuts, initiatives over £100 this year, but it is something that we will keep under the summer such as eat out to help out, business rates review for future fiscal events. holidays and now cash grants when those businesses are Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP) either closed or in tier 2 areas facing restrictions to help [V]: The Chancellor has already allowed UK unemployment get them through the winter. Those grants in general to rise to 4.8% and expects it to rise further, with will equate to the rental payment of most of those redundancies at a record high. Will he now admit his businesses—we have that information and that is the mistake in leaving the 3 million without furlough or the single biggest fixed cost of hospitality businesses; and, self-employed help scheme and give contractors,freelancers, of course, they can furlough their staff. I know that it is creators and others the help that they so desperately difficult, but, hopefully, those interventions will make a deserve? difference, because he is right that we want them to be able to bounce back strongly. Rishi Sunak: The OBR and others have said that our economic interventions have helped to keep down Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): The unemployment and protected jobs, and that is part of midlands engine has identified priorities for investment the reason why our unemployment rate is lower than as transport, digital connectivity and energy. That is that in Italy, France, Spain, Canada and the United what we need to enable the midlands and the UK to States. recover from this pandemic and to build back bigger, better and greener, but, according to the Institute for Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I support the Chancellor’s Fiscal Studies, the east midlands has suffered the lowest decision to cut the overseas aid budget, which will be level of transport spending per person since 2014-15. widely welcomed across the country in the real world, We have also been at the back of the queue for all even if not always in here. I do not see why it should be capital spending for at least five years. If the Chancellor controversial to say that we should spend only what is serious about levelling up, can he guarantee that the we can afford on overseas aid. I suspect that the vast east midlands will receive the highest allocation of any majority of the British public will be asking not why he region when he hands out his new levelling-up fund? has cut so much, but probably why we are still spending so much. If some of that money that he is saving can be Rishi Sunak: The hon. Lady talked about a few spent on the much-needed and long-awaited Shipley different things, transport and digital connectivity being eastern bypass and on some proper flood defences in among the most important to her region. This spending the Shipley constituency then so much the better. review delivers on both those priorities, with record amounts of spending on road, rail, intra-city transportation, Rishi Sunak: I thank my hon. Friend for his support. buses and cycling, and, on digital connectivity, with our He makes an important point: this spending review is plans to bring 85% of the country to gigabit-capable about delivering on the British people’s priorities. Yes, broadband by 2025, we are also delivering on the green 855 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 856 Forecast Forecast [Rishi Sunak] Rolls-Royce and others up and down the supply chain. We have put some measures in place to help airports plan that I outlined. I very much look forward to hearing and get people flying again, and we enjoy conversations from her and her local areas once we launch the levelling-up with specific companies all the time. I urge all companies fund, because I am sure there will be projects we can to work constructively with their workforces through make a difference to. what is a difficult period and, we hope, find resolution. Collectively, we are all trying to protect jobs, but of David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con) course this is a very challenging set of circumstances. [V]: I welcome the levelling-up fund. From the outset I have been championing the Eden Project North in Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): The £325 million for Morecambe, which is coming shortly,so will the Chancellor the NHS to invest in the new diagnostic kit is really meet me to discuss it, as it is exactly the kind of shovel- welcome, as will be the £1 billion to begin tackling the ready project that would level up not just Morecambe, elective backlog caused by covid. May I ask the Chancellor but the whole of our region? to stick with that? What freedoms will my local NHS trusts have to spend that money? I have constituents Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Did the Chancellor who are waiting for a knee op or a hip op, and although get that? those may not be life or death issues, they are massively Rishi Sunak: Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker, I think it was life-impacting issues, as people are being prevented something about the Eden Project. I would be very from getting on with their lives, working or enjoying happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss his ambitions their children and grandchildren. I ask the Chancellor for his area and this project. I know he has put a lot of to stick with that and clear the backlog. thought and energy into it, as has his community, and I very much hope we can make progress in the coming Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend of course knows about years. this particularly well from his own experience, and he is right. One of the implications of the lockdown and Richard Fuller (North East Bedfordshire) (Con): In what we have done in the past is that we have this his statement, my right hon. Friend said: backlog now. He rightly says that it makes a difference “The spending announced today is secondary to the courage, to people’s day-to-day quality of life, which is why we wisdom, kindness and creativity it unleashes.These are the incalculable have provided £3 billion, of which £1 billion is to tackle but essential parts of our future, and they cannot be mandated or exactly that elective backlog. It will enable 1 million distributed by Government.” more scans and treatments to happen, and, as he says, it He is right on that, and the private sector and businesses is something we should stick with. will respond to what he has announced today. When it comes to the consideration of taxes, will he look to protect Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP) [V]: More the incentives for those who invest and grow such than 1 million 1950s-born WASPI—Women Against businesses? State Pension Inequality Campaign—women remain in the workforce, including in front-facing roles. Many had Rishi Sunak: I thank my hon. Friend for his comment, planned to retire but cannot do so because the Chancellor’s as he is absolutely right, and from his own business Government hit them with a lengthy delay in accessing experience he knows this well. He will know that one their pensions. WASPI women have asked me why the thing we do to incentive entrepreneurship through the Chancellor cannot sort out their pensions, allowing tax system is our world-leading enterprise investment them to retire and freeing up their jobs for others. That scheme and seed enterprise investment scheme programme, would be a win-win for the Chancellor and WASPI which provides significant support to private investors women, so will he look to do it? to help fund new businesses. We have expanded that scheme over time. I know he has thoughts on it, and I Rishi Sunak: The case has been settled in the courts look forward to hearing them. and there is not much further I can add, but today we Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab): I refer the House have announced an uplift of 2.5% for 12 million pensioners to my entry in the Register of Members’Financial Interests. on the state pension, which I know will make a difference The taxpayer support for British businesses and jobs to many. during this pandemic has been a lifeline for many, but today we hear that Rolls-Royce, which has benefited Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North) (Con): I am sure handsomely from the public purse while moving highly the Chancellor shares my vision that Milton Keynes skilled jobs abroad, intends to shut down its historic and the wider Thames valley can be the silicon valley of Barnoldswick site until after Christmas and offshore Europe. We know that 88% of UK companies are the work to Japan, Singapore and Spain, in a clear currently experiencing a lack of digital skills, and that attempt to break the current industrial action there. this is costing our economy £63 billion a year. May I Does the Chancellor agree that these kinds of bully-boy, therefore ask whether the proposal for a brand new strike-busting tactics are utterly unacceptable and that STEM-focused science and digital technology university all the financial support must be immediately withdrawn in Milton Keynes would be eligible to apply for funding until Rolls-Royce comes to its senses, ends its lockout from the new £4 billion pot for levelling up? and gets back to the table with Unite the union to resolve this dispute? Rishi Sunak: We will publish further details on how the levelling-up fund will work in due course. It is for Rishi Sunak: I know that the aerospace industry has those smaller,deliverable, everyday infrastructure projects been suffering a particularly difficult time over the past that I have talked about. My hon. Friend is absolutely few months, and that has impacted businesses such as right to champion technology, innovation and digital 857 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 858 Forecast Forecast adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises. He to producing, on a not-for-profit basis, the so-called will be pleased to know that the spending review confirms Oxford vaccine—not just for the British population, but just over £50 million to support the Department for for developing countries around the world. It is doing Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to deliver that through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, of which the productivity-enhancing programmes for SMEs. I think UK, as the Chancellor said earlier, is the biggest financial that one of those does involve the use of digital technology, supporter. The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest crisis in which the UK lags behind its peers. facing the world, and the UK is in a leading position in tackling it. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, as a Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) result of the spending review, the UK will continue to be (Lab): We know that families are really struggling right able to play that leading role against the pandemic? now. The Bank of England has said that the inflation forecast next year is 2%. Can the Chancellor guarantee Rishi Sunak: I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. that the 2.1 million public sector workers he referred to He highlights a perfect example of this country making will not face a real-terms pay cut next year? Will he also an enormous difference to millions of people around explain why on earth he is still going ahead with the the world, not just with our aid budget but through the appalling £1,000 cut in universal credit, which will hit quality of our research and then our desire to find millions of families across the country at this incredibly commercial partners who will bring that life-saving difficult time? treatment to millions of people at cost. It is a fantastic example, and my hon. Friend is right to highlight it. Rishi Sunak: Those in the public sector who earn less than £24,000, which is the UK national median wage, Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab) [V]: will receive a fixed increase of at least £250. That is It was frankly opprobrious that there was nothing today 2.1 million people—38% of the workforce. [Interruption.] to help the 3 million people excluded from Government Well, it will depend on each worker’s exact salary, but support schemes. They are desperate, they are struggling, there will be a fixed increase of £250 for all of those and some have even taken their own lives. Will the 2 million workers. Chancellor tell me whether we are to assume that, after eight months without any change in policy, he deems it Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con) [V]: I welcome politically expedient to exclude these people, because much of the Chancellor’s statement, and look forward they just do not matter? to sending him the bid for the Ripley-Codnor bypass. Is he able to offer any encouragement to the supply chain Rishi Sunak: I am sure the hon. Lady heard the of the hospitality industry? He is supporting the restaurants answer to the previous question on this issue. She keeps and pubs that are closed, but not the important businesses mentioning this 3 million figure without giving an that supply them and also cannot trade because they explanation of whether she agrees that 1.5 million of have no customers to sell to. those people should be included, given that they make the majority of their earnings from employment and Rishi Sunak: Obviously those businesses will be able are eligible to be furloughed. Indeed, that approach was to use the generous terms of the furlough scheme for supported by all trade organisations at the time when their staff through the winter period. The more than the scheme was launched. £1 billion of funding that we made available to local authorities before the start of the latest national restrictions Gary Sambrook (Birmingham, Northfield) (Con): Fifteen was also to support businesses and local economies in years after the MG Rover collapse, there is still 150 acres the way that authorities saw fit throughout the winter of unused land in Longbridge that could be used to period. That funding is available at a local level, perhaps provide much-needed jobs locally. Will the Chancellor to do some of the things that my hon. Friend mentioned. support my campaign, along with Mayor Andy Street, to make sure that Longbridge is at the top of the list Mick Whitley (Birkenhead) (Lab): The Chancellor when it comes to levelling-up and that we have those has promised the British people a green jobs revolution, jobs right across Northfield? but the UK is fast falling behind countries like France and Germany. We need investment in the jobs of the Rishi Sunak: That sounds like an excellent idea. I future now. What immediate steps will the Chancellor hope that the £400 million brownfield fund, which is be taking to support green infrastructure projects such part of our housing fund, could be of help. I know that as offshore wind and the Mersey tidal projects, and Mayor Andy Street has spoken to the Secretary of State green jobs on Merseyside? for Housing, Communities and Local Government about how best he can access the brownfield fund, and this Rishi Sunak: I do not believe that we are behind sounds like exactly the kind of project that it is designed France and Germany. We are phasing out internal to help. combustion engine vehicles 10 years before France, and we are phasing out coal 13 years before Germany. Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): The Indeed, the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan will support Chancellor has repeatedly said that he does not recognise up to a quarter of a million green jobs, building on the them, but today 3 million taxpayers—including many progress that we have made by being the country that of my constituents—who have been excluded from any has decarbonised the fastest out of all major economies. support at all will have been in anguish waiting for his statement. Far from protecting lives and livelihoods, he Anthony Browne (South Cambridgeshire) (Con): My has let them down yet again. Their income is down to constituency is home to the global headquarters of zero, they are losing their homes and unable to feed AstraZeneca,theprivatesectorcompanythathascommitted their families and—again—some have even taken their 859 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 860 Forecast Forecast [Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck] Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of youth services. I am not entirely sure own lives. Is it that the Chancellor does not understand exactly which bit he refers to, but I am happy to talk to the heartache and hopelessness of poverty? Or is it him further about it. He will see in today’s spending simply that he just does not care? review that the National Citizen Service is still there and we have provided more funding for capital projects for Rishi Sunak: Anyone in the circumstances described youth organisations, but I will happily pick up the specific by the hon. Lady would surely be eligible for support case he mentioned separately. through universal credit, which can provide, depending on the circumstances, somewhere between £1,500 and Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I welcome £1,800 per family per month to help to support them if my right hon. Friend’s statement, particularly the that is what they need. She talks about the self-employed levelling-up fund. May I make an immediate representation as if perhaps they are not also people who benefit from for dualling of the A64 in my constituency? I also better hospitals, better schools, better local infrastructure welcome the changes to the Green Book. Will he take a and safer streets. That is what this spending review similar look at the housing infrastructure fund, which delivers, and it will benefit everybody in the United also has a built-in bias towards spending in London and Kingdom in that way. the south-east?

Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con) [V]: I very Rishi Sunak: I know that this is an area that my hon. much welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and Friend knows particularly well, so I am very happy to strongly applaud the Government’s commitment to fund take him up on that suggestion and discuss his concerns the NHS with investment not only in hospitals, such as with the Housing Secretary. I thank him for bringing it the £3 million for the A&E at Russells Hall Hospital in to my attention. Dudley, but in diagnostic equipment, as well as for more nurses and GP appointments. Will he outline how Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD): There these commitments help the Conservative party to meet are some positives for the NHS in the Chancellor’s its manifesto commitment to deliver stronger public statement, but it does feel like there is a blind spot: in services, such as through 50,000 more nurses? the detailed documents, as far as I can tell, there is only one reference to cancer. Bear in mind that clinicians Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right: not estimate that we will unnecessarily lose 60,000 years to only are we maintaining our commitment to the NHS’s cancer deaths during this time, and that it may take five five-year long-term settlement, but we are providing years for the NHS to catch up with the colossal cancer additional funds, with £3 billion for covid recovery this backlog. There is no reference in the Chancellor’sstatement year, and also providing fully the extra funding required to the urgent investment in radiotherapy or other treatment to deliver on the commitments to 50,000 more nurses, mechanisms that is necessary to catch up with cancer. 50 million more GP appointments and, indeed, 40 new Will he think again? Will he meet me and a cross-party hospitals. group of MPs, clinicians and patients living with cancer, so that he can think again, act now and save lives? Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): The British people have faced an incredibly difficult year, Rishi Sunak: Of course, it will be for the Secretary of with covid and the resulting economic crisis. We then State for Health and Social Care to do the detailed have the looming prospect of either a no-deal Brexit or allocation of this budget, but I would point to the a minimalist one that will be very disruptive for businesses. £3 billion for covid recovery, £1 billion of which is to The OBR has forecast a 5.2% loss of potential GDP help tackle the backlog of elective surgery and of screening over the next 15 years, while the Governor of the Bank and diagnostics, which I think will help. We have also of England has said that with a no-deal Brexit we could provided £325 million to invest in new diagnostic machines, see a situation that is two to three times as bad. How replacing about two thirds of ageing machines, which much more economic carnage and unemployment should presumably helps with referrals and identification of the British people expect, with these two scenarios on cancer, but of course the Secretary of State for Health top of coronavirus and its impacts? and Social Care will be the best person to discuss the exact allocation of the increased NHS budget. Rishi Sunak: All I would say is that our teams are hard at work, and I am very hopeful that we can reach a Andy Carter (Warrington South) (Con) [V]: I praise constructive agreement with our European friends and the measured and sensible way that the Chancellor has partners. Our wishes in this negotiation have always approached this spending review, and I welcome in been consistent and transparent and are based entirely particular the infrastructure fund. With levelling up in on the precedent of what other countries have achieved the north of England a real priority, I look forward to with the EU, so I am very much hopeful that, with good discussing more projects for Warrington South with work and a constructive attitude, we can get there. him. I am particularly pleased to see that those working in the lowest-paid public sector jobs will get a pay Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con): In what increase, but can he confirm that the extra police officers must be the most challenging circumstances ever to promised for Cheshire will be delivered so that we can deliver a spending review, I welcome the Restart scheme tackle antisocial behaviour and protect our communities to help the unemployed. Last year, £500 million was from the dreadful impact of county lines drug gangs? announced to help youth services, and Southend YMCA greatly benefited from that. Will the Chancellor recommit Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right about to that £500 million, and will he set out a timeframe in the importance of safer streets. I am pleased to tell him which that can be delivered over the next five years? that this spending review makes available £400 million 861 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 862 Forecast Forecast more for the Home Office and local policing to make sure will be pleased that there has been a success in accessing that we can recruit an additional 6,000 police officers the new stations fund for Haxby station. That is an next year, on top of the 6,000 this year, in order to make example of the Government delivering on our promises great progress on our way to 20,000 by 2023. and trying to find ways to improve local transport infrastructure in his local area to drive growth and Matt Vickers (Stockton South) (Con) [V]: My right opportunity. We will relentlessly focus on those types of hon. Friend has had to make some tough decisions on priorities. issues such as foreign aid, but can he assure me that by doing that, he will be able to focus on domestic priorities Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op) [V]: and a levelling-up agenda that can do so much for so I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether we can many in Teesside? have the new infrastructure bank in Yorkshire, in particular in Huddersfield. Is he sure that he has paid enough Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This attention to the tremendous challenge of young people’s spending review is about focusing on the priorities of unemployment and young people who want to get into our constituents. I am sure that he and his constituents a job and be trained? Is the programme that he announced will be pleased to know that we have made £3 million today sufficient to train a whole new generation of young available today for the Tees Valley hydrogen transport people as green apprentices? hub. Teesside is at the heart of our hydrogen revolution, bringing new jobs, attracting investment and driving Rishi Sunak: I would, of course, be sympathetic to growth in his local area. That is an example of the kind the idea of putting the bank in Yorkshire, as the hon. of local priority that we can now fund, having made Gentleman knows, but he was slightly beaten to the these tough decisions. punch over the weekend by my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), who made a pitch for Bradford. Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab): The Chancellor In any case, I will happily hear his thoughts. said that he wants to invest in the places that we call The hon. Gentleman is right about the focus on home, but the homes of thousands of leaseholders are young people. The new Restart programme will be able currently worthless fire risks because of the cladding to help a million people who have been unemployed for scandal that they did not cause. He will be well aware over a year. Before that happens, we have the kickstart that the £1.6 billion that he has already allocated is programme that will benefit a quarter of a million young nowhere near enough to make all those homes safe people—or more if it is successful. He talked about again. The leaseholders do not have the money and, apprenticeships. Rightly, we have increased the cash as far as I can tell from the Blue Book, not a single bonus to businesses to £3,000 for them to take on a additional penny has been allocated. How much longer fresh new young apprentice, because he is right that that will my constituents have to wait before they can once is where our focus should be. again call the place in which they live a home? Jane Stevenson (Wolverhampton North East) (Con): Rishi Sunak: We have made available £1.6 billion, I thank the Chancellor for the range of measures to which means that, at this moment, 80% of high-rise support those on low incomes and to protect the most buildings with aluminium composite material cladding vulnerable, whether that is through an uplift to cash for have work under way or complete. That number is likely local authorities to identify and support vulnerable to rise to 100% by the end of the year. families, or through the holiday activities and food With regard to people who are unable to move, I programme and an uplift to the Healthy Start programme. think the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the issue Levelling up is crucial to a seat such as Wolverhampton with the EWS1 certificates. The Minister for Housing, North-East. Can he reassure my constituents that the my right hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth Government will continue to prioritise job creation, (Christopher Pincher), made a statement on that recently, investment and other opportunities for them? but the right hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that £700,000 was made available to help more assessors Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The to qualify to undertake those assessments. I know that Government are committed to spreading opportunity my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, across the country, especially in places where people feel Communities and Local Government is in conversations they have not had the same fair crack of the whip. Our with UK Finance and the Royal Institution of Chartered levelling up fund is designed to correct that. Today, her Surveyors to ensure that the use or demand of those local area will be benefiting from discounted funding certificates is appropriate and proportionate to the needs from the Public Works Loan Board to help with local of the situation. infrastructure projects.That is a symbol of our commitment to her area and her constituents. Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con) [V]: I understand that my right hon. Friend has had to make some difficult Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): The Chancellor decisions as we seek to rebuild our economy in the said that my hon. Friends were wrong about the number months ahead. I am delighted to hear his commitment of working people excluded from financial support. It is to investment in infrastructure, but can he set out what the freelancers and the self-employed who have not had that means for the north, in particular York and north any support who think that he is wrong. In the Liverpool Yorkshire? What benefits will it bring to my constituents? city region, the Mayor, Steve Rotheram, has found a package to support some of the people who have been Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is right that it is about excluded. When will the Chancellor step up, support making difficult decisions so that we can prioritise the Steve Rotheram, Andy Burnham and the other Labour things that our constituents want us to. In his area, he leaders in local government, and put a support package 863 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 864 Forecast Forecast [Bill Esterson] Angela Richardson (Guildford) (Con): I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement this afternoon. He will together? He has to admit that these people have not know that affordable housing is needed in my constituency, qualified for furlough, self-employed support or business but that development is constrained by green belt, which grants, and most of them are not eligible for universal we are rightly enhancing and protecting as a manifesto credit. When is he going to end this burning injustice? commitment. Therefore, will he outline what fiscal steps he is taking to support councils like mine to regenerate Rishi Sunak: Some £1 billion has been provided to brownfield sites? local authorities across the country to support their businesses and local economies as they see fit. That Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right about funding has, of course, been made available to the hon. the importance of going to brownfield first. Today’s Gentleman’s local authority. If that is how it chooses to spending review makes available an additional £100 million use the funding, that is up to the local authority. We for non-mayoral combined authorities to access remediation have provided a range of different support, whether funding. My right hon. Friend the Housing Secretary loans, access to our more generous welfare system or will be able to talk to her in more detail about that, but mortgage holidays that, in the end, one in six mortgage it is exactly the kind of thing that I think could make a holders used. Those are all ways by which we have tried difference in her constituency. to do our best to provide support to the largest number of people possible. DrewHendry(Inverness,Nairn,BadenochandStrathspey) (SNP) [V]: By introducing the emergency measure to Robert Largan (High Peak) (Con): I wholeheartedly increase universal credit by £20 per week, the Chancellor welcome the announcement that doctors, nurses and was acknowledging what many people have known for NHS workers will be getting a pay increase. This crisis years: universal credit is simply not enough to live on. If has shown that we desperately need to invest in our that was the case during the pandemic, why will he not urgent care capacity.That is why I have been campaigning commit to retaining this uplift permanently? for new urgent care centres for both Tameside Hospital and Stepping Hill Hospital. Will the Chancellor confirm Rishi Sunak: We put in place a range of temporary that the Government remain 100% committed to the measures because we were dealing with an unprecedented NHS hospital upgrade programme? crisis. We are now working our way through that crisis, and the future looks considerably brighter than it did in Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. On March, not least because of the medical advancements top of the existing in-year funding we have provided to and our ability to do improved testing, so we can look deal with winter pressures for A&E, the spending review forward. We keep everything under review. The uplift confirms £3.7 billion of funding over the next few years lasts all the way to the spring. As we get to the spring to deliver both the 40 new hospitals we have talked and have more clarity about the future path of our about and 70 hospital upgrades. Rest assured; we remain economy and restrictions, we will of course be mindful completely committed to this programme. of how to support and protect those who are most vulnerable in our society. Carla Lockhart (Upper Bann) (DUP) [V]: I thank the Chancellor for his statement and welcome the additional Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): While I share financial support for the Northern Ireland Executive. I some of the concerns expressed by colleagues about the also look forward to the detail of the pay rise for nurses, aid budget, I think that if we are to continue asking our doctors and healthcare workers, and how Northern constituents to make sacrifices, this temporary move is Ireland healthcare professionals can benefit. In my the right one. Can the Chancellor give an assurance that constituency of Upper Bann, the private sector has the Greater Grimsby town deal, which is of great benefit been absolutely devastated by covid-19. Had it not been to my constituency, will continue to be funded? He is for the support provided by him, many businesses would aware from a note I gave him last week that modest be closed. What will the Chancellor do to ensure that support for LNER would restore our direct rail service the private sector recovery is supported across the United to London, and I hope he can provide that. Kingdom, and will he undertake to show his clear commitment to a UK-wide recovery by visiting my Rishi Sunak: I thank my hon. Friend for his support. constituency, when restrictions permit, to meet businesses He is right about my need to make difficult decisions who want to thank him and be part of our national and tough choices so that we can prioritise the things economic recovery? that he talked about. I believe that his local area has received some seed funding to examine proposals for the Rishi Sunak: I thank the hon. Lady for her kind south Humber line, which I hope will make a difference comments. She is right about the importance of our to his constituents. I hope that he and I can have a businesses, especially our small and medium-sized productive conversation about our levelling-up fund, as businesses, in helping to drive our recovery. We have we figure out how best to support the wonderful town provided cash grant support to those most impacted by of Grimsby with its future ambitions. the restrictions and that extra funding comes to Northern Ireland. On a UK-wide basis, we have provided tax cuts, Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab): It is irresponsible grants, loans and other measures that she will be aware to pit public sector and private sector workers against of. She can rest assured that I will keep all that in my one another in the race to the bottom on wages, especially mind as we think about how to exit the crisis. I look when key workers across both sectors kept us going forward to my first visit as Chancellor, hopefully, to through the pandemic. Notwithstanding the small amount Northern Ireland in the near future. given to low-paid workers, who frankly deserve better, 865 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 866 Forecast Forecast this pay freeze for civil servants will also freeze any him that the industry has been looking for the certainty meaningful action on tackling the gender pay gap in the that he is providing today. Does he agree that that civil service, which is 12%. Will the Chancellor outline certainty will allow the industry to plan better and, what discussions he has had with the Cabinet Office through that, to deliver better value and develop skills about eradicating the gender pay gap in Departments? programmes, including apprenticeship programmes?

Rishi Sunak: For the record, no one is trying to pit Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is anyone against anyone else. This is simply about doing because of that multi-year certainty, particularly on the what is fair for the country. It is the right decision to capital side, that we can deliver projects more efficiently, make. It is a difficult decision, but we have taken a faster and at lower cost. That certainty also helps the targeted approach to protect those on lower incomes and supply chain to take on new apprentices—helped, indeed, those in the NHS, ensuring that a majority of public by our apprenticeship bonus as well. He is absolutely servants will receive an increase in their pay next year. I right to say that we must train the next generation and would be happy to go away and look at the gender pay create jobs as we deliver this infrastructure, and that is gap in the civil service and ensure that we are making exactly what we are doing. good progress on eliminating it. Mr Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): Britain’spublicans Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con) [V]: We all want to and the wider hospitality trade are facing a catastrophic see people’s wages go up again after the pandemic, and Christmas. The Government’smishandling of coronavirus, my right hon. Friend’s statement provides a strong the lack of evidence behind their policies, particularly foundation for securing that. At a time when many on pubs, and the lack of a financial package to support workers in the private sector face cuts or job losses, pubs after the second lockdown will mean that many of I can understand why it is necessary to pause public them never open their doors again. Rather than getting sector pay rises, other than those for frontline NHS to his feet and congratulating them on what they did in workers and those earning less than the national average. the first lockdown, will the Chancellor actually give Will he join me in urging the Independent Parliamentary Britain’s publicans some kind of sense that a package is Standards Authority to ensure that that freeze also coming that might see them through the winter? extends to the salaries of Members of Parliament? Rishi Sunak: The reason I talk about the things that Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend makes an excellent we have done is that they last all the way through the point, and the way he framed it was spot on. He will be winter to next spring, whether it is the VAT cut or the reassured to know that the Chancellor of the Duchy of business rates holiday. I have consistently come to this Lancaster has written to IPSA on behalf of the Dispatch Box to support the hospitality industry. Many Government, the Prime Minister and I to express our times I have been accused of doing the wrong thing by views on the situation, to inform it about the pay policy Opposition Members, but the local restrictions grants that we have put in place in the public sector and to urge that we put in place will last through the winter, which it to take account of that when it sets pay policy. Of means that if a pub is closed, it will receive up to £3,000 course, it is an independent body, but I hope very much per month. When we look at the average rateable value that it will look at what we are doing. of a pub in England, we see that the vast majority of Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab) [V]: The small and medium-sized pubs will have their rent covered Youth Violence Commission report, published earlier by that. Of course, they can furlough their staff as well, this year, highlighted the importance of high-quality and those pubs operating in tier 2 areas under restrictions youth services provision, yet in a recent written response will still get a grant worth 70% of that value. Of course to the report, the Under-Secretary of State for the Home we are trying to do what we can to support the hospitality Department, the hon. Member for Louth and Horncastle sector. I have done that since the beginning of this crisis, (Victoria Atkins), made no mention of the youth investment and I will keep doing so. fund, and neither did the Chancellor today. Indeed, when the hon. Member for Southend West (Sir David Nickie Aiken (Cities of London and Westminster) Amess) asked about it, the Chancellor did not seem to (Con): I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his know what he was on about. Does this mean that the statement today and on his stamina, as mine will be the promised and already delayed £500 million has been 80th question he has answered so far this afternoon. shelved? Rough sleeping and tackling the causes of rough sleeping are subjects close to my heart. Sadly, in my constituency, Rishi Sunak: No, it has not been shelved, and I can he we see more rough sleepers than in any other constituency tell the hon. Lady that there is extra funding in this in the United Kingdom. Will my right hon. Friend give spending review for youth services. There is an amount me an assurance that today’s statement will provide of money for extra capital projects for youth clubs and, financial support so that we can focus on the Government’s of course, funding for the National Citizen Service. priority to end rough sleeping by 2024? More generally,the Government will review their approach to all youth services later this spring, and my right hon. Rishi Sunak: I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. Friend the Secretary of State will set out the details in I think £254 million has been made available to local due course. authorities to help them to end rough sleeping. That is a 60% increase in cash terms on the money available this Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): year. She is absolutely right to say that this is something I welcome the focus on infrastructure in the statement. we must end, and I know that the funding will make an As my right hon. Friend knows, I chair the all-party enormous difference in her constituency. I know this is parliamentary group on infrastructure, and I can tell an issue that she cares passionately about. 867 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 868 Forecast Forecast Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): 200 of my constituents, has suffered 600 job losses, with Braehead Foods is a large employer in my constituency future job losses likely. The sector faces a very uncertain that supplies top-quality produce all over the United future, which will have a devastating impact on our Kingdom. Furlough has been welcome for the company, communities.These highly skilled workers have transferable but it needs additional support to cover fixed overheads skills. With the Chancellor’s stated interest in funding while borrowing is maxed out and orders are almost the development of green initiatives, will he consider a non-existent. Will the Chancellor please reconsider past sector-specific package to support such a development requests from myself and the Federation of Wholesale for my constituents? Distributors to provide a grant or rates relief system that can be replicated in Scotland for UK food wholesalers Rishi Sunak: I know from my conversations with the such as Braehead that are above the £51,000 business industry that one of the things it was very keen to see rates threshold, so that they can stay afloat and play was an extension of our job support and furlough their part in the post-covid economic recovery? schemes, which is something we have been able to provide, and I know that will make a difference in preserving Rishi Sunak: Business rates are, of course, a devolved those valuable skill matches the hon. Member talked competency, and I am sure the hon. Gentleman can talk about. She will also know that there is an existing to the Scottish Government about their plans. They will research and development park that the Department receive £2.4 billion of Barnett consequentials as a result for Business runs, where it works with the aerospace of what we are doing this year, and they could choose to industry to provide access. Some of the new R&D we use some of that funding to provide support in the way have put aside for our net zero transition will also help that he asks. because it is designed for reducing emissions and finding new ways in the transportation sector. Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con): Earlier this week, I spoke to many people and companies— Mr William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con): As somebody training providers and others—in my constituency about who campaigns to protect green-belt land, I welcome apprenticeships, and how we need to improve the system my right hon. Friend’sadditional investment in prioritising and make it more flexible. Will the Chancellor set out in brownfield developments. His changes to the Green further detail what the measures in this spending review Book will also benefit the north-west in relation to will do to help businesses, training providers and young infrastructure investment. Will he say more about what people get the apprenticeships they deserve? he can do to incentivise business growth in the north of England, which will bring jobs and, importantly, tax Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend knows this well, from revenue to fund many of the spending commitments he his own business experience, and he is absolutely right. has announced today? What businesses have been asking for is more flexibility on how levy funds are used. I am pleased that we can Rishi Sunak: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. deliver that today. It means businesses can transfer their Although not part of the spending review, just very unspent levy funds down the supply chain easily, in recently announced is the extension to the annual investment bulk, to small and medium-sized companies. We are allowance, which was due to expire at the end of this going to create a matching service for that to happen, year. This allows small and medium-sized companies to and we are also going to allow employers, in certain write off, in full, investments of up to £1 million, so that industries at first, to front-load some of their training is a tax break that we are extending into next year. I funding, which is what they also wanted. Those obviously know that it will be warmly welcomed by businesses in will be funded by the Government—all those changes his constituency, and it will allow them to invest in their that happen as a result of our getting less in the levy growth in a tax-advantaged way. funding—but we think they are the right thing to do. They will support business and support apprenticeships, Peter Kyle (Hove) (Lab): Brighton and Hove has and he is right to raise it. double the national average number of people renting their homes, yet the cost of rental in Brighton and Hove James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con): The focus is the same as in central London. I am hearing from an on the NHS and infrastructure is welcome. The Queen alarming number of people who are struggling to pay Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn is on the frontline of their rent. They are either running businesses or they dealing with covid, and it is 40 years old but was built to are in employment that is not covering the bills. They last only 30 years. Will my right hon. Friend look are running out of savings, and soon they will be seriously at the compelling case for QEH to be one of destitute. Can the Chancellor say—he did not say anything the eight additional hospitals to be built on top of the about rental homes in his statement—what assistance 40 announced today? can be given to making sure that people can stay in their homes till the end of this crisis and then start earning Rishi Sunak: I look forward to hearing from my hon. money again? Friend about the plans and the ambitions he has for his local hospital. The Secretary of State for Health will also Rishi Sunak: What I can say is that the local housing be interested. My hon. Friend will know how committed allowance uplift that we put in place this year will be we all are to improving our hospitals and having new maintained into next year—the £1 billion—and I know ones across the UK. There is funding for that today, but that is of benefit to about 1 million households, at I am happy to discuss it further. about £600 each. That is the main announcement today, but I would be very happy to hear if there are further Beth Winter (Cynon Valley) (Lab) [V]: In Wales, things. The hon. Member will know about our £12 billion aerospace generates £1.47 billion in GVA for the Welsh affordable homes programme, which is designed to build economy.Since the pandemic, GE Aviation, which employs 180,000 affordable homes over the coming years as well. 869 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 870 Forecast Forecast Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): It is on the departmental expenditure limit but has this almost exactly a year since we launched our manifesto, mysterious phrase, “core spending power”, which has and today’s sobering statement has laid bare the impact become commonplace now in Government and includes that the pandemic has had on the nation’s finances and the option to increase council tax. Council tax is a the difficult choices the Chancellor is having to make. regressive tax. There are some councils with a very low He has done well to keep manifesto pledges on track, council tax base where the percentage increase will but I feel I need to make it clear that I personally feel mean very little money into the coffers. Even if they ashamed that the only manifesto pledge we are breaking were to go down that route, how is he going to ensure, in today is our promise to the world’s poorest. his levelling-up agenda, that they do not lose out because they have a lower council tax base? Rishi Sunak: I know that this is a topic about which my hon. Friend feels passionately, and rightly so. As she Rishi Sunak: As a former local government Minister, will have heard me say, we do this with a heavy heart. It which was my first job, I am happy to tell the hon. Lady enables us to make progress on our other priorities, and that there is nothing smoke and mirrors about core it is indeed temporary. We intend to return to 0.7% when spending power. It is the metric on which the local the fiscal circumstances allow. government finance settlement is done each year and it is the main metric on which it is focused. It is going up Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) 4.5%, which is a very high level compared with that in (Ind) [V]: According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, any of the last years. She is right about how council public sector pay is now at its lowest level in decades tax works, which is why we have put in an additional relative to that in the private sector. Although the £300 million of grant on top of the existing grant. Part announcement of a pay rise for NHS workers is welcome, of that is used for equalisation and the exact way that other public sector workers will be put in even greater that works is a matter for MHCLG. As is always the financial insecurity by the pay freeze. Does the Chancellor case, we have an equalisation element to the grant to not feel that, in the context of the great work those deal with the specific issue she raises. people are doing in this pandemic, the public sector pay cap is a dramatic failure to show our appreciation for all their hard work? Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Malling) (Con): First, may I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend, who has the most extraordinarily difficult job in juggling the Rishi Sunak: The hon. Lady mentioned the relative nation’s finances at this time? I pay tribute to him for his pay premium. It is worth bearing in mind that there still investment in levelling up, and I also pay tribute to his is a pay premium. The latest numbers we have, from focus on business, which, after all, is going to pay for all 2019, show a 7% pay premium between public and the money that he has just spent. However,will he perhaps private sector wages. That premium will without doubt tell me a bit about the aid budget? I have noticed have been exacerbated by the growing disparity in public- 20 basis points moving from aid into defence. It is a very private sector wages that we are seeing this year. So in welcome defence budget, certainly, but at a time when the interests of fairness and of protecting public sector aid has never been more needed in extending the perimeter jobs, I think it is right that we have taken a targeted of our public health to countries where the covid crisis approach and prioritised pay rises for those on lower would otherwise run wild, surely this is not exactly the incomes and in the NHS. right moment to be reducing those defences. Tom Hunt (Ipswich) (Con): I very much welcome the Secondly, does my right hon. Friend agree that the £4 billion levelling-up fund, but it cannot just be about International Development (Official Development the north and the midlands. Ipswich will need to be part Assistance Target) Act 2015, to which he has made of the mix as well. I also welcome the over £7 billion reference this afternoon, clearly gives him the opportunity extra funding for schools, but I am very passionate to opt out of the 0.7% target according to three different about special educational needs provision, as the Chancellor metrics, all of which are covered by the covid crisis? He will know, and I just wanted assurances from him. We can therefore do his reduction, if he feels it is necessary, are talking about this extra investment and the extra with no change in the law whatever. 500 schools in the next decade. That must include providing first-class special educational needs provision, Rishi Sunak: I am thankful to my hon. Friend for his which does cost a lot but is absolutely worth it. comments and, indeed, the constructive conversations I have had with him on our aid budget, our defence Rishi Sunak: I know about my hon. Friend’s passion budget and, more generally, our place in the world, for this subject and I am pleased to be able to tell him which he rightly champions, and he does a very good that £300 million has been allocated for new school job at that. He is right that we should look holistically places for children with special educational needs and at this, and he made a good argument for why we play a disabilities, which is, I think, about four times as much role, particularly with providing security through our as was provided to local authorities a year ago. defence budget to many places. He is also right about the 2015 Act and the so-called ouster provision contained Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ within it, but given that we cannot predict with sufficient Co-op): We have heard very much a smoke and mirrors certainty when exactly the current fiscal circumstances statement today, with the Chancellor repeatedly saying will have improved and given our need to plan accordingly, that there is more cash year on year than in the last we do intend to look at bringing forward appropriate decade. Well, that is easy to say after 10 years of legislation in due course. However, my right hon. Friend austerity and cuts. But I want to focus particularly on the Foreign Secretary will make a statement tomorrow the local government settlement, which is a static settlement and can answer the question in more detail. 871 Spending Review 2020 and OBR 25 NOVEMBER 2020 872 Forecast Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): Driving Offences (Amendment) May I admire my right hon. Friend the Chancellor’s stamina in answering well over 90 questions? I also Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order warmly welcome his statement this afternoon and in No. 23) particular the £100 billion he announced on infrastructure spending, which includes some vital projects in my 3.26 pm constituency,notably the levelling-up fund and the feasibility study for the Cirencester light railway, the reconfirmation Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab): I of the funding for the A417 and, above all, the extra beg to move, funding to improve gigabit broadband, which is an That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Road Traffic issue my rural constituency suffers from. Will he confirm Act 1988 to provide that dangerous and careless, or inconsiderate, driving offences may be committed in places other than roads and that very hard-hit economies, such as Gloucestershire’s, other public places; and for connected purposes. will benefit from this infrastructure funding, and that it will help speed up a strong recovery? In August 2017, a 22-month-old girl, Pearl Melody Black from my constituency of Merthyr Tydfil and Rishi Sunak: I thank my hon. Friend for his kind Rhymney, was tragically killed while walking with her words in support. He is absolutely right: we want to father and brother. Pearl was killed by an unoccupied ensure that this record investment in infrastructure brings vehicle that rolled from a private drive in Merthyr Tydfil tangible benefits to our constituents wherever they live, on to a highway and down a hill, crashing into a wall whether that is in the rural south-west or a town up in that subsequently crushed her and injured her father the north-east. All the people of this country should see and brother. In the months after the incident, officers measurable improvement in the quality of their lives from the serious collision unit of South Wales police and see the opportunities that they can seize ahead of worked tirelessly in putting a case together to provide them. That is something that the Government will focus justice for the family. In short, all tests concluded that relentlessly on and intend to deliver. the car was mechanically sound and that it had rolled because the handbrake was not fully engaged and the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): It is not often automatic transmission was not fully placed into “park” that I get to bring a smile to the Chancellor’s face, but mode. that is it. I thank him for his statement today and The case was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service answering the questions. He was on his feet from 12.45, in March 2018 and was worked on by the London office which is over two and a half hours. I am extremely as well as an independent QC hired by the CPS to grateful, as I am sure is the entire House of Commons. consult. Everyone was hopeful of a conviction under I have now to announce the result of today’s deferred the death by dangerous driving category, and the CPS Division on the motion relating to the draft European also looked into other possible options. In June 2018, Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Relevant Court) (Retained however, the CPS stated that it was unable to send the EU Case Law) Regulations 2020. The Ayes were 354 and case to court as a glitch in the law states that the vehicle the Noes were 261, so the Ayes have it. must have started its journey on a public road to make a prosecution under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Even [The Division list is published at the end of today’s though Pearl was killed on a public road, the fact that debates.] the vehicle started its descent from a private drive has Wewill now suspend for a brief period for the sanitisation meant that prosecution was not possible. The coroner of the Dispatch Boxes and the safe departure and stated that the vehicle was in fact well maintained and it entrance of Members of Parliament. seemed that the issue was very much driver operation. Virtual participation in proceedings concluded (Order The inquest heard that the handbrake had not been 4 June) fully applied in the “park” mode. Over the past two years, I have been meeting Pearl’s 3.22 pm parents, Gemma and Paul, who I know will be watching Sitting suspended me present this Bill today, to look at what could be done to change the legislation so that other families do not face this kind of injustice in future. The inquest into Pearl’s death was heard in October 2018 and the outcome was “accident”. However, with the support of South Wales police and the CPS, Pearl’s parents sought a change in the law, and are continuing to do so, to stop other families being in a similar situation of not being able to secure justice, due to a legal loophole, following such a tragic and completely preventable incident as this. As Gemma and Paul acknowledge, it will not help to bring justice for Pearl, as legislation is not retrospective, but if this law can be changed to prevent anyone else from suffering this injustice again, that may provide some comfort. Having spoken to the Public Bill Office and the Private Bill Office and held meetings with Government Ministers, I appreciate that there is no current major transport Bill that could provide a vehicle for this change. I therefore hope to bring in this Bill to at least 873 Driving Offences (Amendment)25 NOVEMBER 2020 Driving Offences (Amendment) 874 allow us to start making some progress. I hope that the There will, of course, always be a degree of human Government will also look at the Bill carefully to see if error present in such situations, but this Bill and the it can be included in any future Government legislation. threat of legal charges resulting from such carelessness or irresponsibility could make a real difference in helping It is wholly wrong that in such cases, including those to prevent accidents, as well as bringing to justice anyone as tragic as that which I have outlined, justice cannot be who would have used the loophole to escape conviction achieved. There is no conviction simply because the or any kind of consequence. land on which it takes place is not classified as public. There are a huge number of instances where private Pearl’s case, however, is sadly by no means an isolated land adjoining public land is regularly used and potentially one. In 2017, the right hon. Member for Elmet and dangerous to those around, including residential driveways, Rothwell (Alec Shelbrooke) raised the case of a tragic schools and nurseries, supermarkets, shopping centres, accident where a young boy was killed by a tractor, the hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, to name some of the driver of which was more than twice over the legal limit most common. When we consider some of those examples, for driving. What was very likely to have otherwise been we can see that driving on that specific category of land a prosecution for death by dangerous driving with a can present a very high risk to people in everyday sentence of a number of years’ imprisonment was, in situations, especially children, the elderly and some of fact, a prison sentence of little over a year and prosecuted the most vulnerable among us. only under health and safety legislation. Again, that I am sure that all hon. Members would agree that awful and preventable tragedy saw no real justice because nobody who has suffered the loss of a loved one or had it took place on private, rather than public, land. an accident or injury as a result of a driving offence In his response to the debate, the Minister at the time, should have to endure the injustice of seeing those the right hon. Member for South Holland and The responsible go free simply because of a loophole in the Deepings (Sir John Hayes), acknowledged that an law. Prosecutions for driving offences and, indeed, any overarching change in the law to cover driving offences illegal action should be based on what happened, not occurring on private land in general would be a very where something happened. The legislation that I am significant and difficult piece of legislation, due to the hoping to take forward through this Bill would give wide-ranging nature of land that comes under the definition people such as my constituents Gemma and Paul, and of “private”, and complications around other classifications many others, the peace of mind that there are consequences of private land, such as land being used for military, for dangerous driving, no matter where it occurs, and commercial and other official purposes, and exemptions help to prevent such needless and avoidable tragedies from legal proceedings for offences committed as a result. ever happening in future. Question put and agreed to. I have discussed the difficulty of legislating broadly for such matters in correspondence and meetings with Ordered, Ministers over the past two years. While I appreciate That Gerald Jones, Judith Cummins, Wayne David, that that remains the case, we can at the very least start Chris Evans, Carolyn Harris, Ben Lake, Jessica Morden, to look at changing the law with more focused legislation Alec Shelbrooke, Nick Smith and Jamie Stone present to enable driving offences that occur on private land the Bill. adjoining public land to be prosecuted. That would Gerald Jones accordingly presented the Bill. apply to cases like the death of my constituents’ daughter, Pearl, and another similar case brought to the House Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on three years ago by another Member to which I have Friday 15 January, and to be printed (Bill 219). referred. PRISONS (SUBSTANCE TESTING) BILL If the law were changed in relation to driving offences (MONEY) occurring on private land adjoining public land, it would be a very powerful deterrent to road users showing Queen’s recommendation signified. carelessness as well as to those who have no doubt Resolved, exploited the current loophole in the lawto avoid conviction That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the when they have undoubtedly been at fault. People would Prisons (Substance Testing) Bill, it is expedient to authorise be likely to take more care and pay more attention when the payment out of money provided by Parliament of driving or parking on private land close to public land any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable in the knowledge that there could be serious consequences under the Prison Act 1952 out of money so provided.— for careless or reckless behaviour. (Lucy Frazer.) 875 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Independent Expert Panel 876

Independent Expert Panel Looking beyond the ICGS, a new Member services team has also been established to provide human resources [Relevant document: House of Commons Commission, support to MPs and their staff, and I should add that Members of the Independent Expert Panel: Nomination more than 4,000 people in Parliament have now taken of Candidates, HC 998.] the Valuing Everyone training, which aims to demonstrate how to recognise and understand what harassment and 3.35 pm sexual harassment mean in the workplace and how to The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Jacob Rees- tackle them. Mogg): I beg to move, Turning to the independent expert panel, it is important That: to note that the appointments that we are discussing today form part of our fulfilment of the key recommendations (1) in accordance with Standing Order No. 150C (Appointment made by Dame Laura Cox in her 2018 report. Members of Independent Expert Panel Members), the following be appointed will remember that Dame Laura made three fundamental as members of the Independent Expert Panel— recommendations: the first was that Parliament’s existing (a) Mrs Lisa Ball, Mrs Johanna Higgins, Sir Stephen Irwin policies relating to bullying, harassment or sexual and Professor Clare McGlynn for a period of 4 years, harassment should be abandoned; the second was that and the ICGS should be accessible to those with complaints (b) Monica Daley, Miss Dale Simon, Sir Peter Thornton involvinghistoricalallegations.Bothof thoserecommendations and Dr Matthew Vickers for a period of 6 years; and have been met. The final recommendation was that the (2) notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) Standing processfordeterminingcomplaintsof bullying,harassment Order No. 150A (Independent Expert Panel), Sir Stephen Irwin or sexual harassment brought by House staff against be the Chair of that Panel. Members of Parliament should be an entirely independent It is a pleasure to open this debate on the appointment process in which Members of Parliament play no part. of the independent expert panel, which would provide This is that independent process. important support to the work of the independent Under our current arrangements, the Parliamentary complaints and grievance scheme. The appointments Commissioner for Standards has the power to determine that we debate today represent a significant next step in cases and impose sanctions up to a certain level of our collective efforts to ensure that Parliament has a severity. More serious cases, including those where culture that is respectful to all and where there is no suspension or expulsion might be the resulting sanction, place for bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct. have been for the Standards Committee to determine. I want to emphasise that this panel is just one step. In February this year, the House of Commons Although significant progress has been made on this Commission considered a number of alternative approaches agenda, none of us is under any illusion that to bring developed and presented by the staff team. The Commission about the lasting change needed to our culture will not agreed that the strongest option was that an expert panel, take painstaking work, tireless communication and myriad comprising an independent chairman and seven panel reinforcing actions by many over a considerable period. members, none of whom would be MPs, would determine The steps already undertaken are significant ones. ICGS cases, decide on sanctions and hear appeals by They include, of course, the creation in 2018 of the either party against the Parliamentary Commissioner ICGS itself and I pay tribute to my predecessor, my for Standards’ conclusions. right hon. Friend the Member for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom), and all those who worked with her Dame Laura was consulted on the options considered to generate a consensus and set a way forward for the by the Commission and was among those who supported scheme. the approach. Members will also remember that, in June, a motion was passed to establish the independent The ICGS is now open to all members of the expert panel. The panel will determine complaints of parliamentary community and, importantly, it has been bullying and harassment or sexual misconduct made broadened to include investigation of non-recent allegations under the ICGS. It will do so entirely independently of and from those who have since left the parliamentary MPs. In cases where the IEP recommends the most community. As set out in the ICGS’s annual report extreme sanctions, such as suspension or expulsion of published last week, over the past year, the pool of an MP, the House must approve the recommendation investigators has been expanded so that more cases can via a motion in this Chamber that will be taken without be processed, including non-recent ones, and there has debate. been the creation of a single helpline service to provide confidential and immediate advice, which includes a I have always been clear that the panel must be of the speciality independent sexual misconduct advisory service. highest calibre collectively. Its members should provide considerable expertise in relevant fields, and they should Recently, we have also seen the launch of the second do so under the leadership of a chairman of the standing of two planned independent reviews of the ICGS to equivalent to that of a High Court judge. I am therefore ensure that consideration is given to how what is still a delighted that we have such a strong set of candidates to fledgling scheme can be strengthened. May I briefly consider, and that recommended for the role of chairman again take the opportunity to encourage all members of is Sir Stephen Irwin, who was Lord Justice of Appeal the parliamentary community to participate in that from 2016 until his retirement last month, and was review being undertaken by Alison Stanley.As I mentioned previously a High Court judge for a decade. in business questions last week, an online survey seeking views will run until 4 December—it is a very simple survey; even I managed to do it. I ask Members please John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): Can the Leader of the to take the survey if they can so that the widest range of House tell us how much the chairman is going to be views are captured and taken into account. paid for this job? 877 Independent Expert Panel25 NOVEMBER 2020 Independent Expert Panel 878

Mr Rees-Mogg: Indeed, I can. Members of the That implies that we would have people from industry, independent expert panel, including the chairman, will and probably also from the trade unions, who have be paid monthly in arrears a fee of £350 excluding value experience of dealing with these matters practically, added tax for each half day spent by the panel member rather than exclusively lawyers. in the provision of their services. The amount claimed by each member will depend on the number of cases, Mr Rees-Mogg: I can confirm to the right hon. and their individual contribution. It is expected that the Gentleman that 134 completed applications were received annual report of the panel will include information on —no doubt, from a variety of people.Of those applications, its costs. I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman—I the ones that were seen to be the most suitable are those think this may be his next question—that panel members before the House,having been approved by the Commission. will not be part of a pension scheme for their services, I think it is a distinguished panel—[Interruption.] The but I am happy to take further interventions from him. right hon. Gentleman mutters that it is chumocracy; I do not want to give too much away, but the only John Spellar: When I looked up the link from the member of the panel who claimed a friendship of any report which referred to the advertisement for the job, it kind with any Member of Parliament said that he was said that these jobs were going to be fixed term and full on nodding terms with the right hon. Gentleman the time, not per diem—if it is £350 for every half day, it is Leader of Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition, so if they are £700 a day as a full-time position—and that panel chums, they are not my chums, particularly, but they are members would be part of the civil service pension very important and good people. scheme. This is slightly confusing. I would be grateful if the right hon. Gentleman could clarify the situation, Sir Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): because there is a difference between the advertisement I entirely support the idea that we should bring on to and what he has just told the House. the panel people who have juridical experience in the courts, and I commend my right hon. Friend and the Eddie Hughes (Walsall North) (Con): Is the right Commission for appointing to the chair of this body an hon. Gentleman going to apply? ex-High Court judge. That is exactly the kind of authority, independence and legitimacy that is required to give Mr Rees-Mogg: The right hon. Member for Warley both those being scrutinised or disciplined in this process (John Spellar) would not have been eligible to apply and those who are complaining through this process the because Members of Parliament cannot join—unless he confidence that it is being done properly. decided to take the Chiltern Hundreds, but that would be a great loss to this House. Mr Rees-Mogg: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for The fee is £350 per half day. The number of days or that point. Before the appointments were made, we had half days of work will be dependent on the number of a number of representations from Members of this cases, and the roles are not eligible for a civil service House saying that they would feel confident in the pension. Those are the terms under which people have system if the chairman of the panel had the experience agreed to serve. I do not know about the advertisement. of a High Court judge, and Sir Stephen is a distinguished— I am afraid that I did not think of applying and therefore did not read the advertisement with the care that the Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): Will the right hon. Gentleman read it. Leader of the House give way? John Spellar: The right hon. Gentleman would not only be disqualified as a Member of Parliament; he Mr Rees-Mogg: Of course I will give way to the right referred to people being qualified, and it seems that all hon. Gentleman. those who got the jobs happen to be lawyers, as though they are the only people in the whole country who are Mr Jones: Like the Leader of the House, I have no qualified to deal with these issues. I will come back to problem with the chair being a lawyer, and I accept that in my speech. what has just been said, but my right hon. Friend the Member for Warley (John Spellar) raised an interesting Mr Rees-Mogg: I know that it is popular to be point. There is no one on the panel from an HR disparaging about lawyers, but it is sometimes unfair. background in business, the trade union movement or The right hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) the third sector. There are a number of individuals in is a very distinguished lawyer herself, as is, as it happens, the third sector who could have brought great expertise—not the Leader of the Opposition, so the Opposition have legal—to the panel, so I question how the consultants plenty of distinguished lawyers on their Benches. This drew up the list in the first place. I would have thought process has to meet the requirements of natural justice. that if they were looking for a broad spectrum of An understanding of the law and the application of law interests, lawyers are important, but so are others. is a protection both for those who bring complaints and for those who are accused, so I am not surprised that Mr Rees-Mogg: The right hon. Gentleman is being lawyers make up a significant number of the applicants. unduly uncharitable towards lawyers. Lawyers can, in addition to being lawyers, have a wide range of experience John Spellar: Again, the right hon. Gentleman seems in the way that they practised. Other than Members of to run slightly contrary to the advertisement for the Parliament, lawyers probably see more of life in its positions, which says that panel members should have many and varied forms than many people in a lot of “judicial, quasi-judicial, or adjudicating capacity, or bring expertise other professions. To broaden out from the people who in a relevant policy area, such as employee or industrial relations often serve on quangos is not a bad idea for this type or HR disciplinary processes.” of panel. 879 Independent Expert Panel25 NOVEMBER 2020 Independent Expert Panel 880

[Mr Rees-Mogg] Mr Rees-Mogg: I fundamentally disagree with the right hon. Gentleman. I think that the real-life experience As I was saying, Sir Stephen has had a distinguished of the people who make up the panel is very varied, judicial career, which will be of great benefit to his role considerable and distinguished. As I said, there was as chairman of the independent expert panel. The other considerable competition for these positions, with 134 candidates who have been recommended for appointment applicants. The recruitment process was robust and are also—I hope this will reassure the right hon. Members thorough, overseen by a panel chaired by Sarah Davies. for Warley (John Spellar) and for North Durham (Mr Jones)—of an impressive standard. Miss Dale Simon, Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): CBE, is a qualified barrister and a former director for Will my right hon. Friend give way? public accountability and inclusion in the Crown Prosecution Service, which is an important role in a Mr Rees-Mogg: It is a pleasure to give way to my public body beyond the immediate application of the law. right hon. Friend and predecessor, who started this Dr Matthew Vickers has been the chief ombudsman whole process with such distinction, and it is my privilege and chief executive of Ombudsman Services, and we to be carrying it on. know from our experience with constituents how valuable Andrea Leadsom: I am grateful to my right hon. the ombudsman services are and what an understanding Friend. I looked carefully at the CVs of the proposed ombudsmen inevitably have of a variety of lives lived members of the panel, and I wholeheartedly endorse and experienced by our constituents. them; I have no reservations. However, I think that one Sir Peter Thornton, QC, is a retired senior circuit of the first things the panel should consider when it judge with almost a decade’s experience at the central meets is the unresolved issue that, if it recommends that criminal court, including hearing cases of serious sexual a Member of Parliament be expelled from this place, violence. I go back to the point that I made to the right that disenfranchises the Member’s constituency for a hon. Member for North Durham: lawyers do see life in period. We have had this debate before, but that seems the raw, and probably the rawest is on the criminal to be a missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle, and the panel circuit seeing cases of serious sexual violence. That is an might like to consider it. experience that few people would have. Mr Rees-Mogg: That is an important point, and my Mr Kevan Jones: The Leader of the House is misreading right hon. Friend has raised it before in the House. The what I said. If he listened to what I said, he would know hope is that the panel will meet relatively soon, if the that I am not opposed to people with a legal background motion goes through this afternoon. If I may, I will send being on the panel—I think that the chair having a legal a copy of today’s Hansard to the chairman, if he were to background is right—but if we look at the CVs of the be appointed, so that he may see my right hon Friend’s other people, what is lacking from the panel are people contribution. Although it is an independent panel, and from, for example, industry, trade unions, the third it would be wrong of me to tell it what should be on its sector and local government. People from all those agenda, that will bring to the chairman’s attention the sectors could have huge experience and add something thought that the panel should consider this. to this panel. The chairman of the panel was Sarah Davies, the Mr Rees-Mogg: I say once again that this panel has Clerk Assistant. Also on the panel were the Speaker’s come from 134 applicants, and the most distinguished Counsel, Saira Salimi; Steven Haines, external member and capable have been drawn from it. The panel’smembers and lay members of the Bar Standards Board; and include Monica Daley, a barrister of 25 years’ standing Dame Laura Cox, whose report started this process. and former independent legal chair of the police misconduct The process was overseen at each stage by two members committee; Professor Clare McGlynn QC, professor of the Commission appointed for the purpose: my hon. of law at the University of Durham—the right hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne (Sir Charles Walker) Gentleman’s part of the world—with particular expertise and the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire in the legal regulation of sexual violence, so there is a (Pete Wishart). The Commission has concluded—and I good deal of expertise in some of the issues that may concur—that the eight selected candidates bring an come before the panel; Mrs Lisa Ball, who brings two impressive combination of qualities and experience. I decades of experience in determining cases and complaints believe that, together, they will bring exactly the authority in a range of fields, including bullying, sexual harassment, and impartiality needed to build confidence in the discrimination, misconduct and professional standards; ICGS and to demonstrate that independence, fairness and Mrs Johanna Higgins, Northern Ireland commissioner and rigour sit at its heart. I commend this motion to the for the Criminal Cases Review Commission and a barrister House. of 27 years’ standing. 3.53 pm John Spellar: I am afraid that the Leader of the House is reinforcing our case. It is not about whether Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): I thank the Leader any of these individuals are defective. For example, an of the House for moving the motion, and I agree with industrial tribunal panel will rightly include a lawyer as the majority of his remarks. I draw Members’ attention the chairman, as well as a representative of employers to the report, which was published on 19 November and a representative of trade unions—that is the make-up 2020 on behalf of the House of Commons Commission. of all industrial tribunal panels. It is about the narrowness It lays out the exact process that the Leader of the House of the experience on this expert panel, which is drawn described. from a very small part of society—134 people. Does he My right hon. Friends the Members for North Durham not see that the breadth of society and people who have (Mr Jones) and for Warley (John Spellar) made important real-life experience are not reflected on the panel? points. Mr Speaker has said that he would look at this 881 Independent Expert Panel25 NOVEMBER 2020 Independent Expert Panel 882 issue, because otherwise we are just getting the usual cases. We do not want a situation where people have to suspects. For instance, given Black Lives Matter, putting repeat their stories over and over again before they are adverts in a slightly different place might be a good dealt with. idea, and then we would get a broad range of people As well as Valuing Others training, I know that the applying. We thank all those who applied for these posts House is looking at unconscious bias training, which I for agreeing to serve. I am not sure that the issue raised hope will be rolled out, and I will just say that Her by the right hon. Member for South Northamptonshire Majesty’s Opposition’s shadow Cabinet have all been (Andrea Leadsom) would be a matter for the panel. through the unconscious bias training. Other than that, That is a policy issue, rather than a judicial issue, and Her Majesty’s Opposition support the motion. the panel is there to look at cases, rather than to decide on policy. 3.58 pm Andrea Leadsom: I completely agree that it is not the Sir Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): panel’s jurisdiction or role to do that, but in a way that I rise only briefly, as an observer rather than a participant. highlights the point: it is no longer the House’s role and As I pointed out a minute ago, the Standards Committee it is not the panel’s role either. The losers are, potentially, has no role in this, though we were consulted about the our constituents. I entirely agree with the right hon. shape of the final process that should adjudicate the Lady, but otherwise it will fall to nobody to reconsider appeal cases in the ICGS scheme and we took an this issue. interest in what the character of the panel should be. I am personally very pleased that it reflects the necessary Valerie Vaz: I thank the right hon. Lady for her juridical expertise for assessing evidence and balancing comments. She leads me to go on to say that Alison the arguments about what rules mean and how this Stanley did a brilliant six-month review, and the concern should be properly and independently assessed. is that not all her recommendations have been implemented. I think it is important for a member of the Standards She is looking at the governance of who is responsible—who Committee to convey to the House the disquiet of the is the named person—for this whole process.The important Committee that this was taken out of our hands, but also part of the process is that it should be transparent and for me to explain why I think that it was right, in the end, not secretive. I am aware of a number of cases that to take it out of our hands and why I voted for that. come through where perhaps the procedure is not fair What was evident, not just from the Cox report but on both sides—to the respondent and the claimant—but, from the conversations with many staff in the House again, that is a matter for Alison Stanley to look at in service, and conversations amongst MPs, was that the her 18-month review. As the Leader of the House said, people whose complaints were stifled and ignored for so it is a very simple survey, which can be found online, many years were left with no faith in the ability of MPs and it is open until 4 December. to mark their own homework—our ability to adjudicate on ourselves. Sir Bernard Jenkin: I am here as a member of the I have to tell the House that I find the cases that come Standards Committee, which has absolutely no jurisdiction before us about the breach of our own code extraordinarily over the adjudication of any ICGS case, but it certainly difficult. It is the most testing and miserable task—to falls within the remit of the Standards Committee to find myself having to make decisions about people I keep a watching policy brief on how the ICGS develops know, many of whom I know well and like. Personally, and whether we want to inquire and report and make I will be looking at how the panel works, because our recommendations on the performance of the ICGS. I system for adjudicating our own code—the House of am sure we will, and indeed I think we will want to learn Commons code of conduct—is rather unsatisfactory, the positive lessons from the ICGS for our own code, for the reason I have just described, and it may well be which we are currently reviewing in our own inquiry. that the experience of this far more prestigious, objective and professional panel offers us a better way of adjudicating Valerie Vaz: I thank the hon. Gentleman for making our own code. that intervention. I agree with him, and I hope that I reiterate that we are conducting our own inquiry anybody who has an interest will look at it. That is why into the revision of the code of conduct, which is long the survey is so important. I know that Alison Stanley is overdue and has been interrupted by several general open to speaking to people as well, and I am sure that elections in recent years. We are doing a comprehensive she will take that on board. trawl of options and considering how our own code I am pleased that a lot of hon. Members and House intersects with the ICGS, with the ministerial code and staff have taken up the Valuing Others training; many with the codes of political parties. Members of Parliament people on the estate have taken it up. It is so important are subject to many codes. The public are very confused, that they do that, because people can then see the and have either no interest or no confidence in the difference between what is a management issue and systems, which overlap and conflict with each other, what is bullying and harassment. Certainly,I was concerned that we have created for the various roles that people to start with because, as you know, Madam Deputy adopt in this Parliament. We have a very big task—to Speaker, many of the cases that came through at the reduce that confusion. There is, indeed, a lot of confusion start were about serious sexual harassment. I think amongst right hon. and hon. Members who do not initially, we decided—the right hon. Member for South understand how these things work. Northamptonshire and I, among others on the working So there needs to be a much higher level of engagement panel—that we would have two separate helplines. I know and understanding and a simplification and clarification, that there is one helpline for both, but I am reassured and that is what we are working on now. I hope that we that the person answering the phone does have expertise will learn from the work of the panel, and if the panel is and will have expertise on serious sexual harassment a success, we may well learn some very positive lessons. 883 Independent Expert Panel25 NOVEMBER 2020 Independent Expert Panel 884

4.2 pm Andrea Leadsom: I have a small point on undertaking Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP): From the the various training programmes,in particular the behaviour start, the SNP has welcomed and co-operated with the code training. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman and development and implementation of the ICGS process. the right hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) Like others, I pay tribute to the former Leader of the will recall that it was supposed to be mandatory following House,the right hon. Member for South Northamptonshire the next general election. (Andrea Leadsom). I also pay tribute to my hon. Friend Patrick Grady: Indeed. I do not know what any hon. —he really ought to be my right hon. Friend—the Member’s reason for not taking part in it would be. We Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart). are all very busy, but the unconscious bias training that There is an extremely well qualified and distinguished I took part in was delivered remotely via Zoom. Surely line-up of individuals for approval. [Interruption.] I am no harm can come from it; only good can come from sure that was tremendously funny, but I did not catch taking part in some training. I would recommend it to that sedentary intervention. A very distinguished panel everyone. What we are discussing now, and on the next of candidates has been brought before us, from a range motion, will help to strengthen the entire process. Welook of backgrounds, from across the four nations. forward to moving forward.

Sir Bernard Jenkin: I just misled the House. The hon. 4.6 pm Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) would not have to swear allegiance to the Crown; he John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): I am sorry to introduce would have the oath administered to him. So it is rather a slightly discordant note in the debate. It started with like having an injection; it is just given to you. Whether the Leader of the House saying that he was sure that the we like it or not, and whether we agree with it or not, Committee will be meeting soon. At £700 a day, I bet the oath is just given to you. If the hon. Gentleman they will be meeting soon—and often. wants to be a Privy Counsellor, he would have to go Let me make it clear from the outset that I have no through that process. animus or knowledge of any of the individuals who have been recommended, but they are surely all of a Patrick Grady: It is slightly off topic, Madam Deputy type. They did not all go to Cambridge, but quite a Speaker, but the best way to find out would be for the number of them did. At the description of them as Leader of the House to phone up my hon. Friend the distinguished, I almost thought that we were supposed Member for Perth and North Perthshire and make that to genuflect. It is as though we were creating a new offer to him; then we will see whether or not he rises to priesthood and that, if people do law at university and the offer of joining Her Majesty’s Privy Council. then go through one of the Inns of Court and become a I do not know whether any of the candidates in this member of the Bar Council, they are the only people line-up are Privy Counsellors as yet, but they have all who have a valid opinion in our society, so we have to left distinguished careers, they have experience across designate everything to them. It might have been the the four nations of the United Kingdom, which is Chair of the Committee on Standards who mentioned welcome, and it is a gender-balanced line-up as well— the quality of the judiciary that we need to deal with although, as the shadow Leader of the House says, these cases. Frankly, if they require that level of judicial there is always more that can be done to promote ethnic intervention, they should be a matter for the criminal diversity.But I think we should thank the Clerk Assistant courts rather than for disciplinary processes. and the panel for selecting such quality final panellists Not just in this context, but every time an issue comes out of all the candidates who came forward. up, it is asked, “Can we have it decided by an eminent I just wonder whether the Leader of the House was in judge?” I find that rather remarkable coming from the touch with the candidates yesterday to explain the Conservative party. It was not very long ago that it and slightly unedifying scenes that took place when the its supporting newspapers were absolutely berating members motion was suddenly withdrawn without notice. I know of the judiciary for becoming involved in so many issues. that when lay people are being appointed by the House It did not have such a high opinion of the judiciary then. to commissions and so on, they quite often watch with Many of the issues are rightly political; I am not anticipation to see what happens—they may well be saying these ones are, or that it should be politicians watching just now—and they may have been a little bit doing this. As I was saying in earlier interventions, shocked yesterday. If notice was not given to them, I however, not all wisdom resides in people from that hope that some kind of apology or explanation has narrow caste who often go to the best schools and the been given for the kind of unedifying scenes that we best universities, who manage to get themselves into the went through yesterday, which cannot have exactly filled best chambers in the Inns of Court, and who then go them with confidence about the commitments that they into the judiciary. are about to take up. I am glad that they are taking them That is why, as I pointed out, in industrial tribunals—a up, however. system that works extremely well—we have a lawyer, It is absolutely right, as other hon. Members have normally a solicitor rather than a barrister, as the said, that bullying and harassment of any kind are chairman and then a panel. We have representatives of called out and properly investigated. They are completely trade unions and representatives of employers, many unacceptable in any workplace, particularly the one of whom have industrial relations experience and that sets the rules and standards for the rest of the some of whom are used to negotiating for very large country. I have undertaken the valuing others training establishments, such as offices, factories or whatever. and the unconscious bias training and found them Are hon. Members seriously arguing that those people incredibly valuable; I know that many colleagues have do not see life, that they do not understand how life as well when they have had the opportunity. I would works, or that they are not able to assess evidence? That recommend them to everyone. is an utterly elitist approach. 885 Independent Expert Panel25 NOVEMBER 2020 Independent Expert Panel 886

Mr Kevan Jones: My right hon. Friend was, like me, a from elite school to elite university, then to chambers trade union official in a former life and will have dealt and into the courts, where they have done well, doing with capable personnel managers, as they were in my their public duty as judges. They may observe a bit of day—human resources managers, as they are now.Would life, but that is very different from living it. [Interruption.] it not have been helpful to at least have had someone on The Leader of the House seems a little distracted by his this panel from an HR background, and possibly someone colleague. If he would care to listen to the debate rather from a trade union who has actually represented people than to the Whips, it would be rather courteous and it in the types of cases this panel is going to be dealing might even be valuable. The fact is that we ought to with? look at all appointments and not automatically go to so-called headhunters who just go to the people they John Spellar: Very much so. Such people are used to know. We need to broaden this out. We need to ask the engaging with people and having to make decisions. We CBI and the Trades Union Congress. Interestingly enough, could have a senior nursing officer in an accident and back in the day when we were looking at Members’ emergency department or a senior matron in a hospital. expenses, we came up with a much better scheme, Do they not see life? Do they not have to make decisions? ultimately,than the Independent Parliamentary Standards Do they not have to weigh up what people are telling Authority. The House invited the CBI and the TUC to them? We could have retired police officers on the panel, each nominate two people, who gave up their time to do as they are used to weighing up evidence. We must get it. They made an excellent contribution because they away from this elitist concept that only lawyers are able understood what they were talking about. We need to to be above all this sort of thing. get away from elitism. I wish to mention the very substantial salary, which I will continue to raise these issues, because they seems at variance with the advertisement. These retired make us not even semi-detached but detached from the judges will be on a stonking pension—we know about public we serve. Ultimately, Members of Parliament are that because they are always complaining any time the here to represent the public. We need to be accountable Treasury has the temerity to try to keep their pensions mainly to them, and stop imposing elite individuals and in line with the pensions being imposed on other parts an elite culture. of the public service. The approach being taken is also at variance with the 4.15 pm advertisement, which said clearly that the people should have Mr Rees-Mogg: May I begin by thanking the right hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) for her “substantial and very senior experience in a judicial, quasi-judicial, or adjudicating capacity, or bring expertise in a relevant policy support and the support of the official Opposition? area, such as an employee or industrial relations or HR disciplinary We have worked closely on this matter not just in the processes.” Chamber, but in the Commission. I also thank my hon. Of course, if we have a panel where two of those Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex involved are part of the Bar Council or the judiciary, (Sir Bernard Jenkin) for his support and for his very and we bring in headhunters, they are all part of the interesting contribution, saying how he had not initially same social circle. I am sure the individuals would thought it was right to take it away from the Standards probably be very agreeable dinner table companions, Committee, but that, working on the Committee and but that does not mean they have wisdom or experience seeing how difficult it is to judge those with whom we that outweighs that of the rest of the population, nor work, he has come to the conclusion that it is the right does it mean that we should have a pretty homogeneous thing to do. I think that that is a particularly helpful group, rather than having a balance. contribution to this afternoon’s debate. If we have a panel, we should have people with I am also grateful to the hon. Member for Glasgow different realms of experience, because that would work— North (Patrick Grady). He wishes to give me powers one for the other. Not just for this appointment, but that I do not have. I may be Lord President of the right across the many appointments we have involvement Council, but that does not mean I have the right of in, the people all come from a very narrow band. We appointment to the Privy Council. I can tell him, however, ought to be looking at the construction worker, the that Sir Stephen Irwin is a member of the Privy Council factory worker, the nurse and the care home assistant. I as a Lord Justice of Appeal. They are normally sworn of accept that we would be having people who were in a the Privy Council. more senior representative or managerial role, as outlined In response, briefly, to the right hon. Member for in the job description. We could have somebody who is Warley (John Spellar), I want to answer the question on in charge of a major unit in a major retail environment. the advert and pensions. The advert from the recruitment These are people with life experience. agency did not mention pensions or the job being full time. As I understand it, the cover page of the Commons’ Mr Jones: Does my right hon. Friend agree that it own advert did say that there was a pension, but that the would have been helpful to have had someone from the people who applied would not have been misled in any third sector on this panel, for example someone dealing way because they would have had the advert from the with domestic violence and related issues? Many of recruitment agency. those very able individuals could have stepped into this role well and added something to it. John Spellar: I thank the Leader of the House for giving way. I am sure he will forgive me for having John Spellar: Indeed. We could have people who have looked at the House of Commons’ own documentation gone into those roles, often later in life, with a range of to ascertain the position. How does he explain the life experience, as opposed to people who have gone inconsistency? 887 Independent Expert Panel 25 NOVEMBER 2020 888

Mr Rees-Mogg: Indeed, it is perfectly reasonable and ICGS Investigations: Commons- proper for the right hon. Gentleman to have done Lords Agreement precisely that. I was merely explaining to him why the information he was raising was not the information that Motion made, and Question proposed, would have been given to people applying to the panel. That this House approves the Eleventh Report of the Committee It is very important that they did not apply to the panel on Standards, ICGS investigations: Commons-Lords agreement on a false basis, thinking it was a full-time job with a (HC 988), and the proposed Scheme appended to that Report.— (Mr Rees-Mogg.) nice pension when they are actually getting a per diem. Finally, as to the independence of this brilliant and 4.18 pm inspired panel that will do wonderful work, the right Sir Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): hon. Gentleman made it sound as if it was all a great Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I will just speak chumocracy and then said that many of them were very briefly to this matter. The Chair of the Standards from Cambridge. Does he really think that, as an Oxford Committee sends his apologies. He has had to take a man, I would have put forward the names of people close relative to hospital today. I am standing in for him, from Cambridge if they were not first class? although I take responsibility for my own words. Question put and agreed to. The Standards Committee has co-operated constructively with its sister Committee, the Lords’Conduct Committee, chaired by the noble Lord Mance, to develop an arrangement to address a loophole. As a member of the Committee on Standards, I support the motion to approve our Committee’s report. The report deals with what one might describe as an item of unfinished business arising from the House’s creation of the independent complaints and grievance scheme that we have just been discussing. The scheme was put together very rapidly, because the House rightly wished to demonstrate to the wider public that we take allegations of bullying and harassment within the parliamentary community extremely seriously, and it was acknowledged at the time that the scheme would need revision in the light of experience and that there were gaps or lacunae in the scheme that needed to be filled. One of those gaps was the lack of any arrangement between this House and the other place as to how allegations against ex-Members of one House would be proceeded with if they became Members of the other House. Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way. Just to put the record completely straight, the working group— Members who sat on that group are in the Chamber today—was very clear that the two schemes should be aligned between this House and the House of Lords. However, due to a very unfortunate investigation that took place in the House of Lords under the previous system, it was felt that the ICGS could not be implemented in that House at that time. That is why this anomaly has sprung up. I would also like to raise the important point that, as things stand with the ICGS having been working for some time, its findings are just too slow. There have been live instances where individuals who have been Members of this place are being considered for membership of the other place when potential complaints against them are still pending in this place. It is not clear to me that the Standards Committee’s report deals with that circumstance. Sir Bernard Jenkin: I will certainly take back to the Committee what my right hon. Friend is saying, and if we need to make a further amendment to the arrangements, we should do so. As things stand, however, former MPs who are now in the other place cannot be investigated under the ICGS for behaviour that is alleged to have taken place while they were MPs. After our discussions with Lord Mance and the Lords’ Conduct Committee, and with the two Houses’ Commissioners also working closely together on this, the arrangement that we now propose is set out in an 889 ICGS Investigations: Commons- 25 NOVEMBER 2020 ICGS Investigations: Commons- 890 Lords Agreement Lords Agreement appendix to the Standards Committee report. It proposes We have also addressed the complementary problem. that ex-MPs now in the other place should be investigated There are not many Members of the other place who under the Commons procedures involving independent choose to renounce their peerages and seek election to investigators, the Commissioner and, if necessary, the the House of Commons, but this can and does occasionally new independent expert panel that the House has just happen. The Committee therefore recommends that the nominated. If that does not satisfy my right hon. Friend the new arrangements should be reciprocal. Allegations Member for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom), against an ex-peer who might then be in the Commons could she put on record why it does not do so? would be investigated under the procedures of the other If an ex-MP who is now in the other place is found to place, but any sanction would be carried out within this have breached the behaviour code, this House will not House. be involved in sanctioning them. Instead, the House of The Lords Conduct Committee has agreed a report Lords Commissioner for Standards will recommend a in very similar terms to our own, and this has been sanction and the Lords’ Conduct Committee would approved in the other place. I urge this House to do hear any appeal against that sanction. The full House of likewise and approve these sensible arrangements, which Lords would decide on imposing a serious sanction, are necessary to block off this lack of redress in our such as suspension or expulsion, but the important measures for tackling bullying, harassment and sexual point is that the investigation and the findings would be misconduct by our Members and ex-Members. done under our system in this House, and the House of Lords has agreed to that. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): Does the Leader of the House wish to make any comments? Andrea Leadsom: I do not want to detain the House, but this is a really important issue and my hon. Friend 4.25 pm asked me to put my views on record. This relates specifically to when someone who has been a Member The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Jacob Rees- of this House and has outstanding complaints against Mogg): I will speak very briefly, if I may, simply to say them is under consideration for being offered a position that this is constitutionally very important because of in the other place by the House of Lords Committee, the exclusive cognisance that both Houses have of their which is not privy to the existence of the ongoing own business. Therefore, that an agreement has been complaints about them in this place under the ICGS. reached whereby the House in which the offence took place may investigate, but the House where the person Sir Bernard Jenkin: I think that would be a matter has ended up may sanction is a very satisfactory agreement. more for the Lords Appointments Commission or the It respects exclusive cognisance, as is constitutionally vetting procedures— proper, but will also ensure that the ICGS system is able to work effectively, so I commend the motion to the Andrea Leadsom: Yes, it is. House. Question put and agreed to. Sir Bernard Jenkin: That does not fall under our remit at all, but in recent cases that I can think of, an Madam Deputy Speaker: I suspend the House for estoppel has been put on possible elevations to the three minutes to allow the safe exit of hon. Members other place of Members who are under suspicion or participating in this item of business and the safe arrival where there has been controversy. Obviously, if it was of those participating in the next. an entirely secret and non-disclosable allegation that had not found its way into the public sphere, we would need to check that there would be a procedure for that. 4.26 pm However,that is a separate matter from whether a complaint Sitting suspended. is going to be investigated and adjudicated by the ICGS. 891 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 892 Partnership Agreement UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic digital and data trade. The United States recent study of Partnership Agreement its deal with Mexico and Canada found that the biggest economic benefit of that deal came from the provisions [Relevant Documents: Second Report of the International on digital trade, and we are confident that this is the TradeCommittee,Session2019-21;UK-JapanComprehensive case for the agreement with Japan, which is why we Economic Partnership Agreement, HC 914.] want to better quantify the benefits of future free trade agreements. 4.29 pm LloydRussell-Moyle(Brighton,Kemptown)(Lab/Co-op): The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth On the quantification of future benefits, of course the Truss): I beg to move, Secretary of State has given us the most advantageous That this House has considered the UK-Japan Comprehensive figures that she has, which are about what trade would Economic Partnership Agreement. have been if we were out of the European deal. The I am delighted to open this debate on the UK-Japan reality is that for businesses on the ground very little comprehensive economic partnership agreement, otherwise will change between the end of this year and the beginning known as CEPA, in a landmark moment for our national of January, and the reality is that the quantifiable trading history. This is the first debate we are having on benefit she talks about is actually a maintaining of the a new trade deal since our departure from the European status quo, is it not? Union. This is the first time we have been able to have such a discussion in the House of Commons for nearly Elizabeth Truss: The reality is that if we had not 50 years. It was not possible when Brussels represented negotiated this deal, we would have reverted to trading us in trade negotiations, but things have changed. We on World Trade Organisation terms with Japan and now have a deal directly negotiated between London businesses on both sides would have faced tariffs and and Tokyo, and the whole House will be glad to know barriers to trade. But we have gone further than just that this will be the first of many debates about our continuity with this deal, and I am about to tell the independently negotiated trade agreements. There will House exactly how that is the case. This deal is better be more to come as we pursue gold-standard deals with and more valuable than the Japan-EU deal, which is Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and otherwise known as the JEPA, because in simple terms South Korea. the CEPA is deeper than the JEPA. It goes further and faster in areas of in vital importance to the United John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): The right hon. Lady is Kingdom economy. right in one respect, but we have had many debates On digital trade, we are protecting source code, enabling recently on trade deals. Indeed, we had a veto on those the free flow of data while agreeing a ban on data trade deals between the EU and other partners, and localisation, saving companies the cost of setting up servers views were expressed. I suspect that we were on the in Japan. Our textile and confectionery manufacturers same side on the Canada and Singapore trade deals. We will benefit from more liberal rules of origin, making their have had those debates. This should be about the principles goods more competitive by allowing up to £88 million of trade, rather than just the niceties of whether we are of UK exports to benefit from reduced duties. Our in or out of the EU. creative industries will have their brands and innovations protected, as we go beyond the EU in tackling the online Elizabeth Truss: I observe that the right hon. Gentleman infringement of intellectual property rights. Our fantastic did support many of those deals. I afraid that the same food and drink producers will benefit from increased cannot be said for most of the members of his party, protection for iconic goods, as around 70 geographical who did not support, for example, the Japan trade deal indications, 10 times as many as before, will be protected when it previously went through the House. We are in a in Japan, subject to their domestic processes next year. completely different position. From 1 January next year, we will be operating our own independent trade policies, Our services industry will have more regulatory we will be setting our own tariffs and we will be operating co-operation, safeguards on data storage and greater our own trade agreements. That is a huge step forward flexibility to move talent across the world. for the UK as an independent trading nation. Next year, This is clearly a more British-shaped deal, and it delivers we will be talking about our accession to the comprehensive more benefits to the UK than the previous deal. Some and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership, Opposition Members have asked for a precise economic but today we are here to talk about Japan. assessment of this difference, but in our Command The UK-Japan agreement is a British-shaped deal Paper we agreed to assess our deals, not the deals of going further and faster than the EU deal in areas such other countries or trade blocs, and I am not going to as data and digital, services, advanced manufacturing waste the time of Department for International Trade and food and drink. The deal has been welcomed across economists by asking them to assess deals that are the board, from the CBI to techUK and the National clearly inferior to the one that we have secured. Farmers Union. It was even welcomed by the Labour This is a deal that will benefit every part of the party—although rather tepidly and although Labour United Kingdom. It delivers for our farmers and businesses, did not actually vote for the original Japan deal. and it delivers for Japanese investors such as Nissan, The deal is estimated to add over £15 billion in trade Toyota and Hitachi, supporting thousands of jobs across to our already growing trading relationship with the the United Kingdom. third largest economy in the world. We expect it to be even more. We have asked Professor Tony Venables Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): from Oxford University to lead a review of our future Does my right hon. Friend agree that, in addition to all modelling to ensure that it accounts for our world-leading the opportunities she lists,this deal is a fantastic opportunity 893 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 894 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement for the growing and sustainable industry that makes the 21st century. That does not come as a surprise, British sparkling wine across 770 vineyards in the United because our relationship with Japan is deep and long Kingdom? It employs 10,000 people today, and is on a standing. Way back in 1613, King James I concluded journey to increase its exports and could potentially the UK’s first trade agreement with Japan. Under Queen employ 20,000 or 30,000 people in the future. By securing Victoria, a treaty of peace, friendship and commerce important geographic indicators, my right hon. Friend was signed in 1858. We see that friendship endure under has unlocked that opportunity for us all. Japan’s current Emperor Naruhito, who has written fondly of his time studying at Oxford. We continue to Elizabeth Truss: My hon. Friend is a doughty champion benefit from Japanese commerce after Margaret Thatcher of English sparkling wine and knows that this will be opened the door to new investment from companies one of the geographical indicators that goes through such as Nissan, supporting local jobs and communities. the domestic process early next year, to be registered in Japan and recognised in Japan, and who knows how Aaron Bell (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Con): A fortnight long it would have taken under the EU, because under ago, I was delighted to receive an email from the embassy its deal, it has to negotiate every new indicator. We have of Japan, informing me that my constituency of Newcastle- got agreement on those 70 indicators through the process, under-Lyme will receive 30 of the cherry trees that it and the only circumstance under which English sparkling agreed to donate to the United Kingdom. That was wine would not qualify is if English sparkling wine were agreed in 2017, as part of the prosperity agreement, but produced in Japan, and I do not believe that to be the it is a real symbol of what we are now doing with Japan case. in this trade deal. I compliment the Japanese Government and my right hon. Friend’s Department for all they have This deal aligns with our high environment, animal done. welfare, labour, data and food safety standards, and it helps to position the United Kingdom as the world’s Elizabeth Truss: I thank my hon. Friend. Our relationship hub for services in tech trade and establishes us as a with Japan is going from strength to strength. Japan major force in global trade. Following Japan’s economic and the United Kingdom are two great island nations, push on womanomics, we have also signed an entire but we are not insular in our embrace of freedom, chapter on women’s economic empowerment to help democracy, human rights and free trade, and we will be female entrepreneurs in both our nations—another chapter working together when the UK has the presidency of that was not included in the EU deal. the G7 next year to advance on all these fronts and to champion much-needed reform of the global rules for Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) services and digital trade. (Ind): I do not want to rain too much on the Secretary of State’s parade, but she will be aware that, according Next year, Japan will chair the comprehensive and to the British Government’s own figures, the Welsh progressive trans-Pacific partnership, a high-standards economy will grow by only 0.05% over 15 years, based agreement that promotes the values that we believe in on a WTO baseline, as a result of this deal. Also, the for rules-based free trade. The CEPA secures Japan’s British Government’s policy of leaving the single market support for our joining that club and will provide and the customs union means we will need over 70 deals further market access under that agreement. This agreement to make up for that loss, and if we have no deal that will turbocharge our trade with dynamic members from figure will be considerably worse. Canada and Australia to Chile and Peru. The CPTPP is more than the sum of its parts, because we gain access to a free trade area with common standards and rules of Elizabeth Truss: This deal is worth at least £15 billion origin, which means flexibility and opportunities, but, in extra trade, not including the trade that was already unlike with the EU, we retain control of our borders, increasing between our two nations,and there are significant our laws and our money. benefits for Wales, including the recognition of Welsh lamb as a protected geographical indicator as well as This huge gateway to the Pacific region will help us more opportunities for manufacturing industries. unleash our potential as a global hub for services and technology trade. On joining CPTPP, global Britain would have unprecedented and deep access to markets Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire) (Con): I cannot covering 13% of the world’s GDP, which equates to help but stand up when I hear the words “Welsh lamb”. more than £11 trillion in some of the world’s fastest It is a wonderful GI that I know the Secretary of State is growing markets. If we add in the US, this would working to protect. On Japanese business, Wales saw amount to over 40% of the world’s GDP, which equates Japanese trade increase in 2018 by £250 million. That is to more than £27 trillion. a 25% increase, and this deal will solidify that. I normally work with the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) (Lab): Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) and welcome what he has The Secretary of State is very generous in giving way. to say, but I think that this deal really is terrific for the As a member of the all-party group on Japan, I agree Welsh economy. with some of the things that she is saying, but does she agree that, in principle, it would be much better if we Elizabeth Truss: We had a major success in 2019 had more scrutiny in advance of votes on trade deals, so when we gained access for British lamb into the Japanese that we can have this kind of debate rather than having market, and, of course, one of the products that is it post facto? flowing into Japan is our fantastic Welsh lamb. This agreement is not just about economics, but Elizabeth Truss: I will come on to the issue of scrutiny about our close relationship with Japan and the Japanese. later in my speech, but we committed in our Command Together we are helping to set the standard for trade in Paper to produce a scoping assessment, which we did. 895 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 896 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Elizabeth Truss] Elizabeth Truss: My hon. Friend mentions some of the benefits from the Japan deal. Of course, there are Wehave produced our objectives and there are opportunities also measures to protect the Scotch whisky industry for them to be scrutinised through the International from counterfeiting in Japan. I know that was very strongly Trade Committee, and that has been happening during welcomed by the industry when we announced the the process. There will be full opportunity for a debate results of the Japan trade deal. afterwards. This puts us in a very strong position compared with comparative parliamentary democracies, and of Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North) (Lab): The course I welcome the opportunity to debate issues such Secretary of State will know that applications for new as CPTPP during the accession process next year. food geographical indicators through the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture take, on average, five months and had a Today’s debate is truly historic, as trade policy is once success rate of only 15% last year. Can she tell us the again a matter for the United Kingdom and for this equivalent figures for new alcohol applications? House. It is part of our new system of proper scrutiny, of which I am delighted to be a part. Parliament will rightly have the final say on the ratification of this deal. Elizabeth Truss: I can tell the hon. Lady that we have I am very grateful for this report from the International agreed with the Japanese that our 70 geographical Trade Committee, which has made clear the desire for a indications will go through the process and, unless there debate. We will shortly be introducing an amendment to is some objection by a producer in Japan producing exactly the Trade Bill, which will write the role of our vital the same product, those procedures will be successful. Trade and Agriculture Commission into law, again giving As I said, I am grateful for the report from the independent advice to Parliament on trade and agriculture. International Trade Committee, which made clear the desire for a debate. We will shortly be introducing Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I, too, the amendment that I mentioned earlier. thank the Secretary of State for putting together the The House will now understand why on signing this continuation of the Trade and Agriculture Commission deal in Japan, the land of the rising sun, I hailed the and setting it up as an expert group for the next three dawn of a new era for free trade. Days ago, we struck a years, because it will be very important, as we move vital continuity deal with Canada, which means that we forward to deal with Australia and others, that we really have now secured 89% of the value of UK trade with drill down on the way that agriculture is done and food continuity countries and with Japan, which goes further. is produced to keep our high animal welfare standards These 53 countries cover £164 billion-worth of trade. in this country. No other country has conducted so many trade negotiations simultaneously and delivered. We have achieved this by Elizabeth Truss: I am delighted that my hon. Friend being prepared to stand our ground and to fight hard welcomes the putting of the Trade and Agriculture for Britain’s interests. Commission into statute, which will be done through the Trade Bill. We need to make sure that farmers are I am very confused about Labour’s approach to these engaged, businesses are engaged and our whole country deals, which seems to veer between complete capitulation is engaged in these trade agreements because we are and a refusal to sign any deal. I read that the right hon. doing them to benefit the United Kingdom—to make Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily sure that every part of this country is helped to thrive. Thornberry) will not vote for any deal we get with the We are lowering barriers to trade and creating— EU, but apparently she does not agree with her leader on this matter. She has told us before that she would not sign any trade deal with the US, yet she seems prepared Lloyd Russell-Moyle: Will the Secretary of State give to do a deal at any price with everyone else. The way? Opposition have attacked us for not rolling over trade deals that they did not vote for in the first place. They Elizabeth Truss: I have already given way to the hon. criticise us for not engaging with countries that refuse to Gentleman and we have a limited amount of time for come to the negotiating table, and then they repeat the this debate. media lines of foreign Governments. Do they understand how negotiations work? I do not think they do. Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) Let us be honest: negotiating trade deals in a pandemic (Con) rose— is not easy, but I am incredibly proud of our team, who have been negotiating in video conferences and phone Elizabeth Truss: I will, however, give way to my hon. calls round the clock, and they have got the job done. Friend. Just today, long before Parliament opened this morning, our negotiators were deep in talks with Australia, which Andrew Bowie: On benefiting the whole country, we are now on to their third round. After the House rises have yet to mention Scotland and Scottish produce. I this evening, I will be speaking to my New Zealand am delighted that under this agreement we will see counterpart about the next round we are about to increased numbers of products that are geographically undertake. This is just the start for global Britain. We protected, with Scotch beef and Scotch whisky added are back out there, making the case for free trade and to that list. The trade between Scotland and Japan is helping to reshape global trading rules. Our deal with incredible. It dwarfs even Wales, with £500 million-worth Japan is vital for our economic recovery. It will drive of trade between Scotland and Japan last year, and this jobs and prosperity across every nation and region of is only set to grow under the incredible deal that has the UK, ensuring a brighter future for the British people. been negotiated by my right hon. Friend. I commend this agreement to the House. 897 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 898 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton): Catherine West: Will my right hon. Friend accept an This is all very lively, as I can see, and a large number of intervention? hon. and right hon. Members wish to contribute to this debate, so I will start with an immediate five-minute Emily Thornberry: I will rattle through a bit of my limit for Back Benchers. That may well have to come speech, because I have the beady eyes of Madam Deputy down later, but we will try to keep that on for as long as Speaker on me. Once I know I am definitely halfway, possible. I will take interventions. 4.50 pm The same situation with Opposition day debates is set to be true of the continuity agreements recently reached Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) with Ukraine, the Ivory Coast, Kenya, Canada and, of (Lab): Before I begin my response, I feel obliged to say course, the 11 other continuity agreements that the two things. First, my hon. Friend the Member for Government still need to secure in the next five weeks—or Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson)—Nissan 14, if we are still counting Algeria, Bosnia and Serbia. is based in her constituency—wanted to be involved in this debate, as did my hon. Friend the Member for In other words, the process for parliamentary scrutiny Leeds North East (Fabian Hamilton) and another of and approval that the Government are relying on for my hon. Friends, who has extensive experience in this our future deals as an independent trading nation is area and an important constituency interest, but who failing repeatedly at the very first hurdle, through the understandably does not want his name to be mentioned. denial of Opposition day debates. I therefore greatly He says this is an affront to democracy. All of them welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to grant this wanted me to put on record that they were keen to take debate and vote in Government time, and hope that she part in this important debate, but unfortunately were will amend the Trade Bill, because she will now have excluded from doing so by the Leader of the House and realised that this simply will not do; the right to debate his current rules for virtual participation. and approve future trade agreements should be a matter of law, not just a matter of discretion. That brings me to Secondly, I feel that I should inform the House of an the main theme of my remarks: the importance of the important development overnight on the issue of Japan agreement as a precedent for other trade deals to international trade deals, which somehow the Secretary come, in terms of both substance and the way in which of State did not see fit to announce. I can tell colleagues they are presented to the world. that the news was slipped on to her Department’s website this morning that no continuity agreements are expected Let me start with some of the positives. I welcome the to be agreed with Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Secretary of State’s dedicated chapter on the role of Serbia, which means that our current EU trade deals women in our economy. That is definitely an important with them will expire on 31 December and not be precedent. I hope that her friend Tony Abbott will study replaced. Our trade deals with those three countries were it closely to appreciate that female empowerment means worth £3.5 billion last year. To put that into perspective more than just plugging in the iron. I welcome the new for those on the Government Back Benches, the growth ground broken in this agreement on trade in digital in UK exports achieved by the deal with Japan is forecast services and data—a vital area of future growth for to be £2.6 billion in 15 years’ time. exports and investment—and hope that the Government’s stated principles, particularly on net neutrality, will be Nevertheless, turning back to the subject of today’s precedents for our future trade deals with Australia and debate, let me make clear at the outset, as I did 10 weeks the United States. But I am afraid that there are many ago, that I congratulate the Secretary of State on securing other areas in which I hope that the Japan deal does not this enhanced continuity agreement with Japan. During set a precedent. a time of great economic turmoil, it provides an important measure of certainty for all those British and Japanese Beyond digital, there is a disappointing absence of companies that would otherwise have lost their current any new measures to support the vital role of Japanese terms of trade on 31 December. I congratulate the companies as investors in our economy and creators of Secretary of State, and I also thank her for holding British jobs—something that is especially important in today’s debate and vote in Government time. the current climate, as we look to safeguard the jobs Let me pause for a moment on an important issue of provided by companies such as Nissan. There is also a parliamentary scrutiny and approval. As colleagues will lack of any new, enforceable commitments on climate know, under the current Constitutional Reform and change and the environment. That is another wasted Governance Act 2010 rules, a new trade agreement opportunity and one that does not bode well for the must be laid before Parliament for 21 sitting days before ongoing negotiations with Australia. There is the absence it can be ratified in law. The only way that Parliament of any progress on workers’ rights, coupled with the can block that agreement is through an Opposition day failure to consult trade unions on the deal, as well as the motion, but only if an Opposition day is granted during rolling back of commitments on civil society dialogue. I the 21-day period. We are now on day 15 of ratification am afraid that this is all consistent with a Secretary of for the Japan agreement, and no Opposition day has State whose official trade union advisory group contains been granted in that period, nor is one scheduled. If it just four members, one of which is the British Medical had not been for the Government’s act of great generosity Association. today, Parliament would have no right and no power to When it comes to deeply unfortunate precedents, debate and approve this important agreement. It is not there is also the sheer extent to which the Secretary of an isolated case: of the 20 continuity agreements signed State has exaggerated, oversold and misrepresented the by the Government since 2019, 15 of them have completed benefits of a UK-Japan deal compared with the EU-Japan their 21 days of ratification with no Opposition day deal that it replaces. Let us take a single example: debates granted during those periods, including all agriculture and food. She tells us that 70 new British 11 agreements signed by the current Secretary of State. products will be protected by GI status thanks to her 899 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 900 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Emily Thornberry] Emily Thornberry: I agree with my hon. Friend. I have to say that trade deals generally are better when we deal, but that will only be true if they are approved by consult properly and extensively and put trust in Parliament, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture—a process that takes at which unfortunately the Conservative party does not least five months and which resulted in the rejection of seem to have at this time. 85% of applications last year. She tells us that our farmers and food producers will benefit from lower Jonathan Edwards: Also missing from the Secretary Japanese tariffs, but that will only be true if they are of State’s comments were the Government’s own figures, exporting to Japan ostrich feathers, dried eggs or 180 proof which indicate that Japanese imports to the UK will alcohol, which none of them currently does. benefit at a level four times greater than that for UK exports The Secretary of State tells us that we will benefit to Japan. Does that not indicate that it is actually a very from continued access to the EU tariff rate quotas for good deal for Japan? exports to Japan of products such as soft cheese and cake mix, but that will only be true if the EU does not Emily Thornberry: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman; use up those quotas itself. She tells us that British I am coming to that. farmers will have access to Japan’s quota for imports of When it comes to the exaggeration of benefits and malt, which, I am delighted to tell colleagues, is true. It the misrepresentation of the Japanese trade deal, one is true! But she did not mention that it is actually a crucial issue is left unresolved, and it is a vital precedent global quota to which every farmer in the world has to get right. By my count, I have now asked the Secretary access—so I do not know why she is looking so pleased of State a very simple question three times on the Floor with herself—and which can be withdrawn by Japan at of the House, twice in letters and once in a written any time. Finally, her Department’s Twitter feed tells parliamentary question and—she knows what is coming— us—during an episode of “The Great British Bake Off”, I ask it again now: in pounds and pence, what is the no less—that imports of Japanese soy sauce will be forecast increase in UK exports and growth resulting cheaper, which, as thousands of people pointed out, is from the UK-Japan deal compared with the EU-Japan not true in the slightest. deal that it replaces? In one area after another, the spin from the Secretary of State and her Department does not match the substance, I fail to see why the Secretary of State gets so indignant and her concern for how the deal will be presented about this question; after all, she is the one who has appears to be more of a priority than the deal that she repeatedly claimed over the past 75 days that the deal will actually deliver. That is a hugely damaging precedent, she has negotiated with Japan goes “beyond and above” and one that I hope will not be followed—for example, the EU-Japan deal, goes “further and faster” than the in the Canada deal signed last weekend—particularly EU-Japan deal and delivers “additional economic benefits” when it comes to our cheese exporters. After all, if it is compared with the EU-Japan deal. Indeed, when I the case that, like the Japan deal, we will only get access pressed her last week simply to confirm that the forecast to the EU’s quota on exports of cheese to Canada if the for exports and growth was higher under her deal than EU has not used up the quota itself, that is deeply under the EU-Japan deal, the Secretary of State told worrying for our dairy industry. the House, “Yes, it is higher”, so why has she continually refused to quantify that difference? Why will she not Elizabeth Truss: I assure the right hon. Lady that we provide the figures,in pounds and pence,to back her claims? have access to the EU reserve on equal terms with All is not lost, though: we might be able to make the EU. some progress on this point today. I went back to the Department’s original impact assessment, published in Emily Thornberry: So there is a cake of a certain May 2018, of the effects of the EU-Japan deal. It is a size—the tariff quota—and the EU and Britain will detailed 51-page document, signed and authorised on have access to that cake. Who gets what bit first? What the front cover by the Minister for Trade Policy, the happens if the EU gets the cake first—what does Britain right hon. Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg do then? Is it first come, first served? Or is the cake Hands). I have to say that I do not think it is the right already cut up in pieces? I wonder whether the right hon. Gentleman’s best piece of work—the assumptions hon. Lady could help us with that. and baselines are pretty sketchy, and my hon. Friend the Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) was Elizabeth Truss: I am happy to furnish the right hon. pretty scathing about it during the debate in 2018—but, Lady with a letter about the details of the licensing nevertheless, it is what we have to go on; we do not have procedures, but it is important to understand that, in a anything else. situation different from that for the tariff rate quota with Japan, the UK reserve is applied for on an equal On page 2, after the Minister’s signature, it says in basis with the EU. black and white: “The analysis assumes that the UK continues to trade…after Emily Thornberry: Given the time, I will with your leave, EU exit…with Japan on an equivalent preferential basis to the EPA.” Madam Deputy Speaker, take some other interventions In other words, this is what we have been asking for and at this moment, as I am halfway through my speech. what the Secretary of State has repeatedly refused to Catherine West: My right hon. Friend mentioned provide—an analysis by her Department, authorised by workers’ rights; does she agree with the now sadly her closest ministerial colleague, of what would happen deceased Senator John Lewis that, had workers’ rights if we had just stuck to the terms of the EU-Japan deal. been more at the heart of a proper consultative process, I remind colleagues—I wonder whether my hon. Friend the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership the Member for Harrow West (Gareth Thomas) wants negotiations may have ended better than they did? to write this down, because it might be worth coming 901 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 902 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement back to—that in the final assessment produced last fabulous negotiating team, our Japan team at DIT and month by the Department of the long-term impact of our team in Tokyo, led by ambassador Paul Madden, the UK-Japan deal, the forecast increase in UK exports who have all contributed enormously to the success of to Japan was £2.6 billion, and the forecast increase in this negotiation. I want briefly to explain why I think UK GDP was £1.5 billion. Let us compare those figures this deal is important in the global trade environment, with the Department’s assessment of the long-term what it says about Japan’s outlook and the UK’s outlook impact of the EU-Japan deal. Under that assessment, and why it matters for CPTPP. the forecast increase in UK exports to Japan was not All trade liberalisation matters, particularly at the £2.6 billion but £4.3 billion, and the forecast increase in present time. Even before the covid pandemic, global UK GDP was not £1.5 billion but £2.6 billion. I do not trade was shrinking—partly for cyclical reasons, 10 years know about you, Madam Deputy Speaker, but that post the financial crisis; partly because of trade tensions, does not sound like further and faster, above and beyond, not least between China and the United States; and additional or higher to me. It sounds like smaller, slower, partly because of rising protectionism, not least in the lower and lamer. G20. The G20 represent 90% of global GDP and 80% I have no doubt that the Secretary of State will tell of global trade. At the end of the financial crisis, only me that the 2018 forecasts were inaccurate,the methodology 0.7% of G20 imports were covered by restrictive measures. was flawed and the Minister for Trade Policy was having In the first quarter of 2020, that had mushroomed to a bad hair day, although he did put his name on it. All 10.3%—a huge barrier for developing countries to have those things may be true, but here is the problem: unless to overcome to be able to sell their goods into developed and until she can produce an assessment of how the markets. UK-Japan deal compares with the EU-Japan deal in We have also had a failure of liberalisation at the terms of the forecast for UK exports and growth, that is WTO—25 years and all we have seen is the trade facilitation all we have to go on. The two assessments produced by agreement, no further liberalisation—and we have seen her Department in 2018 and 2020 show that her historic, far too few multilateral agreements. In fact, we have seen groundbreaking, British-shaped deal has left our country none apart from TFA; we are now moving to plurilateral, worse off than if we had simply rolled over the provisions regionalandthenbilateralFTAs.Thatiswhyanyliberalisation in the EU-Japan agreement. My suggestion to the Secretary should be welcomed in this House. of State is that, until she can provide her own assessment Japan is a country with a GDP of $4.97 trillion. It of the difference between the two deals, she should stop has a global GDP share of 4.13%—not an inconsiderable making exaggerated claims about the “additional economic market—with a GDP per capita of over $39,000. Japan benefits” of her deal, because quite frankly, she does is increasingly assertive and confident on the global not have the figures to back them up. stage. When TPP was looking as though it might collapse That is why this issue really matters, and that is why it when President Trump pulled the United States out, is important that we get this precedent right before the Prime Minister Abe stepped up and led its recovery. I Secretary of State goes off to negotiate any more trade am sure that everyone in the House would like to wish deals on our country’s behalf. It does not matter whether him good health in his retirement. it is an issue as small as soy sauce imports from Japan or Wehave seen increased co-operation in security between as big as car exports to Europe. We gain nothing in the UK and Japan, with the first joint exercise by UK international credibility if we overstate what our trade troops in Japan only last year. Wehave a strong investment deals have achieved. Indeed, we risk misleading the relationship with Japan. A self-confident, assertive Japan British people and undermining their confidence in is good for our bilateral relations, good for regional the importance of trade if we claim benefits from the security and good for global prosperity. My right hon. agreements we negotiate that are simply not borne out Friend said right at the outset what she thought that by the facts. meant for the UK’soutlook. Clearly,having an independent I welcome the trade agreement with Japan—all of us trade policy is one of the positive consequences of on the Opposition Benches do—but the Secretary of Brexit. This agreement itself says a lot about the UK’s State has done herself no favours and done our country outlook. It brings improvements to mobility provisions no service in the way in which she has presented this for business travellers and it is has clear pluses in terms agreement and oversold its benefits. I hope she will of data and digital, indicating the UK’s forward-leaning learn the right lessons from this when it comes to position on this most important element in the global negotiating our new trade deals with the US, Australia, economy and our understanding of the importance of New Zealand, the rest of CPTPP and the Mercosur e-commerce, not only as a key enabler of development countries in the coming years. More importantly, I hope but as an empowerment tool—not least for women in that a renewed focus on substance over presentation the global economy, particularly in the least developing and the chastening loss of our trade deals with Algeria, economies. Bosnia and Serbia will encourage her to get her head The agreement also helps us to escape from the trap down over the next five weeks and do the hard, unglamorous of the EU’sdata localisation. The four countries—Germany, work of sorting out the other 11 continuity agreements France, Slovenia and Austria—that held the rest of the worth £55 billion in trade with Mexico, Singapore, EU to ransom are out of step with the rest of the global Ghana and others before the clock runs out and before economy. They had a medieval view of data localisation, any more of the free trade agreements we already have and not only have we escaped it by being out of the are carelessly and needlessly thrown away. European Union, but we have managed to go forward in this agreement. Of course, the real gain that we 5.8 pm would get with Japan would be global services liberalisation, Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con): I want to because a multilateral agreement, or even an open begin by congratulating my right hon. Friend the Secretary plurilateral agreement, would give us far greater access of State and her incredible team of Ministers, our to what we really need. 903 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 904 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Dr Liam Fox] SNP is pro-trade. As I say, we believe that the risk to our existing trade patterns is not set off properly by the Finally, let me say something about CPTPP. This is a benefits of this deal. Japan accounts for 1.8% of the regional grouping of increasing importance. As my UK’s exports of goods; the EU accounts for 46% of right hon. Friend said, it represents an increasing share them. So to get the hypothetical potential upsides of the of global GDP. With the UK, it would be bigger in Japan deal, the UK jeopardises the real-world existing GDP share than the EU; with the United States, its benefits of the EU single market membership and access share would be over 40%. Here is a great opportunity: if right now. To ignore that strikes me as flatly absurd. we can persuade the new United States Administration to take America back into TPP alongside the UK, it Dr Fox: I am delighted to hear that the SNP is will also have net benefits for our trading relationship pro-trade. Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what assessment with the United States. has been made of the cost of trade to Scotland of the Eleven fast-growing countries: a single set of rules of SNP and Scotland withdrawing from the UK single origin, allowing content from all CPTPP countries to be market? cumulated—but above all else, its advantage lies in the strategic environment. If we want to deal with the Alyn Smith: We will tell the right hon. Gentleman problems of China in global trade, in terms of intellectual that when we are bringing forward the independence property theft and transparency, we are going to do it prospectus. We regret that the UK has left the European not by hitting it with tariffs repeatedly, but by creating a Union. We regret the consequences to all our businesses, parallel structure with a widened CPTPP that shows traders and exporters of the increased complexity and what can be achieved by genuine free trade and adherence uncertainty that leaving the EU single market means. to global rules. That is the real prize for us. Our proposition on independence will be rejoining the EU market, and that has consequences for our trade 5.13 pm flows, of course, but a proper analysis of how much Scottish trade goes through England, rather than to Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP): Last time we discussed England, is an interesting statistic in itself. In the same this text, I said that I would reserve my enthusiasm until way as Ireland, pre-EU membership, was very heavily we saw more of the detail. I am rather glad I did, dependent on the UK market, Scotland’s trade flows because while it would be churlish of me not to give the will change also. Secretary of State her moment—this is an achievement, and I welcome it—it is really small beer. Any rational There are consequences, which I do not dismiss and person recognises that in any course of action there are deny, but let us talk about this deal right now as upsides and downsides, costs and benefits, and any opposed to our plans for the future. This deal right now course of action will have consequences. I am struck, is not worth the candle, is not worth the effort and is in to mangle Thomas Hardy, that this is a treaty in which no way better than what we are giving up to get it. A no Brexiter would see anything to dislike, but no real-world example, where the Secretary of State and I objective person anything to admire when set against have a degree of common ground, is cheese. She has the disadvantages of this course of action. mentioned cheese a number of times. I note that it was a particularly nice touch to give a jar of British Stilton to In EU stuff, in trade and in life, if we do not look at Japan’s Minister Motegi to celebrate this deal. I wonder: things in the round—if we do not look at the full did the Secretary of State check whether he is lactose picture—we will make poor conclusions. As we heard intolerant? There was an interesting statistic—I see that earlier, the consequences of giving up the benefits of the there are doctors in the House— from The Lancet in EU-Japan trade deal, to be replaced by this deal, have October 2017 that 73% of the Japanese population are not been properly analysed. By the UK Government’s lactose intolerant. Perhaps we should consider what the figures, such as they are on this, the deal will add 0.07% opportunities for our exports of cheese actually are in percent to UK GDP. That is not a small amount of the real world, as opposed to Panglossian excitement money and I welcome it, but we need to look in the about what they might be, hypothetically. round at what we are losing. In conclusion, we welcome this treaty—just. We think I am struck, as always, by the capacity of Government it is better than the alternatives, but like any responsible Members to be giddy with excitement over the Brexit Government, we are concerned about the real-world process and the potential hypothetical upsides, which, consequences and real-world costs to all our exporters in a spirit of intellectual honesty, I accept may exist. I right now of jeopardising our closest trading relationships am proudly pro-European. A cornerstone of the SNP’s with the EU, and, as we have heard, of the failure to roll economic plans for Scotland is membership of the over trade agreements with the wider world. It was best single market. We believe we were adequately well put by Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of represented by the EU on the world stage. PGIs were Motor Manufacturers and Traders, who said: mentioned earlier and there is an interesting point to be “We hope the deal can be ratified swiftly but, for both sides to asked, and perhaps answered, about what protections benefit fully, we still need to urgently complete an ambitious and the UK Government sought within the EU’s negotiation tariff-free UK-EU deal—and time is rapidly running out.” and at what point the UK disengaged from that process I counsel Government Members to save their hubris to foster its own deal, but that is a different argument. I until the bigger questions are answered. accept that we have left the European Union and we need to properly analyse the costs and benefits of where we are now. 5.19 pm There may be some advantages to this deal. There Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest) (Con): By rights, the may be some things that fit better. I have my doubts and Chair of the International Trade Committee, the hon. I am not convinced that it was worth the change, but the Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Angus Brendan 905 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 906 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement MacNeil), should be making this speech, but he is stuck I do not particularly want to go into the content of in the Western Isles and unfortunately cannot be here. I the deal, but there is a point to be made about how am joined by a number of Committee colleagues, however, trade deals are incredibly important in how they lean on and I am sure that we will make similar speeches. one another. The hon. Member for Stirling (Alyn Smith) I start by thanking the Government for how much mentioned the Society of Motor Manufacturers and effort they have put into helping the Committee’s scrutiny Traders. Certainly, when Mike Hawes came in, I had the process. There is no doubt that, at every opportunity opportunity to ask him whether, if we did not get a when we have asked the Secretary of State to help out, trade deal with the European Union, that would affect she has come along and been very helpful to us, and has Japanese manufacturers in the UK, to which his answer been keen to help the process of scrutiny. I will say more was that he did not think so. Certainly when I was a about that in a minute. Minister looking after that sector, I was acutely aware I echo what my right hon. Friend the Member for of that. North Somerset (Dr Fox) said about the extraordinary The bottom line is that those manufacturers have amount of work that has been done by the Department been in the UK for 25 or 30 years—a long time—so and its Ministers. I also point out that I was part of the they are not going to get up and leave. It is incredibly ministerial team when he set up the Department, and important, however, to remember that trade deals lean the reason it is so qualified to do this now is the on one another and people need to have confidence in incredibly hard work that he put in as Secretary of future relationships. It is also worth bearing in mind State. He had the foresight to take on the trade negotiators that, when we do a deal with Japan, that makes us more and Crawford Falconer to lead the trade policy team to attractive to those who might come to the UK to export make the Department fit to do all these trade deals and to Japan. If we join CPTPP, the same applies. We have roll-overs. to understand that all trade deals have more implications To turn to our report, we categorically congratulate than perhaps the immediate economic impact that people the Government on their achievements and on helping look at. us out, but I will raise one or two points. There is a big Many other hon. Members wish to speak, so I will argument about whether this is a roll-over deal or a new finish by thanking the Department again for its co-operation deal. Actually, it seems to be a bit of a hybrid deal. with the Select Committee. If it carries on like this, Although if this deal had not been done there would be we will have an extraordinarily wholesome and good no deal at all, it seems to have been based on JEEPA—the relationship. Japan-EU economic partnership agreement—so it is a bit of one and a bit of the other. When it comes to 5.24 pm scrutiny, that means that we have tended to look at Alex Sobel (Leeds North West) (Lab/Co-op): We know some economic forecasts that compare it with the WTO that this deal is almost a carbon copy of the EU-Japan and some economic forecasts that compare it with deal. We can discuss the ironies of this Government JEEPA. plagiarising the EU’s work on another occasion. However, Looking at how it compares with JEEPA is incredibly I would like to focus on the small but significant differences important, because it signifies what it will be like when and what they might mean for the UK. we modify all the roll-over deals that we have made so We will undoubtedly hear a lot of concern about far. For example, CETA has been rolled over, but at digital rights today, and it would be remiss of me not to some point we will want to improve on that deal. What voice my concerns and the concerns of my constituents—I we have done here, with the improvement on JEEPA, am also a graduate of the School of Computing at the signifies what can be achieved elsewhere, which is obviously University of Leeds—about what the deal means for something that we will be taking a close look at. data privacy. The deal allows for the When it comes to scrutiny, there is no doubt that it is “free flow of data between Japan and the UK”, an incredible challenge for a Select Committee, and indeed Parliament, to really get into the nuts and bolts and from there on to other trade partners, undermining of the whole deal. It has been pointed out that CRaG existing data protection frameworks. lasts for 21 days and we are now on day 15. The good Perhaps most concerningly, this means our data being news is that when we asked for a debate, the Department transferred to a range of countries, including the USA, was keen to table one, so we got a debate. It is worth and obviously the other countries that have recently bearing in mind that, for Select Committee members signed the CPTPP. US data protection laws are some of trying to look into these documents—although we were the weakest in the western world. There is no federal given them a week earlier than anybody else, which was oversight, just a patchwork of state enforcement models. very helpful—when they sit down on a Friday afternoon By allowing data to be sold off to the US, the Government and see an impact assessment, a parliamentary report, are removing the right of UK citizens to know where an explanatory memorandum and 57 documents, it is a their data is held and for what purpose. We will not be huge amount to get through. It certainly messes up able to stop our data being used in discriminatory ways, one’s weekend. and we will not be able to have it deleted. This could That means it is incredibly important that we get a well undermine the provisions of the online harms Bill huge amount of feedback from everybody else who is that the Government plan to lay before the House. being affected by this. As I say, it is very good that the It is also worth noting that despite e-commerce and Department has been open with us, but the scrutiny is online retail being wrapped up in digital tech services, none the less quite a challenge. We have to think carefully, they are not mentioned in the deal. Instead, the deal as we come to more complicated deals, about how we only specifically refers to FinTech, which gives us a will be able to do it. As I say, however, the Secretary of crucial clue about the Government’s plans. FinTech State has been very flexible, and I am sure that we will firms, usually backed by venture capitalists, are necessarily have an opportunity to talk to her about it in future. globalised. The deal fails to support small start-ups or 907 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 908 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Alex Sobel] Alex Sobel: The provisions of the investor-state dispute settlement are exceedingly worrying. Wehave seen previous individuals. It tells us what we already know: the trade deals founder on them because they give private Conservatives are not the party of business, they are the entities a whip hand over Government and the state. We party of the financial elites. This deal does not create a are meant to be taking back control, not handing it to level playing field. private courts. The lack of concrete and enforceable environmental Perhaps the Minister can enlighten me on the points I and sustainable provisions is another real concern of have raised about his ambitions towards the CPTPP mine. This deal was a golden opportunity to outline and and the RCEP through that great overseas territory, the to aspire to establish world-leading practices as both Pitcairn islands—which qualifies as it is in the Pacific. countries work to reduce their carbon emissions to Ultimately, we have to ask what kind of deal we want. zero by 2050, and to lay the groundwork for COP26 in Do we want a deal that puts the data privacy and Glasgow. How many golden opportunities on the climate security of the everyday person at its heart, or one that are the Government prepared to squander in the run-up furthers British financial services? Do we want a deal to COP? that protects the natural environment or one that encourages I think it is fair to say that the natural environment is lower standards? I would ask the Government to do better at best an afterthought here. Little consideration was in future. made of the deal’seffect on biodiversity,which is particularly pertinent as we export more agricultural goods and import large quantities of chemicals and plastics. There 5.30 pm is an over-reliance on future technologies to excuse Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): After the rather the potential increase in carbon emissions caused by negative contributions from the Opposition, I hope to international trade. This is worrying, and yet to be make a more positive case. I congratulate the Secretary addressed. of State and the ministerial and negotiating teams on Japan’strack record on animal welfare and sustainability achieving the deal, and it is nice to know that, as a is shaky, to say the least. Last year, it resumed catching post-Brexit free sovereign nation, we can manage to whales for profit in defiance of international criticism, conclude such a worthwhile deal. yet the majority of the environmental provisions in this As a member of the International Trade Committee, deal are non-enforceable. Flimsy, unenforceable terms I have had the opportunity to scrutinise the agreement present a real barrier to upholding high environmental in detail and can assure the House that it is a significant protection, animal welfare and food standards. The improvement on what we previously had via the EU. I Conservatives promised us in their manifesto that they can also assure hon. Members that food standards, animal would not compromise on that, so why are they welfare and so on will not be compromised. compromising on it in this first deal? As we move forward, the Opposition might be accused Matt Rodda (Reading East) (Lab): Does my hon. of moving the goalposts in their assessment of the deal. Friend perhaps notice a pattern emerging here? We have Prior to the announcement of the historic agreement, seen the Agriculture Bill, and the widespread concern critics of the UK negotiating team claimed that we were about chlorinated chicken and other abhorrent practices. not able to secure a deal as good as the EU’s. Now that We have heard today of the deep concern about some of we have a deal, the same people complain that it is only the things that are happening in Japan. While we obviously on a par with the EU’s. I can assure the House that they welcome the deal, does he agree that there is a pattern were wrong to be pessimistic in the first instance, and emerging of the Government putting serious environmental they are wrong about the result in the second. It is concerns at the back of the list of the matters they are certainly true that we have replicated key elements of addressing in these deals? the EU-Japan deal, and that provides much-needed continuity and certainty to UK businesses involved in Alex Sobel: I do agree with my hon. Friend. I sat on trade. However, this is a deal tailored to the UK economy, the Environment Bill Committee many months ago, which secures additional benefits beyond what the EU when the Bill first came in and before there was a huge was able to secure. pause, and this was also clear in relation to that Bill, so The most notable differences can be seen in the we are seeing a pattern across these Bills and these deals. provisions on digital, data and financial services. Those Moving on to the wider ambitions of the Government, are areas in which the UK already has a very strong I would like to ask—I see that the Secretary of State is comparative advantage, so the deal represents a significant leaving her place, but perhaps the Minister for Trade boost to British business. The City of London Corporation Policy will respond—whether this is the first step towards labelled those provisions “a major achievement”. In joining the regional comprehensive economic partnership, some areas, we have agreed to implement the same or just clearing the way to become a member of or a measures as the EU but on a faster time scale, such as signatory to the CPTPP through the British overseas the 21 industrial tariff lines that will be eliminated territory of the Pitcairn Islands. under the CEPAimmediately,in January.Another example is the immediate withdrawal of UK duties on two tariff Jonathan Edwards: From my understanding of the lines relating to electronic control panels for electric trans-Pacific partnership, it includes very strict provisions vehicles, which will not be eliminated until 2024 under on state aid and an investor-state dispute resolution the EU agreement. mechanism, both of which mean conceding a great deal The UK is a trading nation; 64% of our GDP comes of sovereignty. Does it not just go to show that the great from imports and exports.I understand that the Department Brexit slogans of “take back control”and “a global Britain” for International Trade has identified around £88 million- are inherently contradictory? worth of trade with Japan that could gain from lower 909 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 910 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement tariffs, owing to more liberal rules of origin. Those new product but a whole new mindset to engineering and rules, which again go beyond what the EU has in place, manufacturing. Mention has been made of Margaret will be a big bonus to the many British businesses that Thatcher bringing Nissan to Sunderland, which has import products in order to add value to them in been a huge boost to that region, along with Toyota and some way. Honda—although Honda, unfortunately,will be departing In respect of visas, the International Trade Committee in the near future. There is a book about Toyota, “The concluded that the CEPA represents an improvement Machine that Changed the World”. Toyota certainly on the JEPA in a number of respects. Financial services changed the British motor industry. It had an enormous represents one of the areas in which we have made effect on the success of the industry, which has driven significant strides beyond the Japan-EU agreement. much of our engineering. We all benefited from that UK suppliers will now be able to offer new financial engagement and involvement. The trade union movement services on the same basis as Japanese suppliers in all was also involved in a way that, very often in those days, modes of supply, whereas the JEPA only allows for one did not happen with British companies. mode. That is an improvement. A further example I want the Government to look not just at the agreement, relates to the joint UK-Japan Financial Regulatory but at the follow through. I wish they would show Forum. That is an improvement on the EU deal, which concern about that. Hitachi came to Newton Aycliffe only gave the UK indirect representation. From next and built a major train manufacturing unit, employing January the UK will be its own representative, on an equal large numbers of people, but who did we give the next footing with our partners. The House can be reassured agreement for trains to? To Siemens, which did not have that those improvements have been widely welcomed by any manufacturing capability in the UK. We need much industry. more joined-up government. That is what other countries, On digital trade and data, the UK has negotiated particularly Japan but many others, expect of us. more ambitious provisions. Industry can be assured There was mention of Canada and New Zealand. that the agreement also goes well beyond the EU deal in The detail is very important, and I fully accept many of respect of intellectual property, where provisions are in the key points that have been made, but so is the place to protect trademarks and copyright. We have context. Trade is important for economies, but it also also got a better deal for geographical indicators. Japan binds together countries and societies. That is why the has 55 products that it wants to get on to the UK role of the Japanese embassy here, and the work of Paul register, and we have 70 products—including, of course, Madden and the British embassy in Japan, is enormously traditional Grimsby smoked haddock, vital to my important in establishing cultural and economic links, constituency and its neighbours. building unity among liberal and economically liberal The UK-Japan agreement creates a working group industrial societies. That is very important in relation to for co-operation in the field of agriculture. That contrasts Japan. We have looked at the work being done in with the EU by producing a system involving fewer industry and in Japanese finance houses here, but also administrative burdens and allowing greater flexibility many specialist companies. while maintaining appropriate decision making. Reference We have many things in common with Japan. We are was made earlier to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. As both island peoples with limited national resources. the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to the western Balkans, Both of our countries have had to live on the ingenuity I can assure Members that negotiations are continuing and technology of our people and our nations.Incidentally, and I am pretty confident of success. Free trade is the there seems to be a liking for rugby and the Japanese foundation of this country’s prosperity and I can assure have had great success in rugby. We both like beer, to the House that we want more free trade. This agreement the extent that they even bought Fuller’s brewery, and provides the opportunities. we drink tea. However, with the autocracies around the world flexing their muscles and engaging together, the 5.35 pm unity of liberal democracies around the world is enormously John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): I am pleased to be important. Trade deals are a significant part of that, making this speech in this debate tonight—I was hoping and we therefore need to be working together with not to make it last night. I declare an interest as a vice-chairman only Japan and the other major countries, but those of the all-party group on Japan. May I also take slight countries that wish to join that democratic caucus. issue with my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds North Otherwise, the rules of not only world trade, but West (Alex Sobel), who criticised some parts of the international engagement and society will be set by the agreement for plagiarism? Personally, I think plagiarism autocracies. That will not be good for our country and is much underestimated. I am very much with Tom Lehrer: it will not be good for the world. “Plagiarize! Plagiarize. Let no one else’s work evade your eyes…Only be sure always to call it please ‘research’.” 5.40 pm I join my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire) (Con): As a member South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) in welcoming of the Select Committee on International Trade, I will the agreement while recognising that there is considerable try to keep my comments brief. [HON.MEMBERS: “Hear, work still to be done. I will come back to that point in a hear!”] Thank you for that. My hon. Friend the Member minute. for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier) summed up the thanks My interest in Japan—I am pleased to see the chairman the Committee wishes to give the Front-Bench team for of the all-party group on Japan, the right hon. Member the access given. It is interesting to see the CRaG— for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt), in his place— Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010—process primarily stems from working in the electricians’ union. in action, given that this debate had been asked for. The We were involved with many of the Japanese electronic fears we heard from Opposition Members about the and car companies that came in, bringing not just inadequacy of the CRaG process are clearly not being 911 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 912 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Craig Williams] I will finish by commenting on the GIs. It is brilliant to see not just the greatest lamb product in the world, met in this trade debate. The report was interesting; we Welsh lamb, recognised in these trade deals, but also the looked at those documents and discussed this process Anglesey sea salt, the Conwy mussels, the west Wales with other members of the Committee. We have fed salmon and, of course, the plums from the Vale of back to the Front-Bench team about areas of possible Clwyd. They will be going through the normal process, improvement, but I wish to reinforce our thanks for the of course, but it is great to see this on the face of these openness we saw. agreements. It is incredibly encouraging. On deals such It is a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for as these, Opposition Members were incredibly sceptical Warley (John Spellar) and his talk about trade links and that we could ever get anything on a par with the EU trade lines. I echo the tribute paid to both embassies for deal. Their attacks have moved on, and we now have the work they put in behind the scenes and in front of something that is superior. I have no doubt that these the scenes on this trade deal. I was also reminiscing, as a deals will continue. Welsh Member, about how terrific the Japanese were in hosting the rugby world cup, and their match against 5.45 pm England was one to remember. Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North West) (Lab): It is a As chair of the all-party group on international trade pleasure to speak in this debate as a Member who serves and investment, I completely agree with the comments on the International Trade Committee. I would like to made by my right hon. Friend the Member for North start by congratulating the Secretary of State and the Somerset (Dr Fox) on liberalisation. This is an important Department for International Trade on what they have milestone as we emerge from the tentacles of the European achieved. However, I have concerns that I would like the Union and set out on to the open stage with our own Department to address, and I will come to those in a trade deals. It sets again an independent trading story moment. As we know, CEPA is the UK’s first bilateral of this island nation, and I certainly want to see that trade agreement of its kind, and it therefore lays crucial greater liberalisation. He espoused it far better than I precedents for the future trade agreements that the UK can, so I will move on. will eventually enter into. There are several aspects of The hon. Member for Leeds North West (Alex Sobel) CEPA that improve on its predecessor, JEPA. This is is not in his place, but he accused us of plagiarising the true, for example, of how CEPA treats the rules of EU treaty and of lowering standards. I say gently that origin of manufactured goods. Previously, there were we can either have copied the EU treaty or be doing stricter limitations on what could be considered UK- something differently, but I am not sure that both lines manufactured goods. of attack work in the same paragraph. CEPAalso provides for the so-called extended cumulation As a rural Member of Parliament, I wish to reflect on of manufactured parts made in the EU and placed in the agricultural nature of these trade deals. I know that UK and Japanese goods. This change makes it easier my local farmers will particularly take heart from the for inputs from non-EU third countries to count as tone of this continuity extra trade deal. They will be being of UK origin, and this will enable UK producers looking at what they can achieve through this sector. of those goods to diversify their supply chain. However— The hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr and it is a big however—the EU may challenge this (Jonathan Edwards) touched on the potential for Wales, shift, to the long-term detriment of the automotive and trade between Wales and Japan has been growing at industry, and as third-party cumulation will be crucial a terrific rate. Two companies in my constituency, Nidec in producing electric vehicles, I believe that the Secretary and Invertek, are thriving under new Japanese ownership, of State should consider how a challenge to third-party and I can only see these bonds strengthening. cumulation could impact the automotive industry’s expansion into electric car manufacturing. Jonathan Edwards: Before the hon. Gentleman gets There are sections of CEPA that require further too excited, I am sure he will agree that most Welsh clarification, and prominent among them, as we have farmers this evening will be looking at the cut of nearly heard, are the rules governing data protection. That is a third in agriculture support that they now face as a an area in which CEPA departs from JEPA. There are result of today’s comprehensive spending review. That concerns that provisions relating to cross-border data is a far bigger issue than the Japan-UK trade deal. flow could have negative implications for our NHS, for example, and I ask the Minister to clarify how those Craig Williams: I would not want to be told off by restrictions could potentially harm NHS data storage you, Madam Deputy Speaker, as often happens to me and sharing. in these debates. I will not make accusations about I would also like to raise my concern over the provision anything that will get me in trouble with you, but if relating to the UK’s future accession to the CPTPP. In Members look at the detail of the funding supplied by the short term, the Government have promised to assent the UK Government and topped up from the EU to the to a partnership that would give the UK access to some Welsh Government direct, they will see that the Welsh of the CPTPP tariff quotas and, by extension, access to Government and the Farmers Union of Wales need to more competitive export markets. However, the Secretary be very careful with their accusations. We will take that of State has indicated that that tariff scheme is a aside after this debate. I wish to focus on the growth of temporary arrangement that will expire in 2024, at that trade, which has been terrific. It was £250 million which time it will be assumed that the UK will join the in 2018 and we are talking about a 25% increase year on CPTPP. However, if the UK’s accession to the CPTPP year. Our relationship and that of our companies with takes longer than the Government predict, or if it ceases Japan is growing. It is hugely welcome, and it is reinforced to be a high-priority objective, will the UK lose access by this trade deal. to those advantageous tariff quotas? 913 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 914 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement I am also concerned about how the Government for western liberal values for which Japan is a beacon in modelled CEPA’s impact on our annual GDP. The east Asia, a part of the world where those values are not Government estimate a resulting 0.09% GDP increase universally shared. That is why this trade deal has a lot in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Will the Minister clarify more significance than simply the increase in trade that whether that increase would be due to higher projected we are looking forward to. barriers to trade between the UK and the EU, resulting None the less, that increase in trade is important. in more potential trade with Japan, or whether it would I have personal experience of that, because anyone who be due to the negative impact on UK GDP growth of remembers last summer’s leadership contest, which now the UK and EU not concluding a trade agreement? feels rather a long time ago, may have picked up that I On a more general note, CEPA currently lacks any used to be an entrepreneur. I have not had an opportunity guidelines requiring imports to meet UK standards of to say that on the Floor of the House before. Hon. animal welfare. As it stands, the agreement may create Members may not know that my very first venture was problems for our farmers and agricultural standards an attempt to export marmalade to Japan. It was not when it comes to agreements with other priority trading terribly successful; in fact, it was a complete flop. I partners, particularly Australia and the United States. managed to export half a container load of Frank Cooper’s So when the Minister rises to his feet, I hope he will tell “Oxford” marmalade to Japan before the market rather us whether the Government will re-evaluate that section dried up. I realise now what I did not realise at the time, on animal welfare, bearing this concern in mind. Finally, which is that what was missing was a fantastic trade it is important to note that the time given to the Committee deal to give me all the encouragement I needed to ship to scrutinise CEPA was very limited. I understand that that marmalade to Japan. there is pressure to pass CEPA with all urgency, but we My marmalade exporting days are sadly behind me, should not sacrifice the thoroughness of a process this but I know that an army of younger entrepreneurs are important for the sake of expediency. It is vital that willing to take up the baton. As they embrace those Parliament should be given an appropriate amount of opportunities alongside many other entrepreneurs, we time, and indeed more time than the task requires, for will be proud to know that we are strengthening our future agreements. relationship with a country that is our best possible strategic ally. That is why this deal is such a triumph for 5.49 pm the International Trade Secretary, her Minister and Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey) (Con): It is a great their team. pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Coventry North 5.53 pm West (Taiwo Owatemi), who does formidable work on the Health and Social Care Committee. I normally see LloydRussell-Moyle(Brighton,Kemptown)(Lab/Co-op): her through a screen, so it is nice to hear her in person. I, too, sit on the International Trade Committee and our report outlined the positives in this deal. There were I particularly want to congratulate the Secretary of also many things we just could not quantify, because State for International Trade, although I know that she the Government have not given us the figures, or they is not in the Chamber right now. Getting this deal is a do not want to do that analysis, so we just do not know personal triumph for her, and it gives great confidence how things will pan out in the future. This is the first to the country that this Government will be able to run at this. negotiate the formidable number of deals we need in the post-Brexit era. She is being fantastically supported by My first point is about the role of parliamentary the Minister for Trade Policy, my right hon. Friend the scrutiny. This is very much the first run and we need to Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands), and it deepen and strengthen parliamentary scrutiny. We have has to be said that they are building on the excellent the weakest parliamentary scrutiny of the major bodies foundations laid by the previous Secretary of State, my that we now want to negotiate with. Japan and the right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset Japanese Parliament will have longer debates, binding (Dr Fox). He is one of the most formidable advocates of votes and a guaranteed vote to accept sections, the free trade that this House has ever known, certainly European Union will of course be able to have discussions since the days of Margaret Thatcher. It was excellent to through the negotiations and will vote section by section, hear his comments earlier. and the US will be able to vote section by section on the deal and will be involved in setting up the framework of I am speaking today as chair of the all-party the negotiations. parliamentary group on Japan, which, with 93 members, is the second-largest country all-party group in the The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands) indicated House of Commons. That is testament to the great dissent. interest in Japan among hon. Members. I am proud to have that role, because I lived in Japan for two years in Lloyd Russell-Moyle: The Minister shakes his head; I my 20s. I worked there, learned the language and fell in am happy to send him a constitutional 101 of all those love with the country to such an extent that I once countries, because the fact is that we have one of the memorably accused my Chinese wife of being Japanese, least developed parliamentary scrutiny systems. Of course something she has never allowed me to forget. we do, because we have not done it for 40 years and The genius of Japan is the people’s humility and other countries have developed since then, but we do willingness to learn, their decency and civility, and their need to develop, and it is no good the Minister shaking work ethic. Of course, it is a country that has tremendous his head on these points. respect for the past but is able to combine that with an The other thing I would say is that, although I active embrace of modernity. For our purposes in this welcome the Department giving the International Trade House, it also has what my right hon. Friend the Member Committee a two-week head start on these documents, for North Somerset talked about: the tremendous support I have here in my hand just one volume of the documents, 915 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 916 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Lloyd Russell-Moyle] that absolutely clear. I agree with the points that have been made about the liberal democracy in Japan now and three of the annexes never arrived in time and were and the need for us to co-operate and build on that across only given to my office a few days before they were the world, especially in Asia. publicly released. It is all well and good, and I understand I thank the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar these are working documents, but that cannot be a (Angus Brendan MacNeil), the Chair of the International continued pattern for how these things work; we need to Trade Committee, for his great co-operation, for allowing be involved earlier,and we need to be involved throughout. me to guest on the Committee and for the work he has On the content of the deal, let’s be honest: many of put into scrutinising this trade deal with Japan. I also the clauses we have heard celebrated today are non-binding thank the members of the Committee for allowing me or worse, or are being exaggerated. The workers’ rights to guest on that Committee and for putting up with me sections are of course all totally non-binding; the climate as we debated this. It has been a very interesting experience change sections are non-binding and weak; the women to monitor the deal through the Committee and to see and trade section—a new section—is all totally non-binding how another Select Committee works. It may—dare I in the agreement. There is no section on consumer say it?—give me some ideas for my own Select Committee. standards, and Which? says to me that it has not been I thank the Secretary of State for her engagement on involved much at all in these discussions. It believes scrutiny and her commitment to amend the Agriculture there need to be whole sections on consumer standards, Bill, to put the Trade and Agriculture Commission in and the agreement fails to do that. legislation. I look forward to the Government publishing Also, in many areas there are standstill clauses that that amendment, which they have yet to do. The embed the current system we have in Britain and do not independent Trade and Agriculture Commission will be allow change. For example, there is a standstill clause important in helping MPs to scrutinise new trade deals, on the Post Office; that means if a future Government whether with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US wanted to change their mind on the disastrous privatisation or Brazil. We need to ensure that Parliament has a by this Government of the Post Office that put money proper opportunity to debate and scrutinise trade deals, into their crony friends who bought the shares which and I hope that the Trade Bill will strengthen that process then zoomed up—[Interruption.] It is true, and we when it comes back from the other place. I welcome the would not be able to reverse that without renegotiating deal that we have agreed with Japan. this deal. That is an inhibition of sovereignty, and that is a problem. Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): Does the hon. This deal is also reliant on the EU deal. If we do not Member share my concern that animal welfare standards get an EU deal, there are some clauses in this deal that are generally lower in Japan and that this agreement will not be enacted fully; there is also a danger that the does not replicate the FTAs that have better, stronger deal might be a green light for offshoring many jobs out animal welfare provisions? Does he agree that we could of Britain, as there will be an EU-Japan deal and a and ought to do more to protect ourselves against lower UK-Japan deal. But if there is no UK-EU deal, businesses standards of imports from Japan? will place themselves in Japan because they will access both markets from there. If we do not get that EU deal, Neil Parish: When the hon. Lady served on the this deal could be an offshoring charter. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, she The TRQs are a scraps-on-the-table deal, under which always worked hard on animal welfare. I think that we the EU of course gets first dibs and if there are crumbs can get improvements, which is why it is essential to left—we hope there will be crumbs left, for a few more have the Trade and Agriculture Commission up and years anyway, until we sign the CPTPP—then we can running to scrutinise these deals as they are put in place. get those crumbs. We cannot get the crumbs beforehand The issue is that once a trade deal gets to the Floor of of course; and in terms of developing innovation, businesses the House, we can scrutinise it, but it is very difficult to cannot rely on them because they do not know what change it, so work has to be put in through the negotiations amount of crumbs will be left over. We have heard that to get that trade deal right. There can be improvements Government analysis of the EU-Japan deal conducted on animal welfare. when it was signed shows that the deal will have a worse economic outcome rather than a better one: there will It is essential that thae continuity agreement preserves be £1.7 billion less in exports with this deal than under the tariff reductions we enjoy as part of the EU trade the EU deal, and £1.6 billion less in GDP with this deal deal. We must ensure that we can increase our access to compared with how much the EU-Japan deal was benefiting quotas from Japan, because we can export more of us. Those are the Government’s figures, not my figures. some agricultural products to Japan than we have in the There are also some very dangerous elements on data present agreement. This is welcome news for agrifood protection, including voluntary agreements rather than businesses that export to Japan, but it could have been a binding agreements, not least in areas such as data bit more ambitious on exporting our excellent British protection and the NHS. That should greatly worry food into Japan. Japan is the largest net importer of many people. agrifood products worldwide,as it lacks enough agricultural land to feed its population, importing about 60% of its 5.58 pm food, so there is a huge advantage in trading with Japan. Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): It is a In future, we will have to boost exports of even more great pleasure to speak in this debate. I look forward to of our great food. It is in our interests to use the my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and Surrey (Jeremy Hunt) being able to export marmalade the levy payers who pay every time they process lamb, under this new deal. May I assure him that my daughter- beef and milk and get those people out to do those in-law is most definitely Japanese? I just want to make trade deals. We need to build on the great links that our 917 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 918 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement Government have with the industry, and I particularly agreement and the US-Canada-Mexico trade agreements welcome the engagement with businesses about what to abide by the section 230 provisions in US law, which they need through the Trade and Agriculture Commission. give immunity for tech companies in how they process To conclude, I welcome the agreement. I thank the and handle content. That is contrary to the rules and International Trade Committee again for its scrutiny of regulations we have here. the deal. I hope to see a lot more of the Secretary of I have discussed this with the Minister many times, State and her team on the Floor of the House and in and it is not something I would want to see in a UK-US Committee telling the House what brilliant deals we trade agreement. If the House said, “We would rather have signed and allowing us enough time to scrutinise have data protection laws that are more like America’s them. The Government have set an excellent precedent than the EU’s,” that is a matter for the House to decide by coming to the House and having a proper debate on and for legislation to be passed to do that. It is not the this deal, and I look forward to having a debate on all route I would want to go down, but it should not be the future trade deals. role of trade agreements to try to lock in the changes. The Minister will know that there has been considerable 6.4 pm criticism in the US Congress of the Trump Administration Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): I rise using trade agreements in that way to try to set domestic in support of the trade agreement that has been reached policy in this area. That should rightly be the role of with Japan, and I congratulate the Minister and the Parliaments, not trade agreements. I have expressed to Secretary of State on their efforts to secure this very the Minister my concern that if the current US proposals important deal. In terms of scrutiny of the process, I for a US-UK trade agreement were accepted, we would have been grateful that the Minister’s door has always also have to take this measure on board, which would been open to my questions, particularly about digital massively restrict our ability to legislate on things such and data policy relating to trade agreements, whether as online harms. It would potentially undermine such this agreement or the other agreements currently being things as the age-appropriate design code to protect negotiated. I note that he offered last week to write to children online. I know that is not what the Minister me with a detailed note setting out the differences in wants. The Government have resisted those efforts, and data and digital policy between this trade agreement I hope that President-elect Biden’s Administration will with Japan versus the EU-Japan trade agreement. review the terms offered by the American Government The Government have been clear that this is an in that trade agreement and change them. enhanced deal. I welcome anything that increases the I raise this today because the Government’s intention scope for digital trade in this country, because it is is clear to ensure that we keep high levels of data incredibly important to our future growth. These are protection. Any changes to our data protection laws industries of the future, and the UK is a world-leading should be something that Parliament votes and legislates nation, but I raise an issue that is important for this on, but there are forces at work who want to use trade agreement and for other agreements as well, which is agreements to try to change the global norms, and we the scrutiny of data and digital policy as it is concluded do not really have a global system for monitoring and in trade agreements. It would be worth while to have an policing the movement and use of citizens’ data. Data is opportunity to scrutinise the reports from the Information the new oil of the economy, so it is important that Commissioner on digital agreements, because the people know what their rights are and how they can be commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of our enforced around the world and that trade agreements data protection rights. do not affect that. I note as well that the Government say that there are high levels of data protection in this agreement, but this 6.8 pm agreement means that UK data can be processed by Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP): It would be data processors in Japan, rather than that having to be remiss of me not to start my remarks by touching on done here. We know that Japan has a data agreement some of the connections of my city with Japan, because with the US, which allows the free flow of data between they are long and special. Where else to start other than Japan and the US, so people will naturally ask, “Does with Thomas Blake Glover? We have heard numerous that mean that UK citizens’ data could end up, via examples of fantastic Japanese companies that have Japan, being processed in the US, outside UK data borne huge success. Mitsubishi has not been mentioned, protection laws?”I know that is not what the Government but Mitsubishi is indeed one of those, and one of its or the Minister want, and I am sure there are safeguards founding pioneers was Thomas Blake Glover. Thomas to ensure that cannot happen, but nevertheless those Blake Glover House is situated just north of the idyllic are natural concerns that people raise. If a company Brig o’ Balgownie in Aberdeen in the constituency of was processing UK data in America, having routed that my hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Richard through Japan in breach of the agreement and our laws, Thomson), and it is my understanding that Thomas it could be very difficult for the Information Commissioner’s Blake Glover went to school in Old Aberdeen, which is Office to take enforcement action. It is perfectly right in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for that people ask those questions, and I certainly think the Aberdeen North (Kirsty Blackman). It is important ICO could have a role in allaying such fears and concerns. that we reflect on the cultural significance. This is important in the context of other trade agreements because we know that the big technology companies, Andrew Bowie: It would be remiss of us not to speak particularly through their trade bodies, are actively up for my hon. Friend the Member for Banff and Buchan lobbying for trade agreements to be used to lock in (David Duguid), who cannot speak, but is itching to do more liberalisation of data policy and of how data is so, because, of course, Thomas Blake Glover did in fact handled and processed around the world. In America, originate from Fraserburgh in Banff and Buchan. I just they have lobbied successfully for the US-Japan trade thought that I would put that on the record. 919 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 920 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement Stephen Flynn: I thank the hon. Member for his 6.14 pm contribution. He is absolutely correct. Thomas Blake Glover did indeed originate from Fraserburgh, but his Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) (Con): Accounting house is in the Bridge of Don. Hopefully, the hon. for 2% of UK total exports in 2018, Japan is the UK’s Member for Banff and Buchan (David Duguid) will fourth largest export market. By size alone, it is an have discussions with his colleagues in the Conservative-led important one for this country to have secured an FTA council in Aberdeen, and we can perhaps get the house with, and our Ministers are to be congratulated on that fitted back up from its dilapidated state as it stands at achievement. However, it is important that consideration present. is given to what constitutes success or levels of success when looking at this deal, against which later deals will The cultural links between Aberdeen and Japan do be judged. Do we measure success by jobs secured or not stop there. They also extend to the Scottish Samurai jobs to be gained, by tariffs saved or regulations avoided—or awards, which I am sure my colleagues are also aware is it political, defence or strategic gains, all of which can of. They were founded by Mr Ronnie Watt, who I directly or indirectly come out of a trade deal? In this believe is a 9th dan in karate. Ronnie managed not only regard, I have seen reports that complain that the to bring forward the Scottish Samurai awards, which Government have, for the most part, only got the same have been a tremendous success story for Scotland, but as the existing EU deal with Japan; the Opposition also to bring the World Karate Championships to Aberdeen. said that earlier. That is somewhat harsh, as the Ultimately, this entire debate is about trade. In that Government’s stated objective was to roll over existing regard, it is important to reflect on what was said by my EU FTAs. If they have done so, in my book they have hon. Friend the Member for Stirling (Alyn Smith). Is it met their objective. worth it? Again, I will look at matters from a particular Having said that, we still need to understand and set Aberdeen perspective, because, of course, Japan has a out the parameters for future FTA measurements of trade deal with the EU and much of what has been success. The speed of negotiations with Japan has been brought forward by the Government—in fact, almost frenetic. We should look again at the timetable and all of what has been brought forward by the Government learn whether we can make improvements on the timing —is a replication of that trade deal. We are leaving the of future FTA talks, including for scrutiny purposes. I European Union—indeed, we have left it—and the would be interested to hear whether the Minister thinks impact of that on my city will be enormous. Aberdeen is that more could have been achieved at this stage with projected to be the hardest hit city in the entire UK as a more time. result of Brexit. Gross value added is expected to reduce in Aberdeen by around 3% on the basis of a hard I declare any interest that I may have as a non-practising Brexit. Since 2016, Warwick University has outlined solicitor, but it is clear that recognition of professional that around £9,000 per head of population has been qualifications with Japan has simply failed to happen in lost in Aberdeen from investment. the way in which services’ representative organisations had asked for. Will this now be addressed, or will Let me provide some further context. My city is services continue to be treated as the poor relation of bearing the brunt of an oil and gas sector price crash. It manufacturing as we progress with other FTAs? Given is also bearing the brunt of a 75% drop-off in job that services account for 51% of our trade with Japan, vacancies. Universal credit claimants doubled between this is an important issue. March and September, and we are obviously still facing the challenges of covid. The Government have stated their intention that this Japan FTA should act as a stepping stone to the UK When we look at that wider context and we look at acceding to the comprehensive and progressive agreement the damage that Brexit will do to Aberdeen, we have to for trans-Pacific partnership. With 13.5% of global weigh that up against another figure—0.07%. That is GDP and 495 million consumers, this clearly is a big what this trade deal is estimated to bring to the UK deal. Of course, the CPTPP’s predecessor was the trans- economy. It is an absolute drop in the ocean compared Pacific partnership, which was partly a US-inspired with the damage that this Government will do to my effort to marginalise China in the Pacific region. The city and to my country. I am utterly appalled by it. US then withdrew from the TPP, and seemingly now Quite frankly, they should be apologising to the people may be replaced by China. This clearly raises many of Aberdeen for disregarding their democratic views political, as well as trade, questions. I think that the and, alongside that, disregarding the views of the people Government will need to set out their case here at the of Scotland. earliest opportunity. How is this likely to affect our US FTA negotiations? How will we deal with regulatory Of course this trade deal is not just about the trade issues such as the US-based agriculture regulations, deal in itself; it is obviously a precursor to the Government’s which the CPTPP follows? Could this be a rare opportunity intended plan to join the CPTPP, which is all good and to create a new set of rules with China, such as on well, but I caution the Government in that regard treatment of state-owned enterprises, and how does this because, as I am sure they are aware, Canadian exports impact on other CPTPP members that have varying to Japan dropped between 2018 and 2019, while, of levels of issues with China in trade, as well as security course, being members of CPTPP. This is not all about concerns? the land of milk and honey—far from it. You know what, Madam Deputy Speaker,I do wish the Government Let me finish by heading back to the important issue well. I wish them well in trying to secure better trade of scrutiny, process and approval. The Minister will deals. We support trade deals. They are a complete know full well my amendment to the Trade Bill requesting necessity, but, ultimately, at some point very soon, parliamentary approval for FTAs between agreement Scotland will choose a different path where we can and signature. We can go through any processes we like, define our own trading future. but the bottom line is that this Japan deal had to be 921 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 922 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement approved by a vote in the Japanese Parliament, and that The protections given to those important local products is not the case in the UK. A version of my amendment are important, but it has to be said that Japan is not is currently in the other place, and I wish it well. their biggest export market, so their producers will be A further set of Trade Bill amendments is aimed at looking for the successful conclusion of a deal with the modernising the antiquated CRaG system, which currently EU sometime between now and the end of the year, enables, but does not demand, votes on treaty ratification. because that market will matter to us. For example, for CRaG does not allow Parliament to stop a treaty as decades now Orkney cheddar producers have, at the Ministers have previously suggested, but only to delay encouragement of Governments of all colours, moved ratification for 21 days at a time.I note that the Government towards participation in that export market and produced maintain that the speed of the Japan negotiations did a higher-quality product as a consequence. If they are not allow regular updates to Parliament via written now forced to compete on a different basis, and one for ministerial statement. I also note that the EU Committee which tariffs will be payable, that will be a matter of in the other place has suggested a process for the sharing great significance for them. of FTA documents before laying them formally. Is the When we consider trade deals of this sort, it is Minister going to accept this common-sense proposal? sometimes important to think about exactly what impact Likewise, there have been some very late stage letters—sent, they will have on the individual citizen, their daily lives I think, in October—from the Secretary of State to and their rights, liberties and freedoms. In that regard, I Lord Goldsmith and the International Trade Committee hope that those on the Front Bench paid close attention setting out a proposed scrutiny system process. Clearly, to the comments of the hon. Member for Folkestone more needs to be done in this area and it would be good and Hythe (Damian Collins) when he was talking about the to hear the Minister’s comments on that this evening, data protection provisions. Data protection is squirrelled but I would not wish to detract from the importance of away; it is not in a substantive clause but in a footnote this deal to the UK and the further opportunities that it and that causes serious concern for him, me and many will open for us looking forward. others from all parties in this House. The prospect of data being processed and somehow laundered for 6.18 pm onward transmission—particularly to the United States Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): of America, because Japan already has that agreement It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Huntingdon with the USA—should be a significant cause of concern (Mr Djanogly). I will pick up where he left off—on the for us all. question of the scrutiny of this agreement and others I also venture to suggest that if that provision is to be that are yet to come. He is absolutely right; we are very left unamended, it will make it very difficult for us to do much in the early stages of feeling our way back into a future deal with the European Union. I cannot see the this business. I hope that, for future trade agreements, European Union agreeing data transfer with us if the we will see something rather more substantial and detailed prospect remains of our transferring it to Japan for it than on this occasion. then to be onward laundered. The Minister is frowning; To pick up the point made by the hon. Member for I hope he has an answer when he comes to reply. Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish), surely it should be possible for this House to play a more front-loaded role 6.23 pm in relation to scrutiny, because waiting until a signed deal is, in essence, presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con): It is a pleasure to is somewhat unsatisfactory.There must be an opportunity speak in this debate. I commend the right hon. Member for the various Select Committees of this House to for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael) for his speech. engage, follow and scrutinise future deals as they come He speaks about fish, and he and I are universally forward. But that is all for the future; we are where we aligned on the need to make sure that export markets are and it is welcome that we even have this debate. are always open and available to our fishermen and that It is significant that we have a deal with Japan, which fine British fish is on the dinner table around the rest of is a significant trading partner: it is the world’s11th biggest the world. trading nation and our fourth biggest export market. It I thank the House, or at least those on the Government will be a matter of significant relief to the salmon side, for putting me on the International Trade Committee, farmers in my constituency in Orkney and Shetland, for on which it is a pleasure to serve. In the Committee’s whom Japan is an important export market, that we most recent two or three sittings, I have had the opportunity have a deal of this sort that means they will be able to to look at some level at the new deal that has been trade without tariffs. signed with Japan and what we can look forward to in It is also welcome that we have a continuation of the future. very important protected geographic indicators. The I do take the points that were raised about scrutiny, continued protection for Scotch whisky is supremely which are important. My hon. Friend the Member for important for Scotland and for the UK as a whole, and Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) made the exceptionally I am delighted to see that. Of course, it is a continuation important point about the role the Trade and Agriculture of what we already have; it is also important that we Commission is going to have in future trade deals. I continue to have protection for Orkney beef, Orkney represent a constituency with a fine farming background, lamb, Shetland lamb, Shetland organic wool and one as well as a vibrant fishing community. We want to be other that escapes my mind at the moment—I know able to make sure that our ag and trade commission is there are five of them in total. I apologise for the playing the role that it needs to to allow both the offence that I have caused to that particular sector in Committee and this House to have the full breadth of my constituency. It is Orkney cheddar, of course—and understanding of what each trade deal is doing before it is important because I am meeting its representatives we debate it in the House. I know that Ministers have tomorrow. been competent in assuring us that that will happen. 923 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 924 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Anthony Mangnall] about £300 million to Japan. Particularly important for Anglesey is the reduction of tariffs on agricultural The hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Lloyd products. The green fields of Ynys Môn are home to Russell-Moyle) seemed quite happy to say that nothing some of the finest cattle and sheep in our United was quantifiable and then to outline a whole load of Kingdom, and our farmers are some of the most ambitious. figures that he felt were quantifiable just for his argument. Getting to know farmers from NFU Cymru and the Actually,the purpose of the International Trade Committee Farmers Union of Wales has been a privilege. Seeing has been, so far, to look at those deals and scrutinise the hard work they carry out and the determination them in depth. If he is a slow reader, I apologise for they have makes this trade deal even more significant. that, but we are able to get through those documents. In Peter Williams, a local sheep farmer and chairman of this case, I do believe that the information that we were the Anglesey show, said today: given was in good time and good order, and we have “Japan offers new opportunities for farmers across the island.” had the ability not only to scrutinise the information Last year, Welsh agricultural exports to Japan were within this trade deal but to speak to the Secretary of worth £2 million, and now, with the reduction of tariffs, State and to other Ministers and experts on the deal. I am certain that we will see that accelerate. Families The value of this trade deal may easily be able to be across Tokyo will be able to savour the same delicious seen now and in future in how we develop our relationship Welsh lamb at the dinner table that is sold in Raymond’s with the Japanese, but it should also be seen as a mark the butchers next to my office in Holyhead. We also of confidence in the faith that they have in this country expect flagship products such as Welsh lamb and Halen and its future. It should also be seen as the way in which Môn’s Anglesey sea salt to benefit from geographical we can have stronger political co-operation. The ambition indication protection in Japan as early as 2021. That to join the CPTPP is a fantastic one. As Japan is due to will highlight the extraordinary dedication to quality hold the presidency of that organisation in due course, I that sets Welsh farmers apart from the rest of the world. think we can look forward to a successful entry into The House should not just take my word for it; a that organisation and the UK playing a role in an business owner from Anglesey told me today: enormously important part of the world. “We were delighted to see that the UK has negotiated its first Much of what I wanted to say has already been said. trade deal with Japan. Japan is a brilliant country to work with This deal rolls over some of the agreements that Japan and the trust between our two countries ensures that the export had with the EU and that we now have with Japan. As process is straightforward. We look forward to continuing the the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland said, it development of our relationship with our Japanese importer. protects geographical indicators. It also allows us to Growth in Japanese trade will definitely help safeguard Anglesey look at new export markets across the world. As a vote jobs.” of confidence in what the UK can achieve both now This Government and I made a promise to the people and outside the European Union, we should look at the of Ynys Môn at the last election. We promised that we Bill for the success that it is, and we should build on the would deliver the jobs and investment that they needed lessons that we have learned from this negotiation to to see real change in their community. This trade deal is make sure that future trade agreements, say with Canada just one of the many approaches we are taking to fulfil and elsewhere, are as successful and beneficial to all that commitment, and I look forward to seeing how corners of the United Kingdom. producers across Anglesey make the most of this new opportunity. 6.27 pm Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con): It is always a 6.30 pm pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Anthony Mangnall), who is such an eloquent speaker. Imran Ahmad Khan (Wakefield) (Con): It is a delight to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn As we stand on the precipice of 2020 and search for (Virginia Crosbie). visions of 2021, many in this country are hopeful of a brighter future. Not only do we hope that 2021 will see a May I first congratulate the Secretary of State—she vaccine reignite the country’s economy, but we hope is not in her place—on achieving a truly sterling landmark that our departure from the European Union will spark trade deal with Japan, the first of many outside the opportunities for businesses and return sovereignty to European Union? This deal sends a clarion call to the this great Chamber. One such opportunity is the ability international community that the United Kingdom is to form new trade deals like the one we are discussing once again a proud, sovereign, independent trading today. Economic opportunity has the potential not to nation. This deal demonstrates how effective, pragmatic just benefit a single business owner but to change the and nimble the mechanisms of government can be in future of communities and generations. dealing with constructive,like-minded nations in remarkably In my constituency of Ynys Môn, economic opportunity short timeframes. The House may compare and contrast. has been lacking for decades. Underinvestment has seen In an increasingly multipolar and uncertain world, it our island’s GVA drop to one of the lowest in the UK, is crucial that diplomatic links with our allies across the and only with significant effort can we turn this around. globe are underpinned by strong commercial foundations So far, the support from this Government has made it that produce benefits for all. Pessimists claimed that possible to save many jobs across Ynys Môn, and this deal would not be better than the one we could have I know that the innovative Welsh people will continue achieved as part of the European Union. However, as to make best use of the opportunities made available to now proven, that could not be further from the truth. them. In the realm of data provision, the excellent team The UK-Japan trade deal is set to build upon the from DIT has secured a more comprehensive footing 7.6% growth of UK exports to Japan that we saw last for UK firms operating in Japan, allowing them to year. Welsh businesses contributed exported goods worth innovate and expand their businesses. In financial services, 925 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 926 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement crucial gains have been made between Japanese and UK research and testing companyin my constituency,Lucideon, regulators, which will make conducting business easier has told me that the UK-Japan comprehensive economic for firms of both our nations. In the exchange of goods, partnership agreement will support more than £1 million tariffs have been removed to support jobs in the car and of commercial growth for it in the next 12 months. The rail industries in the UK. Liberalisation of rules of agreement makes it easier for such companies to export origin regulations makes things far simpler and cheaper and sell the knowledge and skills of their world-leading for British export producers. I, for one, am looking experts to the highly competitive and highly lucrative forward to seeing Scottish beef give Miyazaki’s own a Japanese market. It also makes it easier for business run for its money. people and skilled workers to travel between our two I commend the British negotiating team for being countries and gives British and Japanese workers more constantly at the disposal of MPs throughout the flexibility to move between them. negotiating period to ensure that input was received and progress monitored. Monthly cross-party sessions Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con): I thank were held with Ministers in the Department for my hon. Friend for her outstanding representation of International Trade, the UK’s chief trade negotiation Stoke-on-Trent. In Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove adviser, Crawford Falconer, and Graham Zebedee, who and Talke, I have the amazing Burleigh Pottery based in headed up the team, to respond comprehensively to Middleport, which saw exports to Japan grow by 60% last questions that I and many parliamentary colleagues year, worth £250,000. Does she agree that this is a fine raised. deal not just for advanced ceramics, but for our traditional This is the first of many steps in repositioning the tableware ceramics as well? UK as a vital international trading power and signals an opportunity for the UK to enter into the comprehensive Jo Gideon: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership. that this is a great deal for Stoke-on-Trent and all the Japan is a key ally, with which we have enjoyed a long Potteries. history of friendship—an ally that has been a beacon of I am delighted that the first deal that the UK has tolerance, pluralism and democracy in the post-war struck as an independent trading nation is with our world. I am confident that we have a close friend and long-standing ally and friend Japan. From having previously ally in the Liberal Democratic party Administration of done business in Japan, and from my personal connections, Yoshihide Suga and am keen for our relationship with I know that the Japanese, just like the British, have a Japan to develop further, so that we may tackle key huge love and respect for quality brands, the highest issues, notably climate change, national security and the standards and excellence in manufacturing. After all, global economic recovery,following the covid-19 pandemic. it is the country that has introduced the concept of kaizen to the world, improving productivity across the 6.34 pm globe. For household names in the UK, such as Emma Jo Gideon (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Con): Is it a Bridgewater, Portmeirion and Wade, all of which pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for manufacture in Stoke-on-Trent Central, the deal presents Wakefield (Imran Ahmad Khan), who is always most a fantastic opportunity to sell more goods and achieve eloquent. I am delighted to have the opportunity to even more brand recognition. speak in this debate at a historic moment for the UK as The deal shows us that, now we have left the European an independent trading nation, and I congratulate the Union, there is not a race to the bottom in standards, as Minister and the International Trade Secretary on doing some naysayers would claim—quite the opposite. The this brilliant deal. It demonstrates that we are ready to Government have placed, and will continue to place, start trading independently from the European Union our shared common values and commitment to high with our allies across the world. standards at the heart of the UK’s trading policy. I have a particular interest in our relationship with In conclusion, the deal is a great step forward for an Japan. Some years ago, I ran a small business importing independent and global Britain. It moves us ever closer handmade paper from around the world, and Japan to joining CPTPP, which will give businesses in my provided products and the source of inspiration. I visited constituency and across the UK tariff-free access to a number of times, once as part of a trade mission. some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. I am The deal is historic, not least because it is the first we extremely enthusiastic about the deal, which is only the have struck since constituencies such as mine voted tip of the iceberg of what the Government can achieve overwhelmingly to leave the European Union. It will for our country as we leave the constraints of the create new and exciting opportunities for businesses in European Union and become a truly independent trading Stoke-on-Trent Central. For many UK businesses, Japan nation. has traditionally been a challenging market to penetrate with multiple barriers to entry,but thanks to the agreement, Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing): We many of those barriers have been eliminated. The cutting are almost at the end of the debate, but if he will take of red tape and removal of barriers between the two only three minutes before I call the Opposition spokesman, countries means that the agreement is a huge win for the I will call Mr Brereton. more than 8,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK that already export goods to Japan, more than 700 of which are based in the west midlands. 6.38 pm With the free trade agreement in place, many more Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con): Thank businesses stand to prosper. I want to encourage more you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a pleasure to follow local businesses to explore the opportunities that trading my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central with Japan can offer. For example, an advanced ceramics (Jo Gideon). 927 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 928 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Jack Brereton] it is clear that trade is set to rise significantly between our two nations, and as a key strategic ally, that is Like the UK, Japan is an island nation—a maritime welcome. However, this is a deal that, according to the trading nation. We have shared values: it is a strong Government’s own calculations in the impact assessment, voice for free trade and the rules-based international will see 83% of the almost £16 billion increase in trade order, as many hon. Members have already said. It was over the next 15 years between the UK and Japan going hugely welcome that Japan was one of the first nations to Japanese exporters, while the share coming to UK to announce that it would seek a mutually improved exporters is just 15%. Clearly, the last thing we should trading future with a post-Brexit UK. As our partnership do is adopt a mercantilist attitude, but a deal five times deepens, I want more of that investment to come to better for the other side’s exporters than for our own Stoke-on-Trent, and for Japanese tourists and buyers to does, I think, merit a little pause for thought. Even come to enjoy the authentic world capital of ceramics. Donald Trump might not have rushed to describe this Like the Japanese, we are keen on tea and fine as a “truly historic” triumph. ceramics—or should I say porcelain?—so at the top, or In May, the Secretary of State published alongside high-value, end of the market for exceptional ceramics, the Department for International Trade’sscoping objectives it is no surprise to find a fusion of Japanese and for a UK-Japan deal, an impact assessment showing the Stoke-on-Trent expertise and artistry.The British-Japanese limited benefits of the deal she was hoping to achieve. ceramicist Reiko Kaneko, whom I was delighted to visit As the impact assessment on the final deal reveals, she in my constituency, has her studio locally. There is also was not even able to reach the sunlit uplands of those Hitomi Hosono—sorry for my pronunciation—who trained limited heights. Not only will our negotiating partners in Japan, Copenhagen and London, but it was at apparently benefit by five times as much as our firms Wedgwood in my constituency that she really made her and employees, but the deal will apparently increase our mark. She is now its artist in residence, and one of the GDP by just 0.07%, and that is in comparison with few who has actually exhibited while still alive at the there not being a deal. British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Strikingly, Ministers claim that the deal they have This is what Stoke-on-Trent can offer to global Britain: negotiated is better than the EU-Japan deal, but they local expertise and local passion at the very top of the provide zero evidence to back up that claim. Despite world class. repeated requests, as again today, from the shadow However, it is not just about those artists; we are also Secretary of State in written parliamentary questions, keen to ensure that earthenware, ceramics, tiles and letters and parliamentary debates, Ministers have refused tableware are increasing their exports to Japan. The UK to estimate what impact the deal has achieved above lags behind EU competitors such as France and Portugal, and beyond the EU-Japan deal. It has been 75 days and we can do a lot better than that. We want to make since the shadow Secretary of State asked the Secretary sure that we are increasing our exports into the Japanese of State why she could claim that her deal goes far market, and this trade agreement will allow us to do beyond the existing EU deal. She again, in her opening that. It is also about ensuring that we secure not just remarks today, did not give us any figures to back up market access, but greater market presence, and a specialist that assertion. One can only assume that the difference DIT adviser for ceramics based in Stoke-on-Trent could between the two deals is marginal at best. be just the way of achieving that. Ceramics manufacturers have certainly welcomed the partnership with Japan, My hon. Friend the Member for Coventry North which is their fourth largest export market. I hope we West (Taiwo Owatemi) rightly drew attention to one of can agree that Stoke-on-Trent ceramics are an iconic the other comments in the impact assessment. The good that we must continue to push locally. Government’s estimates show that as a result of increased imports from Japan arising from the deal, there will be I would like to thank the Secretary of State and the economic costs for the UK—indeed, a long-run fall in Ministers for all they have been doing to push ceramics. employment in chemical, machine and automotive They never fail to mention ceramics in the many trade production as a result of cheaper Japanese imports. agreements we are seeking to secure. It fits very much as There was again no word from the Secretary of State on well with the recent work of VisitBritain, which shows how she plans to help the industries and communities in that this is a place that the Japanese see as the world’s our country affected by those job losses. best destination for revisiting places of nostalgic importance. That is very much about the ceramics industry and the Japan is a valuable export market for our agricultural ceramics that we want to see very much pushed with goods. The tariff reductions agreed in the UK-Japan further trade agreements. trade deal are almost identical to those set out in the EU-Japan deal. Important analysis by the independent 6.41 pm UK Trade Policy Observatory found that there are just Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): While I 11 out of 9,444 products where the tariffs on UK welcome this deal and the recent announcement of the exports are set to be lower under the UK-Japan deal. As Canada deal being rolled over, I am not sure it merits my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South the “truly historic”or “groundbreaking”description that and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry), the shadow Secretary the Secretary of State would have us use to describe it. of State, pointed out, the extra concessions to the UK The problem is that, out of the hearing of the Secretary are striking by the lack of logic behind why Ministers of State and her cheerleaders today, there are very few sought them, as, for example, we have had no exports to experts who think this deal is quite as good as she does. Japan of any of these products, which include dried The more generous suggest privately that it is a deal just eggs and ostrich leather. a little bit worse than the EU agreement, while even the The Secretary of State has also claimed that another more considered suggest that we look at the impact 70 of our food and drink products will be recognised by assessment. On the upside, from that impact assessment Japan under the geographical indication scheme, increasing 929 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 930 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement their value and protecting their brand. I say this gently, be a rule maker? What will be the benefits of CPTPP for but it does appear that the Secretary of State is exaggerating UK exports, jobs and economic growth, and what might just a little. There are only seven, not 70, GIs recognised be the downsides? What we know is that the Secretary in the UK-Japan deal—exactly the same as in the of State has negotiated a deal with Japan that appears EU-Japan deal. All that has been agreed is that the UK to put British farmers and agricultural exporters at the can apply to Japan to have more of our products back of the European queue for tariff-free quota access recognised, with at least two Government Ministries in and that, by her own Department’s analysis, benefits Japan having to be involved and deciding whether or Japanese exporters five times as much as it does British not to grant them. There is absolutely no guarantee of exporters. success. One of the key questions about the deal was whether 6.50 pm the UK would be able to roll over all the anticipated agriculture benefits of the EU-Japan deal into our The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands): This has UK-Japan deal. In some areas, this appears to have been an excellent debate,with speeches from 13 Government been relatively straightforward. Tariff reductions for Back Benchers and six Opposition Members. It is an exports for lamb and beef, for example, are exactly the historic moment, as the Secretary of State outlined. The same in the UK-Japan deal as apply under the EU deal, UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement but there does appear to be one key difference, which is an historic milestone in embracing the opportunities was alluded to in the exchange between the Secretary of of the UK’s future as an independent trading nation. It State and the shadow Secretary of State. The European shows that economic powerhouses such as Japan—the Union has 25 separate tariff-free quotas with Japan for world’s third largest economy—want ambitious deals agricultural goods. The UK has managed to secure with the UK and that it is possible to strike deals that go partial access to just 10. Of those 10, it would appear further and faster than the EU. It not only secures the that the UK gets only what is left after the rest of the benefits of the existing EU agreements, which many—and European Union have had their fill. I will read with particularly the Opposition—said was impossible, but interest the legal letter that the Secretary of State is goes further in a number of key areas such as digital going to release after this debate, but one has to ask why and data, financial services, the protection of geographical such a letter was required and why this was not clarified indicators and rules of origin. It was negotiated in in the text itself. record time, almost entirely virtually. A series of Members have highlighted the need for better scrutiny arrangements for trade deals going forward, Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): Will my right from my right hon. Friend the shadow Secretary of hon. Friend give way? State to my hon. Friends the Members for Leeds North West (Alex Sobel) and for Brighton, Kemptown (Lloyd Greg Hands: I give way to hon. Friend, who was not Russell-Moyle), the hon. Member for Stirling (Alyn able to get into the debate. Smith)—the SNP spokesperson—the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael), and, most Richard Graham: I am very grateful to my right hon. welcome of all, the hon. Members for Wyre Forest Friend. Does he agree that this important free trade (Mark Garnier), for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) agreement is the first of several key UK-Asia goals over and for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins). the next year, including accession to the trans-Pacific Of course, I should emphasise again the shadow partnership, dialogue partner status with the Association Secretary of State’s great thanks to the Secretary of of Southeast Asian Nations, several bilateral market State for being so kind in allowing the House the access initiatives and partnership of the climate change opportunity to have this debate at all. Under the so-called summit in Glasgow? Altogether, this will bring alive the CRaG process for considering trade deals, there is determined strategy of global Britain. absolutely no legal requirement for this type of debate to take place. It is entirely in the Government’s gift. If Greg Hands: My hon. Friend is quite right. He is our the Trade Bill was amended in the other place to demand trade envoy to the ASEAN region and to a couple of the same level of scrutiny as we are applying to the countries there. I was addressing our DIT internal Japan deal today, how could any Member of Parliament teams in the Asia-Pacific region just this week on the reject such a reasonable proposition, given that at the incredible opportunities that this country has there. moment we rely entirely on the generosity of the Government as to whether or not to grant a debate? The deal was negotiated almost entirely virtually. It deepens the economic partnership between two Despite the rather complacent air of the Secretary of like-minded island democracies. It reflects our shared State’s speech, I hope that the Government will not be values and our shared belief in the fundamental principles resting on their laurels. Even after the loss of Algeria, of free and fair trade and the importance of playing Bosnia and Serbia, there are still 11 continuity agreements by the rules. That point was made on both sides of waiting to be agreed, covering some £55 billion of our the House, including by the right hon. Member for trade last year. There are serious questions, too, about Warley (John Spellar) and my right hon. Friend the the UK’s future membership of the CPTPP. It is not a Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt). This done deal; it will warrant serious debate in this House. British-shaped deal strengthens ties between the There are serious questions that the Minister of State world’s third largest and fifth largest economies and will could answer now.When will there be an impact assessment help to drive economic growth in the long run. The setting out what Ministers expect to be the benefits? Government are committed to levelling up the UK, Will we simply have to accept the provisions already in delivering opportunity and unleashing the potential of the CPTPP? Will we be a rule taker, or will we be able to every part of our United Kingdom. 931 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 25 NOVEMBER 2020 UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic 932 Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement [Greg Hands] The hon. Member for Stirling (Alyn Smith) said that the SNP is “pro-trade.” He may not know, but the SNP Weheard in this debate from two former Trade Ministers: of course abstained on the original EU-Canada deal. my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset But he is almost unique. There are only two Members in (Dr Fox), with his excellent and deep understanding of this House who have actually voted against the original world trade, and my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre EU-Canada deal, and he is one of them, from his time Forest (Mark Garnier) on the importance of the as an MEP. So with all of his praise for that original International Trade Committee in scrutinising this deal, he is one of only two Members in this Parliament agreement. We heard from my hon. Friend the Member who has actually voted against it. He has fallen into for Cleethorpes (Martin Vickers), who again showed the trap that the SNP fell into last week of praising that we have proved the naysayers wrong, and from my EU agreements that they actually voted against in the hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Craig first place. Williams) about thriving Wales-Japan trade, particularly The hon. Member for Leeds North West (Alex Sobel) in the area of lamb. spoke about the importance of COP 26 and climate, My right hon. Friend the Member for South West and slightly ridiculed the idea of our joining the CPTPP. Surrey, a former Foreign Secretary, described this as a He claimed that Britain owned the Pitcairn Islands. personal triumph for the Trade Secretary; I entirely Well, it is not the Pitcairn Islands but the 11 members of agree. I can attest at first hand to how much personal the CPTPP that have welcomed the UK’s interest in effort she has put into getting the team to move forward, applying to join—countries such as Japan, Australia, including in the early hours of the day. That has been Canada, New Zealand and so on. incredibly helpful. My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish), who chairs the Environment, The right hon. Member for Warley raised an important Food and Rural Affairs Committee, welcomed the fact point about the unity of liberal democracy, which I have that the Trade and Agriculture Commission was to be mentioned. put on a statutory basis. He also pointed out that Japan I assure the hon. Member for Coventry North West is the world’s largest importer of agrifood. (Taiwo Owatemi) that no harm will be done to the NHS or NHS data by this agreement, but it does help tech Neil Parish: Will my right hon. Friend give way? firms and data firms setting up operations in Japan that they do not have to follow local data localisation rules. Greg Hands: I am afraid I have too many hon. Members That is incredibly important for our tech sector. to respond to. The hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Lloyd My hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Russell-Moyle) spoke about parliamentary scrutiny. He Hythe (Damian Collins) has a keen interest, of course, said that Which? had not been involved. I was the guest in all matters relating to data. I can tell him that I shall speaker at Which?’s national trade conversation just last be meeting the Information Commissioner’s Office in week. He does serve on the Select Committee, but he is the next few weeks. I say to the right hon. Member for not always fully up-to-date with his information. Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael) that he was correct when he made the point that the UK-Japan deal I have already answered the point that the right hon. would not change the current position in relation to Member for Orkney and Shetland raised about data onward transfer of UK personal data from Japan. transfer. Myhon.FriendtheMemberforHuntingdon(MrDjanogly) The hon. Member for Harrow West (Gareth Thomas) made some very important points. He made an important summed up for the official Opposition. He is like the point on services—that it is very important that there is SNP: he never actually supported any of these trade mutual recognition of professional qualifications in deals deals in the first place. He did not support EU-Japan. as we go forward. In recent weeks I have met the architects, He voted against EU-Canada. He voted against EU- the Law Society, the Bar Council and so on. Singapore. So for him to come along today and say that the new UK rolled-over version is somehow inferior to My hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Anthony the trade deal that he might have supported in the Mangnall) said that Japan’s role as chair of the CPTPP past—well, a quick check of Hansard revealed that he this year was really important for our agenda in 2021. never supported any of those deals; in fact he actively My hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Virginia opposed most of them. Crosbie) said that the deal opened up new opportunities for farmers in her constituency. My hon. Friend the It has often been said that an independent UK would Member for Wakefield (Imran Ahmad Khan) praised not be able to strike major trade deals, or that at the the DIT’s outreach to MPs. That has been a priority of very least such deals would be bad and take years to the Secretary of State, me and the entire team. conclude. But even in the midst of this terrible pandemic Then we had the entire Conservative team from Stoke, we have proven the naysayers wrong, as my hon. Friend lined up geographically in order, South, Central and the Member for Cleethorpes also nobly said. We have North—the sort of line-up that Alan Hudson would secured provisions as good as the EU’s on all our have been proud of in the 1970s, in his Stoke City objectives and gone beyond them in some key areas, pomp—making the point again and again how important securing vital priorities for the UK. trade is going to be for the future of that great city. We This deal benefits all parts of our country while heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent protecting our red lines on areas such as the NHS and Central (Jo Gideon) of her business and personal food standards. It is a sign and a signal that we are back connections with Japan, and her commitment to quality. as an independent trading nation, as a major force of It has been a great effort. I know how supportive the global trade, and as a country that stands up for free whole Stoke team has been of the DIT’s efforts. enterprise and liberal values across the world. Using 933 25 NOVEMBER 2020 934 our newfound independence as an optimistic, outward- Mental Health Support: Policing looking trading nation, once again we are embracing That this House the golden opportunities ahead for global trade, visibly Motion made, and Question proposed, do now adjourn.— shown in this UK-Japan comprehensive economic (David Duguid.) partnership agreement. 7.1 pm Question put and agreed to. Resolved, GregSmith(Buckingham)(Con):Policingandsupporting our police officers are both enormously important to That this House has considered the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. me. I have worked with police officers throughout my political career, especially during my 12 years in local government, and every single police officer who serves Business without Debate has my absolute and total respect and thanks for all that they do to keep us safe, often putting themselves in DELEGATED LEGISLATION dangerous situations to do so. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing I also speak as someone who grew up with policing. Order No. 118(6)), My father served for 31 years. As I reflected on the subject of tonight’s debate, it struck me how policing EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION (IMMIGRATION) changed so much throughout his career and continues That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) to do so to this day. When he joined the Birmingham (Amendment) (EU Exit) Order 2020, which was laid before this City police in 1970, he was issued with the usual tunic House on 22 October, be approved.—(David Duguid.) and a truncheon and sent out on patrol. By the time he Question agreed to. retired from the Metropolitan police in 2001, stab vests had already become the norm and ASPs had replaced Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing truncheons. As I joined officers in Aylesbury Vale a few Order No. 118(6)), Fridays ago to see first hand their day-to-day operations, it struck me how it had become necessary for so many TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING to carry a taser. That the draft Business and Planning Act 2020 (London Spatial Development Strategy) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) The inspiration for this Adjournment debate came Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 2 November, from my constituent Sam Smith—for the record, he is be approved.—(David Duguid.) not a relative—who came to my surgery with a number Question agreed to. of very well researched points about mental health support in policing, which I shall put to the House and my hon. Friend the Minister in the hope that they will PETITION be addressed. To set the scene, my constituent is an ex-police officer Support for post offices who served for three years on the frontline. Unfortunately he had to leave service a year ago because of struggles 7 pm with his mental health caused by the trauma experienced in policing. He reports that throughout his short policing Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): I rise career very little support was offered for his mental to present a petition from the residents of Kilmarnock health and he points to a strong stigma around mental and Loudoun regarding the sub-postmasters who keep wellbeing in general. It came as a surprise to him when our post offices open. We all know that post offices are he found out from a survey of nearly 17,000 serving often the lifeblood of communities, even more so with officers and operational staff last autumn—conducted the closure of banks in so many communities across by the University of Cambridge and funded by the the UK. charity Police Care UK, and entitled “The Job & The The petition states: Life”—that 90% of police workers had been exposed to The petition of residents of Kilmarnock and Loudoun, trauma, and almost one in five suffers with a form of Declares that sub postmasters and their staff carry out valuable post-traumatic stress disorder or complex post-traumatic work daily to support their local communities; further declares stress disorder. Those who work in law enforcement are that they provide financial services that ensure the physical and almost five times more likely to develop PTSD than the psychological wellbeing of vulnerable people; and further declares general UK population. that all sub postmasters should be commended for their efforts and their role should be preserved by a UK Government commitment To give a flavour of what our police officers face on a to the Post Office network. daily basis, the British Transport police were in touch The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons with me this week. The nature of BTP’s work means urges the Government to ensure the extension of the Post Office that their officers regularly deal with the most traumatic subsidy beyond 2021; and make a formal statement on the integral of incidents. For example, tragically about 300 people role that sub postmasters play in supporting their communities. take their own lives on the railway each year and British And the petitioners remain, etc Transport police officers attend and manage all of those [P002630] incidents. Some 40% of BTP staff are impacted by one of these incidents every year and over 1,000 staff are impacted by two or more. Going back to the survey, among the 80% without clinical levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, half reported overall fatigue, anxiety and trouble sleeping. It is concerning that this information is not regularly 935 Mental Health Support: Policing25 NOVEMBER 2020 Mental Health Support: Policing 936

[Greg Smith] mental health made headline news in May last year. The research highlights areas in which police officers are not provided to officers during their initial training, so that given adequate opportunity to look after their own they can be aware of the dangers of the job for their mental health or that of others. For example, 93% of mental health. If someone tried to join the police while officers who reported a psychological issue as a result of suffering from PTSD it is unlikely they would be considered work said that they would still go to work as usual, and medically fit, so it is worrying that we are allowing so 73% of those with possible or probable PTSD have not many officers to struggle with their mental health and been diagnosed and may not even know that they have go through trauma while being responsible for the it. This represents a huge human cost to police officers’ safety of members of the public. Another sad statistic wellbeing, and the implications for performance and from the Office for National Statistics data is that public safety do not bear thinking about. With figures approximately one officer every two weeks is taking like these, I put it to my hon. Friend the Minister that their own life. The true number and risk is hard to change is required. quantify, as not all police forces in the UK are separately For a long time now, mental health has come second recording this data. to physical health. The statistics show that mental illness After experiencing the inadequate support currently is as dangerous to a police officer’s health as physical available for officer mental health, my constituent decided injury, and we therefore need to give mental health the to start a campaign for change. Through his experiences same attention that physical health has received for so he felt that there was a lack of prevention and support many years. The College of Policing is working on for resilience to help avoid mental health issues and he creating a national curriculum for police safety training. believes that his force at the time concentrated on This is the training that focuses on the physical side of aftercare, which he informs me is poorly advertised and policing. Police safety training was reviewed after the rarely used. Officers’ experiences are unique to the force tragic death of PC Harper last year,and it was unanimously they are serving in, so the level of care that officers agreed by all chief constables that the training should receive comes down to individual forces. That position be consistent across forces,as there were major discrepancies is backed up by Gill Scott-Moore, the chief executive of in the quality of training across the board. I put it to the Police Care UK, who said: House that mental health and trauma resilience should “There is no comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue of feature as a key component to that officer safety training. mental health in policing, and that has to change.” By creating a new, pragmatic, national approach, the Indeed, there is no Government mandate or minimum Home Office could guarantee that every force would standard for forces’ management of trauma exposure or meet the agreed and expected standard to best protect mental health, and no requirement for anything to our officers. Initiatives such as the national wellbeing improve. This has led to a mix of positive and negative service are very welcome. However, Police Care UK’s experiences for officers struggling with mental health. research with the University of Cambridge illustrates that there is an over-reliance on generic NHS services. Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD): I apologise As long as police officers and staff are on NHS waiting for missing the start of this very important debate. As a lists, the existing national approach can hope to have former police officer myself, I am aware of this issue only limited success. Challenges such as these have and the additional burden that police officers face in already been recognised by the NHS, which has set up supporting people who also have their own mental its own specialist service to support the mental health of health challenges. One constituent contacted me to say its doctors through practitioner health programmes. that they had tried to take their own life but had been There needs to be an equivalent for our police. stopped by police officers. The officers said that they My constituent’s campaign therefore proposes that wished they could do more, but that they were not the same is needed for mental health in the police force, trained in mental health. Indeed, today Deputy Chief and that a 360° approach to mental health needs to be Constable Will Kerr, at a Scottish Police Authority adopted. This would include prevention through education, board meeting, said that the maintained resiliency and aftercare, so that no matter “level of demand has outstripped capacity” what stage someone was at in their policing career, they and Police Scotland’s would be better protected from the overwhelmingly high chances of being a victim. In particular, mental “professional ability to deal with” health prevention and education on officers’ personal those with mental health issues. The hon. Gentleman is welfare are widely missed, and training currently focuses talking so compassionately about the experience of only on dealing with mental health in the community. police officers. Does he agree that we need to make sure The fully encompassing approach should also increase that police officers have mental health support to give awareness of the existing aftercare support that is currently to other people? being underused. This consistent and fair approach would also help to Greg Smith: I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. break the long-standing stigma around mental health in I agree with her, particularly on her point about training. policing. The benefits of this would go far beyond I will come on to that later on in my speech. protecting those who serve; it would mean that police My constituent found in his research that, although it officers were able to carry out their duty more safely is a near costless process, not all forces are recording and be at less risk from finding themselves in situations tragic police suicides separately, so they cannot feed in where they were being investigated, for example, for to the work we must do to prevent those suicides taking misconduct. It would reduce long-term sickness and place. The research by the charity Police Care UK and better retain experienced police officers who would the University of Cambridge into police trauma and otherwise have their careers cut short. While this is not 937 Mental Health Support: Policing25 NOVEMBER 2020 Mental Health Support: Policing 938 about money, the long-term financial savings would safety and wellbeing, particularly with the police covenant outweigh the short-term spending required to implement galloping towards us, more of which I will speak about the new approach. in a moment. I also thank my hon. Friend’s constituent, Sam Smith, The fear is that, without Government intervention who has had the courage to be frank about his personal and guidance, the 43 individual forces will continue to circumstances and has used those experiences to inform go off in different directions, and someone’s mental a body of work that he has been able to take to my hon. wellbeing should not be put down to the luck of which Friend, and I sincerely thank my hon. Friend for taking police force they are located in. We are showing a lack this opportunity to put them before the House. of equality not only in the way we view mental health but across the wider policing family. The police covenant Our brave police officers do an extraordinary job in offers the perfect opportunity for my hon. Friend the the most difficult circumstances, keeping us safe day in, Minister to listen to these concerns and to instigate day out. The job of a police officer can be very, very simple, specific and vital changes to managing police tough. Many of them face more danger in a single day mental health across the UK, such as monitoring PTSD than we may see in months, years or indeed a lifetime. prevalence and suicide rates. Providing the police with a We have only to look at the tragic deaths of Thames full support network for both physical and mental Valley officer PC Andrew Harper, and Sergeant Matt health is the very least we can do. Ratana of the Met, as examples of where officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their extraordinary bravery It is clear that no force would send an officer to a will not be forgotten. stabbing without a stab-proof vest, so why do we as a Our police continue to serve our country courageously. country continue to send them into repeated trauma Their commitment to protecting and supporting their without the knowledge of how to safely manage their communities has shone through in the role that they own mental health? Unlike physical health, mental health have played in the response to the pandemic. Across the is too often invisible, but it is there and we cannot policing family, those who go to work to keep the ignore it. Mental illness affects not just the person country safe are truly the best of us. It is therefore suffering; it can destroy entire families and cause great absolutely right that we ensure that they are supported heartache for years to come. The question for my hon. every step of the way. Friend is this: will she support and help implement a Of course the work of the police involves dealing change nationally to provide equal standards of mental with traumatic incidents and helping some of the most health welfare, training, support and access to therapy vulnerable people in our society. This is not a job that for every officer that serves for Queen and country no they can leave at the office. Indeed, I would not call it a matter what force they are in? job; I would call it a vocation. The pressures of the role Crucially, any initiatives introduced need to make can leave their mark on a person’s personal and family provision for addressing the backlog of cases that need life as well. As I say, I very much bear in mind the family support. Police Care UK has seen a fivefold increase in experiences of a serving officer as well. I know from my demand for therapy over the past 12 months alone. Will portfolio about the effect of working on, for example, a my hon. Friend the Minister back this campaign? Will case involving the sexual exploitation and abuse of she make it mandatory that all police forces in the children; or the impact on an officer arriving at the United Kingdom show consistency and record those scene of a domestic homicide; or even, as we have seen PTSD prevalence rates and those sad tragic suicides? As in recent weeks, the impact on an officer arriving at a Dr Jessica Miller of the University of Cambridge says: terrorist incident and having to run towards that danger, not knowing what they may face. Those are extraordinary “A stiff upper lip attitude will not work in contemporary experiences, which leave terrible marks on police officers policing. Without decent interventions and monitoring for trauma impact and a national conversation involving the Home Office who have to deal with them. and the Department of Health, the alarming levels of PTSD our It is absolutely right that we ensure that the mental study has uncovered will stay the same.” health and wellbeing of our police is a priority, which is Every single day, police officers across the country face why this Government have invested £7.5 million in a risks—dangerous risks—defending our communities. I new national police wellbeing service. The service is was proud to stand on a manifesto that committed to available to every officer in England and Wales; policing backing our police by equipping officers with the powers is devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so they and tools that they need to protect us, including Tasers are responsible for their arrangements. The service was and body cameras. It is now time that we increased built up following two years of development and piloting, steps to look after their mental health, too. and was launched in April 2019. It provides evidence-based guidance, advice, tools and resources that can be accessed by forces, and individual officers and staff. There is an 7.16 pm emphasis on prevention and on identifying mental health The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the issues early so that officers and staff can get help before Home Department (Victoria Atkins): I congratulate my a problem takes hold. hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Greg Smith) The service offers a wide range of support and guidance, on securing this debate on this important subject, but including an outreach service of bespoke wellbeing may I go further than that and thank him for bringing vans that are being deployed to police stations, providing his experiences as the proud son of a police officer into physical, psychological and financial health checks for the Chamber and indeed thank his father for his 31 years officers and staff. It also includes psychological risk of public service? Those experiences and that service management to clarify potential problems and identify will help, I am sure, to influence and inform the debates suitable interventions such as counselling, further referral, that we will have in the future on the vital topic of police or, in some cases, signposting to information, advice 939 Mental Health Support: Policing25 NOVEMBER 2020 Mental Health Support: Policing 940

[Victoria Atkins] make the right investments and ensure the highest quality standards in this area, and we intend for that to be a key or training. There is also trauma and post-incident priority under the remit of the police covenant. All of management to help officers and staff who have dealt that work provides a great opportunity for us to make a with traumatic incidents, considering how individual difference to the lives of those working in policing and officers and people may respond differently. their families, and we will continue to work closely with policing partners to ensure that the change makes a real Wendy Chamberlain: As a police officer, I remember difference to police officers and families. paying my monthly subs to the national police treatment As I have said, our police make enormous sacrifices centre in Auchterarder and the one in Harrogate as to protect us in hugely challenging circumstances, and well. I would be interested to know the Minister’s they deserve our respect and our support, so it is utterly thoughts on the work of those centres, and how they shameful to see that some individuals think it is acceptable complement the covenant that she is describing. to attack them. That can not only cause physical injuries, but serious psychological impacts.Wehave been completely Victoria Atkins: I am about to come to the covenant, clear that we will not stand for the police enduring but I am just setting out the wellbeing service. It has violence and abuse while doing their critical work. been created very much with the police to ensure that We are pleased to see that the review into officer and we address the issues that they face, but we do not for a staff safety conducted by the National Police Chiefs’ moment pretend that we have completed the job. We are Council has included as one of its recommendations conscious that this is a journey of progress and we want that chief constables should implement the seven-point to do more. In summary, the service is designed to plan developed by Hampshire constabulary. It sets out ensure that support is available for police before, during what officers and staff should expect from their force if and after a traumatic incident, but we want to go even they have been a victim of an assault. It is vital that, further to ensure that our police get the support and should these awful incidents happen, police officers and protection they need. A crucial strand of that is the staff are provided with the right care to help prevent a police covenant, which my hon. Friend the Member for lasting impact on their health and wellbeing. We are Buckingham has mentioned. We are working at pace to also clear that those convicted of such assaults should introduce the covenant in legislation, and are committed face the full force of law, which is why we have announced to ensuring that it has a meaningful impact on those our intention to legislate to double the maximum penalty working within or retired from policing roles, whether for assaults on emergency workers from 12 months to paid or as a volunteer. two years. We will continue to work with the Ministry The covenant marks an important moment for the of Justice to ensure that assaults on police officers and country to recognise the policing family’shuge contribution firefighters are handled with appropriate severity across to our society.We expect to establish a robust governance the criminal justice system. structure in the coming months to drive progress, and In conclusion, our police are among the most selfless policing partners have already been involved in these and courageous members of our society. They run discussions. The covenant will be enshrined in law, and towards danger to protect the public. They put their the Home Secretary will have a duty to report annually lives on the line every day. They perform their duties on progress.This legislation will be introduced in Parliament with skill and professionalism, all in the name of keeping later this Session. Our focus will be on health and our communities safe. In recognition of all that they do, wellbeing, physical protection and support for families, it is our responsibility to make sure they get every and we are in no doubt that we must focus on mental possible support, and I hope I have been able to demonstrate health support, building on the work already done by to my hon. Friend and to colleagues across the House the national police wellbeing service. how seriously the Government take our responsibility To support that, we must all ensure that occupational to support our police, and the steps that we intend to health standards are embedded consistently within forces, take to do even more. which is a point that my hon. Friend the Member for Question put and agreed to. Buckingham has made. The national police wellbeing service has been working hard to drive that, but we have 7.27 pm to make sure that forces have the right people, who House adjourned. 941 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Deferred Division 942

Deferred Division Freer, Mike Knight, rh Sir Greg Fuller, Richard Knight, Julian Fysh, Mr Marcus Kruger, Danny EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION Gale, rh Sir Roger Kwarteng, rh Kwasi (CONSTITUTIONAL LAW) Garnier, Mark Lamont, John That the draft European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Relevant Ghani, Ms Nusrat Largan, Robert Court) (Retained EU Case Law) Regulations 2020, which were Gibb, rh Nick Latham, Mrs Pauline laid before this House on 15 October, be approved. Gibson, Peter Leadsom, rh Andrea The House divided: Ayes 354, Noes 261. Gideon, Jo Leigh, rh Sir Edward Division No. 173] Gillan, rh Dame Cheryl Levy, Ian Girvan, Paul Lewer, Andrew AYES Glen, John Lewis, rh Brandon Goodwill, rh Mr Robert Lewis, rh Dr Julian Adams, Nigel Churchill, Jo Gove, rh Michael Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Afolami, Bim Clarke, Mr Simon Grant, Mrs Helen Lockhart, Carla Afriyie, Adam Clarke, Theo Gray, James Loder, Chris Ahmad Khan, Imran Clarke-Smith, Brendan Grayling, rh Chris Logan, Mark Aiken, Nickie Clarkson, Chris Green, Chris Longhi, Marco Aldous, Peter Cleverly, rh James Green, rh Damian Lopez, Julia Allan, Lucy Clifton-Brown, Sir Geoffrey Griffith, Andrew Lopresti, Jack Amess, Sir David Coffey, rh Dr Thérèse Griffiths, Kate Lord, Mr Jonathan Anderson, Lee Colburn, Elliot Grundy, James Loughton, Tim Anderson, Stuart Collins, Damian Gullis, Jonathan Mackinlay, Craig Andrew, Stuart Costa, Alberto Halfon, rh Robert Mackrory, Cherilyn Ansell, Caroline Courts, Robert Hall, Luke Maclean, Rachel Argar, Edward Coutinho, Claire Hammond, Stephen Mak, Alan Atherton, Sarah Cox, rh Mr Geoffrey Hancock, rh Matt Malthouse, Kit Atkins, Victoria Crabb, rh Stephen Hands, rh Greg Mann, Scott Bacon, Gareth Crosbie, Virginia Harper, rh Mr Mark Marson, Julie Bacon, Mr Richard Crouch, Tracey Harris, Rebecca May, rh Mrs Theresa Badenoch, Kemi Daly, James Hart, Sally-Ann Mayhew, Jerome Bailey, Shaun Davies, David T. C. Hart, rh Simon Maynard, Paul Baillie, Siobhan Davies, Gareth Hayes, rh Sir John McCartney, Jason Baker, Duncan Davies, Dr James Heald, rh Sir Oliver McCartney, Karl Baldwin, Harriett Davies, Mims Heappey, James McPartland, Stephen Barclay, rh Steve Davis, rh Mr David Heaton-Harris, Chris Menzies, Mark Baron, Mr John Davison, Dehenna Henderson, Gordon Mercer, Johnny Baynes, Simon Dinenage, Caroline Henry, Darren Merriman, Huw Bell, Aaron Dines, Miss Sarah Higginbotham, Antony Metcalfe, Stephen Benton, Scott Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hinds, rh Damian Millar, Robin Beresford, Sir Paul Docherty, Leo Hoare, Simon Miller, rh Mrs Maria Berry, rh Jake Donaldson, rh Sir Jeffrey M. Holden, Mr Richard Milling, rh Amanda Bhatti, Saqib Donelan, Michelle Hollinrake, Kevin Mills, Nigel Blackman, Bob Dorries, Ms Nadine Hollobone, Mr Philip Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Blunt, Crispin Double, Steve Holloway, Adam Mohindra, Mr Gagan Bone, Mr Peter Dowden, rh Oliver Holmes, Paul Moore, Damien Bottomley, Sir Peter Doyle-Price, Jackie Howell, John Moore, Robbie Bowie, Andrew Drax, Richard Howell, Paul Mordaunt, rh Penny Bradley, Ben Drummond, Mrs Flick Huddleston, Nigel Morris, Anne Marie Bradley, rh Karen Duddridge, James Hudson, Dr Neil Morris, David Brady, Sir Graham Duguid, David Hughes, Eddie Morris, James Braverman, rh Suella Duncan Smith, rh Sir Iain Hunt, Jane Morrissey, Joy Brereton, Jack Dunne, rh Philip Hunt, rh Jeremy Morton, Wendy Bridgen, Andrew Eastwood, Mark Hunt, Tom Mullan, Dr Kieran Brine, Steve Edwards, Ruth Jack, rh Mr Alister Mumby-Croft, Holly Britcliffe, Sara Ellis, rh Michael Javid, rh Sajid Mundell, rh David Brokenshire, rh James Ellwood, rh Mr Tobias Jayawardena, Mr Ranil Murray, Mrs Sheryll Browne, Anthony Elphicke, Mrs Natalie Jenkinson, Mark Murrison, rh Dr Andrew Bruce, Fiona Eustice, rh George Jenkyns, Andrea Neill, Sir Robert Buchan, Felicity Evans, Dr Luke Jenrick, rh Robert Nici, Lia Buckland, rh Robert Evennett, rh Sir David Johnson, rh Boris Nokes, rh Caroline Burghart, Alex Everitt, Ben Burns, rh Conor Fabricant, Michael Johnson, Dr Caroline Norman, rh Jesse Butler, Rob Farris, Laura Johnson, Gareth O’Brien, Neil Cairns, rh Alun Fletcher, Katherine Johnston, David Offord, Dr Matthew Campbell, Mr Gregory Fletcher, Mark Jones, Andrew Opperman, Guy Carter, Andy Fletcher, Nick Jones, rh Mr David Paisley, Ian Cartlidge, James Ford, Vicky Jones, Fay Parish, Neil Cash, Sir William Foster, Kevin Jones, Mr Marcus Patel, rh Priti Cates, Miriam Fox, rh Dr Liam Jupp, Simon Paterson, rh Mr Owen Caulfield, Maria Francois, rh Mr Mark Kawczynski, Daniel Pawsey, Mark Chalk, Alex Frazer, Lucy Kearns, Alicia Penning, rh Sir Mike Chishti, Rehman Freeman, George Keegan, Gillian Penrose, John 943 Deferred Division 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Deferred Division 944

Percy, Andrew Stevenson, John Cooper, Daisy Hosie, Stewart Philp, Chris Stewart, Bob Cooper, Rosie Howarth, rh Sir George Pincher, rh Christopher Stewart, Iain Cooper, rh Yvette Huq, Dr Rupa Poulter, Dr Dan Streeter, Sir Gary Corbyn, rh Jeremy Hussain, Imran Pow, Rebecca Stride, rh Mel Cowan, Ronnie Jardine, Christine Prentis, Victoria Stuart, Graham Coyle, Neil Jarvis, Dan Pritchard, Mark Sturdy, Julian Crawley, Angela Johnson, Dame Diana Pursglove, Tom Sunderland, James Creasy, Stella Johnson, Kim Quin, Jeremy Swayne, rh Sir Desmond Cruddas, Jon Jones, Darren Quince, Will Syms, Sir Robert Cryer, John Jones, Gerald Raab, rh Dominic Thomas, Derek Cummins, Judith Jones, rh Mr Kevan Randall, Tom Throup, Maggie Cunningham, Alex Jones, Ruth Rees-Mogg, rh Mr Jacob Timpson, Edward Daby, Janet Jones, Sarah Richards, Nicola Tolhurst, Kelly Davey, rh Ed Kane, Mike Richardson, Angela Tomlinson, Justin David, Wayne Keeley, Barbara Roberts, Rob Tomlinson, Michael Davies-Jones, Alex Kendall, Liz Robertson, Mr Laurence Tracey, Craig Day, Martyn Khan, Afzal Robinson, Gavin Trevelyan, rh Anne-Marie De Cordova, Marsha Kinnock, Stephen Robinson, Mary Trott, Laura Debbonaire, Thangam Kyle, Peter Rosindell, Andrew Truss, rh Elizabeth Dhesi, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Lake, Ben Ross, Douglas Tugendhat, Tom Docherty-Hughes, Martin Lammy, rh Mr David Rowley, Lee Vara, Mr Shailesh Doogan, Dave Lavery, Ian Russell, Dean Vickers, Martin Dorans, Allan Law, Chris Rutley, David Vickers, Matt Dowd, Peter Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Sambrook, Gary Villiers, rh Theresa Dromey, Jack Lewis, Clive Saxby, Selaine Wakeford, Christian Duffield, Rosie Linden, David Scully, Paul Walker, Mr Robin Eagle, Ms Angela Lloyd, Tony Seely, Bob Wallace, rh Mr Ben Eagle, Maria Long Bailey, Rebecca Selous, Andrew Wallis, Dr Jamie Edwards, Jonathan Lucas, Caroline Shannon, Jim Warburton, David Elliott, Julie Lynch, Holly Shapps, rh Grant Warman, Matt Elmore, Chris MacAskill, Kenny Sharma, rh Alok Watling, Giles Eshalomi, Florence MacNeil, Angus Brendan Shelbrooke, rh Alec Webb, Suzanne Esterson, Bill Madders, Justin Simmonds, David Whately, Helen Farron, Tim Mahmood, Mr Khalid Skidmore, rh Chris Wheeler, Mrs Heather Farry, Stephen Mahmood, Shabana Smith, Chloe Whittaker, Craig Fellows, Marion Malhotra, Seema Smith, Greg Whittingdale, rh Mr John Ferrier, Margaret Maskell, Rachael Smith, Henry Wiggin, Bill Fletcher, Colleen Matheson, Christian Smith, rh Julian Wild, James Flynn, Stephen Mc Nally, John Smith, Royston Williams, Craig Fovargue, Yvonne McCabe, Steve Solloway, Amanda Williamson, rh Gavin Foxcroft, Vicky McCarthy, Kerry Spencer, Dr Ben Wood, Mike Foy, Mary Kelly McDonagh, Siobhain Spencer, rh Mark Wragg, Mr William Furniss, Gill McDonald, Andy Stafford, Alexander Wright, rh Jeremy Gibson, Patricia McDonald, Stewart Malcolm Stephenson, Andrew Young, Jacob Gill, Preet Kaur McDonald, Stuart C. Stevenson, Jane Zahawi, Nadhim Glindon, Mary McDonnell, rh John Grady, Patrick McFadden, rh Mr Pat NOES Grant, Peter McGinn, Conor Gray, Neil McGovern, Alison Abbott, rh Ms Diane Brennan, Kevin Green, Kate McKinnell, Catherine Abrahams, Debbie Brock, Deidre Greenwood, Lilian McLaughlin, Anne Ali, Rushanara Brown, Alan Greenwood, Margaret McMahon, Jim Ali, Tahir Brown, Ms Lyn Griffith, Nia McMorrin, Anna Allin-Khan, Dr Rosena Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Gwynne, Andrew Mearns, Ian Amesbury, Mike Bryant, Chris Haigh, Louise Miliband, rh Edward Anderson, Fleur Buck, Ms Karen Hamilton, Fabian Mishra, Navendu Antoniazzi, Tonia Burgon, Richard Hanna, Claire Monaghan, Carol Ashworth, Jonathan Butler, Dawn Hanvey, Neale Moran, Layla Bardell, Hannah Byrne, Ian Hardy, Emma Morden, Jessica Barker, Paula Byrne, rh Liam Harman, rh Ms Harriet Morgan, Stephen Beckett, rh Margaret Cadbury, Ruth Harris, Carolyn Morris, Grahame Begum, Apsana Callaghan, Amy Hayes, Helen Murray, Ian Benn, rh Hilary Cameron, Dr Lisa Healey, rh John Murray, James Betts, Mr Clive Campbell, rh Sir Alan Hendrick, Sir Mark Nandy, Lisa Black, Mhairi Carden, Dan Hendry, Drew Newlands, Gavin Blackford, rh Ian Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hill, Mike Nichols, Charlotte Blackman, Kirsty Chamberlain, Wendy Hillier, Meg Nicolson, John Blake, Olivia Champion, Sarah Hobhouse, Wera Norris, Alex Blomfield, Paul Chapman, Douglas Hodge, rh Dame Margaret O’Hara, Brendan Bonnar, Steven Charalambous, Bambos Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Olney, Sarah Brabin, Tracy Cherry, Joanna Hollern, Kate Onwurah, Chi Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Clark, Feryal Hopkins, Rachel Oppong-Asare, Abena 945 Deferred Division 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Deferred Division 946

Osamor, Kate Rodda, Matt Stringer, Graham Vaz, rh Valerie Osborne, Kate Russell-Moyle, Lloyd Sultana, Zarah Webbe, Claudia Oswald, Kirsten Saville Roberts, rh Liz Tami, rh Mark West, Catherine Owatemi, Taiwo Shah, Naz Tarry, Sam Western, Matt Owen, Sarah Sharma, Mr Virendra Thewliss, Alison Whitehead, Dr Alan Peacock, Stephanie Sheerman, Mr Barry Thomas, Gareth Whitford, Dr Philippa Pennycook, Matthew Sheppard, Tommy Thomas-Symonds, Nick Whitley, Mick Perkins, Mr Toby Siddiq, Tulip Thompson, Owen Whittome, Nadia Phillips, Jess Slaughter, Andy Thomson, Richard Williams, Hywel Phillipson, Bridget Smith, Alyn Thornberry, rh Emily Pollard, Luke Smith, Cat Timms, rh Stephen Wilson, Munira Powell, Lucy Smith, Jeff Trickett, Jon Winter, Beth Qureshi, Yasmin Smith, Nick Turner, Karl Wishart, Pete Rayner, Angela Smyth, Karin Twigg, Derek Yasin, Mohammad Reed, Steve Sobel, Alex Twist, Liz Zeichner, Daniel Rees, Christina Spellar, rh John Reeves, Ellie Starmer, rh Keir Question accordingly agreed to. Reeves, Rachel Stephens, Chris Reynolds, Jonathan Stevens, Jo Below is the list of Members currently certified as Ribeiro-Addy, Bell Stone, Jamie eligible for a proxy vote, and of the Members nominated Rimmer, Ms Marie Streeting, Wes as their proxy. 947 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 948

Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

The following is the list of Members currently certified Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) Chris Elmore as eligible for a proxy vote, and of the Members nominated (Lab) as their proxy: Saqib Bhatti (Meriden) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mhairi Black (Paisley and Patrick Grady Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Patrick Grady Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lochaber) (SNP) North and Stoke Newington) (Lab) Bob Blackman (Harrow East) Stuart Andrew (Con) Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East Chris Elmore and Saddleworth) (Lab) Kirsty Blackman (Aberdeen Patrick Grady North) (SNP) Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) Stuart Andrew (Con) Olivia Blake (Sheffield, Hallam) Chris Elmore (Lab) Imran Ahmad Khan (Wakefield) Stuart Andrew (Con) Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Chris Elmore Central) (Lab) Nickie Aiken (Cities of London Stuart Andrew and Westminster) (Con) Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con) Stuart Andrew Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green Chris Elmore Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) Stuart Andrew and Bow) (Lab) (Con) Tahir Ali (Birmingham, Hall Chris Elmore Steven Bonnar (Coatbridge, Patrick Grady Green) (Lab) Chryston and Bellshill) (SNP) Lucy Allan (Telford) (Con) Mark Spencer Andrew Bowie (West Stuart Andrew Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Tooting) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen) Chris Elmore Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) Chris Elmore (Lab/Co-op) (Lab) Ben Bradley (Mansfield) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sir David Amess (Southend Stuart Andrew West) (Con) Mr Ben Bradshaw(Exeter) (Lab) Chris Elmore Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab) Chris Elmore Suella Braverman (Fareham) Stuart Andrew Lee Anderson (Ashfield) (Con) Mark Spencer (Con) Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West ) Chris Elmore (Wolverhampton South West) (Lab) (Con) Andrew Bridgen (North West Stuart Andrew Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne) Stuart Andrew Leicestershire) (Con) (Con) Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con) William Wragg Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower) (Lab) Chris Elmore Sara Britcliffe (Hyndburn) (Con) Stuart Andrew Edward Argar (Charnwood) Stuart Andrew Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North Patrick Grady (Con) and Leith) (SNP) Sarah Atherton (Wrexham) Stuart Andrew James Brokenshire (Old Bexley Stuart Andrew (Con) and Sidcup) (Con) Victoria Atkins (Louth and Stuart Andrew Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Patrick Grady Horncastle) (Con) Loudon) (SNP) Mr Richard Bacon (South Stuart Andrew Ms Lyn Brown (West Ham) Chris Elmore Norfolk) (Con) (Lab) Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Stuart Andrew Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab) Chris Elmore Walden) (Con) Ms Karen Buck (Westminster Chris Elmore Siobhan Baillie (Stroud) (Con) Stuart Andrew North) (Lab) Steve Barclay (North East Stuart Andrew Robert Buckland (South Stuart Andrew Cambridgeshire) (Con) Swindon) (Con) Hannah Bardell (Livingston) Patrick Grady Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Stuart Andrew (SNP) Ongar) (Con) Paula Barker (Liverpool, Kim Johnson Richard Burgon (Leeds East) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Wavertree) (Lab) (Lab) Mr John Baron (Basildon and Stuart Andrew Conor Burns (Bournemouth Stuart Andrew Billericay) (Con) West) (Con) Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) Stuart Andrew Dawn Butler (Brent Central) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Con) (Lab) Margaret Beckett (Derby South) Chris Elmore Ian Byrne (Liverpool, West Chris Elmore (Lab) Derby) (Lab) Scott Benton (Blackpool South) Stuart Andrew Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Chris Elmore (Con) Hodge Hill) (Lab) Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) Stuart Andrew Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Chris Elmore (Con) Isleworth) (Lab) Jake Berry (Rossendale and Stuart Andrew Alun Cairns (Vale of Stuart Andrew Darwen) (Con) Glamorgan) (Con) 949 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 950

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Amy Callaghan (East Patrick Grady Judith Cummins (Bradford Chris Elmore Dunbartonshire) (SNP) South) (Lab) Dr Lisa Cameron (East Kilbride, Patrick Grady Alex Cunningham (Stockton Chris Elmore Strathaven and Lesmahagow) North) (Lab) (SNP) Janet Daby (Lewisham East) Chris Elmore Mr Gregory Campbell (East Gavin Robinson (Lab) Londonderry) (DUP) James Daly (Bury North) (Con) Stuart Andrew Andy Carter (Warrington South) Stuart Andrew Ed Davey (Kingston and Wendy Chamberlain (Con) Surbiton) (LD) James Cartlidge (South Suffolk) Stuart Andrew Gareth Davies (Grantham and Stuart Andrew (Con) Stamford) (Con) Sir William Cash (Stone) (Con) Stuart Andrew Geraint Davies (Swansea West) Chris Evans Miriam Cates (Penistone and Stuart Andrew (Lab/Co-op) Stocksbridge) (Con) Mims Davies (Mid Sussex) (Con) Stuart Andrew Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Alex Davies-Jones (Pontypridd) Chris Elmore Sarah Champion (Rotherham) Chris Elmore (Lab) (Lab) Mr David Davis (Haltemprice Stuart Andrew DouglasChapman(Dunfermline Patrick Grady and Howden) (Con) and West Fife) (SNP) JoannaCherry(EdinburghSouth Patrick Grady Martyn Day (Linlithgow and Patrick Grady West) (SNP) East Falkirk) (SNP) RehmanChishti(Gillinghamand Stuart Andrew Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol Chris Elmore Rainham) (Con) West) (Lab) Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) Stuart Andrew Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) Rachel Hopkins (Con) Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Chris Elmore Feryal Clark (Enfield North) Chris Elmore (Slough) (Lab) (Lab) Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) Stuart Andrew Mr Simon Clarke Stuart Andrew (Con) (Middlesbrough South and East Miss Sarah Dines (Derbyshire Stuart Andrew Cleveland) (Con) Dales) (Con) Theo Clarke (Stafford) (Con) Stuart Andrew Martin Docherty-Hughes (West Patrick Grady Brendan Clarke-Smith Stuart Andrew Dunbartonshire) (SNP) (Bassetlaw) (Con) Michelle Donelan (Chippenham) Stuart Andrew Chris Clarkson (Heywood and Stuart Andrew (Con) Middleton) (Con) Dave Doogan (Angus) (SNP) Patrick Grady James Cleverly (Braintree) (Con) Stuart Andrew Allan Dorans (Ayr, Carrick and Patrick Grady Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Stuart Andrew Cumnock) (SNP) Coastal) (Con) Ms Nadine Dorries (Mid Stuart Andrew Damian Collins (Folkestone and Stuart Andrew Bedfordshire) (Con) Hythe) (Con) Steve Double (St Austell and Stuart Andrew Daisy Cooper (St Albans) (LD) Wendy Chamberlain Newquay) (Con) Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) Chris Elmore Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab) Chris Elmore (Lab) Oliver Dowden (Hertsmere) Stuart Andrew Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Con) (Ind) Richard Drax (South Dorset) Stuart Andrew Alberto Costa (South Stuart Andrew (Con) Leicestershire) (Con) Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Chris Elmore Claire Coutinho (East Surrey) Stuart Andrew Erdington) (Lab) (Con) Mrs Flick Drummond (Meon Stuart Andrew Ronnie Cowan (Inverclyde) Patrick Grady Valley) (Con) (SNP) James Duddridge (Rochford and Stuart Andrew Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Stuart Andrew Southend East) (Con) Devon) (Con) Rosie Duffield (Canterbury) Chris Elmore Angela Crawley (Lanark and Patrick Grady (Lab) Hamilton East) (SNP) Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con) Stuart Andrew Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) Chris Elmore (Lab) Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) Chris Elmore (Lab) Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) Stuart Andrew (Con) Maria Eagle (Garston and Chris Elmore Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Rebecca Harris Halewood) (Lab) Aylesford) (Con) Mark Eastwood (Dewsbury) Stuart Andrew Jon Cruddas (Dagenham and Chris Elmore (Con) Rainham) (Lab) Ruth Edwards (Rushcliffe) (Con) Stuart Andrew John Cryer (Leyton and Chris Elmore Julie Elliott (Sunderland Central) Chris Elmore Wanstead) (Lab) (Lab) 951 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 952

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Michael Ellis (Northampton Stuart Andrew John Glen (Salisbury) (Con) Stuart Andrew North) (Con) Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) Chris Elmore Mr Tobias Ellwood Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Bournemouth East) (Con) Mr Robert Goodwill Stuart Andrew Mrs Natalie Elphicke (Dover) Stuart Andrew (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con) (Con) Michael Gove (Surrey Heath) Stuart Andrew Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab/Co-op) Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone Stuart Andrew Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) Chris Elmore and The Weald) (Con) (Lab) Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP) Patrick Grady George Eustice (Camborne and Stuart Andrew Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) Patrick Grady Redruth) (Con) (SNP) Dr LukeEvans (Bosworth) (Con) Stuart Andrew Chris Grayling (Epsom and Stuart Andrew Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath Stuart Andrew Ewell) (Con) and Crayford) (Con) Damian Green (Ashford) (Con) Stuart Andrew Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) Stuart Andrew Kate Green (Stretford and Chris Elmore (Con) Urmston) (Lab) Laura Farris (Newbury) (Con) Stuart Andrew Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham Chris Elmore Stephen Farry (North Down) Wendy Chamberlain South) (Lab) (Alliance) Margaret Greenwood (Wirral Chris Elmore Marion Fellows (Motherwell and Patrick Grady West) (Lab) Wishaw) (SNP) Andrew Griffith (Arundel and Stuart Andrew Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen Jonathan Edwards South Downs) (Con) and Hamilton West) (Ind) Kate Griffiths (Burton) (Con) Stuart Andrew Katherine Fletcher (South Stuart Andrew Ribble) (Con) Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent Stuart Andrew North) (Con) Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) Patrick Grady (SNP) Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Chris Elmore Reddish) (Lab) Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con) Stuart Andrew Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con) Rebecca Harris Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con) Stuart Andrew Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate) Stuart Andrew Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North Chris Elmore Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) Stuart Andrew East) (Lab) (Con) Stephen Hammond Stuart Andrew Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Chris Elmore (Wimbledon) ( Con) Deptford) (Lab) Matt Hancock (West Suffolk) Stuart Andrew Mary Kelly Foy (City of Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Con) Durham) (Lab) Greg Hands (Chelsea and Stuart Andrew Mr Mark Francois (Rayleigh Stuart Andrew Fulham) (Con) and Wickford) (Con) Claire Hanna (Belfast South) Ben Lake Lucy Frazer (South East Stuart Andrew (SDLP) Cambridgeshire) (Con) Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Patrick Grady George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) Stuart Andrew Cowdenbeath) (SNP) (Con) Emma Hardy (Kingston upon Chris Elmore Marcus Fysh (Yeovil) (Con) Stuart Andrew Hull West and Hessle) (Lab) Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) Stuart Andrew Ms Harriet Harman Chris Elmore (Con) (Camberwell and Peckham) Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Con) Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) Chris Elmore Ms Nusrat Ghani (Wealden) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Con) Simon Hart (Carmarthen West Stuart Andrew Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Stuart Andrew and South Pembrokeshire) (Con) Littlehampton) (Con) Sir John Hayes (South Holland Stuart Andrew Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire Patrick Grady and The Deepings) (Con) and Arran) (SNP) Sir Oliver Heald (North East Stuart Andrew Peter Gibson (Darlington) (Con) Stuart Andrew Hertfordshire) (Con) Jo Gideon (Stoke-on-Trent Stuart Andrew James Heappey (Wells) (Con) Stuart Andrew Central) (Con) Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) Stuart Andrew Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham, Chris Elmore (Con) Edgbaston) (Lab/Co-op) Gordon Henderson Stuart Andrew Dame Cheryl Gillan (Chesham Stuart Andrew (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) and Amersham) (Con) (Con) Paul Girvan (South Antrim) Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson Sir Mark Hendrick (Preston) Chris Elmore (DUP) (Lab/Co-op) 953 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 954

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Patrick Grady Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Chris Elmore Badenoch and Strathspey) (SNP) Sale East) (Lab) Mike Hill (Hartlepool) (Lab) Chris Elmore Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury Stuart Andrew Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) Stuart Andrew and Atcham) (Con) (Con) Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Stuart Andrew Simon Hoare (North Dorset) Stuart Andrew Melton) (Con) (Con) Gillian Keegan (Chichester) Stuart Andrew Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD) Wendy Chamberlain (Con) Dame Margaret Hodge Chris Elmore Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Chris Elmore (Barking) (Lab) Eccles South) (Lab) Mrs Sharon Hodgson Chris Elmore Liz Kendall (Leicester West) Chris Elmore (Washington and Sunderland (Lab) West) (Lab) Afzal Khan (Manchester, Chris Elmore Kate Hollern (Blackburn) (Lab) Chris Elmore Gorton) (Lab) Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) Patrick Grady Sir Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) Stuart Andrew (SNP) (Con) Adam Holloway (Gravesham) Maria Caulfield Julian Knight (Solihull) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) Stuart Andrew Sir George Howarth (Knowsley) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Peter Kyle (Hove) (Lab) Chris Elmore John Howell (Henley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) Chris Elmore Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab) Nigel Huddleston (Mid Stuart Andrew John Lamont (Berwickshire, Stuart Andrew Worcestershire) (Con) Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con) Dr Neil Hudson (Penrith and Stuart Andrew Robert Largan (High Peak) Stuart Andrew The Border) (Con) (Con) Jane Hunt (Loughborough) Stuart Andrew Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Mr William Wragg (Con) Derbyshire) (Con) JeremyHunt(SouthWestSurrey) Stuart Andrew Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Con) Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP) Patrick Grady Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Chris Elmore Andrea Leadsom (South Stuart Andrew Acton) (Lab) Northamptonshire) (Con) Imran Hussain (Bradford East) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Sir Edward Leigh Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Gainsborough) (Con) Mr Alister Jack (Dumfries and Stuart Andrew Ian Levy (Blyth Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Galloway) (Con) Andrew Lewer (Northampton Stuart Andrew Christine Jardine (Edinburgh Wendy Chamberlain South) (Con) West) (LD) Brandon Lewis (Great Stuart Andrew Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) Chris Elmore Yarmouth) (Con) (Lab) Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest Stuart Andrew Mr Ranil Jayawardena (North Stuart Andrew East) (Ind) East Hampshire) (Con) Clive Lewis (Norwich South) Chris Elmore Mark Jenkinson (Workington) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Con) Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Stuart Andrew Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Stuart Andrew (Bridgwater and West Somerset) Outwood) (Con) (Con) Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con) Stuart Andrew David Linden (Glasgow East) Patrick Grady Boris Johnson (Uxbridge and Stuart Andrew (SNP) South Ruislip) (Con) Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab) Chris Elmore Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford Stuart Andrew Carla Lockhart (Upper Bann) Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and North Hykeham) (Con) (DUP) Dame Diana Johnson (Kingston Chris Elmore Chris Loder (West Dorset) (Con) Robbie Moore upon Hull North) (Lab) Mark Logan (Bolton North Stuart Andrew GarethJohnson(Dartford)(Con) Stuart Andrew East) (Con) Darren Jones (Bristol North Chris Elmore Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford Bell Ribeiro-Addy West) (Lab) and Eccles) (Lab) Fay Jones (Brecon and Stuart Andrew Marco Longhi (Dudley North) Stuart Andrew Radnorshire) (Con) (Con) Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil Chris Elmore Julia Lopez (Hornchurch and Stuart Andrew and Rhymney) (Lab) Upminster) (Con) Ruth Jones (Newport West) Chris Elmore JackLopresti(FiltonandBradley Stuart Andrew (Lab) Stoke) (Con) Sarah Jones (Croydon Central) Chris Elmore Mr Jonathan Lord (Woking) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Con) 955 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 956

Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy Member eligible for proxy vote Nominated proxy

Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Bell Ribeiro-Addy Edward Miliband (Doncaster Chris Elmore Pavilion) (Green) North) (Lab) Holly Lynch (Halifax) (Lab) Chris Elmore Mrs Maria Miller (Basingstoke) Stuart Andrew Kenny MacAskill (East Lothian) Patrick Grady (Con) (SNP) Amanda Milling (Cannock Stuart Andrew Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) Chris Elmore Chase) (Con) (Lab) Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con) Stuart Andrew Navendu Mishra (Stockport) Kim Johnson Andy McDonald Chris Elmore (Lab) (Middlesbrough) (Lab) Mr Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Stuart Andrew Stewart Malcolm McDonald Patrick Grady Coldfield) (Con) (Glasgow South) (SNP) Carol Monaghan (Glasgow Patrick Grady Stuart C. McDonald Patrick Grady North West) (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Layla Moran (Oxford West and Wendy Chamberlain Kirkintilloch East) (SNP) Abingdon) (LD) John McDonnell (Hayes and Bell Ribeiro-Addy Jessica Morden (Newport East) Chris Elmore Harlington) (Lab) (Lab) Mr Pat McFadden Chris Elmore Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth Mark Spencer (Wolverhampton South East) North) (Con) (Lab) Anne Marie Morris (Newton Stuart Andrew Conor McGinn (St Helens Chris Elmore Abbot) (Con) North) (Lab) David Morris (Morecambe and Stuart Andrew Alison McGovern (Wirral South) Chris Elmore Lunesdale) (Con) (Lab) Grahame Morris (Easington) Chris Elmore Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) Stuart Andrew (Lab) (Con) Joy Morrissey (Beaconsfield) Stuart Andrew Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle Chris Elmore (Con) upon Tyne North) (Lab) Wendy Morton (Aldridge- Stuart Andrew Cherilyn Mackrory (Truro and Stuart Andrew Brownhills) (Con) Falmouth) (Con) Dr Kieran Mullan (Crewe and Tom Hunt Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow Patrick Grady Nantwich) (Con) North East) (SNP) Holly Mumby-Croft Stuart Andrew Rachel Maclean (Redditch) Stuart Andrew (Scunthorpe) (Con) (Con) David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Stuart Andrew Jim McMahon (Oldham West Chris Elmore ClydesdaleandTweeddale)(Con) and Royton) (Lab) AnnaMcMorrin(Cardiff North) Chris Elmore Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) Chris Elmore (Lab) (Lab) John Mc Nally (Falkirk) (SNP) Patrick Grady James Murray (Ealing North) Chris Elmore (Lab/Co-op) Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na Patrick Grady h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Stuart Andrew Cornwall) (Con) Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) Stuart Andrew (Con) Andrew Murrison (South West Stuart Andrew Wiltshire) (Con) Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Chris Elmore Perry Barr) (Lab) Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab) Chris Elmore Shabana Mahmood Chris Elmore Sir Robert Neill (Bromley and Stuart Andrew (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab) Chislehurst) (Con) Alan Mak (Havant) (Con) Stuart Andrew Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Patrick Grady Kit Malthouse (North West Stuart Andrew Renfrewshire North) (SNP) Hampshire) (Con) Lia Nici (Great Grimsby) (Con) Stuart Andrew Julie Marson (Hertford and Stuart Andrew John Nicolson (Ochil and South Patrick Grady Stortford) (Con) Perthshire) (SNP) Rachael Maskell (York Central) Chris Elmore Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Stuart Andrew (Lab) Southampton North) (Con) Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead) Stuart Andrew Jesse Norman (Hereford and Stuart Andrew (Con) South Herefordshire) (Con) Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Alex Norris (Nottingham North) Chris Elmore Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Lab/Co-op) JohnnyMercer (Plymouth, Moor Stuart Andrew Neil O’Brien (Harborough) Stuart Andrew View) (Con) (Con) Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Stuart Andrew Brendan O’Hara (Argyll and Patrick Grady Battle) (Con) Bute) (SNP) Stephen Metcalfe (South Stuart Andrew Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) Rebecca Harris Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con) (Con) Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con) Stuart Andrew 957 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 958

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Abena Oppong-Asare (Erith and Chris Elmore Gary Sambrook (Birmingham, Stuart Andrew Thamesmead) (Lab) Northfield) (Lab) Kate Osamor (Edmonton) (Lab/ Rachel Hopkins Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Ben Lake Co-op) Meirionnydd) Kate Osborne (Jarrow) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Selaine Saxby (North Devon) Stuart Andrew Kirsten Oswald (East Patrick Grady (Con) Renfrewshire) (SNP) Paul Scully (Sutton and Cheam) Stuart Andrew Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North Chris Elmore (Con) West) (Lab) Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) (Con) Stuart Andrew Sarah Owen (Luton North) Chris Elmore Andrew Selous (South West Rebecca Harris (Lab) Bedfordshire) (Con) Ian Paisley (North Antrim) Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson Naz Shah (Bradford West) (Lab) Chris Elmore (DUP) Jim Shannon (Strangford) Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson Priti Patel (Witham) (Con) Stuart Andrew (DUP) Mr Owen Paterson (North Stuart Andrew Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield) Stuart Andrew Shropshire) (Con) (Con) Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con) Stuart Andrew Alok Sharma (Reading West) Stuart Andrew Sir Mike Penning (Hemel Stuart Andrew (Con) Hempstead) (Con) Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Chris Elmore Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) Stuart Andrew Southall) (Lab) (Con) Mr Barry Sheerman Chris Elmore Jess Phillips (Birmingham, Chris Elmore (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op) Yardley) (Lab) Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Stuart Andrew Chris Philp (Croydon South) Stuart Andrew Rothwell) (Con) (Con) Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh Patrick Grady Dr Dan Poulter (Central Suffolk Peter Aldous East) (SNP) and North Ipswich) (Con) Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Chris Elmore Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) Stuart Andrew Kilburn) (Lab) (Con) David Simmonds (Ruislip, Stuart Andrew Lucy Powell (Manchester Chris Elmore Northwood and Pinner) (Con) Central) (Lab/Co-op) Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) Stuart Andrew Victoria Prentis (Banbury) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) Stuart Andrew Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) Chris Elmore (Con) (Lab) Jeremy Quin (Horsham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP) Patrick Grady Will Quince (Colchester) (Con) Stuart Andrew Cat Smith (Lancaster and Chris Elmore Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South Chris Elmore Fleetwood) (Lab) East) (Lab) Chloe Smith (Norwich North) Stuart Andrew Dominic Raab (Esher and Stuart Andrew (Con) Walton) (Con) Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con) Stuart Andrew Angela Rayner (Ashton-under- Chris Elmore Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) Chris Elmore Lyne) (Lab) (Lab) Steve Reed (Croydon North) Chris Elmore Royston Smith (Southampton, Stuart Andrew (Lab/Co-op) Itchen) (Con) Christina Rees (Neath) (Lab) Chris Elmore Karin Smyth (Bristol South) Chris Elmore Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West Chris Elmore (Lab) and Penge) (Lab) Amanda Solloway (Derby Stuart Andrew Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) Chris Elmore North) (Con) (Lab) Alexander Stafford (Rother Stuart Andrew NicolaRichards(WestBromwich Stuart Andrew Valley) (Con) East) (Con) Keir Starmer (Holborn and St Chris Elmore Ms Marie Rimmer (St Helens Chris Elmore Pancras) (Lab) South and Whiston) (Lab) Chris Stephens (Glasgow South Patrick Grady Rob Roberts (Delyn) (Con) Stuart Andrew West) (SNP) Mr Laurence Robertson Stuart Andrew Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) Stuart Andrew (Tewkesbury) (Con) (Con) Mary Robinson (Cheadle) (Con) Stuart Andrew Jo Stevens (Cardiff Central) Chris Elmore Matt Rodda (Reading East) Chris Elmore (Lab) (Lab) Jane Stevenson (Wolverhampton Stuart Andrew Andrew Rosindell (Romford) Rebecca Harris North East) (Con) (Con) John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con) Stuart Andrew Douglas Ross (Moray) (Con) Stuart Andrew Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con) Stuart Andrew Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Brighton, Chris Elmore Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes Stuart Andrew Kemptown) (Lab/Co-op) South) (Con) 959 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote25 NOVEMBER 2020 Members Eligible for a Proxy Vote 960

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Jamie Stone (Caithness, Wendy Chamberlain Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) Stuart Andrew Sutherland and Easter Ross) (Con) (LD) Mr Ben Wallace (Wyre and Stuart Andrew Sir Gary Streeter (South West Stuart Andrew Preston North) Devon) (Con) DrJamieWallis(Bridgend)(Con) Stuart Andrew Wes Streeting (Ilford North) Chris Elmore DavidWarburton(Somertonand Stuart Andrew (Lab) Frome) (Con) Mel Stride (Central Devon) Stuart Andrew Matt Warman (Boston and Stuart Andrew (Con) Skegness) (Con) Graham Stuart (Beverley and Stuart Andrew Suzanne Webb (Stourbridge) Stuart Andrew Holderness) (Con) (Con) Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con) Stuart Andrew Claudia Webbe (Leicester East) Bell Ribeiro-Addy Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Ind) (Lab) Catherine West (Hornsey and Chris Elmore Sam Tarry (Ilford South) (Lab) Chris Elmore Wood Green) (Lab) Helen Whately (Faversham and Stuart Andrew Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Patrick Grady Mid Kent) (Con) Central) (SNP) Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Stuart Andrew Derek Thomas (St Ives) (Con) Stuart Andrew Derbyshire) (Con) Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) Chris Elmore Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Patrick Grady (Lab/Co-op) Ayrshire) (SNP) Emily Thornberry (Islington Chris Elmore Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) Stuart Andrew South and Finsbury) (Lab) (Con) Edward Timpson (Eddisbury) Stuart Andrew John Whittingdale (Malden) Stuart Andrew (Con) (Con) Kelly Tolhurst (Rochester and Stuart Andrew Nadia Whittome (Nottingham Chris Elmore Strood) (Con) East) (Lab) Justin Tomlinson (North Stuart Andrew Bill Wiggin (North Stuart Andrew Swindon) (Con) Herefordshire) (Con) Craig Tracey (North Stuart Andrew Craig Williams Stuart Andrew Warwickshire) (Con) (Montgomeryshire) (Con) Anne-Marie Trevelyan Stuart Andrew Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC) Ben Lake (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (Con) Gavin Williamson Stuart Andrew Jon Trickett (Hemsworth) (Lab) Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Montgomeryshire) (Con) Laura Trott (Sevenoaks) (Con) Stuart Andrew Munira Wilson (Twickenham) Wendy Chamberlain Elizabeth Truss (South West Stuart Andrew (LD) Norfolk) (Con) Beth Winter (Cynon Valley) Rachel Hopkins Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Stuart Andrew (Lab) Malling) (Con) Pete Wishart (Perth and North Patrick Grady Perthshire) (SNP) Karl Turner (Kingston upon Chris Elmore Hull East) (Lab) Mike Wood (Dudley South) Stuart Andrew (Con) Mr Shailesh Vara (North West Stuart Andrew Cambridgeshire) (Con) Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) Chris Elmore (Lab) Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) Stuart Andrew Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con) Stuart Andrew (Con) Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on- Stuart Andrew Matt Vickers (Stockton South) Tom Hunt Avon) (Con) (Con) 381WH 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 382WH Infrastructure Spending with other areas of the country. There is an urgent need Westminster Hall to redress those inequalities and start to invest in infrastructure, which will unleash the north’s potential. Wednesday 25 November 2020 Let me also say that the north is much more than its cities. It feels as though any discussion that we have [JAMES GRAY in the Chair] about the north provokes a reaction centred on Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. Although they are North of England: important, that is another reason that there is a feeling in some areas of the north that, over the years, they Infrastructure Spending have been forgotten and left behind—more so in those areas where there is no major city at all. 9.30 am It would be remiss of me, especially as my right hon. Damien Moore (Southport) (Con): I beg to move, Friend the Minister is listening, not to mention my own That this House has considered infrastructure spending in the constituency and all the prosperity that we want to North of England. bring to Southport through infrastructure projects. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Southport is a jewel in the north’s crown, attracting Mr Gray. This debate about support for infrastructure thousands of visitors each year to its annual events: the spending in the north of England is extremely timely flower show, the air show and the comedy festival. I am and significant, for a number of reasons, the first being also privileged to have in my constituency the Royal that in the next few hours my right hon. Friend the Birkdale Golf Club, which hosted the Open golf Chancellor of the Exchequer will get to his feet in the tournament. Royal Birkdale is in fact one of four House to make a financial statement on public spending. championship golf courses in my constituency. That, I welcome the many new colleagues on the Government combined with some wonderful bars and restaurants, side of the Chamber who represent seats that we did not makes Southport a great place not only for me to live in, hold a year ago and who have an absolute commitment but for thousands of others to visit. However, the to ensuring that infrastructure projects go ahead in visitor economy, which accounts for more than a third their constituencies. Although I also welcome Members of the local economy, has been particularly hit during on the Opposition side, we do not have quite as many as the pandemic. I thought we would for this important debate. Improved spending on transport infrastructure would Recent press briefings detail that the Treasury is keen open up our economy to more opportunity and the to use today’s statement to announce the conclusion of benefits that come with better connectivity. That its review of the Green Book. The Chancellor, after all, connectivity is best delivered through rail projects such represents a northern seat, and I am sure that his as the Burscough curves, which would connect Southport constituents will also benefit from changes being made and Preston with a direct line, benefiting us as well as to the guidance on how the Treasury appraises and communities in the neighbouring constituencies of West evaluates policies, projects and programmes, as well as Lancashire and South Ribble, and in the wider region. I the investing of billions of pounds in a national say to the Minister that rail should be a key focus of infrastructure strategy. I speak for many colleagues in revitalising the northern economy.Bringing with it highly welcoming that news from the Government, and I look skilled jobs and increased gross value added, more rail forward to hearing the announcements in full in a short would enable us not only to move people around with while. greater ease, but to move freight around, helping to Another factor is most pressing and only too obvious reduce carbon emissions and making our communities to hon. Members: we are in the midst of fighting a healthier. devastating pandemic. However, that pandemic is not We also want to see new rolling stock on our tracks. only a health crisis, but an economic one. The north has The north of England is unique, but there is a wonderful historically seen greater adversity and has more recently comparison. I am sure my hon. Friend the Member for experienced greater disruption—unparalleled disruption, Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard) will compared with other parts of the country. That has confirm that the north of England shares similarities exposed the deep structural, systematic disadvantage with Iran. They are the only places in the world still that we face. using Pacer trains—of course, in Iran, they are reserved That distinct disadvantage was highlighted by the fleet, not the current fleet that they use when they can Institute for Fiscal Studies when it released shocking get them round. That is quite a damning indictment of statistics in October. It calculated that spending on what we need to do in this country to get improved infrastructure was higher per person in London, at rolling stock out on our rails. £1,461 a year on average over a five-year period, than in Infrastructure investment would also attract private the north-west, where the average was £979; the north-east, investment. Another great initiative taken by the where it was £793; and Yorkshire and the Humber, Government is the town deals. Our town deal, which where it was £744. Consistently disproportionate investment was submitted recently for £50 million, would unleash a has, over the years, created an obvious divide between further £350 million completely to transform Southport— north and south, and particularly between London and enhancing our tourism industry and diversifying our the south-east, and the north. economy, making it stronger and more resilient. The Without adequate investment, the north has been prospect of the town deal has already been the catalyst held back and unable to see the benefits, such as jobs, for private investment projects such as the Southport growth and investment, that other areas have seen. That surf cove and the Viking golf attraction. With more has undermined the quality of economic opportunity emphasis in our plan to develop enterprise and innovation, for people, families and businesses to thrive, compared we hope to attract more companies, such as Techedia, a 383WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 384WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending [Damien Moore] for securing such an important debate, the topic of which is vital for our region of the north and for our specialist IT company that has started a £1 million infrastructure. transformation of a landmark building, which will bring Levelling up, closing the economic divide and dealing into the building 75 brand new jobs. with decades of inequalities in the north has certainly As Great Britain becomes global Britain, another been a clarion call for me and many Labour MPs. We great initiative announced by the Government is freeports. now have the new voices that the hon. Gentleman Across the north, there are six project bids, one of referred to in seats in the north of England that were which is an excellent bid by the Peel combined freeport, traditionally red. They talk about powering up and which provides links between the United States, Canada levelling up the north, as well as regional disparities and and the Americas, and Southport and Lancashire. With infrastructure. The evidence cited by the Institute for these trading links, we can develop and grow advanced Fiscal Studies and others is clear, and it is decades long. manufacturing, energy, digital, biotech and agriculture. For example, in London and the south-east, nearly The importance of investment in such projects cannot three times as much is spent on transport infrastructure. be overestimated if we are to overcome the economic The hon. Gentleman mentioned average spend as well. challenge of covid and realise the full potential of Brexit. Collectively as northerners, regardless of whether we Looking to the future, we heard last week about the are Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat, or the Government’s 10-point plan to create 250,000 green odd Green that we might have, we represent our jobs. We want to get our share of those jobs by creating communities, and I hope that at times we can act investment in infrastructure, particularly nuclear energy together to ensure that the Executive—Downing Street— and advanced manufacturing. We should give highly become more focused on our street in the north. However, skilled, highly paid jobs to people in constituencies such this is about more than the fiscal environment; it is as mine—building wind turbines, servicing those wind about power, democracy and shaping our own future. turbines and seeing them through a career. The missing part of the jigsaw, or the unfinished business, A recent report from the Green Alliance estimated is genuine devolution for Cheshire and Warrington. that, in striving to get the UK to net zero, associated In the past, I worked for Andy Burnham, the current infrastructure investment would create 60,500 jobs in metro Mayor.I was a councillor for 11 years in Manchester, the north-west, 21,500 in the north-east and 17,200 jobs so I have been involved in shaping devolution in that in Yorkshire and the Humber. Creating jobs through patch, which is just up the road from my constituency the upgrading of digital infrastructure, particularly in and that of the right hon. Member for Tatton (Esther rural areas, will allow increased home working and McVey). On the other side of my constituency there is facilitate the transition to a smart, low-carbon and devolution in the Liverpool city region, so we have a decentralised energy system away from London. It is missing part of the jigsaw where things are largely done quite apt that my right hon. Friend the Member for to us, sometimes mistakenly and sometimes not the Tatton (Esther McVey) is present. She is the leader of right things. We have minimal say. blue-collar Conservatives and is doing a fantastic job for our communities in the north, but she might have I want to ask the Minister about the devolution another title yet: she might become the leader of green-collar White Paper. We genuinely have an oven-ready deal, Conservatives, which would enhance the portfolio of ready to go with the support of Cheshire West and things that she looks at in those areas. Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire East Council, and, very importantly, the business The fact is that the pandemic has accelerated the need community, whether that is the Tatton Group or the for improved infrastructure spending in the north. From local enterprise partnership. We just need to get on. energy to broadband, and from transport to trade, we have an unquestionable opportunity to use infrastructure Before the pandemic, the economy was worth about spending not only to root out and address disadvantage, £38 billion. We can realise that potential and shape our but to provide greater and improved economic opportunity own destiny, which will help us to focus on the things and empowerment for our constituents. I have campaigned that we need in our patch, such as the mid-Cheshire with many other northern MPs and the Northern Research line, which the right hon. Member for Tatton and others Group for a northern economic recovery plan. Improved are campaigning on cross-party. We need that to happen infrastructure spending is a vital and core part of our in our constituencies and we need it to happen yesterday. recovery. Done correctly, it will have the power to fulfil We need to realise the potential of hydrogen in Cheshire, our commitment to people living in the north to build where we can not only lead in Britain, but be world back better, to level up and, dare I say, to unleash our leaders. However, we need that say, that investment and potential. that devolution deal. I will conclude there. I thank the hon. Member for Several hon. Members rose— Southport for giving me, a Labour voice, the opportunity to contribute to today’s debate. James Gray (in the Chair): Order. I do not intend to impose a formal time limit on speeches. Looking around the Chamber, colleagues will realise that if they keep 9.43 am their speeches to three or four minutes, they can Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con): It is a pleasure to serve accommodate one another. under your chairmanship, Mr Gray, and I thank my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Southport (Damien 9.39 am Moore) for securing this important debate. The topic is Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) (Lab): It is a pleasure broad, but I will confine my remarks to Tatton and to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray, and I give Cheshire, and will look at cost viability and prioritisation the hon. Member for Southport (Damien Moore) credit as a good Conservative should. I want to bring a good 385WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 386WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending dose of public common sense to Parliament for the about transport links and that fibre broadband Minister to hear and hopefully take back to the Chancellor infrastructure is going to be revolutionary. Many of us and the Cabinet. have noticed during lockdown just how difficult it can I want to talk about High Speed 2, whose cost is like a be at certain points in the day even to open emails. That runaway train, rising and rising. We have that grandiose stands in stark contrast to what needs to be done. scheme—some might call it a white elephant—but in My view on infrastructure, as laid out in a paper I Tatton we do not have local infrastructure. We are hope to publish shortly, is that we must look to the waiting for local train routes that are meant to have short, medium and long terms. This is where I differ been delivered, and while we focus nationally on just from my right hon. Friend: I believe there is value in the one line, many small lines across local regions have not long-term projects, which will take a long time to build, happened. People commuting from Knutsford to although it is vital that we have these small, short Manchester off-peak are waiting two hours for a train. projects, which are sometimes as simple as 1 km of train That is one train every two hours off-peak, although it track that completely opens up different rail routes. is one an hour at peak times. However, when the bid for There are lots of those around the Liverpool area, I the franchise was made, we were promised that we understand. My hon. Friends might be able to build on would have two trains an hour—not two a minute, but those comments. two an hour—which is not a lot to ask for and does not There are medium-term projects such as light rail involve huge amounts of investment. Just two trains an infrastructure around my city of Leeds—something hour, but that has never been delivered. that has been in the offing for decades and where money Bus routes are another local transport issue to look has been supplied, but we have been talked out of it at. It is hard to find a bus or bus route in Tatton and because the project is too difficult and upsets too many people are crying out for buses. Buses are not often used people. These things need to happen. However, I want during this covid period, but soon that will change and to focus on the main big projects over the long term, people will not be able to get around, for example, from which really make a difference, and on particular issues Wilmslow to Handforth, and then maybe travelling that will be in the report we are producing soon. further afield to Warrington, Liverpool or Manchester. In the north of England we are lucky in our maritime I would be remiss if I did not mention my constituents position, with the port of Hull and the port of Liverpool. Mr and Mrs Sunderland, who stopped me the other day If the globe were tilted to give the relevant perspective, in Handforth as they were shopping at the Paddock and it would show that that corridor is more linked into asked, “What is happening to the 130 bus?” mainland Europe than the other corridors are. Germany I ask the Minister to please think about these local has been able to adapt its economy regularly as the transport routes, the bus service, the tram service, the world has changed and moved forward, and the one train service—nothing is happening. We also need fundamental truth about where and why that happens is investment in the mid-Cheshire line, as was mentioned the River Rhine. It is a huge transport link, and a lot of by my friend the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike engineering work has been done to link it to other Amesbury). We have been talking about that year after rivers. year and we are here for every question and debate in Of course, we do not have that between Liverpool the House to ask what is going on, but it is being and Hull. The canal system was built, but that is not overlooked. We are talking about levelling up. We are what I am talking about. Weneed to look at a fundamental talking about not just the north, although we are all freight rail transport system that is akin to what the here from the north, but the regions, towns and villages, River Rhine does for commerce in central Europe and and we all need our local transport. Germany. That is there to be built on. On that route, we The final bit of infrastructure we absolutely need and could build inland freeports, to which the railway freight must have is the digital infrastructure to have us all would be brought from, say, Hull, having come out of connecting and connected. I admire and praise our Europe. With value-added engineering in tax-free freeports, Government’s vision for a 1 Gbit capability and the it would go back on the railway, over to the port of money they have promised to achieve that. It is vital—now Liverpool and off round the rest of the world—or vice more than ever, as people work from home, learn from versa, coming back the other way. home and socialise from home—that we have the digital We must think in the short, medium and long term, connectivity we need. Therefore, I say stop HS2 with its but the long-term projects, which will cost a huge amount runaway expenses—it should have hit the buffers a long of money, need to be really transformational and to put time ago—and put that money into digital infrastructure the country in a place that we have not been in before. Is to benefit the whole country, and into local transport. that blue-sky thinking? Is it dreaming? Maybe, but it has to be the ambition. That would go a long way, 9.47 am through infrastructure, towards levelling up the north Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): It is a of England. pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray, and I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for 9.51 am Southport (Damien Moore) on introducing this important James Grundy (Leigh) (Con): It is a pleasure to serve debate. under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. I thank my hon. I want to build on what my right hon. Friend the Friend the Member for Southport (Damien Moore) for Member for Tatton (Esther McVey) has just said, although securing the debate. I both agree and disagree with it. HS2 and other big Investment in new infrastructure is a key issue in my projects are important, but I think she was saying that constituency. Indeed, it comes up at every election, local they cannot be exclusive, and they must form part of a and national, and has done since the 1960s. The first bigger picture. She is absolutely right that this is not just issue, and the one that my constituents raise most often, 387WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 388WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending [James Grundy] 9.55 am is reconnecting Leigh to the national rail network. Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): From the moment it lost its station in 1969, local people It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, have campaigned vociferously for a new one, as have the Mr Gray. I am relieved to see a Treasury Minister here people of Golborne, who lost the second of their two who has also been a Transport Minister, so we might stations in 1967—the first was closed in 1952. I am have a good chance of a response to our debate, given pleased to say that two bids are currently under the focus on transport. consideration as part of the Government’s Restoring This should be a technocratic debate as much as your Railway programme. One is for the west coast anything. There is no Labour philosophy on pouring main line serving Golborne, and one is on the Liverpool concrete to build a new road, and no Conservative to Manchester line, at the old Kenyon Junction site just philosophy based on an exegesis of Edmund Burke on south of Pennington in my constituency, which would how to erect a gantry for overhead line electrification. act as a new station serving Leigh itself. This is predominantly technocratic. I could spend an entire four minutes trying to demolish the per capita Access to the national rail network, through investing regional spending figures that I have heard quoted for in reopening those two stations, will generate massive the past 10 years. They are a myth and deeply misleading, economic opportunities for my constituency, meaning but the political class seems universally to have drunk that jobs in both Liverpool and Manchester will be the Kool-Aid. accessible by a train journey of approximately 20 minutes in each direction, rather than the two hours and 17 minutes More topically, it is worth thinking about the review that it currently takes to reach Liverpool, and the hour of the Green Book announced today and the impact it it takes to reach Manchester, by bus. In the long term, will have on benefit-cost ratios. As a Minister who had the investment will pay for itself in economic returns. to focus on BCRs time and again, I can tell colleagues the input to deliver any BCR they wish to find. BCRs The second major issue to do with infrastructure on their own do not allow projects to move forward. investment in Leigh is the need to complete the Atherleigh They are a useful tool in comparing projects that achieve Way bypass, which has lain unfinished for nearly 35 years. a similar objective—for example, how to improve trans- Currently only the middle section has been constructed, Pennine links. We can then compare different ways of and the northern section to Chequerbent roundabout in achieving that and work out the best value. Bolton and the southern section to junction 22 of the M6 are in desperate need of completion. What BCRs do not do is allow us to choose between north and south projects. It will still be a political choice Both Leigh and the surrounding communities are whether to opt for Crossrail 2 or Northern Powerhouse beset by congestion and the associated air quality issues. Rail, and the sequences in which one might do that. In Air quality is poorer in some parts of my constituency particular, and I will disappoint my hon. Friend the than it is in central London, with regard to nitrogen Member for Southport (Damien Moore), it will not get dioxide and fine particulate levels. The latter problem us any new rail carriages—as I know from experience— will only increase with the introduction of heavier batteries because a BCR does not take into account the fact that in electric vehicles, adding to the wear on tyres and any new rail carriage does not mean more passengers roads. That congestion also dissuades new businesses travelling. Therefore, there is no benefit in the Treasury’s from setting up in the constituency and considerably mind in that regard. increases journey times for commuters. In 1966, Golborne Urban District Council, a predecessor authority to It is also worth considering that one of the problems Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, our current local that the Treasury has created—and a rod for its own authority, wrote to the Government of the day that the back—which I have been unable to solve over many construction of the bypass was an urgent priority. I years, is that it has numerous fantastic projects across assure Members that the situation has grown no less the north of England that cannot proceed, because they urgent in the intervening 54 years. are predominantly private sector-led. A good example right now is Peel Holdings, which owns Doncaster The final issue I want to raise is that of connecting airport. It wanted to build a short four-mile spur of the Leigh to Greater Manchester’s Metrolink system. In the east coast main line into the airport. The Department fullness of time I hope that the Leigh guided busway for Transport has just turned it down, despite it being system can be upgraded to a light rail link. Evidence private sector-led. That is because, despite a Treasury provided to me by the all-party parliamentary group on and DFT joint review, we could not find a straightforward light rail shows that buses persuade between 4% and and simple way to keep such projects off the public 6.5% of car users to switch to public transport. Light purse—that meant that they would have counted towards rail, by contrast, persuades nearly 27% of car users to our debt figures. That still needs to change if we are to make the switch. If we are to meet our ambitious properly unlock the true potential of all the private environmental targets, a new generation of hydrogen sector-led schemes out there. fuel-powered light rail serving suburban communities will be critical, and we need to start undertaking feasibility Since my three minutes have gone—very quickly—I studies as soon as possible. will make one final plea. I am struck by the fact that I have never detected such a dislike of devolution at any For too long, northern constituencies such as Leigh point in the past 15 years from the Government and have been left behind in terms of infrastructure investment. most of my colleagues. In my view, and in my experience, We have been talking about these issues for the better it is only by devolving power to Metro Mayors, combined part of 60 years. It is time for the talking to stop. It is authorities and our regions that we will get these smaller now time to deliver for towns such as Leigh across the projects through and get the compromises that are north. needed between the regions to deliver some of the more 389WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 390WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending strategic projects. In all my conversations with Metro Kingdom thrives must be central to policy making. I Mayors and combined authorities—with one notable am confident that, together with my fellow Conservative expectation that Members can probably predict—they parliamentary colleagues, we will keep holding the have always been apolitical, sensible and constructive Government to account and ensure that they deliver and have improved decision making because of the this exciting and welcome promise for our constituents quality of local transport planners. If we move away and the entire kingdom. from devolution, we will have a much less effective transport policy and must less infrastructure built, so 10.2 am please show a little confidence in why George Osborne Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con): It is a pleasure to chose to devolve during the coalition Government. serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gradually. I thank That is my four minutes up. my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Damien 9.59 am Moore) for bringing this debate to Westminster Hall. Imran Ahmad Khan (Wakefield) (Con): Thank you, I and my hon. Friend the Member for North West Mr Gray. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member Durham (Richard Holden) represent the north of the for Southport (Damien Moore) on securing this important north in this debate, and we would like to make sure debate. In 2019, we Conservatives stood on a manifesto that we are all holistic in our consideration of where that pledged new infrastructure projects to help reduce investment goes in the north. When we think of the disparity between the north and south of England. infrastructure spending, what comes to mind are roads, Inequality between the north and the south has long bridges and trains, but it is also about research and existed, but has grown exponentially over the past two development, social infrastructure and social capital, decades. In 2004, London’s economy was the same size and about allowing money to be channelled into not as that of the north. As of 2020, London is a quarter only buildings and equipment but the day-to-day needs larger, according to the think-tank Onward. of public services. Her Majesty’s Government have since committed to The Government’s promise of levelling up is extremely a significant number of projects that seek to fulfil their welcome in the north, and particularly in my constituency. manifesto pledges and reverse the historic imbalance As my hon. Friend the Member for Southport said in between north and south. To date, a £5 billion package his introduction, London has received significantly more of new funding to overhaul bus and cycle links for every public spending per capita than the north has. Looking region outside London has been established. Northern at the 2003 Treasury Green Book updated by the then Powerhouse Rail and the upgrade to the trans-Pennine Labour Government, that is hardly a surprise. The route will serve to benefit regional interconnectivity, north and particularly the north-east have suffered since which is vital to collaboration and commerce between 2003, when these disastrous funding decisions were put key northern cities. in place as a direct result of the Green Book and its On 18 November, the Prime Minister announced the skewed investment criteria. The north is clearly Government’s 10-point plan for a green industrial disadvantaged, and reform is urgently required to give it revolution, which includes commitments to key stronger weight. The Green Book needs to be ripped up, infrastructure areas, notably public transport and clean and investment should go where it is needed in the north. energy. Today, the Chancellor will unveil the national December 2019 showed that the north had had enough infrastructure project, which will provide billions to and wanted change. The question is: how do we set improve transportation connectivity,improve infrastructure about doing that? First, new transport spending in the such as flood defences, and bolster fibre broadband in north should focus on connectivity and capacity. The our digital infrastructure. It is vital that the funding is north does not have the same issues as the south, and used to help areas that have long felt left behind by what will level up the north is connecting the north’s successive Governments, to boost local economies and forgotten and left-behind towns, villages and communities to create new sustainable jobs. Conservative MPs elected to employment centres and cities. That will connect to represent northern seats such as my own must hold people across the north to well-paying jobs and will the Government’s feet to the fire and help them to allow people access to better education, being an enabler realise their splendid vision for the north to ensure that to lift people up. our constituencies receive tangible and transformative Another part of this approach would obviously be change from these investment plans. the introduction of things such as freeports in Teesside However, the state should not always be the driving and using the assets of the state to move Government force behind infrastructure projects. Incentivising private Departments, as well as pump-priming and stimulating firms, which understand market demand and consumers private investment. That would also boost companies far better than the state should be the primary means of supplying infrastructure, such as Hitachi and Cleveland levelling up the entire United Kingdom, especially the Bridge, as well as smaller infrastructure companies such north. We should appreciate how Heathrow terminal 5 as Finley Structures in Newton Aycliffe. was entirely funded by private investment. It serves In my constituency, Ferryhill station has the east millions of passengers, providing hundreds of thousands coast main line and the Stillington spur running through of flights each year. it. Those lines are active and connect to major conurbations, We have reached the current stage only because of but the Stillington spur is for freight only, and the the failed policies of successive Governments of all fantastic Azumas just whisk straight on through. At stripes, who have created and entrenched a national one point, it was one of the busiest stations in Europe. divide through London-centric policies. Thus, a severe The Beeching reversal fund, launched by the DFT, market failure requires rectification. Once we emerge offered the opportunity for MPs to apply for funding to from the covid-19 pandemic and focus on resetting our reopen stations. I have made an application for Ferryhill economy, ensuring that every region of the United station, and I hope to hear about that shortly. 391WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 392WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending [Paul Howell] We do not necessarily want a quicker journey to London—again, it is a falsehood that HS2 is framed in A key dynamic of this Beeching rail reversal fund is terms of speed rather than capacity—but we do need to the need for MPs to lead. MPs have a unique perspective ensure that our northern towns and cities are linked on the communities that we represent; we often look at together so that we can truly make the northern our communities from a hyper-local perspective, allowing communities the economic powerhouse. us to see the issues and possible solutions, and how small changes can make a big difference. I suggest that Alec Shelbrooke: My hon. Friend is talking about the Government create a similar funding pot, open to HS2 and linking northern cities. There is a delay coming applications from MPs, to allow funding for particularly on phase 2b, as we have heard. Does he agree that we rural infrastructure projects that have been overlooked should look at this creatively and extend HS3 from or ignored by councils or mayors. That should be at the Manchester to Leeds, so that we do not have to wait level of sorting out a dangerous crossroads or getting decades to link up northern cities? broadband into a small village—the things that are too small for national attention, but never seem to quite Christian Wakeford: I completely agree with my right make the list of local councils or mayors. I am certain hon. Friend; in fact, he framed that argument so succinctly that every hon. Member in this debate from a non-urban- that I do not need to add to it. As I said, the choice centre seat could name a potential infrastructure project between HS2 and HS3 is a fallacy; we can, and should, in their constituency that has been overlooked, but that have both. would make a huge difference in their community if it In terms of the view that all roads lead to London, was to happen. the economy is not driven by London; the economy is To level up infrastructure spending in the north of growing more and faster in the north than anywhere England, we must look to our communities, and at both else in the country, and we need to support that. macro-connectivity and hyper-local interventions, to Much of this east-west connectivity is also driven by see what can be done to level up locally and regionally, the private sector. Drax wants to improve east-west with equal importance. Our communities need to see connectivity so that it can ship its fuel source from both serious, big schemes and immediate, community-level Liverpool over to Hull. That is part of our green initiatives, and they must believe that, in the future, the infrastructure recovery; it is about not just greener fuel decision-making field will be level. but carbon capture, which is intrinsic to meeting our net zero target. When we focus on our infrastructure for the 10.6 am north, it truly has to be a soft infrastructure-led, community-led and community-driven process that we Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Con): It is a pleasure are all part of . to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gradually. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Damien Moore). I do emphasise the term “Friend” because we 10.10 am go way back—before either of us took up a seat in this Sara Britcliffe (Hyndburn) (Con): It is a pleasure to place. serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. The I will start by touching on a point highlighted by the Government’s big promises to level up the north and hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury): this is build back better have been warmly welcomed by my about not only hard infrastructure, but soft infrastructure. constituents. It is not surprising that the north has been Unfortunately, I think he was approaching this from the widely ignored over the past decades; the Government wrong angle, and I much prefer the approach of my have the opportunity to bring towns and cities in the hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Paul Howell). north of England into the future, and to develop our hospitals, schools, railways and much more. We think of infrastructure very much in terms of concrete, new roads and new rail links. To me, that is In my maiden speech, I promised that places such as not what infrastructure is, or what levelling up is about; Hyndburn and Haslingden would not be forgotten anymore. for me, it is about education, skills and those communities We have the amazing towns of Haslingden, Huncoat, that we represent. How many times do we speak about Great Harwood and Rishton, and villages such as Belthorn, large-scale planning applications and then say that there and they have been forgotten. My constituency is at the is no real infrastructure to support them, when what we heart of Lancashire—on the right side of the Pennines, actually mean is that there are no schools, doctors, if I do say so myself—but we need investment, which is dentists and real economic centres to support thousands why I too look forward to listening to the Chancellor of new homes? That is not just an approach that the today. Treasury needs to take when moving forward, but an Alongside my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley approach that planning policy needs to adapt to to fully (Antony Higginbotham), I support a new swathe of understand what is going on in our communities. enterprise zones across the country, especially in east The white elephant of HS2 has been raised already in Lancashire. They would be places where businesses the debate. I have spoken in favour of it previously, and could invest in new machinery to help them diversify, it is the right kind of approach. However, we cannot while receiving capital relief; where the Government think of all roads leading to London, because that is a supported the infrastructure that was needed; and where falsehood. People from the north should not be forced job creation was clearly incentivised. to choose between HS2 or HS3, just as the people of Since becoming an MP, I have fought to reopen the London were not forced to choose between Crossrail Skipton to Colne railway line. We need the Government’s and Crossrail 2; they were able to have both, and they support to make that a reality. I am pleased to work were able to have their cake and eat it—that is the point with the local group, the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail of having cake. Action Partnership, which has worked tirelessly and 393WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 394WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending invested thousands to prove the viability of the air. We are not connected to any rail; we are on the tram redevelopment of the railway line, but we need to move system. If I were to talk about transport infrastructure, forward with the engineering study. That railway line it would have to be about buses. would connect east Lancashire to West Yorkshire in a Let us take a creative view of infrastructure. Let us new way, giving my constituents quick access to Leeds invest in those facilities, and in local politicians’ vision and other cities across the north, and opening up new for transforming their areas through the creation of job opportunities across the region. I want to highlight jobs and enterprise, which will basically improve the lot the economic advantages that would be gained by investing of thousands of their citizens. in that railway line, alongside the proposal for a freight terminal in Huncoat, which would support businesses Sara Britcliffe: On buses, we had a great campaign to and attract new ones to my constituency. That builds on save a vital bus service that ran through my constituency what my right hon. Friend the Member for Elmet and and that of my hon. Friend the Member for Bury North Rothwell (Alec Shelbrooke) said. (James Daly). Does he agree that services such as the I graduated from university only last year, and I used X41 are vital to our communities, and that it was a great to have to travel to Manchester. What should have been effort to save that bus route ? a 23-mile journey, taking about 40 minutes, used to take James Daly: I do. The campaign’ssuccess was completely me two hours every morning and evening. To level up down to my hon. Friend, so I am glad to be able to the north, we really need to improve our roads and acknowledge her input. I benefited by associating myself railways. with her efforts. My time is short, and I want to finish by talking The simple point I wish to make in conclusion is this: about town centres. I was elected on the promise that I infrastructure is facilities. It is the way to improve would push for investment in town centres such as people’s lives. Let us take a creative view of investing in Haslingden and Accrington, which were once a hub for local areas in the north. my community but are a shadow of their former selves. Town centres are vital. There is not the same lure for 10.16 am businesses to set up in the town centre, but I believe that Mr Richard Holden (North West Durham) (Con): It with strategic investment, we can make town centres is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. such as mine a centrepiece of business and social life. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southport I ask that the Government continue to take the (Damien Moore), whom I know well, for securing the pledges to level up the north seriously by making large debate. I disagree with my hon. Friend the Member for investments in towns such as mine. That would create a Hyndburn (Sara Britcliffe): there is no right side of the legacy for Hyndburn and Haslingden, and it would Pennines. It is vital that all of us across the north stick truly make sure that the forgotten towns in the north together. Speaking as someone from Lancashire who were forgotten no more. represents a seat in the north-east, nothing is clearer than the need to improve trans-Pennine links, as well as 10.13 am north-south links. James Daly (Bury North) (Con): When I saw this Christian Wakeford: As we are both proud Lancastrians, debate scheduled, I looked at the dictionary definition my hon. Friend will agree that the best thing to come of “infrastructure”, and it said: from Yorkshire is the road to Lancashire. “The basic physical and organisational structure and Mr Holden: I thank my hon. Friend for that, but I do facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.” not want to create further division; I am trying to bring Infrastructure therefore goes beyond roads, and this or us all together. that bypass; it is a much wider concept, as my hon. North West Durham is a unique constituency, in that Friends have said. When it comes to investing in facilities it has no dual carriageway and no railway line or in individual constituencies, I agree completely with my stations. Local people, feeling rather fed up with being hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Paul Howell) particularly left behind, last year voted for change, and that the role and input of MPs can be crucial and can for the first time elected a Conservative MP. On the have a huge impact on local communities. Prime Minister’s promise to level up the country properly, People who have listened to my various contributions I remember visiting the cricket club in the constituency in the House will know that I try to mention Bury of my hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Paul football club in every speech I give, no matter what it is Howell) with the Prime Minister after the election, and about—even if it is on foreign policy. The point about he doubled down on that pledge. the demise of that club is that its site, Gigg Lane in my I hope that today’s spending review and future Budgets constituency, is hugely important and strategic, but it will see some cash flow through. I agree with several has lain untouched for 12 months. Jobs and economic hon. Friends that levelling up is not just about infrastructure; activity have been lost. So much could be done with a it is about something broader than that. It is about site like that. After my election, I managed to persuade providing opportunity—the opportunity for a person Bury Council to look at investing in it, with a vision of to get on, provide for their family, help lift an entire creating jobs and enterprise, which is what is needed community, employ people and do the right thing. That from infrastructure. Those positive steps would transform is what many people in my community would like to see. my community, as I think my hon. Friend the Member for Bury South (Christian Wakeford) would completely Paul Howell: Does my hon. Friend agree that it is agree, and the passion of people in the town. That is important to have some small projects now, some planned what I think infrastructure is about. My town does not projects, and visions for the future? This is a journey need a bypass; any bypass would have to go up in the that starts now. 395WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 396WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending Mr Holden: I could not agree more with my Levelling up is about ensuring that we connect Northern hon. Friend. We need to show people that we are getting Powerhouse Rail and the cross-Pennine route. Also, it is on with the job. We need to show plans for the future about ensuring that the towns fund’s kick-start of up to and a real vision for where we want the country to be in £25 million is really delivered, so that, if we use those a few years’ time. That brings me to projects in my public funds wisely, we can crystallise private investment. constituency. When I go around my constituency,business after business We have had the news in the past few weeks that our tells me that they want to grow and expand. We need to local community hospital is to be redone. We are start thinking about how we can use public money campaigning for future infrastructure projects, particularly wisely to remove restrictive barriers and enable the wise in transport, such as the A68 project, on which I am use of private investment on infrastructure, and how we working with hon. Members from across the country. can revitalise business rate structures. There is a project to transform the Derwent walk into a There is one small project I would like to push the public transport link with cycling and walking alongside. Minister to consider in the short time I have: a pedestrian There are also improved cycling, walking and bus routes bridge across a dual carriageway connecting Silsden in Weardale, Crook and Willington in my constituency. and Steeton in my constituency. This has been talked We must not forget the cultural infrastructure, which about for nearly seven years; I must see it delivered in also helps support communities. I will be campaigning my time. for a new swimming bath for Crook; the Labour council To conclude, levelling up is much more than a slogan. closed down and demolished the old one within a few It is about transforming the lives of people right across weeks in 2012. the country,not just in the north. I am certainly committed Most importantly, I will reflect what my hon. Friend to doing that in my constituency. I will continue to the Member for Bury South (Christian Wakeford) said lobby on behalf of all of my residents. about education. In the past few weeks, I was really glad to see the removal of the age cap of 23 on the entitlement 10.23 am to a first level 3 qualification, and to see other moves to Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con): I feel do with post-qualification applications to university. a bit of an intruder, because Stoke-on-Trent might That is a direction we need to head in. This is not about geographically be placed in the west midlands, at the one thing, and not just about infrastructure; it is about very tip of the midlands engine, but we very much see our collective approach in the long term. ourselves as the gatekeepers to the northern powerhouse. For too long, Stoke-on-Trent has been forgotten, stuck 10.20 am between Manchester and Birmingham, where money is Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con): It is a pleasure to being poured in, left, right and centre. Stoke-on-Trent is serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. I thank my the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom, but is hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Damien Moore) sadly in the bottom 20% for social mobility and for for securing this debate. I want to touch on the concept level 3 and 4 qualification take-up. The average house of levelling up, which all of us have spoken about, and price is £114,000. It is a city with plenty of brownfield to give some thought to what it actually means. We have sites, but, sadly, buildings are rotting away, because the all talked about it and many of us stood on a manifesto negative land value means that, to developers, it is not to deliver it. But what does it actually mean to somebody worth investing. on the ground? In my constituency of Keighley, it very When it comes to infrastructure, I concur with many much refers to that forgotten-about place that many of of the comments made today.People are wary of “shiny” us have referred to. For far too long, Keighley and and “new” in our area, because they have seen vanity Ilkley have sat in the shadows of Leeds and Bradford. projects being built time and again which have resulted Levelling up is about ensuring that places like Keighley in no real, drastic change in their personal circumstances. get the economic recognition they deserve, ensuring Therefore, I am not asking the Minister from the Treasury that proper, sound, well-thought-through investment is to just build lots of shiny stuff; what I am asking for is a put right into the hearts of these places. I mean tangible real focus on how we spend that money. investment in projects that will make a real difference to I build on the superb comments from my hon. Friends everyday lives, and not just glorified, piecemeal projects, the Members for Bury South (Christian Wakeford), for but projects that will have a real impact. For me, the Bury North (James Daly), and for North West Durham levelling-up agenda is about investment in society and (Mr Holden), who talked about education. I have too communities—inourhealthcare,inourschools,indelivering many schools in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and homes and, of course, in cutting crime, which is a huge Talke that are simply not hitting the mark. They are consideration in my constituency. producing results that ensure that children stay trapped Levelling up is also about infrastructure. When I say in a cycle of low-skilled, low-wage jobs. Education infrastructure, I mean a whole range of products. In the means free school investment. It also means ensuring summer, the Prime Minister himself said that we need that adult education—the lifetime skills guarantee—is to build, build, build, and build back better. Those applied in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, and ensuring sound like great soundbites, but it is exactly what we the local college has the funding to deliver. People may need to do. I want to talk about projects in my constituency. not be aware of this, but 12% of my workforce have no My hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn (Sara Britcliffe) formal qualifications—8% higher than the national average. talked about the Skipton to Colne railway, which I It also means homes—not just affordable homes, support hugely. We need to get that delivered, and to because as I said earlier, Stoke-on-Trent has those. connect Yorkshire to Lancashire, so that my constituents What we need are the four and five-bed executive homes can get across to Manchester much quicker, and hers that can attract commuters to Manchester and Birmingham can get across to Leeds. to the area, to help bring regeneration and wealth. 397WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 398WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending However, that also means giving us money, as the to us that the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner, Government did at the Royal Doulton site, where we which gives access to Yorkshire and the east midlands, knocked down the empty factory and managed to build should be accessible in all weathers. In that respect, over 200 brand new homes, each of which will have what matters to people in Scotland probably matters as gigabit installed directly—pure gigabit, not the stuff much to the communities all along those corridors. that BT and others claim that they are inserting into the Particularly important is the discussion about what network grid. goes where, to what timescale and, crucially—as noted We need to ensure improved transport. That means by the hon. Members for Blackpool North and Cleveleys finally giving Stoke the transforming cities fund money (Paul Maynard) and for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury), that it truly deserves. It means ensuring the Stoke to who is no longer in his place—who gets to decide. It is Leek line that connects North Staffordshire is delivered, not just about existing infrastructure; future infrastructure and ensuring that Superbus, which has been paused due in Scotland is also affected by what is or is not decided to covid, is reopened, so we can have better and affordable for the north of England and the rest of the UK. bus routes, and a big push on the hydrogen bus idea in Let me return to the subject of HS2. It is clear that Stoke. The towns fund is an example of how this there are diverse views in the governing party on the Government have been superb in ensuring that areas merits or otherwise of HS2, perhaps governed in some have a chance to level up, and to take ownership of part by how close MPs are likely to be to a station on what they want to see. Kidsgrove’s bid is in with the the route that is chosen. For us in Scotland, however, it Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is quite simple: there is a real benefit in relation to and I am hoping we get our full £25 million ask. climate. If we can get the journey from Edinburgh, The town of Tunstall was previously stuck in the city Glasgow and other parts of central Scotland to London of Stoke-on-Trent, which meant it was excluded from below four hours, that is an absolute game changer. the last round of the scheme. Stoke is a collection of Nobody would fly, unless they were going somewhere six towns. Tunstall should not have to miss out. Burslem close to the airport. If somebody is going from central has the greatest number of closed high street shops in Scotland to central London, of course they would take the UK; it is the perfect place for the Government to a high-speed train. It is a game changer. lead a pilot on how to repurpose and regenerate a high Alec Shelbrooke: I have a genuine question. The hon. street with town housing, flats, office space and a mixture Gentleman will have heard the speculation about a link of small retail and restaurants—and, hopefully, some between Northern Ireland and Scotland, and what strikes pubs, when we exit this lockdown. I hope the Government me is the ability to build a high-speed railway between will add my shopping list to the long list of personal Belfast and Glasgow, and then down the west coast to requests that I am sure the Minister has been making, London. I am genuinely interested in the hon. Gentleman’s and that they will ensure levelling up is a real opportunity thoughts on that. for everyone we serve. Richard Thomson: I thank the right hon. Gentleman James Gray (in the Chair): Before I call the next for his intervention. Not so much in Scottish politics, speaker, I congratulate colleagues on their self-restraint: but certainly in Northern Irish politics, it is a bit of a we got 14 in Back-Bench speeches in the time available standing joke that whenever a bauble needs to be dangled, to us, which demonstrates that self-restraint works better there is talk of a bridge between Scotland and Northern than formal time limits. Ireland. There are tremendous technical challenges with that going over Beaufort’s dyke, which is exceptionally 10.28 am deep and full of munitions. Technically, it would be extraordinarily challenging. However the Green Book Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP): It is a pleasure to formula works out, I do not think we will ever see a serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. I congratulate benefit-cost ratio that will make such a project work, the hon. Member for Southport (Damien Moore) on but I am content to let the accountants and number securing this important debate. I heard one or two crunchers work that one out. Certainly, in theory, if we murmurs as I came into the Committee this morning: could create better connections in the south-west of “What on earth is an SNP member for the north-east of Scotland and link Northern Ireland to Scotland and Scotland doing intruding on a debate like this?” Let me elsewhere, I am all in favour of that. put hon. Members’ minds at rest: it is not to provoke a On HS2, if the line is to split either side of the regeneration of the Wars of the Roses. I think some Pennines, it is pretty important to us in Scotland to Members have been quite capable of stirring that up all know on which side of the Pennines it will go. If it goes by themselves, and I take no sides; I am strictly neutral both sides, logically it is going to head north more in that. However, it quite simple for me: whether Scotland slowly than it would otherwise. That matters, because if is inside the UK, as everybody else in this room presumably it goes by Carlisle, we would build a high-speed rail hopes, or outside the UK, as I earnestly hope it will network in Scotland between Glasgow, Edinburgh and be, the infrastructure—particularly the transport Carlisle. If it goes up through Newcastle, we would link infrastructure—in the north of England matters to us Glasgow to Edinburgh and Berwick, and go down that as well. There are extensive business and family connections way. Frankly, there is no point spending any money between Scotland and the north of England—or not- until there is absolute certainty about which way the the-north-of-England, depending on whether we include line will go. That affects the rest of Scotland, because Stoke-on-Trent, and where we draw the demarcation. we would be building new infrastructure that would free The north of England lies between us and markets in up train paths capacity and give line speed improvements the south of England, as well as crucial markets in for the rest of the rail network in Scotland to get into Europe, so it matters to us that the A1 is so poor after Edinburgh and Glasgow, so the decisions that are or are Berwick, and between Berwick and Newcastle. It matters not taken also matter to us. 399WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 400WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending [Richard Thomson] The hon. Member for Southport mentioned that there was a lack of Labour Members at this debate. A There is little doubt that if HS2 had started in Scotland similar debate was held on 11 November, led by my to go to London, rather than t’other way about, it hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley Central (Dan would have happened a great deal faster than it now Jarvis), on support for the economy in the north of appears to be happening. That sums up the problem. England. A number of my colleagues have been vocal We can change the formulas in the Treasury’s Green on this issue but are unable to attend this debate due to Book, but changing attitudes is another matter entirely. covid-19. The Prime Minister once notoriously stated that a To be the bearer of bad news, the Conservative pound spent in Croydon was worth more than a pound Government have failed to deliver their promise to spent in Strathclyde, and I think we can take it that such deliver infrastructure investment. The right hon. Member an attitude also prevails for Merseyside, Manchester for Tatton (Esther McVey) said that she had asked for and Tyneside. It is quite an embedded mindset in the local investment for local transport, where people were British Government class—I do not think it is as rare as waiting two hours for a train and it was hard to find a some hon. Members might wish to think. We will hear bus route. She also mentioned digital infrastructure. My later today about the Chancellor’s spending plans and hon. Friend the Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury) see what transpires. talked about closing the economic divide, dealing with My final observation is that since 1999, under economic inequality and powering up the north, as well various shades of political administration, Scottish as the unfinished business of devolution. Governments—whether the Lib-Lab coalition, minority The right hon. Member for Elmet and Rothwell (Alec SNP or majority SNP—have moved on investment in Shelbrooke) talked about short, medium and long-term Scotland considerably better than in the bad old days of projects, which must be transformational. The hon. rule from the Scotland Office and Westminster. That is Member for Leigh (James Grundy) talked about congestion why it is crucial where decisions are taken and why and air quality—I know that he was also at the last devolution ought to be such an important part of this debate. He spoke about connecting his constituency to debate for the north of England. Greater Manchester. I agree with him that the time for The UK Internal Market Bill is set to encroach on talking needs to stop. many of Holyrood’s powers, including the power to set Six years on from the announcement of Northern infrastructure spending. Under the guise of “taking Powerhouse Rail, that line has still not been approved, back control”, the UK Government are in many respects let alone started. Transport for the North’s website actually taking away control, and I know it is not just states that the project will be the region’s single biggest people in my party who regret that that is the case. transport investment since the industrial revolution. London clearly receives 60% more per head in capital Far from something to brag about, that is a damning expenditure than the north-east of England, and 50% more reflection of the Government’s commitment to investing than the north-west. Ultimately, that dial needs to be in the north. shifted. In conclusion, I strongly suspect that it will take a Jonathan Gullis: Will the hon. Lady give way? great deal more than today’s announcement to shift that decades-old structural imbalance in where power Abena Oppong-Asare: I am afraid that I will not, as really lies in the UK, because that power imbalance time is short. I ask the Minister to tell me when the has roots in politics and the electoral system, and it northern regional economy will be taken more seriously. goes well beyond simple allocations of public expenditure. When will the Government deliver investment in projects in line with other regions of the UK? 10.35 am When it comes to delivering projects,the Prime Minister’s Abena Oppong-Asare (Erith and Thamesmead) (Lab): portfolio is one of failure. The failed London garden Thank you for the opportunity to speak in this bridge project cost the taxpayer £53 million. The Olympic debate, Mr Gray. The hon. Member for Southport orbit tower, which was forecast to make a profit of (Damien Moore) has secured a timely debate. He £1.2 million in its business plan, has produced a debt of mentioned the Government’s 10-point plan and nuclear £13 million, which grows by £700,000 every year. We investment opportunities to unleash potential. That have seen a theme of failed projects played out in the was echoed by the hon. Member for Wakefield (Imran regions of the UK. In the west midlands, people are still Ahmad Khan). waiting for the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, We know that the Chancellor is expected to set out which will eventually open four years too late and cost infrastructure spending commitments in his comprehensive taxpayers £700 million. The Royal Liverpool Hospital spending review today. Given that the north of England is more than five years late and projected costs are now has been disproportionately impacted by covid-19 in expected to reach £1.063 billion after the collapse of health and economics, according to the report by the outsourcing giant Carillion, and the taxpayer is still on Northern Health Science Alliance, any investment in the hook for £739 million of the overall figure. that region is timely and welcome. We are concerned I sincerely hope that, for people living in the north of about the disproportionate economic consequences of England, the Government’spledge to level up is successful, covid-19, which make the Chancellor’s announcements but I believe it would be much more fruitful to focus on on infrastructure spending so important today.Therefore, ongoing projects, a point that has been made by other as shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I must hon. Members in this debate. That would enable the ensure that the Government’sactions are closely scrutinised. Government to draw on the great research and The north needs real investment, not just empty promises infrastructure that is already available in the north and half-finished projects. and to consult with people living in the region on what 401WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 402WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending they need to see from the Government, rather than billions in requests from my thrifty Conservative colleagues, announcing a new shopping list of proposals that are as well as from those in other parties, so I am very unlikely to come to fruition and that will not benefit grateful that they have managed to restrain their appetite— those who are most in need. possibly because they are looking forward so intently to the festivities this afternoon. Sara Britcliffe: Will the hon. Lady give way? As my hon. Friends and colleagues across the House Abena Oppong-Asare: I am afraid that I am unable to. will know, I am responding because I am the Minister responsible for the national infrastructure strategy, the We know that people living in the north of England National Infrastructure Commission and the Infrastructure have suffered the worst impact on their mental wellbeing, Projects Authority. If I may, I will come to many of the are more likely to have lost their jobs due to covid and comments that were raised and talk a little bit about not have had much higher rates of covid-19 fatalities. The just the what, but the how of infrastructure, because north needs social, economic and health recovery from that has been well flagged in today’s debate. covid-19 that will address the immediate issues. Labour has consistently called for support for mental wellbeing, I do not think that it needs to be stated too often, and including a schools recovery curriculum. We have called it should not be forgotten, that the desire to invest for for investment in local authorities so that they can the long term and to level up this country is the driving provide services that locals are proud of. We need to see force of this Administration. It is an absolutely central the return of youth clubs, libraries open seven days a part of what the Prime Minister,the Cabinet and colleagues week, access to leisure facilities and community hubs. across the Government stand for. The advent of this With regard to creating sustainable, high-quality jobs, pandemic virus has only strengthened and increased the we have already done the work for the Government and appetite to push forward, and the urgency of that set out to create 400,000 clean, green jobs across the mission. To that, the quality of our infrastructure and country over the next 18 months. The plan requires the speed of its delivery are absolutely essential. three simple steps. If the Government knuckle down If I may, I will just rewind a little bit. Colleagues will and agree to work with MPs across the House, businesses recall that in the March Budget we announced historic big and small and members of the public, we will be increases in capital spending, setting out plans for more able to create not only a sustainable economy, but a than half a trillion pounds of investment over the next sustainable future for our planet. few years. It is important to remember that that investment We need to recover jobs, with investment and is not just public investment; it is also private investment. co-ordination to secure up to 400,000 additional good It is very easy to forget the central importance of green jobs. We need to retrain workers—something I private investment. This country—through the quality think we all agree on—and equip them with the skills of its regulation, its rule of law, its openness, its ability needed to deploy the green technologies of the future. to set up a business, its accessibility, its language and its We also need to rebuild businesses, with a stronger culture—remains extremely attractive to international social contract between Government and businesses to investment, as a place to put hard-earned cash, and tackle the climate crisis and ecological deterioration, rightly so. while promoting prosperity and employment. I urge the In June, the Government explained how they plan to Minister to recommend this plan to the Chancellor and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure schemes. In to ensure that yet more money is not thrown at projects July, they said they would be bringing forward £8.6 billion that are unlikely ever to be completed. of capital spending, focusing on shovel-ready projects, and this afternoon we have not just the spending review 10.43 am statement, but the publication of the national infrastructure The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman): strategy and some ancillary documents around that. What a delight it is to serve under your chairmanship, That will set out the plans for the ambitious acceleration Mr Gray. I congratulate you, if I may, on the extremely of investment in our country’s infrastructure and, of elegant and deft way in which you have managed the course, its relation to the levelling-up agenda. If it does Back-Bench contributions to this debate, with a lightness not perfectly address all the questions that my hon. of touch that has brought great joy to everyone. It has Friend the Member for Southport raised his speech, been a good-natured debate, and I thank everyone for then that is only because if he had given us a couple the comments, questions and arguments that they have put. more days we would have been able to reshape the thing I would particularly like to single out, on behalf of even more precisely. colleagues, my hon. Friend the Member for Southport Let me also talk a little bit about what has been (Damien Moore) for hosting and calling this debate and achieved so far. The hon. Member for Erith and for the fact that, in doing so, he has brilliantly selected a Thamesmead (Abena Oppong-Asare), whom I again day on which the Chancellor himself will be stepping welcome to her place on the Opposition Front Bench, forward with some answers to the specific questions talked about what has been achieved so far. It is important that he is putting. I must say that, as an example of to flag up what has been achieved, and then we can talk influence in the Chamber, I do not think that is to be about where we want to go. The first thing I would say bettered; I am very impressed indeed that someone of is that there is an enormous amount of investment such tender years in the Chamber and in this Parliament already going into the ground, particularly in the north should be able to bring about such a state of affairs, so I of England. In his summer economic update,the Chancellor congratulate him on that very much indeed. unveiled the great get Britain building fund. Already I also congratulate colleagues across the House on Mayors and local enterprise partnerships across the the astonishing fiscal rectitude that they have shown, by north have received some £319 million from the fund, to and large. At this point, we are normally into the tens of deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure. That money is 403WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 404WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending [Jesse Norman] the comments made by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent North (Jonathan Gullis), who was right pushing forward a range of projects, from the roll-out to focus on that. Through the national infrastructure of electric vehicle charging points in South Yorkshire to strategy, which we are publishing this afternoon, and a new garden village in Liverpool. through the work that goes on around it, with the Colleagues will be aware of the towns fund, which is National Infrastructure Commission that we set up and already under way and which, if I may say so, is a great the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, we are thinking example of collaborative cross-party local engagement, harder about how to choose, integrate and deliver schemes designed to liberate energies, bring forward projects as best we can and better than any other Government that were not necessarily on local councils’ radar screens for a long time. and bring them into a coherent, long-term relationship I will give a little example that is close to my heart: with each other and as part of a single plan for particular the ministerial training programme that I set up for towns. colleagues, who will be pleased to know that it is now in That fund is paying for infrastructure schemes that its second phase. We have taken the view that Ministers will unleash the economic potential of smaller communities can benefit, as can senior civil servants and anyone who across the country. It has been rightly said by colleagues aspires to be in the senior civil service, from becoming that we should not be purely focused on cities. This is a better clients of major projects and better able to ask very important aspect of that, and I commend it to searching questions about timing, schedule and budget them. I am delighted that the constituency of my of delivery. That important programme is something hon. Friend the Member for Southport is among the that we have put in place. As colleagues will know, we places that are benefiting. We have also accelerated the plan to set up a new economic campus in the north of issuance of some £96 million from the fund, to pay for England, with a substantial number of civil servants the roll-out of even more projects that will fuel economic and people from across the economic parts of Government, recovery after the coronavirus. to give not just a local presence, but a change of Of course, it is hard to think about infrastructure mindset that responds to colleagues’ concerns. without thinking about transport. That will continue to If I may pick up on a couple of other points about be crucial to unlocking the productivity of this country, the “how?”, colleagues will know that we recently established in particular in the north. That is why we are investing the northern transport acceleration council, which is very substantially—indeed, record sums—into improving designed to get those projects up and running more it. The transforming cities fund has provided city regions quickly.Weare pressing harder on the devolution agenda— across the north, including Greater Manchester,Liverpool colleagues have rightly flagged that—and have just agreed and Tees Valley, with over £800 million to make their a devolution deal with West Yorkshire for £1 billion of transport networks even better and greener. At the last investment and a directly elected Metro Mayor from Budget, we also announced a £4.2 billion investment May next year. We fully implemented the Sheffield City across eight city regions, including Greater Manchester, Region deal, including £900 million of new funding, Sheffield and the Tees Valley, for five-year consolidated along with substantial devolved powers over transport, transport settlements, starting in 2022. In addition, we skills and planning. We intend to go further still through are spending billions of pounds on upgrading the north’s the forthcoming devolution and local recovery White major strategic road network. Paper. As colleagues will be aware, I negotiated the road I am lucky that, thanks to your genius, Mr Gray— investment strategy 2 with the Treasury when I was on James Gray (in the Chair): Don’t overdo it. the other side of the fence at the Department of Transport, with my hon. Friend—my beloved friend—the hon. Jesse Norman—I have a bit of time left to spend Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul talking about the specific comments that have been Maynard). In RIS2, we were able to negotiate a substantial made, which have been extremely helpful and investment in roadbuilding on a strategic basis across interesting. My hon. Friend the Member for Southport the country, including a lot of schemes in the north. was absolutely right to encourage us to look at rural areas as well as cities. He painted an almost garden of That is not just about new roads, but about making Eden-like picture of life in Southport, where people our existing road network more effective and ready for stroll airily from flower shows to comedy festivals electric vehicles and, in due course, autonomous vehicles. to air shows, while striking a mean four iron on That is an important part of the development of our Royal Birkdale. I thought that an exquisite moment in overall infrastructure. Those schemes include dualling his speech. He rightly highlighted the importance of the A66 across the Pennines and of the A1 from Morpeth railway, the stronger towns fund and the to Ellingham in the north-east, and upgrading the A63 freeports, which he will know we have announced, and and Castle Street in Hull and the Simister island junction from which the north could benefit hugely in this in Greater Manchester. competition. The same is true for investment in the north’s railways. The hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury) As colleagues will be aware, we are going to publish an is no longer in his place but I thought that he was right integrated rail plan that looks at the scope, form and to focus on devolution, which I touched on in earlier phasing of rail investment in the north and the midlands. remarks. The point about the capillaries and arteries of We will also seek to reverse some of the Beeching cuts infrastructure was well made by my right hon. Friend of the 1960s, so that we can get more community the Member for Tatton (Esther McVey). My right connections in place. hon. Friend the Member for Elmet and Rothwell (Alec I spoke earlier about the importance when we invest Shelbrooke) was absolutely right to focus on the short, not just of the what, but of the how, and colleagues medium and long term. As he will know, one of the were absolutely right to raise that question. I single out great unsung heroes of transport policy over the last 405WH North of England: 25 NOVEMBER 2020 North of England: 406WH Infrastructure Spending Infrastructure Spending few years has been Sir Rod Eddington. His report was choices, and accountability for that, is absolutely right. very much about managing smaller schemes—often I think the stronger accounts fund is rather a good way enormously important and not to be forgotten—that of tying those elements together, so I do not disagree move people, particularly in suburbs and areas of large with him about that. volumes of traffic, by rail, road or other means, and it My hon. Friend the Member for Bury South (Christian was absolutely right. Wakeford) talked about infrastructure of the mind, as I My right hon. Friend’s call for a new Rhine system of would call it. Skills are so important, but so easy to navigation in the north was optimistic, but I respect the forget, and only to focus on transport, and he was intent and energy behind it. My hon. Friend the Member absolutely right about that. I commend to him the work for Leigh (James Grundy) was right to pick up on light of the new university we are setting up in Hereford, rail. When I was in the Department for Transport, we which does exactly that. The importance of cultural did a consultation on light rail, which has such great infrastructure was mentioned by my hon. Friend the potential. It is extremely inexpensive compared with Member for North West Durham (Mr Holden). I hope some of the heavier rail alternatives, and it could be a I have said enough to recognise the contributions otherwise beautiful new industry for the UK to develop. We have made, so rather than overrun, I will allow my dear a tremendous amount of relevant skills in the supply friend the Member for Southport to close the debate. chain, and I very much look forward to hearing more about that from colleagues. 10.58 am Damien Moore: I thank all Members for their spirit Alec Shelbrooke: If my right hon. Friend will indulge of conviviality during today’s debate. It is most refreshing me for one second, we have had a good debate and when so many colleagues actually agree with one another. many colleagues have participated. I just want to put on The debate was not confined to colleagues from the the record that some of our colleagues have been unable north of England, although every debate that involves to contribute. For example, my hon. Friend the hon. those colleagues always has a Pennines, Lancashire and Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew), who was unable Yorkshire dynamic to it. It is important to recognise to take part due to his commitments, is equally involved that infrastructure spending in the north not only benefits in infrastructure in the north, and his ambitions are our communities, but the communities that they touch. there. I just want to get on the record that many The hon. Member for Gordon (Richard Thomson) colleagues in the north were unable to take part—I am mentioned communities in Scotland. sure the Minister will have responded to them—but they are as important in this conversation as the rest My hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent North of us. (Jonathan Gullis), a passionate campaigner, talked about the midlands and the northern links that we have there. Jesse Norman: My right hon. Friend is absolutely It is often said that the north was built by people of right. The unheard voices are as important as the voices enterprise, talent and ability, and I am pleased that we in the room. Of course, as he knows, my door remains have seen so many of those attributes portrayed by the absolutely open for them at any point, in this debate or representatives of those areas today. otherwise. We await with eager anticipation the spending My dear friend the hon. Member for Blackpool North commitments today. I am sure we are even more eager and Cleveleys rightly raised the point about BCRs, for the Minister to get over to the Treasury to rewrite which is an important technical point and they should the spending commitments for all the things that we not be abused. There is a certain art and craft to have asked for. Nevertheless, the commitments that the effective valuation assessment. The centre for it across Government have to the north are clear and absolute, Government is in the Department for Transport rather and I am sure we will be in this Chamber and the main than in the Treasury. We have a great deal of respect for Chamber of the House debating what we want to see the work that they do there, although there is a very for our communities. They are more than projects; this high level of understanding of industry in the Treasury, is about people. in a way that has not always been true. That means we Question put and agreed to. get a better client relationship between the two sides, or Resolved, a better interaction between the Ministries,the Departments, That this House has considered infrastructure spending in the and the centre. North of England. My hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Paul Howell) raised the idea of a funding pot for MPs, which James Gray (in the Chair): I will suspend the sitting I have to say raises all kinds of worries in me. We have for three minutes. been there before in our history some 100 years ago, so I am a little bit nervous about that, but the idea that 10.59 am there should be significant political leadership in making Sitting suspended. 407WH 25 NOVEMBER 2020 NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 408WH Inequalities NHS Dentistry and Oral Health patients were able to access dental care, compared with Inequalities last year, and that between March and October 19 million appointments were lost. One local Bradford dentist told me: 11.2 am “Our phones are ringing hot with new patients who have no Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab): I beg to dentist access, which has certainly been made worse by this year’s move, lockdown. On top of this we are facing significant staffing pressures, due to increased triage requirements and the need to That this House has considered access to NHS dentistry and thoroughly clean the practice between patients.” oral health inequalities. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Just yesterday,I was contacted by one of my constituents Mr Gray. I am delighted to have secured this debate on who has been trying to get a dental appointment for five access to dentistry and oral health inequalities. I have months and is living with gum disease and toothache. spoken about this issue many times in this place, and it That is simply unacceptable. is more urgent now than ever. I will shortly turn to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on dentistry in this Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op): I am country and, in particular, on access and oral health grateful to my hon. Friend for securing this debate and inequalities, but first I would like to set the scene a little. for all her campaigning work on dentistry services. In York, it is really challenging to get registered with an In 2017, I held an Adjournment debate entitled “Access NHS dentist, let alone access their services. One of the to NHS Dentists”. In that debate, I said: things that has exacerbated that during the pandemic is “Millions of people each and every year are being left without access to personal protective equipment for people who access to an NHS dentist.”—[Official Report, 12 September 2017; Vol. 628, c. 812.] are overseeing our oral health. Does my hon. Friend believe, as I do, that oral health has not been seen as an I urged the Government to get on with dental contract equal partner in the provision of healthcare? We seriously reform and bring forward a coherent strategy to tackle have to address that, including access to PPE. the inadequacies and inequalities in the dental health system. That was three years ago, and of course no one Judith Cummins: I certainly agree with my hon. Friend could have foreseen the events of this year, but I am about access to PPE and the fact that dentistry is very making the point at the outset of this debate that NHS much seen as the Cinderella service of the NHS. dentistry in this country was already in a sorry state before covid struck. It was therefore extremely vulnerable Clearing the backlog will be a considerable challenge. to what has happened since March, the effects of which Even in the best of circumstances it would take years, have been disastrous. The crisis in access that people but unfortunately we are not in the best of circumstances. were experiencing prior to March has been turbocharged. As people who have tried to get dental appointments Solving it now requires the Government to dramatically since June know, dentists are operating with considerably change their approach to oral health treatment and reduced capacity. About 70% of practices are operating prevention. In discussing the impact of covid on dentistry, at less than half their pre-pandemic capacity.The primary I will focus mainly on England. reason for that is the requirement for a period of fallow time after each appointment to allow any aerosols that Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): My hon. Friend may have been produced by treatments such as drilling is a student of the Old Testament, and she will know or even scale and polish to settle, and then for a long Proverbs 25, verse 19: deep clean to take place. The fallow period can be for “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a up to one hour. broken tooth”. In October, the number of NHS treatments carried We are certainly in a time of trouble. It is not for me to out was a third the level of the year before. In the BDA’s call the Prime Minister an unfaithful man— members survey published earlier this month, 87% of dentists in England cited fallow time as a top barrier to James Gray (in the Chair): Certainly not. You must increasing patient access.That could be significant reduced. be brief. The number of patients seen could be increased by installing high-capacity ventilation equipment. However, Barry Gardiner: But the lack of support for dentistry the price of such equipment and ventilation is estimated and dental technicians has certainly resulted in a few to start at about £10,000, and the cost is considerably broken teeth. What does my hon. Friend believe is the more for larger practices with a high number of surgeries. single most important thing that the Government can The British Dental Association members survey shows do to support dentistry and the oral health of the that the majority of dental practices in England are not nation? currently in a financial position to afford such an outlay for investment. However, the practices least likely to Judith Cummins: The single most important thing have had the appropriate equipment tend to serve the that the Government can do is reform the dental health most deprived communities, and are also the least likely contract with a view to more prevention. to be able to afford that investment, increasing oral During the initial period of lockdown, between March health inequalities further. That vicious cycle of and June, all routine dental care in England was paused underinvestment in our most deprived communities and urgent dental care hubs were set up to provide feeds inequalities in health outcomes. emergency treatment to patients. That period of closure has clearly led to an enormous backlog of patients Scott Mann (North Cornwall) (Con): I thank the requiring treatment. The British Dental Association hon. Lady for securing this very important debate. It estimates that in April and May only about 2% of sounds like Bradford has a similar challenge to Cornwall. 409WH NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 25 NOVEMBER 2020 NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 410WH Inequalities Inequalities We have had a longstanding shortage of provision for As well as the pain and suffering that such delays NHS dentistry in Cornwall, particularly around recruitment cause patients, including problems eating, speaking and and retention. I had a very constructive meeting with sleeping, they contribute to the impending public health the Minister on this issue recently. Can we work together crisis of resistance to antibiotics, as people require across the House to put together a programme of work multiple courses of antibiotics while waiting for surgery. that the Government can adopt to ensure that places I understand that eight organisations, including the such as Bradford and Cornwall get proper NHS provision? British Dental Association, Mencap, the Royal College of Surgeons, and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, wrote to the Secretary of State about this in mid-September, Judith Cummins: Of course, I welcome cross-party but have yet to receive a response, so would the Minister work on this. I am vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary ensure that they receive a response as soon as possible? group for dentistry and oral health. I would very much welcome the hon. Member as a member of the APPG, I have focused on the practical problems that dentists and look forward to sorting out dentistry, including and patients are facing as a result of the pandemic, but I NHS dentistry, once and for all, with a particular view would now like to turn to the effects that this is having to addressing the difficulties his constituents face. on oral health inequalities. The covid pandemic has exacerbated socioeconomic, ethnic and regional inequalities I ask the Government to step in now and provide across the country,and will worsen oral health inequalities capital funding to invest in new ventilation equipment too. According to the Association of Dental Groups, to help to reduce these fallow times. It is simply not access to treatments for poorer patients has fallen by good enough to say that dental practices must fund this 39% over the past 10 years. Regions such as Yorkshire themselves. We all know how precarious their funding and the Humber have struggled for years with an acute is, and how hard it has been hit by the pandemic. This is crisis in access to NHS dentistry. I have raised this many a matter of public health, and it is the Government’s times with various public health ministers, and while we responsibility to safeguard and protect that. To avoid have taken some small but important steps to improve that responsibility would be a matter of gross negligence things—especially when the hon. Member for Winchester on the Government’s part. (Steve Brine) was Minister—for which I am very grateful, In recent years, neither NHS England nor the the situation is still fundamentally inadequate. Department of Health and Social Care has extended Inequalities in access to dentistry inevitably lead to any capital funding to dental practices. The situation we inequalities in oral health outcomes. A child in Yorkshire now find ourselves in requires a change of approach. and the Humber is five times more likely to be admitted Local dentists have contacted me about the importance to hospital for a tooth extraction than a child in the of maintaining temporary contract provisions that have East of England. In Bradford, 36% of children have been in place during the pandemic. Alan McGlaughlin, tooth decay,compared with just 7% in the best performing a dentist in my constituency, told me: area of the country. “Our fear is that NHS England may ask us to achieve more than the notional level of 20% of contracted targets for next year. This will be impossible due to allowable body flow in through the Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con): I thank the hon. door and the cleaning and fallow periods required. I hope the Lady for securing this debate. This has been a big issue NHS will allow for this issue and only then can we settle into a for many of my constituents across Keighley and Ilkley, positive routine for the care of our patients.” in terms of the outreach programmes that are done by Can the Minister confirm that this target will not be dentists and hospitals, ensuring that those children with increased, putting practices under impossible pressure? tooth decay get the appropriate education about how to treat and look after their teeth. Does she agree that the Turning to secondary care, the pandemic has had a Government could provide more emphasis on that? significant effect on waiting times for dental procedures in hospital. Thousands of children and vulnerable adults who require dental treatment under general anaesthetic Judith Cummins: I absolutely agree that prevention are waiting in pain for treatment. There have been work is key to solving much of our dental crisis, particularly countless horrifying reports in recent months. The BBC for children. I am also concerned about the effect of the has reported on a patient who suffered eyesight damage pandemic on the oral health of vulnerable groups, after not receiving treatment for a fractured tooth, including pregnant women, people who have been shielding which became an abscess. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail and people with dementia. They are highly unlikely to has reported the case of a seven-year-old girl who was have received any dental care since March. Inevitably, left in severe pain for months after she was unable to get problems will have built up. In the case of pregnant an appointment. Even before the pandemic, the waiting women, who under normal circumstances would be time for this kind of treatment was around one year. able to receive treatment for up to 12 months after the That is set to become significantly worse, given the birth of their baby,will the Minister outline what provisions backlog and reduced operating capacity. are in place to ensure they will be able to receive their I recently tabled a question asking for how many NHS dental treatment free of charge despite the backlog children planned dental admission to hospital has been in treatment? suspended or cancelled since the start of the covid-19 Finally, I would like to make a few points about the outbreak. The Department responded that data was long-term future of dentistry in this country. Dental not available in the format requested. I find it simply practices across England—and with them the very fabric unbelievable that the Department of Health and Social of dental care for millions of people—are facing an Care does not hold this information, so perhaps the existential threat. We are at a crisis point for dentistry. Minister can answer that question. If she cannot do so Most British Dental Association members believe they today, I would welcome an answer later on. can survive only for 12 months or less in the face 411WH NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 25 NOVEMBER 2020 NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 412WH Inequalities Inequalities [Judith Cummins] units of dental activity,and arguably an evolution towards capitation, looking at dentistry in the round, and of lower patient numbers and higher overheads. The highlighting prevention would start to address those. Government could take several immediate steps to protect The Department, NHS England and NHS Improvement dental practices and improve oral health outcomes. are committed to the growth of access to dental services. First, the Government should look at what immediate There have been a number of actions, and seeing them financial support can be given to dentists and dental come to fruition in Yorkshire is helpful in understanding practices. For instance, why are dentists among the only how they might benefit a wider population. businesses on the high street that continue to pay business As I said, the pandemic had a significant impact on rates? Secondly, in terms of access to both primary and dentistry. That reduced drastically, as the hon. Lady secondary care, dentistry is severely limited for the explained, the number of patients whom dentists can foreseeable future, and emphasis on investment in oral safely see each day. The dental risks were new. At the health and prevention is needed now more than ever. start of the pandemic we stopped dentistry because of The Government must now commit to investing in the risk of transmission being much higher, owing to preventive schemes that are proven to work. That includes the aerosol-generating procedures used. That applies to supervised tooth brushing for children, which the extraction, but there is even such a risk in scaling and Government committed to consult on by the end of polishing. 2020. I would welcome the Minister’s assurance that During spring, urgent dental care centres were quite that will still go ahead. rapidly set up. Up to 635 centres were set up across the On the topic of prevention, I must mention the country and the remainder of high-street practices were dental contract. For some time, there has been widespread, asked to deal with the three As—telephone advice, cross-party agreement that the dental contract needs antibiotics and analgesics. I understand that that was a reform. Units of dental activity have always been a poor challenge for patients, but I am sure that the hon. Lady way to measure meaningful dental health care. Their will agree that it was vital to ensure the safety of continued presence in the contract would be a disaster dentists, dental technicians, nurses and entire teams at in the present circumstances. Despite the wider challenges the beginning of the pandemic. the Government are facing, now is the right time to do this. Working with the BDA and others, Government must introduce a new contract that focuses on prevention, Barry Gardiner: It is really good to hear the Minister supports best patient care and improves access, especially giving a straight response to the questions raised by my for those who need it most. hon. Friend the Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins). She mentioned dental technicians. Is she as I have spoken about the real challenges dentists are concerned as many of us are that because of the lack of facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but the work for them now, people are leaving that employment, problems in our dental health system reach back far and the skills base is being lost in such a way that it will beyond that. The pandemic has shown how fragile the be difficult to cope with the expansion of demand once system is and the effect on patients when it collapses. I we move from present circumstances beyond the epidemic? urge the Government to invest in dentistry, prioritise prevention and work to close the inequalities that I have outlined. Anything less than that will let down the most Jo Churchill: I believe that the workforce, more broadly, vulnerable people, who need an NHS dental service that is something we must look at properly in the round. is fit for purpose. Aerosol-generating procedures present a high risk, as I said, and under initial guidance issued by Public 11.18 am Health England, infection control required that rooms should be rested for up to an hour, as the hon. Member The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health for Bradford South said, to allow the airborne spray to and Social Care (Jo Churchill): It is a pleasure to serve settle. NHS dental practices were allowed to start under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. I congratulate the offering services from 8 June providing that they had hon. Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins) on appropriate PPE and infection prevention and control securing this important debate. I know her long-standing measures in place. and grounded interest, shared by many across the House, in helping individuals access better health care broadly In response to the hon. Member for York Central and in particular for their oral health. She has much (Rachael Maskell) I would say that all NHS dentists can support, as my hon. Friend the Member for North access the portal. Registration is voluntary, and 5,500— Cornwall (Scott Mann) showed. equating to about 81% of all NHS dentists—have signed up, and 50 million items of personal protective equipment This is a challenge which, as the hon. Lady neatly have been dispensed. Making sure that our frontline articulated, has become much worse under the pandemic. services have what they require is vital, but the e-portal I hope to go into more detail about the fact that is being used, and I urge the remaining dentists to dentistry has faced specific challenges while delivering sign up. what care it has been able to. There are particular long-standing concerns about access to dental treatment There are more than 6,000 NHS practices in England in Yorkshire, including the hon. Lady’s area. She gave that should now be offering face-to-face care, in other credit to my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester than exceptional circumstances. Guidance to practices (Steve Brine) for the work that he did with her, because has made it clear that during the difficult period they flexible commissioning has been operated in that area, should prioritise care for vulnerable groups and then and it is agreed that most dentists would prefer to move address the delayed routine check-ups; but that remains in that direction. As she said, there are challenges with a challenge. 413WH NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 25 NOVEMBER 2020 NHS Dentistry and Oral Health 414WH Inequalities Inequalities I recognise the comments that the hon. Member for can get the optimal amount of care for our constituents Bradford South made about expectant mothers; I have and patients while safely ensuring that dental teams can asked my officials to look at that at speed, and I will be protected, but we do need to see increased provision. come back to her on that. I am determined that we I am keen to understand what further work can be done mitigate widening oral health inequalities as much as to solve the challenges in dentistry and how it faces the we can during this difficult period because, as we have pandemic, and I have asked officials and NHSEI to alluded to, we know we had a problem beforehand. look at potential solutions, including testing, increased NHSEI is keeping more than 600 urgent dental centres use of ventilation and the financing thereof. stood up to provide additional capacity in the system. I understand the constraints under which the profession My hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall said is operating and how vital services are. We know without he has problems too—and we have them across the doubt that oral health inequalities are likely to have country—so making sure that we have that universal increased over the period of the pandemic and NHSEI coverage with UDCs is important. I must put on record is working hard to ensure that caring for vulnerable my gratitude to dentists, dental nurses, technicians and communities is prioritised. Poor oral health can have all the team, because this has been a really difficult a devastating impact on somebody’s quality of life, period. Dentists and their staff have kept vital care particularly a child’s, and dental disease is entirely going through the initial peak, both remotely and in preventable. In the Green Paper published in 2019 we frontline urgent dental centres; many also volunteered committed to looking at those barriers, to fluoridation to be deployed if needed on the frontline of covid and to consulting on rolling out supervised tooth-brushing services, and their contribution was very much appreciated. schemes in more preschool and primary settings. We are It is important to ensure that NHS dentists are financially working as hard as we can to make sure we hit the supported as businesses. NHSEI has continued to pay consultation dates, but there are challenges. dental contracts in full, minus the running costs for downtime in the initial lockdown, whatever the volume Rachael Maskell: Will the Minister give way? of service to be delivered, and NHS dentists holding NHS contracts have welcomed that support. However, I Jo Churchill: I am all but out of time. am mindful that that support was for NHS dentists, and Sugar plays a crucial role as well, and dental professions there are challenges in the private sector—and many are important in healthcare more broadly: diet, spotting practices are a mixture of both. oral cancers, diabetes and so on. NHS England is The focus now is on increasing dental provision as working on a number of key initiatives to reduce inequalities fast and as safely as possible. Key work has been done for children, the elderly and the frail. I know that all to establish ways to reduce room resting times, and that dentists seek to put prevention at the heart of what they advice has been made available to the profession. I do, recognising that good oral hygiene and diet are the regularly meet with the chief dental officer, the BDA foundation of a lifetime of good oral health. and other stakeholders, because it is vital that we keep Through more flexible commissioning, dentists can looking at how we can get volumes up. That also means be partially remunerated for carrying out initiatives updating the existing dental infection prevention and such as outreach to schools, care homes and other control guidance, but it does not solve the challenge of settings—the homeless are often very compromised with delivering dental care at volume through the pandemic. their teeth as well. I hope that provides some reassurance It is an important step forward, but part of the problem that we are determined to tackle both the long and is the variability in the estate, as the hon. Member for short-term issues with dental access and the continuing Bradford South alluded to—the different sizes of practices, and very concerning inequalities around health, and I where they are located, and so on. NHSEI is in discussion am happy to continue this conversation informally. with the profession and is taking clinical advice on the Question put and agreed to. expectations for delivery of services to the end of March. I met the BDA and other dental stakeholders last week to progress conversations further, and I heard 11.29 am those messages. The challenge is to make sure that we Sitting suspended. 415WH 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 416WH

Football Governance £1.2 billion on transfer fees while English Football League clubs are dangling over the abyss during this crisis. We cannot go on with this casino attitude to [YVONNE FOVARGUE in the Chair] football’s success, and the time for regulation has come. 2.30 pm Although the Bury debacle showed that the professional game needs saving from itself, we also need to recognise Yvonne Fovargue (in the Chair): I remind hon. Members that the money in football attracts some bad actors. that there have been some changes to normal practice to Bury also showed that we must strengthen the rules to support the new call list system and ensure that social empower the authorities to keep corruption out of the distancing can be respected. Members should sanitise game. Corrupt individuals circle around football looking their microphones using the cleaning materials provided for opportunities to make fast money. These people before they use them, and dispose of the cleaning move in on vulnerable clubs and wait for their moment; materials as they leave the room. when a genuine owner comes along, they tie the club up Members should speak only from the horseshoe and in knots, become an impediment to progress and then offer can speak only if they are on call lists. This applies even the would-be owner a deal to get them out of the way. if debates are under-subscribed. Members cannot join The football authorities and the Government must the debate if they are not on the call list. Members are work together to change the rules and to legislate, if not expected to remain for the winding-up speeches. I necessary, to protect football clubs and other sports remind hon. Members that there is less of an expectation clubs from this kind of criminality. The manner in that they stay for the next two speeches once they have which they operate might be within the law, but let us be spoken, to help manage the attendance in the room. clear that this is a fraud to extort money, and it must be They may wish to stay beyond their speech, but they stopped before more clubs fall foul of these crooks. should be aware that doing so may prevent Members in seats in the Public Gallery from speaking—I think we These problems existed before covid, but the pandemic are all right with that today. has exposed weaknesses in the governance of the game. The solutions extend far beyond what is needed to 2.31 pm respond to the immediate crisis. There is no going back Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): I beg to move, to business as usual, and the Football Association must That this House has considered the future of football governance. become the regulator that it is meant to be. I commend It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, the Football Supporters Association and Our Beautiful Ms Fovargue. There is nothing new about a debate in Game for the work that they have done in this area. this place calling for change in the governance of football; We need an independent review of the governance of too many of us have been here before. Times have changed, the game, in which fans and all other stakeholders can however, and there are many now joining the call for participate. The Premier League has initiated a review change. Covid has turned a spotlight on the weaknesses on the back of the controversy surrounding Project Big in the game’sgovernance and the inequity of the distribution Picture. The Government were wrong to dismiss Project of the game’s wealth. Big Picture out of hand; it raised many issues that we Football is our national game: 14.5 million people will have to take on board and that are worthy of further attended premier league matches in the 2018-19 season, consideration. Any future review will have to address and 18.4 million attended matches in the championship. issues such as future funding for women’s football, Premier league clubs generated £3.3 billion in tax revenue football for people with disabilities and football for to the Government and contributed £7.6 billion to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. economy in 2016-17. Throughout the country, football The Premier League has chosen to reject Project Big trusts play a role in supporting our communities. They Picture and conduct a strategic review that will have lead in tackling racism, deprivation, sexual discrimination implications for the whole of football—for the FA, the and many other social issues, and I pay tribute to every English Football League,fans and players.Richard Masters, single community trust for the work they have done to the chief exec of the Premier League, told the Digital, support people in need during the covid epidemic. Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 10 November The English leagues have a huge international following. that the 20 clubs on the PL board have agreed the terms Their popularity is the envy of many other countries of reference for the review. I wonder whether the Minister and of the UEFA. I want to go on record as congratulating has seen the terms of reference, because I cannot find the premier league on its success, not just here in the them anywhere. We are told that the review will involve UK, but by becoming a global brand of which we should fans, the English Football League and the FA. Have all be proud. Football is so important to the nation, they seen the terms of reference? Can the Minister from local communities to being a major contributor to confirm that the Premier League’s review will be voted our national economy, that it is important on so many on by the 20 premier league clubs alone? levels that we do not stand by and watch the pyramid The current 20 shareholders of the Premier League that sustains it crumble. find themselves in their respective positions of power by Despite there being such enormous wealth in the an accident of history, and it does not qualify them to game, that money is not distributed fairly—too much is make important decisions on behalf of the future of the absorbed at the top in players’ wages. The wage bill for game. By the time that the Premier League strategic the 14 premier league clubs, aside from the big six, is review is voted on, three of them might have been bigger than that of all the Bundesliga clubs put together. replaced through relegation. Only five of the original The salary arms war waged is entirely contained within 12 clubs that started the Football League are currently the premier league and those championship clubs that in the premier league. Should they have a say? Should overstretch themselves to try to get to the top division. the other seven that started the Football League have a It is unacceptable that premier league clubs can spend say in the future of the game? Some 49 clubs have been 417WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 418WH in the premier league, which shows the extent to which We also need to consider whether clubs should have the English Football League clubs have a stake in the to register their accounts, with a projection showing premier league. Should they have a say in the strategic how they will finance themselves for not just the current review? season, but the future season, including any contracts The short-termism and self-interest that club owners they have in place, such as players’ wages, during that have shown over the years excludes them from making period. There is a lot that can be done to improve the decisions on behalf of the wider football family. I amount of information that clubs must provide to the understand that premier league clubs will vote on the regulator so that it has a racing chance of being able to recommendations of the Premier League exec. I have oversee the game, and see where problems might arise. nothing against the people in the Premier League exec, The situation in the championship, where they spend but I think they genuinely believe that they know best 107% of their turnover on players’ wages, is ridiculous. for the rest of us. They are unable to see the bigger That clearly needs regulating. It is driven, to some degree, picture, however, because they are blinkered by the by clubs that come from the premier league and have business that they have to defend. They see the premier the solidarity money. However, the fact remains that to league, but we see football and its entire family. They get into the premier league, some clubs are running believe that football is best run by the richest and most huge risks, and we do not have the power in the regulations powerful clubs in the land, which have demands that go at the moment to prevent that from happening. far beyond the domestic game—we would be foolish to These changes have been highlighted by the Taylor ignore that fact. review into Bury and things that have happened to The financial gains to be had from playing matches other clubs, which shows that this is an area of regulation across Europe against similar clubs, packed with more that needs serious looking into and needs change. I of the biggest names in the game, are irresistible. The know how the EFL struggled to deal with the situation Champions League will grow in 2024, when the pressure at Charlton Athletic, and it was on the side of the club on domestic fixtures will increase. We have already seen all throughout that process, in my opinion. youth teams used in domestic cup competitions. We The Football Supporters Association manifesto for need to plan for that, not bury our heads in the sand change, “Saving the Beautiful Game”, the Premier League’s and pretend business as usual will work. strategic review, the Taylor review into Bury and Project In the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Big Picture—albeit that some people oppose some of hearing on 10 November, we were told by Greg Clarke, the ideas in it—all highlighted one undeniable truth: who was still the chair of the FA, that for the big six that reform is necessary.Given all the competing interests clubs to break away from the premier league, they that there are in this subject, the suggestion of an would need the approval of not only the FA, but FIFA independent panel to take on the task of resetting the and UEFA. The threat that comes from the big clubs governance of the game is very attractive. The FA moving away to some super league is not as great as clearly needs fundamental reform, and the FA Council some people would make it out to be, because they itself has passed a motion that commends the work of cannot dictate the terms of any future review of the game. the Football Supporters Association and its manifesto for change. James Daly (Bury North) (Con): Both MPs for Bury The opportunity is there to bring about change in the are here, who have very strong views in respect of the governance of the game in this country.If the Government Bury situation. When we are talking about governance, do not act, I suspect there is a Back Bencher in this we have to decide who the footballing authorities are room who will bring a Bill before Parliament to bring governing on behalf of. The problem with the Bury about that change. The Government can either be dragged situation was that the EFL had no interest in protecting along on the coat-tails of a private Member’s Bill, or the interests of thousands of Bury fans. It had no they can lead the charge for change. interest in the social and economic impact that simply It is no longer acceptable to allow the Premier League abandoning Bury to the wolves was going to have. We to dominate the game in the way that it currently does. have to think very hard about what the fiduciary or first The Premier League has consistently and throughout interest of the regulator is if we are going to have a new this covid crisis shown that it is incapable of looking at regulatory system. the bigger picture, without looking first to protect its own interests. The time for change has come, and I hope Clive Efford: I do not entirely agree with the hon. the Government will support that call, get on board and Member’s version of the events around Bury. I think the help lead that change. Football League would have taken action against individuals involved in Bury if it had the power to do so. I had long 2.46 pm discussions with the Football League about a similar Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Lab): It is a pleasure situation that arose at Charlton Athletic, which could to serve under your chairwomanship, Ms Fovargue. I have quite seriously gone down the same route as Bury. thank my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive What the Taylor review really demonstrates—I have a Efford) for securing this debate. Although I was born copy of it—is that the rules need changing, so that the and grew up in the west midlands, my family, my friends EFL has the powers to deal with those individuals. and now my social media followers will know that I am Some of the problems that arose with Bury arose before a die-hard Liverpool fan. I have my dad to thank for the individuals that we might have concerns about that. That means that I know what it is like to care became involved, so it was a complex situation. This is about the club and to go through the highs and, of the sort of thing that needs a fundamental review, so course, the lows. While I am a Liverpool fan and I bleed that we can ensure that the regulators of the game have red, I am also very proud to represent thousands of the right powers to be able to deal with these situations. passionate Sky Blues fans, I am here today for them. 419WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 420WH

[Zarah Sultana] sustain them, who watch them week in, week out, who stick with them when times are good and also when Coventry City has a long, loud and proud history. they are not. They should be run for their fans. They were FA cup winners in 1987 and an inaugural I call on the Government to give fans control and a member of the premier league. Following some difficult say in how their clubs are run, to give accredited supporters’ years, the club is again on the rise, having been crowned trusts representation on club boards, and to promote league one champions last season and now competing fan ownership models, because that is ultimately the in the championship once again. only way the beautiful game will work for the people However, the club is also an important example of who love it the most. We must put control in the hands the need for fans to have a greater say in the running of of fans, not of the wealthy few who seek only to enjoy their clubs. Although the club was initiating the plans to its spoils. build a new,modern stadium at the turn of the millennium, its financial position meant that it did not own the 2.50 pm newly built Ricoh Arena. That led to the club playing Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): It is a home matches at Sixfields Stadium—a 70-mile round pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Coventry South trip to Northampton—in the 2013-14 season, before (Zarah Sultana), and the hon. Member for Eltham returning to the Ricoh the following season, thanks to a (Clive Efford), who I will call my hon. Friend from our fantastic campaign led by supporters and the local time working on the Select Committee together. paper, the Coventry Telegraph. It is 10 years since, as a newly elected Member of The club was once again forced to play home matches Parliament and a new member of the Digital, Culture, outside of Coventry in 2019, this time at St Andrew’s in Media and Sport Committee, I attended a Westminster Birmingham—a 38-mile round trip from the city. That Hall debate on football governance in the wake of the is where the club plays its home matches now. Fans are financial collapse of a number of big clubs. The room forced to travel out of the city to watch their club. For was packed, and on the basis of the tenets discussed in them, it is an absurd, ridiculous and, frankly, disgraceful the debate and the impassioned speeches given, the then situation. The solution is simple. Coventry City football Chair of the Select Committee, my right hon. Friend club should be playing football in the city of Coventry. the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), initiated Since being elected, I have been determined to do the inquiry into football governance that reported in everything I can to help resolve this situation. 2011 and then again in 2013. During my time as Chair That is not the only issue affecting the club. The of the Select Committee, we looked at football governance financial hit of the pandemic and the restrictions has in the context of player welfare in the case of Eni been severe for football clubs across the country,including Aluko’s complaint against the Football Association. We Coventry. The sport winter survival package announced also looked at the collapse of Bury football club just last week failed to provide any support for the English before the general election last year. The debate in this Football League. As the Sky Blues chief executive, Dave place has been running for many years, and remains Boddy, said this week, that puts the national sport at unresolved. severe risk. He has written to the Prime Minister to say We should be clear why we have this complaint about that the club, along with all English Football League football governance and what it is that we are seeking to clubs, has been hung out to dry by the Government. reform when we talk about improving the governance While premier league clubs have the wealth to weather of the game. We want clubs to be financially sustainable the storm, and while there is hope that the Government because they are community assets. They temporarily will bail out the English Football League, clubs should belong to a businessman or an owner, but then someone not be in this position of financial insecurity. else will acquire them. Most of the clubs have been going for more than 100 years; they have survived two There have to be guarantees and financial support for world wars, the great depression and every crisis this all of our clubs to survive. None of them should be at country has faced in that time, and they have kept on risk, and it should not be sink or swim. A football club going throughout, at the centre of their communities. is more than a business: it is part of the community, and for many people it is part of the social fabric that ties us We want to ensure that fans have a voice in the way together. That is why I wrote to the Secretary of State that their game is run. We want to ensure that player calling for this financial support. welfare is central to the administration of the game and that there are good systems of redress and complaints The financial troubles of the English Football League processes. One thing we learned from Eni Aluko’s case clubs is part of a bigger problem and a bigger story. against the Football Association was that there were no That story is about how the beautiful game has become proper processes for someone making a complaint of divided between very wealthy clubs, brought up by unfair treatment against the Football Association. We billionaires and often used as public relations to sanitise want to respect the fact that these are community assets. their public image, and poorer clubs that struggle to Their importance to the community goes far beyond survive and that often face collapse, as we have seen with putting on matches on match days. They are involved in Bury and Bolton. all sorts of community support through player development, Our football clubs are too important to be left in the community welfare, adult education and training, and hands of the likes of Mike Ashley and other bad they are incredibly valuable to the communities they owners, and too important to be at risk of financial serve. That is what we are trying to preserve. collapse. I call on the Government to step in and ensure Why is the game is so badly run? It is because it is so that Coventry City is given financial support to weather fractured. We believe that the Football Association is the storm, but I also call for more far-reaching reforms. the national governing body of the sport, but unlike in Clubs should be run in the interests of the people who almost any other sport, in football the national governing 421WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 422WH body is not the financially dominant player in this country. club than they had to stop him being a director of any In most sports, it is the national governing body and the company under UK company law. There is no special revenue it gets from the England national team that test, but even if there were, the Football League does provide the bulk of the revenue that that sport enjoys. not have the resources to enforce it. In the case of Bury In football however, it is the Premier League. when it was in the Football League, the last owner took When we talk about the football family, as the Minister over the club without having to demonstrate proof of and the Secretary of State often do, it is from a belief funds or being subjected to any test at all. that these are a community of interrelated clubs; they Why are things allowed to be this bad? It is principally play competitions against each other but all ultimately because there is no national governing body or regulator sit under the Football Association, so they must be overseeing all these rule books and how they are enforced, interlinked. In fact, they are not: the Premier League so the clubs effectively do it themselves. The Premier has its own set of rules, the Football League has its own League is run by the 20 clubs in the Premier League, set of rules, and the FA takes responsibility for the plus the League itself, which has one share. They make National League. They all have their own rules and decisions collectively, without the involvement of the procedures, and they are run in their own way. Football Association. The Football League is run in the The revenue from broadcasting is negotiated separately same way, by the 72 chairmen of the clubs. They are less by the Premier League and the Football League—it was interested in intervening to help each other than they a bad decision that the Football League made many are in competing against each other. They are run in years ago to do that, but nevertheless, that is the case. that way, which is unsustainable. No one is ultimately Clubs in the Premier League, particularly in the lower in control, which is why the rules do not get enforced part of the league, consider that they are competing properly. against clubs in the Championship, particularly clubs that might get promoted and take their place. That is There is a strong argument that we should have a why it is so difficult to get a financial settlement for regulator with statutory powers—one that has the right football from football during the covid crisis. Football to insist on access to financial records to make sure clubs does not behave like a family.Football behaves as different areplayingwithintherules,asOfcomhaswhenbroadcasting entities competing against each other. licences are issued. It would have a discretionary power to tell an owner who cannot demonstrate proof of In a typical season, a Premier League club will play funds, or who is not suitable or credible, that they cannot under Premier League rules in the Premier League, take over a club. under FA rules in the FA cup and under Football League rules in the League cup, and will probably also We have called for that before. The fan-led review, hold a UEFA licence in case it is in or wishes to qualify which was in our manifesto and which the Government for UEFA competitions. All have their own different are committed to, should give a view on whether we rules and procedures. No one is bringing it together and have an independent regulator with statutory powers at no one is ultimately responsible. the centre of the game, even if all that regulator does is There are certain rules that are put in place to try to make sure that the leagues properly enforce their own ensure that clubs are run sustainably, but whenever rules and have access to clubs’ finances to make sure there is a crisis, we see how ineffective those rules are. they are doing that. The case of Bury football club and other clubs demonstrates that. If the clubs were made to trade within the rules of Some people say, “Well, you can’t have a statutory the league they play in, most clubs would not go bust. regulator, because FIFA rules don’t allow it,” but that is The fact is that they do not do that, because no one not true. In 2015, the FIFA rules allowed the Spanish checks. There is no requirement to produce accounts in Government to legislate to say that Barcelona and Real real time; the Football Association and the Football Madrid could not sell their TV rights separately. In League do not have the ability to inspect and audit the France, the country of the current world football clubs to ensure they are not overspending on salaries champions, the national governing body is a statutory and that they are being run in a financially sustainable body,effectively given a licence by the French Government way. When there is a problem, there is no regulator to to carry out its responsibilities. In Germany there are step in and say,“That club is being run in an unsustainable rules on club ownership that require 50% plus 1% to be way, in breach of the rules, and we are going to intervene owned by the fans and the community. All clubs are to put it back on track.” The club is allowed to be run in licenced by the German football league, which can a bad way, often by a bad owner, until such point as it withdraw the licence if the club is trading in breach of goes bust. The role of the league is to then make sure the rules. Other countries do this already, so there is no that if the club does not come out of administration, reason under FIFA rules why we would be sanctioned if that club is suitably punished. In cases such as Bury we created a regulator with statutory powers. I believe football club, the first cry of the fans is always, “Why that is what we should be looking at in this review. didn’t someone intervene earlier?” The fact is that there The Government have a great deal of leverage at the is no body that has the power and the authority to moment because football needs their help. There is still do that. no deal between the Premier League and the Football Many times people pray in aid an owners and directors League to provide financial support for clubs. As many test, to keep bad owners out of the game and out of Members know, the Football League has warned that clubs. The fact is that there is really no such test. That clubs will go bust. I know the Minister and his colleagues was demonstrated by Massimo Cellino, a convicted say that the Premier League has guaranteed to bail out fraudster in Italy whose conviction was considered to clubs that go bust, but at the moment there is not be spent under UK company law. The Football League enough money available to do that. Indeed, the tax had no more right to stop him being a director of the liabilities of the Football League clubs are now around 423WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 424WH

[Damian Collins] they subsequently attached to it as a debt, the Glazers have taken over £1 billion out of that club in dividend £100 million owed to the Treasury, so the Government interest and finance costs. If ownership models are to already have skin in the game. They are owed money, as be reformed, I would like to see that model of ownership are other people. banished for ever. That £1 billion did not have to leave The Government are in a position where, if they were the game. Perhaps some of the struggling clubs we have to put money on the table alongside money from the discussed would have survived if the money had been Football League, they could do so with strings attached. more equitably distributed. They could demand reform, such as proper financial We need to think about the wider health of the game. accountability overseen by an independent regulatory A few clubs at the top are getting richer and richer, or, body. That should be at the heart of the proposal as in the case of my club, the owners are getting richer considered in the fan-led review, and it is what football and richer, but at the other end we hear of clubs that are needs now. Rather than having a series of warring struggling just to survive day to day. competitors, competing and fighting against each, we would have a structure with a proper governing body at its heart that has power to take action against clubs that James Daly: Does the hon. Gentleman think there is are being run badly and unsustainably. The covid-19 a strong case for financially powerful and sustainable crisis has challenged many aspects of our life and clubs, such as Manchester United, taking a charitable exposed the systemic weaknesses in the governance of view with neighbouring clubs that are struggling financially football in this country. We now have the opportunity and need direct help? Bury is approximately half an to put that right. hour from Old Trafford. Does he think we should put in place mechanisms for premier league clubs to help clubs in financial difficulties lower down the pyramid, especially 2.59 pm if they are geographically close and have other links? Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Ms Fovargue. I Justin Madders: There is nothing to prevent that thank my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive from happening now. Manchester United’s reserve games Efford) for bringing this debate. As he said, football is used to be played at Gigg Lane, providing a financial our national game. We invented the modern sport of benefit for the club. I have been persuaded that we need football, and it is popular around the globe with millions to formalise this help, because I am concerned about of people watching. some of the strings attached to the recent discussions Despite covid-19, the Premier League remains in a on support for league clubs. I think the inequality of strong position. Those running the Premier League distribution of money has highlighted clearly why the have managed to generate previously unthinkable levels Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee said earlier of income through commercial deals. Yet much of that this year that the current business model for football is money leaks out of the game, to agents or,more pertinently unsustainable. for this debate, to owners. Much of the money washing through the game does not get reinvested in it. Although As the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian we have had some £600 million invested in grassroots Collins) highlighted, the governance of football in this football over the past couple of decades, thanks to the country is unlike any other. The financial muscle of the Football Association and the Premier League, that is Premier League, which has an income 12 times that of less than premier league clubs spend in one transfer the FA, distorts everything else. The financial power it window. While my constituency has benefited, with has must be used more widely for the greater good. great new facilities at Neston High School and the Recent developments suggest that the Premier League Vauxhall Sports Club, which, for the record, I occasionally understands that and recognises it has a financial play on when circumstances allow, there is still a long responsibility to the rest of the game. However, I hope I way to go. Beyond that investment, we have too many will be forgiven for being a little cynical about Project second-rate pitches, which are rendered unusable by a Big Picture and what it really meant. day or two of heavy rain. Our grassroots facilities still The extra cash for Project Big Picture would have compare unfavourably with those in top footballing been welcome in the short to medium term, but the nations. Only one in three of our grass pitches are of strings attached to it and the further concentration of adequate quality. We only have half the number of 3G power that were part of the deal could only, I think, pitches that Germany has. come with a huge health warning. What was being We know the pressures local authorities are under to proposed would have baked in an uneven playing field, balance the books. There is little left for discretionary because the price of that extra cash was preferential spending on improving sporting facilities, which means votes for longer serving clubs, thereby ensuring that the that pitches are often left with poor drainage, resulting interests of football as a whole would forever be dictated in some areas of the pitch having more mud than grass, to by the biggest clubs. The proposals would have and little or nothing in the way of changing facilities. In meant a reduction in the size of the Premier League, many ways, the pitches of today are worse than the ones and so naturally less opportunity for promotion to it. I played on as a child. More of the money in the game The league cup and community shield would also have needs to reach the grassroots level. been cancelled. Premier League clubs would have been The money does not reach the fans either. It does not playing fewer games overall—except that they probably manifest in cheaper entrance tickets or support for would not have been. other clubs.One only needs to look at my team, Manchester The reduction in the number of fixtures might have United, to see where a lot of the money goes. Since they been designed not to ensure that elite athletes in the took over in 2005, using money to buy the club that Premier League got extra rest between games, but to 425WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 426WH pave the way for a European super-league that, in the This is a debate about football governance. We have a long run, would hoover up all the power, all the attention system in place, but if we as MPs are going to look at and all the money. My hon. Friend the Member for what should be there or what we would recommend, we Eltham said that it would not be easy to establish such a have to ask, “What is the purpose of governance?” super-league, but in the last 25 years we have seen Other points have been well made about how we see enough in football to know that, in the end, money talks. football clubs: are they just individual businesses like The Premier League clubs would have got their way. WH Smith or Barclays bank? Are they simply businesses I fear that the proposed change in voting rights to be regulated on that basis? I am a supporter of Bury would ultimately have meant that the domestic game football club but not a fan—there is a difference. They would have become subservient to the interests of the are entities that survive because of that loyalty and an 20 or so clubs that would have been part of the European emotional connection between them and their supporters. super-league. Entry to that super-league would, of course, One can hardly argue that we go to WHSmith because be by invitation only. The massive financial imbalance of an emotional connection. that already ensures that the biggest clubs tend to I am only using that as an example, but it is an participate in the champions league each year would important example. Earlier I asked the hon. Member also have had an additional lock on it to make sure that for Eltham—and it was a genuine question—who any the biggest clubs could never fall out of it. I could, of governance would be on behalf of. He said it would be course, be wrong about that. The Premier League could on behalf of the game, but the game is a very wide thing offer the support without any strings attached. Discussions and lots of people have very different interests in it. One are ongoing so let us see what happens. person could be involved in supporting Manchester There is no doubt that a new strategic review is under United, which plays in the premier league and all the way, and that may result in some of the benefits without other things it competes in, whereas Bury’smajor ambition some of the downsides. The concern highlighted in the is essentially to stay afloat—to simply survive in the debate demonstrates the reason we need an independent league it is in and have a sustainable business model to body to regulate football and ensure that all decisions support its local community. If we as MPs were to made are in the interests of the game as a whole. We recommend statutory regulation, we would say that the have all expressed that concern. As my hon. Friend the first duty of the regulator must be to the fans: the Member for Coventry South (Zarah Sultana) said, every people at each and every club in the country who pay team is a big part of the community. The owners are their money every week to go and watch their team. transient, but fans and supporters are there through This is about what is in their interest. Bury is the example, thick and thin, in good times and bad, whoever is the right or wrong, of the monumentally detrimental effect owner. Football clubs need to be treated much more as of the loss of a football club. a community asset and less as a business as they have been for far too long. As with everything else, the pandemic has had a huge effect on EFL and non-league clubs—I will leave the My final point, Ms Fovargue, relates to agency reform premier league to one side for a second. I agree with and control. A study of agency fees paid by Premier everything my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone League clubs between October 2015 and January 2016 and Hythe (Damian Collins) said. Although I am tempted revealed that £46.5 million was paid to agency to read out his comments about Bury football club intermediaries. That is money that is leaving the game from when he was Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media altogether. Frankly, I would like to outlaw agency fees and Sport Committee,I will restrain myself from doing that, altogether, but I am sure that will not happen. Those because I think we all know what they are. However, figures demonstrate there are huge sums in the game football clubs in the lower leagues have been run in an that do not benefit even the highly paid players; the incredibly bad manner. There were players at Bury money certainly does not benefit the clubs or the wider football club earning £10,000 a week when the crowds community. Let us do something about that as well were 3,000 or 4,000, which simply is not sustainable. when we reform football governance, which I hope we are going to do. We have a badly run model that has not been regulated. Indeed, I wonder why the EFL exists if it cannot step in and question these business models, which it knows are 3.8 pm unsustainable, including before the pandemic. Half the James Daly (Bury North) (Con): It is a pleasure to clubs are running at monumental losses. I mention serve under your chairmanship,Ms Fovargue,I congratulate Rochdale football club only because prior to the pandemic, my friend, if I can call him that, the hon. Member for or certainly at the start of it, it had to have a £1 million Eltham (Clive Efford) on securing the debate. I have loan from its local council, while issues with the ownership had the opportunity to speak to him about Charlton of Wigan, Ms Fovargue, have clearly come to the fore in Athletic before, so I know he is a very learned and recent months. These are ongoing issues. experienced man in these matters. We therefore have to be clear that the EFL, or whoever It goes without saying that this is a raw subject for us the regulator is, needs to take a strident and stringent in Bury. It is genuinely hard to put into words what the approach and must have access to the financial records loss of Bury football club has meant to the community. of a football club and also the financial background It has had a detrimental impact on thousands of people’s of the owner. Cursory examination of the business lives, and very few things can do that. Very few things history of Steve Dale, the current owner of Bury football link people, regardless of their age, sex or background, club, may well have rung some alarm bells with any and people came together each week in a collective, regulator. In a normal, functioning system, Mr Dale positive atmosphere to support Bury. That has been would clearly not have been allowed to take over Bury taken away from them. football club. 427WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 428WH

Damian Collins: Does my hon. Friend agree that the was mainly the result of a wrong red card or penalty, problem with the Football League system is that it is and it was forgotten shortly after the game. What we run by people like Mr Dale? It is run by the chairs of the have seen with Bury goes deeper, and at its heart is the clubs, regulating each other. They do not want people absence of the game and the absence of a community sticking their noses into the way they are running their hub. Our football clubs are not just there for a Saturday clubs because if it is done for one club, it will be done afternoon when we long for the hope of promotion or a for another. cup victory,but somewhere we congregate and meet friends. Supporters feel a sense of identity through being part of James Daly: Absolutely, and that is why I would very a club. much support statutory regulation, if that is a possibility, I was at a meeting yesterday about saving the beautiful because I see it as the only way of protecting the interests game and the future of football and—I say this as a of fans such as those of Bury. Manchester United fan, and I think it was highlighted My last point is that, while the pandemic has also by the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston shone a light on that business model, the question is (Justin Madders)—certain methods of ownership clearly how we can work within the system to create football are not for the benefit of the club or the fans. While I clubs that are not merely the businesses that predatory would love to say, “Glazers out,” it is clear that they owners and others have viewed them as, but become have taken far more out of the club than they have ever community assets that sit within their communities and put in or ever intend to put in, and that is happening at have direct links to other important facilities. I have had the height of the premier league. When we get to the the opportunity since I became an MP to speak with my lower leagues—Bury being a prime example—we have hon. Friend the Minister on a regular basis. My view, owners who should not even be running a local company, which might not be a palatable suggestion for many let alone a football club, yet they are allowed to do so owners, is that we have to look at a partnership model much to the detriment of our community. The Steve whereby football clubs work hand in hand with, for Dale fiasco will not be forgotten—it can never be forgotten example, the local college or statutory services of some —and should never be repeated. kind so as to bring as many things as possible into the club, because of its unique position at the centre of the We all talk about the fit and proper person test, but community, and allow as wide a group of people as my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe possible to benefit from being able to see their local (Damian Collins) highlighted that there is no fit and football club, with the loyalty and pride in their area proper person test. Providing they have the money, that that gives them, while also using it as a force for almost anyone can own and run a football club. However, social change. there was no evidence that Steve Dale even had the money in the first place, so what real reason did he have I was in a meeting yesterday where we talked about to own the club other than wanting to make a quick youth hubs, armed forces hubs and mental health hubs, buck at a town’s expense? We need to ensure that not so why do we as politicians not work with local people only is there regulation behind the fit and proper person to get facilities set up and ensure that the models are test to begin with, but that it permeates down to the financially stable? I hope that that is a sensible suggestion lower leagues. that people will consider.For someone from a Conservative background, the idea of going in and imposing rules We must focus on what is arguably the most important and restrictions on what are private enterprises is not thing about football: the fans. Without the fans, there is something that comes easily to me, but I know that it is no football, because no one will go to watch the games. necessary based on my experience of the impact that If we are not watching the games, there is no money. Bury’s closure has had on its poor fans. The review of football needs to be driven by fans. Every club’s supporters trust needs to have a voice and a My final comment is that getting Bury AFC, the meaningful say. As a Manchester United fan, the past phoenix club, to where it is has been a wonderful few years have not been particularly easy, so I have achievement, and I give due credit to those involved, focused much more on grassroots football and Bury AFC. but the Bury Football Club Company Ltd still exists. While those involved in the phoenix club should rightly The club that has been there for 130 years and won the be proud, it is not the same. It is not Gigg Lane, and it is FA cup still exists. We and the EFL, as the regulator, not getting football back in the heart of the whole should do everything to help Bury get back to Gigg community. I go to Radcliffe and the Neuven Stadium Lane at the earliest opportunity.Thank you, Ms Fovargue, whenever I can. Although I am yet to see Bury AFC, for allowing me to speak for this length of time. when fans are allowed back I am sure that I will go one Saturday with my constituency neighbour and hon. 3.15 pm Friend the Member for Bury North. Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Con): It is a pleasure Weneed to recognise that there is no football governance to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Fovargue, and I if there is no football. As we come out of lockdown and thank the hon. Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) for enter new restrictions, there are huge parts of the country suggesting this important topic for debate, particularly where fans might not be able to go to games. If football as the MP for Bury South. I will echo many of the is about the fans, is there any point in resuming those comments of my constituency neighbour and hon. Friend games? We have to start thinking about how to get fans the Member for Bury North (James Daly) about not back in a meaningful way—not only home fans but only the demise and expulsion of Bury, but the heartbreak away fans, too. For a supporter, there is nothing quite caused to the community. like getting up at the crack of dawn to go on a nice, long I speak today not only as a football fan, but as a journey to the north-east, only to then see their team former referee, so I already know a bit about the hatred get beaten. We need to get the fans back ASAP. in the game. However, the hatred that I was victim to My hon. Friend the Minister and I have spoken about 429WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 430WH football many times, including previously when he was at what has happened during the pandemic, we know my Whip and now that he is a Minister. I emphasise that that is not the case. Football has a public purpose. that we need to get the fans back, because if they do not We have seen that in the commitment that football and have a club to go back to, what is the point in discussing its community trusts have shown in their dedication to governance? That is the message I want to get across. In their local communities. tier 1 and tier 2 there is hope at the end of the tunnel for I think it was the hon. Member for Bury North the future of clubs, but in tier 3 we are still in the tunnel (James Daly) who said that if a football club goes bust, and there is no light. We need to address that. it is not like any other shop. People do not just go and support another one. It is part of an individual’sidentity— 3.21 pm part of who they are. So many people in the country Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): It is a pleasure know that. to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Fovargue, and to I have seen the vital work that football clubs do in my speak in this debate alongside so many expert Members, own borough of Wirral. All our grassroots clubs are particularly my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham amazing. They are led by our very own Tranmere (Clive Efford), who secured it. When I first entered the Rovers, which is phenomenal. It was up and running House in 2010, my football club, the champions Liverpool, with a food delivery service before anyone else had got were experiencing turbulence with their ownership, and their boots on, when we were all worried about people my hon. Friend gave me expert advice. I was a new and, who were sheltering. I take great pride in all the work probably, naïve Member, but I have always listened to that it does and I know that everybody in the Wirral everything he says about football, particularly on the feels the same, but we are not alone. Everybody in our subject under discussion, not least because he, as my political world and our community would acknowledge predecessor as the shadow sports Minister, wrote all of the role that football clubs play in building that sense of our policies in 2015, and they remain our policies. There identity and community spirit, and we have to make is no better person in this House—[Interruption.] It sure that these vital community hubs survive the crisis. would have been nice if we had won an election, but The other thing that covid has done to our national that is another story. game is to reveal, if we did not know it already, the deep It would have been good, as the hon. Member for financial problems at the heart of the game’s structure. Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins) said, if action It has exposed the vacuum of constructive leadership had been taken on some of the policies when the across the game. We need to sort that out in the public cross-party coalition was formed all those years ago, interest, for the fans that the game serves. They deserve but that did not happen. As the years have gone by, it. They put a lot of time and effort into supporting there has been no improvement in the regulation of football and they deserve action from us. football, despite that very clear cross-party coalition, I am worried that if we do not get on with that task which is represented in this debate. I think that we are quickly, the process will be kicked into the long grass now on the same page. and that would not be to the benefit of fans. The covid My hon. Friend the Member for Eltham also mentioned pandemic makes the fan-led review more urgent, not the importance of regulation in the women’s game and less. There is no point coming up with a temporary fix in disability and LGBT+ football, and I think that has solution and then for all of us to be back here—no cross-party support, too. We are on the same page now. doubt my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham will be All parties are calling for it and every manifesto in the bringing another debate—next year and the year after December election mentioned it. Labour and Conservative that and in five years’ time, and still be saying, “We have Members are as one in wanting it to happen. a problem at the heart of the finance and the governance I will briefly summarise the arguments made by colleagues of the national game.” Now is the right time to bring across the House, but before doing so I want to flag to this forward and I would like to see the Government the Minister the very important question the hon. Member prioritise it now. for Bury South (Christian Wakeford) asked about the Hon. Members have mentioned all the clubs that return of supporters to stadiums. This is a crucial have seen challenges. I know that you, Ms Fovargue, moment for football supporters, for clubs and, indeed, will no doubt be full of anxiety for the future of Wigan for players, most of whom I think are desperate to have Athletic. It is an important and historic footballing fans back in stadiums. We all understand the public institution in our region in the north-west of England. health situation. I want to flag to the Minister—he will That situation has really made the case. be thrilled to hear this—that I have sent him a letter with a number of questions. He cannot answer them Other Members have talked about Bury. I visited now because he has not seen the letter, but I am sure we Bury in December, for reasons that will be obvious. I will discuss the issue in the coming days, as it is a very was struck then at the absolute devastation at the idea high priority. of football not returning to Gigg Lane. There is, of We cannot talk about this subject without discussing course,the other side to the Bury story—AFC Bury—which the serious, detrimental impact that the covid-19 pandemic shows how capable football fans are, given the chance. has had on football. Nobody looking at the current We are now in a situation where clubs are losing situation would conclude that we do not have a crisis on between £30,000 to £100,000 per game on gate revenue our hands. I repeat the point made by Members across in the lower leagues. As the hon. Member for Folkestone the Chamber that football is not a business like any and Hythe pointed out, they owe some £77 million in other. There are some in our country who still want to unpaid taxes, so the Government absolutely have skin think that it is a business like any other, but they are not in the game and need to sort this out. It has been to be found here today and I do not think they would be reported that nearly 10 clubs are in danger of not being found anywhere in the House of Commons. If we look able to pay their staff on an ongoing basis. 431WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 432WH

[Alison McGovern] as always in these debates, has spoken with great passion and great knowledge, reflecting how important this We need a radical overhaul. Only a fan-led review can issue is right across the country to all of our constituents. do it with the right people at its heart. I really think that Football is of course our national game. It is a vital the fans are capable of doing such a review and should part of many of our lives, from playing the game in our be given a leading role. local parks to watching our favourite teams on the The other reason why the fans and the public need a terraces. However, it is not just on the pitch but off the leading role is that if we think that this situation will be pitch that football plays such an important role. The sorted out from within football, we would be engaging incredible work, as the hon. Lady and others mentioned, in a collective fantasy. It is not going to happen, partly that football clubs have done during the pandemic has for the reason that was discussed in response to the hon. demonstrated that importance once again. From turning Member for Bury North, who is no longer in his place. their car parks into NHS testing centres through to He said that the EFL or whoever the regulator is needs delivering food packages to the vulnerable, they hold a to sort it out, but as the hon. Member for Folkestone very special place in our local communities. It is vital and Hythe pointed out, most football is run by the that they are protected, as my hon. Friends the Members owners of the clubs, many of whom are not unrelated to for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins), for Bury the problem that we are trying to deal with. North (James Daly) and for Bury South (Christian This is not a unique situation. Football is not the only Wakeford) mentioned. Indeed, everybody mentioned industry in our country we have ever had that has had the importance of these clubs in our local communities. such structural problems. In 2008, many people said Many football clubs have benefited from the that the problems within the banks were very complicated, Government’s support packages over the past few months which they were, that our banking sector is part of a in this incredibly difficult period. The Treasury estimates global industry, which it is, and that it would be very that around £1.5 billion of public funds has gone into challenging for the UK to deal with the re-regulation of sport since the beginning of the pandemic. As well as the banking industry—but we did it. We took global the £300 million sports winter survival package that we institutions that had lost track of their local community announced last week, over £200 million from Sport purpose, and we put new regulations in place to make England has gone into grassroots sport, and additional them much more stable. The question is this: for football, money has gone into various other schemes, such as who is the Bank of England, and what is the counter-cyclical furlough, grants and reliefs over a period of many months. buffer that we need to require of clubs to stabilise them? Honestly, I do not believe that it is beyond the wit of the However, I do not underestimate how many sports UK Government to do that. clubs, including football clubs—even some in the highest tiers—are still in incredibly tight financial circumstances. This pandemic has profoundly shocked all aspects of Of course, we have worked closely with football throughout our country—football as much as any other part—and the pandemic, getting it back behind closed doors and we will all be judged on how we facilitate and encourage getting live premier league matches on the BBC for the recovery. We have said that Members have been at this first time. The premier league is, as the hon. Member for for a decade. For nearly 10 years we have been unable to Eltham and others mentioned, one of our most important resolve it. Finally, we are all on the same page and have soft power assets. It is the most watched and supported the real possibility of absolute cross-party agreement. I football league in the world. English clubs have been believe it is incumbent upon us to just get on with it. some of the most successful in the game, and I hope There are plans developed and written, not least by that continues. the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which However, that success is built on the strength of the has done an excellent job of work. We just need to pick entire football pyramid. Just look at the 49 different them up and run with them. We need political will for clubs that have played in the premier league since its that, and I believe that between us the Minister and I inception in 1992. Everybody will be aware, as has been could show that political will. In such debates, it is mentioned several times, that the Premier League and customary for the shadow Minister to give the Minister the EFL are currently in discussions about a support a long list of detailed questions. I do not have a long list package. I am pleased that the Premier League has of questions about this; I have just one. Conservative made it clear that it will not let any EFL club fail due to MPs promised the electorate a fan-led review of football the pandemic—something that I hope the hon. Member in their 2019 manifesto. Where is it? for Coventry South (Zarah Sultana) particularly notes. I have had assurances, including just this morning, that significant progress is being made on an agreement for a 3.32 pm financial support package for EFL clubs. While Premier League and EFL executives are in close and regular The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, contact, ultimately it will be up to the individual clubs Culture, Media and Sport (Nigel Huddleston): It is a to approve any deal. I encourage and appeal to them to pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Fovargue. play their part, because ensuring that a support deal is Hopefully,I got the pronunciation broadly correct—perhaps in place is vital for English football. it is easier to say Madam Chairman. I am very grateful to the hon. Member for Eltham (Clive Efford)—hopefully A crucial step toward sports recovery is the return of I got that correct as well—for introducing the debate, fans, as my hon. Friend the Member for Bury South and for the contributions that he and other hon. Members mentioned. I was therefore delighted that we were able have made on what is broadly a consensual, cross-party to announce on Monday the return of spectators in matter, as the hon. Member for Wirral South (Alison tiers 1 and 2 from 2 December, with capacity limits and McGovern) just articulated. Of course, everybody today, social distancing. 433WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 434WH

ChristianWakeford:AlthoughIwelcometheannouncement The pandemic has highlighted the problems of football on tiers 1 and 2, areas such as mine are anticipating governance and finance—I have said repeatedly that the going into tier 3, with further easements planned for two are intrinsically linked. Wecannot divorce governance household bubbles over Christmas. Will the Minister from the finances, and I can confirm that we will look ensure that football can come home for Christmas, and into this relationship as part of the governance review. make sure that the good, long-standing tradition of a The Secretary of State and I started this conversation Boxing Day derby can continue? last week, when we hosted a roundtable of key football stakeholders to discuss the future of the game. That Nigel Huddleston: Everybody wants to make sure discussion was lively and constructive, and it raised a that football can come back in as many places as number of ideas. Informally, therefore, the review of possible; my hon. Friend and others have made similar governance has already started, and this debate is appeals. We are all waiting to find out the tiering system contributing to it. Wewill announce the formal governance over the next few days, and the implications then for review in due course, but we certainly have no intention each of our regions, but the intent is to open as much as of kicking it into the long grass. possible. I look forward to receiving another letter from the hon. Member for Wirral South, and I shall be happy Alison McGovern: Is the Minister therefore able to to respond to her. We have regular correspondence, put the review’s terms of reference into the public domain? formally and informally, and I think it is good for sport that we have this open communication. I have no problem Nigel Huddleston: When we determine the terms of with her asking questions, and I will do my best to reference and the actual scope, we will obviously let the answer them as fully as I can. House know; it is vital that we do so. At this moment in time, we are considering all options and ideas. Many Damian Collins: I think we are all pleased to hear the entities have come forward with suggestions that have Government say that there are conditions under which good and bad elements and strengths and weaknesses, fans can come back, but does the Minister agree that it but it is important that we keep an open mind. I will could be unfair for clubs that do not have their fans in certainly ensure that I am open to any constructive the background to compete against those that do, ideas as I go into the review. We will be working on the particularly when those clubs are in a very distressed scoping, timing and remit of the review, and we will financial position? What financial compensation will be announce that in due course. I am well aware of the available to clubs that may play most of the season huge interest in it. As the hon. Lady said, all parties are without any fans in their grounds at all? keen to support it.

Nigel Huddleston: My hon. Friend makes a fair point, Clive Efford: In the review that the Minister talks but we do need to start taking these baby steps toward about, where does the strategic review that has been opening as much of the economy, and of course football announced by the Premier League sit? It said that it is and sport, as possible. Logic would dictate that if we going to be drafted by its executive and voted on by the cannot open everything everywhere, then we should not 20 member clubs. Has the Minister seen the terms of open at all. Of course, we need to open as much as reference for that review, and does it cut across these possiblewherewecan,andsupportmeasureswereannounced discussions? last week for the national league. Fans have been able to attend non-elite sport for some time; we have allowed Nigel Huddleston: Of course, the strategic review of fans in stadiums and that will continue. On the elite side, the Premier League, which is a separate private entity—it I think as much as possible is absolutely key. is not an arms-length body—is rightly and justifiably The deal between the EFL and the Premier League entirely down to it. Its ideas and suggestions, and will be an important part of the dynamics of financial whatever the outcome of that review is, will be of great support. Nobody knows exactly where will be open interest to me and the Government, but it is separate when, or to what extent it will help with the financial from the grassroots review of governance that we committed circumstances, but I hope and have confidence that to in our manifesto and that others support. It is down those elements and considerations will be part of the to it to determine the scope of the review. I understand support package determined by the EFL and the Premier that it will be consulting with the English Football League; it must have some element of dynamism in League. I absolutely commit that our review will involve that. and engage the Premier League, the EFL and many Another vital step is the resumption of grassroots other stakeholders. The precise scope of that review is sport from 2 December across all tiers, including the entirely down to the Premier League, and it is right that highest risk areas with some mitigation. Grassroots it does that. sport will return, and this will benefit the health and At the roundtable last week, I was particularly keen wellbeing of people right across the country. Further to hear the thoughts of the Football Supporters Association, guidance on this will be published shortly. with which I have had constructive conversations. It is While the pandemic has exacerbated some of the crucial that any reforms to the game have the backing of issues within football, it has not created them. Several the fans, who, after all, are the lifeblood of the sport. It hon. Members have expressed frustration about the is interesting that Project Big Picture did not have the groundhog day element to the discussion we are having support of the Football Supporters Association, although, today. It is absolutely clear that reform is needed in the as I said earlier, I recognise that any proposals coming national game, and has been needed for some time. forward will have strengths and weaknesses. That is why the Government are committed to a fan-led In 2016, the Government set up an expert working review of football governance. I will come to the question group on football supporter ownership and engagement, asked by the hon. Member for Wirral South in a moment. which led to some great improvements in club engagement 435WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 436WH

[Nigel Huddleston] as well as governance. The roundtable that we had last week had a real focus on women’s football and tackling with fans, and the Premier League and EFL now require discrimination. The pandemic has shone a light on clubs to meet supporters at least twice a year to discuss inequalities in football and, indeed, many other sports. strategic issues, giving fans the opportunity to shape the The women’s game had built up significant momentum direction of the club. I am well aware that this is a great over the past few years, with both participation and passion of the hon. Member for Eltham. He has contributed interest growing rapidly, and the England Lionesses are to the debate over many years and campaigned for inspiring a generation of girls, and indeed boys, including greater involvement and engagement of fans. Of course, with their superb run-up to the World cup semi-finals there is still a lot more to do, and that will form an last year. It is crucial that that momentum is not lost. essential part of the governance review. The women’s game must be central to any discussion on the future of the sport, and I was therefore glad that Damian Collins: I appreciate that my hon. Friend representatives of women’s football were able to attend says that the full terms and conditions of the review are the football roundtable we held last week, including yet to be agreed, but if the fan-led review recommends Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s an independent regulator,will the Government give proper football. I have also had a follow-up conversation with consideration to that recommendation? her and look forward to many further conversations. This week I am also meeting with Jane Purdon, the chief Nigel Huddleston: It is very important that I do not executive of Women in Football, to examine the issues predetermine the outcome of the review,but all reasonable facing the women’s game further. and sensible ideas are welcome, as I have said. I would not like to say that we will look favourably or unfavourably Another issue that sadly remains to the detriment of at any individual component part at the moment, because the game is discrimination. There is still much progress that would be pre-empting the outcomes of the review, to be made to improve diversity within football. I and of course circumstances could change things. welcomed the announcement of the FA’s new football leadership diversity code last month, which is a step in Damian Collins: I will phrase it slightly differently. the right direction to improve diversity and inclusion in What I want to know is whether the idea of an independent both the men’s and women’s games. From the pitch to regulator outside the scope of the fan-led review, or are the boardroom, football must be welcoming and inclusive fans free to submit ideas about that to which the for all people from all backgrounds. Government will at some point respond? Sadly, players are still receiving abhorrent abuse online. I am absolutely clear that players should not be suffering Nigel Huddleston: My hon. Friend will forgive me for from such abuse, and this Government are committed not pre-announcing, before we have it written anything to taking action to tackle it. As set out in the online down, the scope of the review or the outcome of it. harms White Paper, we intend to establish a new law What I can say is that I am personally very keen to make with a duty of care on social media companies towards sure the scope of the review is broad. Any sensible, their users, which will be overseen by an independent viable and reasonable ideas will be welcome. I know regulator. However, there is still a lot more to be done to that is a somewhat obscure caveat, but we all know that rid football and society of this scourge. I welcome the some proposals can be unrealistic or bizarre. I suspect football authorities’ commitment to tackling these issues that any realistic and sensible proposal, looking at at the roundtable and in other conversations, and will models that are deployed and adopted by other countries, continue to work with them to deliver further action. for example, will form part of the review. I am coming into the review with a very open mind, as is the Secretary Very briefly, I will answer a couple of other points of State. I can assure my hon. Friend of that, but he will and then make sure the hon. Member for Eltham has forgive me if I cannot really be pressed any further on plenty of time to make further comments. On the point the scope of the review before it is announced. I am well raised about Project Big Picture, the Government’sresponse aware of the strength of feeling and the enthusiasm was that the timing was not right. We have said all along across the House to make sure that we get the scope that any proposals coming up from football at the determined as soon as possible. moment, if they are to be adopted by football, quite clearly and transparently need the support of the entire Alison McGovern: I thank the Minister for his tolerance. family—an issue that my hon. Friend the Member for Just to give those who are following this debate closely Folkestone and Hythe raised and that I will come to in a an idea on the terms of reference, the scope and the moment. The Football Supporters Association did not important issues that have just been mentioned by the support that proposal, which I think was a great failing. hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins), However, all proposals have strengths and weaknesses, are we thinking of a month, two months, or after and we are open to many ideas. My hon. Friend raised Christmas? Can the Minister give us an idea? an important point about the great challenges of the dynamics of football—whether we call it the football Nigel Huddleston: I sincerely appreciate and understand pyramid or the football family—and I think we all the hon. Lady’s persistence in this matter, but I have to recognise that, while it is a family, or has elements of say that we will be announcing the scope of the review being a family, it is certainly a very dysfunctional one, in due course. She knows as well as anybody else the as he articulated very clearly, hence the need for a enthusiasm in this House for getting that review going significant review of governance. as soon as possible. The hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston On the issue of women’s football, which has been (Justin Madders) mentioned facilities. Of course, it is brought to the front during the coronavirus situation, also a medium and long-term goal of the Government there are many other long-term issues facing the game to significantly improve facilities, and not only for football 437WH Football Governance 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Football Governance 438WH but for many other sports across the country. I will take the local football trust. If we step back and look at the this opportunity to highlight the fact that Sport England bigger picture, though, it is a sorry situation for such a has funds available to help enhance facilities; in fact, rich football league to have such poor facilities. I remember there is a live fund available at the moment, the Return that when I was on the shadow sports beat, I learned to Play fund, to help with sports facilities, and I encourage that in Liverpool there was no all-weather football pitch grassroots clubs across the country to apply to it. It is in the city, apart from at Liverpool FC and Everton FC. relatively small amount, but, boy, will it make a difference. For a city that is so imbued and associated with football, My hon. Friends the Members for Bury North and that was quite a shocking fact. for Bury South raised the particular circumstances in I welcome that the fact the Government are reviewing Bury, of which I am aware—we have had many regular the governance of the sport. Now that the Minister has conversations. They have asked for Government support. stated his commitment, I think there is no going back. As well as rich tea and sympathy and enthusiastic We will have to move forward, because we cannot leave support for Bury FC to sort its difficulties out, there are it to the structures in the game. As the hon. Member for areas for potential Government support, but it would Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins) and others have to be in the remit of a broader offering. That could have pointed out, the owners of clubs are so blinkered be a sport offering, in which we could get Sport England in their views that they look at the matter only through involved, or part of potential funds towards broader the prism of their own clubs. They see their clubs as community development, recognising the important role their own businesses and they do not want outside that the club plays in the community, as my hon. Friends interference. We will not get the fundamental change that mentioned. I am well aware of the challenges faced by we need if we allow the focus of the decision making to Bury FC at the moment, and I hope and have confidence come from those in the game. that project phoenix will arise from the ashes. Bury We can make the game sustainable. The amount of deserves a very positive future. money in Project Big Picture was minuscule compared My opposite number, the hon. Member for Wirral with the overall income generated by the Premier League, South, raised many points. She did not give me a full and it could have put the English football league on a list, but I look forward to her letter and to further sustainable footing. I did not support all the proposals dialogue. I am very grateful for today’s wide-ranging in Project Big Picture—I had issues with many of them— debate. The Government have started the conversation but I supported the debate because it put the dead cat on the important issues facing the future of football. on the table and made everybody talk about what we Many Members have contributed to that discussion, would do about football. Nobody else was putting and I am very appreciative of that. We remain absolutely anything on the table, and at least the project started to committed to driving progress and will continue to address the issues. work closely with all stakeholders in football to ensure a My hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and stable and strong future for our national game. Neston raised concerns about the super league. I suspect that the talk about the super league is overblown, but 3.51 pm the increase in the number of games in 2024 in the Clive Efford: I deliberately focused on the need for European champions league is a big issue. There will be change in governance rather than rehashing and dwelling more games, and they will have an impact on the on all the arguments about the financial state of clubs. domestic game. Project Big Picture tried to address that As the shadow Minister, my hon. Friend the Member issue, and it will come up when the Minister sits around for Wirral South (Alison McGovern), said, at the moment the table with other stakeholders to discuss the future of there is a drive towards change. I am delighted to hear the game. that the Government are now holding their own roundtables We have to embrace this moment and make sure that in preparation for a review into the governance of the we get change. I favour an independent panel, and I game—that has to be welcomed. The momentum is hope that the Minister’s roundtable will frame the panel’s there now, and that is why I tried to focus my comments terms of reference and make-up. I would certainly on governance. volunteer to be on that panel, and I am sure the hon. My hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Member for Folkestone and Hythe would, too. The fact Neston (Justin Madders) mentioned facilities. We have is that change is coming. If it does not come from the the richest football league in the world, but we lag Government, it will come from elsewhere in Parliament, behind other countries such as Spain, Germany and because the mood is that we have to deal with this now. France. It is no coincidence that those countries have Question put and agreed to. enjoyed so much success in football when they have Resolved, invested at the grassroots level as they have done. Look at the statistics comparing the number of coaches and That this House has considered the future of football governance. the number of all-weather pitches with floodlights per head of population. Let us not forget that if a facility Yvonne Fovargue (in the Chair): I will now suspend does not have floodlights, it is not useable for large parts the sitting until 4 pm. of the winter. Those are important factors. We are all told by the Premier League—I am sure that the Minister gets this as well—how much our constituencies 3.56 pm get, how much it has spent and how much it supports Sitting suspended. 439WH 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Parole Board: Maintaining 440WH Public Safety Parole Board: Maintaining Public Safety he would have taken yet another young life; that Pitchfork wilfully deceived the authorities during their investigations; and that he continued to exercise his freedom and live [JUDITH CUMMINS in the Chair.] his life when his victims could not—a further indictment 4 pm on this individual’s character. Alberto Costa (South Leicestershire) (Con): I beg to Mrs Cummins, I would like to inform you and the move, House of the representations that I have made to the That this House has considered the effectiveness and transparency Parole Board regarding Pitchfork’s case on behalf of my of the Parole Board in maintaining public safety. constituents and the families and friends of the victims. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, I also commend the Secretary of State for Justice, the Mrs Cummins. I thank Mr Speaker for granting this Minister with responsibility for prisons—she is in her debate, and I welcome the Minister to her place. I thank place today—and the chief executive of the Parole colleagues for joining me this afternoon to debate what Board for England and Wales, Mr Martin Jones, for is a pressing issue for our constituents and for the wider their work and assistance on this matter. Their willingness country in maintaining and ensuring public safety. to assist my constituents and me, and their devotion to Although this debate will focus on the wider parameters this particular case, should be commended. I would like and aspects of the Parole Board’s effectiveness and to put on record my sincere thanks to them. transparency, I would like to draw the House’s attention The Parole Board’spurpose is to carry out—independent to a specific and notorious case, which is a matter of of the Government, the legislature and the judiciary—risk considerable concern to my constituents in South assessments on prisoners to determine whether they can Leicestershire—the case of Colin Pitchfork. In 1988, safely be released into the community. As such, it can be Pitchfork was sentenced to life imprisonment for the regarded as the final barrier between prisoners and us in brutal rape and murder of two young girls in my wider society. constituency. On 31 November 1983, 15-year-old Lynda As I have mentioned, the Parole Board’s independence Mann was raped and strangled by Pitchfork in the from the judiciary, the legislature and Government is village of Narborough in Leicestershire, and on 31 July key. For the most part, prisoners who have served their 1986, 15-year-old Dawn Ashworth was raped and strangled sentence and can demonstrate their successful rehabilitation by Pitchfork in the nearby village of Enderby. should be properly assessed ahead of their release. Although those crimes were committed over three Their eventual release, if granted, is a crucial part of decades ago, the murders of Lynda and Dawn continue their rehabilitation and sentence, so that they can go to live long in the memories of my constituents. I back into the community as a person who is changed regularly hear from those who still live in the villages of for the better and who will be able to make a positive Narborough and Enderby who have fond memories of contribution to our society. growing up with these two young women and will never Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of our criminal justice forget their tragic and untimely deaths. system and a hallmark of our tolerant, forgiving society. As hon. Members may be aware, Pitchfork’s case is Although our country has one of the highest prison not only notorious for these heinous and abhorrent populations in Europe,we are a freedom-loving, rules-based crimes, which tragically ended the lives of two young democracy and I accept the need for our country to girls; it is also known as a pivotal moment in English recognise that a person’s historical actions do not define criminal justice history. He was the first person in the them for all time. A person’s historical failures do not world to be convicted using DNA fingerprinting evidence mark them for the rest of their life. We, as a country or a pioneered by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester. people, do not lock up individuals and throw away the Following the tragic deaths of Lynda and Dawn, key. When we remove people’s liberty, we invest time which made headline news across the country,Leicestershire and taxpayers’ money in prisoners under a duty of care Police conducted one of the country’s largest manhunts to work with them to rehabilitate them, and to consider for the perpetrator. In an attempt to find those who were an avenue towards their potential future release, a new responsible, Leicestershire Police took the unprecedented start in life and a return to being safe, productive members and innovative step of blooding over 5,000 men—asking of our society. them to volunteer their blood and saliva for the purposes Questions, however, will remain for those who are of DNA testing—in the hope of finding a match to the perhaps not capable of being rehabilitated. It is not my evidence that was left at the scenes of those awful place to pass judgment on the suitability of an individual’s crimes. character or their ability to re-enter society as a changed In a painstaking six-month process, the University of person. The rates of further serious offences among Leicester, the Forensic Science Service and Leicestershire those who are deemed to be safe and who are released police combed through the samples given by local men, by the Parole Board are so low that it is clear that the but no matches were found. Only after he was overheard Parole Board has robust practices in place to make bragging that he had asked a friend to donate a DNA those judgments from a specialist point of view. It is sample in his place was Pitchfork discovered, arrested tasked by all of us and by all our constituents to ensure and tried for his crimes, during which he pleaded guilty that those it deems fit for release no longer present a and was sentenced to life imprisonment. danger to the public. To the Parole Board’s credit, it The brutal and callous nature of Pitchfork’s crimes does not often get those decisions wrong, but if it does, raises questions as to whether such a person should ever the wider public pays the price. be released from prison or could ever be truly rehabilitated. There is little doubt among professionals, among my Conor McGinn (St Helens North) (Lab): I endorse constituents in South Leicestershire and in my own everything that the hon. Gentleman has said thus far, personal opinion that, had Pitchfork not been caught, and I congratulate him on securing the debate. The 441WH Parole Board: Maintaining 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Parole Board: Maintaining 442WH Public Safety Public Safety circumstances he outlines in relation to his constituents throughout the criminal justice system to ensure that and the arguments he advances resonate strongly with victims in particular are not let down when hearings do me and with people in St Helens, particularly the village not go ahead? of Billinge, where Helen McCourt was murdered in 1988. Her mother has fought a successful campaign for Alberto Costa: I agree that there is always a strong the introduction of the rule that if a murderer does not argument to be made for more resources. In an area give information about the whereabouts of their victim’s such as the criminal justice system, and, specifically, the remains, that will strongly affect the criteria for their Parole Board, there is always a good argument to be release by the Parole Board. I pay tribute to the Government made to the Minister, who I am sure is listening, about for putting that on the statute book in recent months. the need for more resources. The Parole Board has, however, demonstrated its Picking up on what the hon. Gentleman said about effectiveness in a majority of cases, with a most welcome when the Parole Board gets it wrong, Marie McCourt low level of serious reoffending by those released. Through had to watch her daughter’s killer be released from prison measures passed in the House, the system has given victims under parole. I accept the argument about public safety, more of a voice, and a clearer view of the process and but this is about public decency, too. Releasing someone the decisions made in cases. I ask the Minister to who murdered a woman and never gave information consider how that process can be maintained, and indeed about her remains is an affront to public decency. strengthened, to ensure that a balance continues to be struck between releasing those who are fully rehabilitated Alberto Costa: I entirely agree that it is at the very and halting the release of those who might still present least questionable when someone who has not shown a danger to my constituents and those of every other contrition for their crimes, and over decades of custody, Member. has not assisted investigators but is deemed fit for release. 4.13 pm I ask Members kindly to cast their minds back to 2018 when it was reported that John Worboys, a man Laura Trott (Sevenoaks) (Con): It is a pleasure to convicted of 12 serious sexual offences and suspected of serve under your chairmanship, Ms Cummins, and I approximately 100, was proposed for release by the Parole congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for South Board, having served 10 years in custody. His proposed Leicestershire (Alberto Costa) on securing this incredibly release caused considerable and understandable outcry important debate. I echo his comments on the importance among the public, press and, indeed, parliamentarians. of Parole Board discretion in serious cases such as the Worboys’s case was a watershed moment for much one he described, and its ability to keep people in prison needed reform of the parole process. Victims were not when they represent a danger to the public. advised of the proposed release, and little information The single point I want to make is that of the importance was provided about the reasoning behind the decision, of Parole Board involvement with rape cases in particular. and the then Secretary of State for Justice acted swiftly Some 84% of rape convictions are dealt with by a to bring new, welcome levels of transparency to the standard determinate sentence. That means that the system. Parole Board is not involved at all in the release of those criminals. A key question to me is what the Parole I was pleased to feed into some of those changes to Board is for, if it is not to determine whether rapists are the parole process, having a link to the Pitchfork case, going to reoffend. The reoffending rate for sexual offences and like others I greatly welcomed the changes that were is around 14% and we need to look again, seriously, at made. The announcement of a new mechanism two the level at which the Parole Board gets involved to years ago for victims and families to request that decisions make sure that every single serious sexual offence is be reconsidered, and for summaries of decisions to be looked at and that there is the discretion to decide issued to the public, helped to bring the parole system whether someone is released among the public, as well into the 21st century and, crucially, helped to provide as some analysis of how effective it has been. As my victims and families with a greater say in the criminal hon. Friend said, the issue has existed for many years justice process, to help them seek the justice they deserve. and we have an opportunity to get it right. From being a detached and at times obfuscated process, the parole system appears largely to have learned its lessons from the Worboys case. It has become more 4.14 pm open and transparent to those who matter most, but it The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lucy Frazer): must continue its challenging work of ensuring public It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, safety. Ms Cummins, and I thank my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Alberto Costa) for introducing The Parole Board must have all the necessary resources this important debate. to arrive at the correct judgment. I encourage the Minister to continue to ensure that it has all the necessary I start by extending my sympathies to the families of resources to carry out its important task. Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth. I cannot begin to understand what they must have gone through over the years, with the victims being so young. My sympathies Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op): I am are with them at this time. My hon. Friend mentioned grateful to the hon. Gentleman for introducing today’s the impact on the wider community in Leicestershire debate. In 2018-19, there were 8,272 hearings that were and I am deeply aware of his interest in the case, the not concluded at the time, including about 2,500 cases support he has given and continues to give to the that were deferred on the day, or adjourned, because of victims’ families and his constituents more widely, and a lack of sufficiency of psychologists’ and probation his personal efforts to bring the matter to the attention reports. Does he recognise that we need proper resourcing of the Ministry of Justice and to liaise with the Parole 443WH Parole Board: Maintaining 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Parole Board: Maintaining 444WH Public Safety Public Safety [Lucy Frazer] the most serious and violent offences, and who have sometimes caused unimaginable harm and distress to Board, meeting with its chief executive and providing victims and their families. It is entirely understandable, a letter to be included in the parole dossier outlining his therefore, that members of the public, particularly victims, concerns so that those may be considered at the right might struggle to comprehend how prisoners can ever time. be assessed to be safe to release. As my hon. Friend mentioned, the Parole Board I believe that for victims’ families really to understand fulfils a significant and fundamental role in protecting the decisions, it is important for them to be more involved the public from harm. In providing a fair way to consider in the process. However hard it may be to accept, the the release of those held in our prisons on indeterminate— board’s difficult role is not to decide whether the offender and in some cases determinate—sentences, the expertise should continue to be punished for the crimes that they of Parole Board members is thoroughly to assess the have committed; its decision is about the current risk risk and take effective decisions. That expertise is clear, and whether the offender would pose a danger to the with public protection absolutely at the heart of every public if they were released. Greater openness and case. transparency will enable us to increase that understanding, My hon. Friend was right to mention that there are and that will build trust and confidence in the system. only a limited number of cases in which the Parole Board allows a release and the offender goes on to Conor McGinn: I believe firmly and passionately in reoffend. Serious further offences are rare. Less than the rehabilitative nature of our penal system, and that 0.5% of offenders under statutory supervision are convicted rehabilitation is a cornerstone of the system. The Minister of serious further offences, and I believe that this very has outlined that the threat to the public, or the low level shows that the Parole Board is reaching the compromising of public safety, is the first and foremost right conclusions when it comes to release. None the consideration. Does she accept that for a lot of victims’ less, each one is taken extremely seriously, and a review families, there are issues around truth and justice, and is carried out of all to identify any lessons for the better that in cases where families do not feel as though they management of future cases. have had that, it is an affront to them and to common As my hon. Friend pointed out, over the past two decency, and it only exacerbates their pain, to see people years, we have taken a number of steps to improve the who were committed for the most heinous crimes being effectiveness, and particularly the transparency, of the released without showing a shred of remorse? Parole Board system. We introduced two key changes. First, in 2018, we worked with the Parole Board to Lucy Frazer: I completely understand that point, and amend its rules to allow it to provide decision summaries. I cannot imagine how it must feel to be in that situation—if Previously, the rules prevented the Parole Board from someone had taken away a loved one, or done serious revealing any details of the reasons for its decision. The damage to me as the victim of a serious crime, such as provision of those summaries allows victims and the rape.The justice system requires the person who committed wider public to understand why the board has made a that crime to go before a court and a sentence to be decision in a case.Todate,around 4,000 decision summaries pronounced, and that is the sentence the person serves have been issued, mainly to victims. when they go to prison. The Parole Board must determine Secondly, following last year’s case of John Worboys, whether that person, having served their sentence—having whose release decision by the Parole Board was overturned done their time—is safe to be released. by the High Court, we developed a reconsideration Of course, the point that my hon. Friend the Member mechanism for decisions made. Where there is evidence for South Leicestershire raised then comes come into that a decision is irrational, or procedurally unfair, the consideration: is that person safe to be released, or are reconsideration mechanism allows the Secretary of State, they manipulating the process? Are they telling the or the prisoner, to apply for the decision to be looked at truth? Are they really committed to going forth and not again. Victims may ask the Secretary of State to apply committing further crime? That is when truth and deception for reconsideration on their behalf, and since July 2019 come into play. the Government have submitted 23 applications for We are very aware of the importance of victims that, five of which followed victim requests. having their say, so that they have a right to be heard Prior to that introduction, there was no way to challenge and feel that they have participated in the process. That flawed decisions without resorting to costly and time- is why we announced on 20 October—just over a month consuming litigation. Now, as set out in the 2015 victims ago—the launch of the root-and-branch review of the code, victims have the right to make a victim personal parole system. That will build on the reforms that I have statement to the Parole Board and the entitlement to talked about today, and it will look at whether more apply to attend the hearing to read their statement. Last fundamental reform of the system is required. One of week, we published a revised code of practice for victims the key things that we will consider in that review is of crime, which reinforces those rights by stating that whether we can increase openness and transparency to the Parole Board must agree to the statement being read continue to improve public understanding, so that there at the hearing by the victim, or someone else on their is more confidence in the system. behalf, and provide a summary of its decision on We are running a consultation on whether parole application, unless there is a good reason not to do so. hearings should be open to the public in some limited Those important steps have increased the transparency circumstances. The Parole Board is required to hold of the process and decisions made by the Parole Board, hearings in private, so public hearings would be a but we believe there is still more that can be done. We really significant step towards improving openness and recognise that the Parole Board is responsible for considering transparency. We recognise that although there would the release of prisoners who have committed some of be benefits in that, there are complexities and challenges 445WH Parole Board: Maintaining 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Parole Board: Maintaining 446WH Public Safety Public Safety around protecting the privacy and the safety of all up by 8%. The Government are committed to ensuring involved—that would include victims—and ensuring that the justice system has the necessary resources to that witnesses provided the candid evidence that the ensure that we can deliver justice. She will know that board would need to make effective decisions. That is demand in relation to the Parole Board has increased why we are consulting on the process to ensure that any significantly and dramatically over the years, with 30 times changes are made safely and responsibly. The parole more cases—that is 8,000 more—being heard each year process is extremely difficult for victims and their families, compared with 20 years ago. and we are determined to do as much as we can to give The increase in demand has led to the need regularly them the support and information that they need. to review systems and processes, but also to invest in I will pick up further on the point that my hon. increased provision. In 2017-18, we injected additional Friend the Member for South Leicestershire made about funding to enable the recruitment of over 100 new sentences, and whether it is appropriate to release someone Parole Board members, so that more hearings could be who has committed a crime such as the crimes committed held. I pay tribute to the Parole Board for managing not by Colin Pitchfork, or other horrific crimes, where only to ensure that it keeps up with the rate of determination people are not rehabilitated. If Colin Pitchfork were to during this covid crisis, but to increase the number of be sentenced now, he would likely receive a whole-life matters that it has managed to determine in this difficult order,because under provisions introduced by the Criminal and challenging period. Justice Act 2003, the murder of a child that has a sexual The system is effective at protecting the public from or sadistic motivation attracts a whole-life order as its dangerous criminals—it is a thorough and sophisticated starting point. The Government recognise the particularly process for carefully assessing an offender’s risk—but I abhorrent nature of cases where a child has been murdered, want to look at whether it is the most effective model to as set out in the sentencing White Paper, and we intend deliver the parole function over the longer term. The to go further by making a whole-life order the starting root-and-branch review, which I mentioned, will look at point for any premeditated murder of a child. whether we can go further to deliver justice. Together My hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Laura with the Parole Board, we have already made great Trott) made an important point about the significant strides to improve the effectiveness and transparency of effect of rape on victims and what a dreadful crime that the parole system. I am pleased that, through the root- is. She will know that if a judge determines that an and-branch review, we are now able to take the next offender is dangerous, it is possible to hand down an steps to ensure that the future delivery of this critical extended determinate sentence. She will also know about public protection function is the best it can be, with the changes that we are proposing in relation to people fairness and public safety at the forefront of its focus. who are sentenced for more than seven years—they Question put and agreed to. will have their sentences increased, because we are recommending that they serve two thirds of their sentence, Judith Cummins (in the Chair): To allow for the safe rather than half. However, I appreciate the important exit of Members participating in this debate, and for the points that she made on the question whether such safe entry of Members arriving to take part in the next, offenders should go before the Parole Board. I am suspending the sitting for two minutes. The hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell) made a point about resources. I hope she spotted that in 4.28 pm today’s spending review, our Department’s finances went Sitting suspended. 447WH 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 448WH

Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley For the Tees Valley, levelling up means job creation, and I welcome today’s news of a new power plant to be 4.30 pm built at the port. However, while the unemployment Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): I beg to benefit claimant rate across the UK is 6.3%, across the move, Tees Valley it is 8%, and it rises as high as 12% in That this House has considered the Government’s levelling up Middlesbrough. There have been 12,565 extra jobs agenda and Tees Valley. lost since March across the Tees Valley, and we are It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship—for haemorrhaging more each day. Last week OSB, a major the first time, I believe, Mrs Cummins. It is good to see monopile supplier in my constituency that has been so many people interested in our debate this afternoon, active in offshore wind since 2015, announced that it is particularly my neighbouring MPs, my hon. Friends the closing down at the end of the month because it has not Members for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), and got enough orders. This is happening while the biggest for Hartlepool (Mike Hill). wind farm in the world, Dogger Bank, is being constructed We have all grown weary of hearing about how in British territorial waters. What benefit is that bringing unprecedented these times are, so I hope Members will to the Tees Valley? Just last week, on the eve of the indulge me in a short trip down memory lane. Nearly Prime Minister’s green economy announcement, news 10 years ago, I spoke in a near-identical Westminster came that all—yes, all—the monopiles and transition Hall debate on the topic of regional development in the pieces for Dogger Bank wind farm will be manufactured north-east. I said: in Holland and Belgium. “We wait to see whether there will be a Budget for real growth, backed by substantial resources when the Chancellor stands up Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): The tomorrow. Resources must be the key. A jobless recovery would hon. Gentleman makes a fair point, but is he aware that be a disaster for our region, and without growth there will not be enough new jobs… I hope that they have finally realised that the Government have said that with future subsidy without a genuine plan for growth and real resources, the economy regimes around offshore wind, there will be a requirement will continue to be sluggish.”—[Official Report, 22 March 2011; for a higher percentage of the wind turbine parts to be Vol. 525, c. 223-224WH.] made by UK manufacturers? Well, the Government’s buzzwords may have changed, but after a decade, what strikes me is just how precedented Alex Cunningham: That is great news, but that is jam and familiar this situation is. A scene of long-term under- tomorrow. We definitely need jam today. funding of the Tees Valley has meant that unemployment there is still far higher than the national average. Health Mr Simon Clarke (Middlesbrough South and East inequalities have widened, and the number of families Cleveland) (Con): Does the hon. Gentleman realise that in poverty has increased. Unless the Government take public procurement rules can change only after Brexit? serious action soon, we will once again be in the dire This is a very good example of why the decision that he situation where our communities are made to pay the described moments ago as toxic, and which his own price of a Tory Government’s failings. constituents overwhelmingly supported, was of course The toxic combination of Brexit, the pandemic, and the right one. Tory incompetence has been catastrophic for our area. Last month it was announced that the UK unemployment Alex Cunningham: Again, we get jam tomorrow. It is rate has surged to its highest level in over three years, all about jam tomorrow—something that is going to now at 4.5%. In the north-east, the unemployment rate happen in three or five years’ time. has soared to 6.6%—the worst in the UK. The region now has the highest unemployment rate, the lowest Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): Can we just employment rate and the lowest average hours worked nail this business about state aid? It was pleaded for in of all British regions. The Chancellor said this afternoon Redcar. We can do that. This is a critically important that an economic emergency had “only just begun”. point: the Tory Government decided that they would sit Well, tell that to our constituents, whose economy has on their hands and let 9,000 jobs go down the pan. Do been neglected for the last decade. The numbers have not kid me that suddenly there will be this conversion to been getting worse for years in our region, since long intervention in our economy—that is absolute nonsense. before the pandemic, as a result of Tory neglect. The French did it; the Germans did it; the Italians did At the end of his announcement, the Chancellor it; and the British Government sat on their hands, and dangled a new twinkling pot of money in front of our we lost jobs. noses: a levelling-up fund. But we do not need more wasteful bidding processes that pit deprived communities against each other for scraps. Now more than ever, we Alex Cunningham: My hon. Friend does not need an need a serious and concerted effort to bring the Tees answer from me on that point. Why has our area lost Valley in line with the rest of the UK. You do not have out? Where was the Tees Tory Mayor when the orders to take just my word for it, Mrs Cummins. WPI Strategy were being handed out? He was nowhere to be seen. has created the levelling-up index, and in its analysis, six No doubt some will claim that jobs have been boosted of the seven Tees constituencies are marked as priorities. in the area, but it is going to take a few more media Middlesbrough is the constituency second most in need pictures of the Mayor in a hard hat to convince me of of levelling up in the whole of the UK, with Hartlepool that. The cost per job created in the Tees Valley Combined sixth. My constituency of Stockton North comes in Authority area is calculated at £96,093. That means that 14th. In six out of seven of the Tees constituencies, for every job created in the last three years, the Mayor deprivation soars above the national average, climbing has spent nearly a hundred grand. How on earth is an to 50% above the UK average in Redcar, 52% in Stockton approach like that going to deliver the sustainable job North, and a startling 110% in Middlesbrough. growth our region so desperately needs? The figures are 449WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 450WH astronomical. We urgently need a fully independent audit The people of Stockton were promised a new hospital of exactly where the millions of pounds of taxpayer money building, but 10 years later, it is yet to materialise. We have gone. just get occasional scraps that do nothing to plug the gap. Mr Simon Clarke: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? The Health Secretary visited the University Hospital of North Tees recently.I prayed he was going to announce Alex Cunningham: I will not at the moment. Even if its replacement, as I knew a statement was coming up we put aside the costs, the number of jobs that have within a few days. The statement came, but North Tees been announced barely scrape the sides of the black was not on the Health Secretary’s list. Surely any hole of unemployment in the Tees Valley. For every job commitment to levelling up the Tees Valley must have announced in the last three years, five have been lost in addressing health inequalities at the core of its mission, the last seven months. Sadly, we cannot even get the and a new hospital has a major role to play in that. Mayor to tell us whether those jobs are being filled, or even where they are. A proper levelling-up agenda would be such a boon for Teessiders, but while the Tories claim that that The Tees Valley’s gross value added per hour worked, agenda is already under way in the Tees Valley, there are an indicator of productivity, continues to lag 9.1% serious obstacles that will prevent its delivery. Just last behind the UK average. On top of that, research by week, the think-tank Demos published a new report, iwoca has shown that businesses in the north-east have “Achieving Levelling-Up: The Structures and Processes been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. As a result, Needed”. It concludes that while levelling up is possible, the region is forecast to lose 11.7% gross value added in 2020. That will wipe out all the economic growth in the “there is zero chance of achieving it without…changes to the north-east since 2004. We will be back to where we were current system” 16 years ago. of devolved politics. One barrier it identifies is that the Opportunities presented by the possibilities of carbon work of local enterprise partnerships and combined capture and storage, a freeport and civil service relocation authorities is largely invisible, making real accountability may be part of the answer, but they are simply not to the public impossible. enough. I welcome incentivising businesses to come to The situation in the Tees Valley Combined Authority the Tees Valley, but it will not be much comfort to local area is much more concerning than that, because the businesses that fall outside the free port area and are Tory Administration are not just invisible in terms of anxious about the potential loss of EU trade and new accountability,but are actively obstructing proper scrutiny. tariffs. The Mayor has created a web of different companies This is not just about jobs. While I am all for planning and organisations through which he spends public money, for the Tees Valley’s future, the impact of Brexit and the but is shielded from vital public scrutiny. There are pandemic is felt by our communities now. A 10-year even reports that donors to his campaign have been plan is no good to my constituents, who contact me appointed to significant positions in those companies worried about how they are going to pay their bills this and organisations. Decisions are often made outside month. Last month, statistics released by the End Child formal meetings, through a complex network of political Poverty coalition showed that the north-east has seen and business relationships and friendships, informed by the biggest rise in child poverty in the UK. In my advice from expensive consultants. constituency, the proportion of children living in poverty has risen to 34%; in others in the Tees Valley, the figure is higher still. It is a tragedy and a scandal. Mr Clarke: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? In Stockton North, 3,109 families with children received universal credit in May 2020, and 1,700 families with Alex Cunningham: I will not at the moment. This is a children received working tax credit. Behind those numbers, chumocracy on a local scale that mirrors the widespread there are thousands of living, breathing children, plunged and despicable cronyism we have seen play out on the below the breadline as a result of having poorly paid national stage in the Government’s constant privatisation jobs—or no jobs at all in their family. I am deeply of the response to the pandemic. It is shameful cronyism disappointed that today the Chancellor has not listened that I am worried will bear more fruit in the administration to calls to retain the increases in universal credit and of any Tory levelling-up fund. If the management of working tax credit, so that families with children could the £3.6 billion towns fund is anything to go by, we have keep that small but vital economic support. Across the serious reason for concern. Billingham, in my constituency, Tees Valley, 79,000 families are affected. This is a was deemed more in need of support than towns in Government who would rather spend millions on the Tory MPs’ patches, including a town in the Secretary of festival of Brexit than bring children out of poverty by State’s constituency, which was 270th on the list, but retaining even small benefit increases, or than feed them Billingham missed out and the Secretary of State’s during all school holidays. This is not levelling up; it is constituency did not. grinding down. It is clear from the Chancellor’s announcement today We all know that where economic inequality thrives, that the Government are not going to invest the money so do health inequalities. Stockton-on-Tees is often that the Tees Valley needs to overcome the destabilising used as a case study to highlight health inequalities in impact of Brexit and the pandemic on our communities the UK. Men who live in the town centre are expected and industries. While he splurges on whizzy defence to live 18 years fewer than their peers just a couple of gadgets and Brexit festival guff, public sector pay and miles down the road. I have lost count of the number of benefits are largely frozen. These freezes will actively times I have heard Tory Ministers promise to tackle discourage the growth that we need in the Tees Valley, these worrying inequalities, but nothing has happened. and they will level down, not up. 451WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 452WH

[Alex Cunningham] crisis is yet another catastrophic kick to the region. Pointing out the heartbreaking inequalities that affect Locally, the Tory combined authority is the one public our constituents is not talking down our area. It is standing body in the Tees Valley with money to spend, but up for our area in the face of a national Conservative despite that, there is no comprehensive support package Government who have neglected the north-east for for our constituents. Instead, there is the £1 million years. The Tees economy is on the cliff edge of a hard Houchen gate—£1 million of taxpayers’money that could Brexit, and the lack of investment and post-pandemic have done so much good, wasted on a gate. The Mayor rebuilding will push it into the abyss. bought the loss-making airport for about £80 million, The North East England chamber of commerce policy but he has secured a few flights; some people will be director, Jonathan Walker, got it exactly right when he grateful for that. I heard one person say today, “What said: use is it being able to get on a flight to Alicante when “The human, social and economic cost of this is appalling. local people still can’t get a bus home after 7pm?”. Levelling up has to mean more than just shiny projects. It must mean giving young people in our region the same life chances as Mr Clarke: Clearly, the Labour party opposed the they’d get in other parts of the country.” rescue of Teesside international airport; it is probably He came out with another statement today; he said the only example I can recall of the Labour party that the Chancellor’s announcement today was a missed opposing taking something into public ownership. Is opportunity: the hon. Gentleman still saying today that it was the wrong decision? I think people across Teesside would be “On the face of it a levelling-up fund sounds good but it is far amazed by that. too small in scale and ambition to be effective.” I want our young people to get the benefits, but sadly I Alex Cunningham: Personally,I am still a little surprised see no prospect of them getting the support they need. that it ever happened. Labour-led authorities at that There are plenty of these shiny projects, but the absence time supported the purchase of the airport. The Mayor of substance breaks my heart, because they could have was elected on the promise that he would buy the so much more. Our constituents deserve better than airport; it was in his manifesto and others facilitated his this. They need better than this. doing it. He is the person who will have to bear the I appeal to the Minister to stress to his colleagues the brunt of the problems that we will face in the future, need for true levelling up; for help sustaining jobs and including the many millions of pounds that we are going creating new ones; to be open, honest and transparent to lose, year on year. when dealing with public money; to end the health inequalities that continue to blight our communities; Andy McDonald: Does my hon. Friend agree that it and, perhaps above all, to give our young people real hope might assist us if the various companies that have fallen that they can have the careers they want and a future under the umbrella of this organisation voluntarily they can look forward to. Let us make the expression agreed to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act “levelling up” more than a cliché. Let us make it a 2000? What we have here is a raft of public money, and demonstration of action. a public body, put beyond the gaze of the public. Does he agree that that does not help scrutiny and transparency? Judith Cummins (in the Chair): I ask Back Benchers Alex Cunningham: Most certainly.I cannot understand to keep within five minutes to start with. I am planning why anybody wants to hide where the public money has to call Front Benchers at around 5.15 pm. Simon Clarke. been spent. I know that there are different people involved in all these different companies. I would like to know 4.48 pm what their agenda is. Is it the agenda of the people of the Tees Valley? Mr Simon Clarke (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Con): It is a pleasure to serve under your The failure of the Government, both nationally and chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. I congratulate the hon. locally, angers and saddens me. The Tees Valley is fit to Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham) on burst with potential. We are ripe and ready to be levelled securing today’s debate. I just wish he could have been up; we are calling out for it. We have the potential to more generous in his speech. It was, I am afraid, a exploit the amazing opportunities for green industry, quintessential example of talking down Teesside, the including carbon capture and storage. We have a high phrase he rightly used. Indeed, it contained a series of skill base, tight-knit communities and local authorities remarks that are deeply disparaging of what is going that, despite political changes, have a track record of on in our area, and some half-baked innuendo around working together, and achieving great things when they impropriety by the Mayor that he would be ill-advised do. Sometimes, local Tories try to claim that Labour to repeat outside the House. politicians are talking down Teesside. What is happening in the Tees Valley will, of course, Mr Simon Clarke: That is exactly what is happening transform the life chances of his constituents and mine. today. Under successive Governments, our area has never been supported properly to adapt to a changing world, Alex Cunningham: I almost have to laugh. Talking so our traditional strength in heavy industry became a down Teesside? It is the greatest honour of my life to new-found weakness. That is changing under the represent the amazing and diverse citizens of Stockton Conservatives. The solutions the Labour Government North, and to champion the vibrant history and culture offered were the wrong ones; there was an unsustainable of the Tees Valley. The real problem is that for the past reliance on public sector jobs, a culture of welfare 10 years, the Tories have been booting down Teesside. dependency, and a lack of thought about how to instigate Their mind-boggling incompetence in handling the covid proper, sustainable, private sector growth. 453WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 454WH

What is required for the Tees Valley? Opportunity, that both his constituents and mine will enjoy next summer. investment, and leadership—and that is what we now That is on top of the new service to London Heathrow, have. The hon. Gentleman denigrated the fact that there the UK’sglobal transport hub, and the multimillion-pound is a 10-year plan; I am glad there is a plan. It is a plan regeneration of Middlesbrough station and Darlington that has been agreed in partnership between Government, station. local government, our councils and industry. That is an Of course, the fourth strand of levelling up comes in example of precisely the kind of successful devolution the form of skills.The Government have already committed that we need to see more of in this country. £450 million to the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s plans to give young people access to skills training, Andy McDonald: The hon. Gentleman mentioned introduce high-quality broadband and overcome barriers over-reliance on public sector workers. Are those the to work. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the same public sector workers for whom we came out from Exchequer’s kickstart scheme, part of the emergency our houses and clapped on a Thursday night in appreciation response to coronavirus, has already surpassed 500 jobs of the work that they do and in acknowledgement of for local 16 to 24-year-olds, with applications still open. how much we rely on them, or is he now casting them to one side as well? The fifth and final element of levelling up is, of course, direct investment through the £3.6 billion towns Mr Clarke: I will take that point head-on. Of course fund. Middlesbrough, Redcar, Thornaby and Hartlepool we appreciate our public sector workers— are all awaiting the outcome of their bids. Darlington has already had £22.7 million from the fund. And that Andy McDonald: Well, you won’t pay them. comes on top of bids to the future high streets fund, which I hope will benefit both Middlesbrough and Mr Clarke: We do, actually, and we have defended the Loftus. lowest paid in today’s statement, but it is very important We all know that levelling up is the task of at least a to note that in the end we need to have sustainable decade. None of this will be achieved easily. None of it private sector-led growth in the Tees Valley and that comes simply. But it is happening precisely because we was not what was delivered under the last Labour have confidence in Teesside, in the people of Teesside Government. What we need to see is growth, and how and in the future of Teesside. Rather than talking it will that growth be delivered? There are five key aspects down, we talk it up, and that is being rewarded for the to that. people of the area, who see hope, growth, jobs and The first is the regeneration of the former SSI steelworks optimism. They see that from the Government side of site at Redcar, supported by £233 million from the the House, from the Conservatives, and long may it Government. It is the largest redevelopment project in continue. the United Kingdom. What will go there? In February, I had the pleasure of speaking at the launch of Net Zero 4.53 pm Teesside at the Riverside stadium. As we heard last Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): It is an absolute week, carbon capture, usage and storage will be at the pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mrs Cummins. I thank heart of the Government’s green industrial revolution. my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour the Member It is backed by £1 billion of Government investment, for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham) for securing and the Tees and the Humber CCS clusters— the debate, and Mr Speaker for granting me permission Alex Cunningham: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? to speak on behalf of my constituency of Middlesbrough. Ten years of Tory austerity have been utterly devastating Mr Clarke: I will not, because of lack of time. for our people, and for none more so than for the people This is an important part of that piece. CCS will sit in my town of Middlesbrough and for our communities alongside other clean energy projects, including the across the Tees Valley. That the Government are now national hydrogen transport hub and the offshore wind talking about a levelling up agenda is the result of the industry. The hon. Gentleman said that there is no good inequalities that have taken hold across the regions over coming to the area from it. An application is being recent years because of their policies. The prolonged made for the new £90 million quay at South Bank, period of underfunding and not providing communities which will create hundreds of jobs. It is all set to be built with the powers to help themselves has left us in a state next year. where the disparity in funding levels across the UK is The second feature of our vision for Teesside is, of stark. course, a freeport. Despite Labour doing everything it Let us look at transport. Last year, London got could to stop Brexit—which is the reason why Teesside £903 per head and the north-east £486. The Government is now represented by more Government than Labour do not have the interests of the whole nation at heart. MPs—we will leave the transition period and regain full The Middlesbrough to King’s Cross rail service has national independence on 1 January. Freeports are one been put back and back and back. The latest estimated of the best examples of how we can drive growth and time of arrival is December 2021, and further delays jobs. [Interruption.] Some of my colleagues are having would not surprise me. to self-isolate, but if Members look at the electoral geography of Teesside, they may notice that it has changed. Kevin Hollinrake rose— The third aspect of our plan is, of course, an Andy McDonald: I will give way once, because I have infrastructure revolution. It cannot be overstated how little time. important it is that the Mayor saved our airport in the teeth of the hon. Gentleman’s opposition and that of Kevin Hollinrake: Let us try not to be too party his colleagues. We have had the announcement today of political about this. Does the hon. Member not recognise the new flights to Alicante and Majorca—something that under-investment in the north, which we all suffer 455WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 456WH

[Kevin Hollinrake] the process, not desperate attempts at retrofitting. On Teesside, as across the entire country, if there is to from, has happened under Governments of all persuasions, be any substance to the constant drip feed of rehashed for decades, and this is the first Government who are announcements and hollow promises, it has to mean doing something tangible about it? something for Teesside workers,with a clear path to delivery. There is an opportunity here to create new, well-paid Andy McDonald: I would like to think that was true. I unionised jobs. There is insufficient focus on jobs and hear that trotted out ad nauseam from the Government ensuring that we have the skills to secure those jobs. Benches: “When you criticise me or hold me to account, Sadly,Tory Governments do all that they can to undermine you’re being party political.” That is our job. The the strength and bargaining power of trade unions that Conservatives have had 10 years in Government and are fighting to protect jobs. President-elect Joe Biden have done nothing but give us false promises and hard said the other day: hats. We are not into it. Of course, there was nothing “I want you to know I’m a union guy”, about Northern Powerhouse Rail in the Chancellor’s statement and there is nothing at all on the horizon and that under his presidency unions will have increased for the much-needed electrification of the line from power. He said: Northallerton through to Middlesbrough and beyond. “It’s not antibusiness. It’s about economic growth, creating good paying jobs.” Sadly, the social, economic and health crises brought about by covid-19 have only exacerbated the existing I do not know why the Tory Government cannot inequalities. It is no surprise that Middlesbrough, as comprehend that. one of the poorest parts of the country, with 40% of The benchmark of the promise to level up will be my children growing up below the poverty line and where Middlesbrough constituents having those good jobs four out of five workers have to leave home to go about and being able to enjoy the benefits of economic growth their work, was also one of the areas of the UK worst with their families. As for the promise to boost skills, hit by the virus. are the Government serious? They have just cancelled There are, however, things that can be done to address the union learning fund on the basis that it is not fair some of the impacts of years of neglect and the ravages because all receiving workplaces are union workplaces. of covid. Many of us are old enough to remember They should encourage workers, as I am doing today, to Margaret Thatcher in ’79 cancelling the transfer of the join a trade union. That is the way to secure better Government’s property service agencies from London terms and conditions, safer workplaces, a better work-life to Middlesbrough—3,000 jobs cut at a stroke. Over balance and better pay and spending power to put recent years of Tory rule, high-quality Her Majesty’s demand back in the economy and taxes in the Treasury. Revenue and Customs jobs have been ripped out of Scrapping the union learning fund is levelling down, Middlesbrough and Stockton, among them experienced not levelling up, and it is a kick in the teeth for working civil servants who were tax inspectors and whose debt people. recovery performance was the best in the country.I pleaded Sadly, far too many people in Middlesbrough and with the Government not to rob us of those high-quality across the Tees Valley will not be looking forward to jobs, but did they listen? 2021 and levelling up, but they will be looking at the That is whyI am hugely disappointed that the Chancellor pork barrel Tory politics delivering for their friends, has not come forward today with a decision regarding their party and their donors. It was ever thus, but it does the campus for the north. Over the past year I have not have to be like that. We can build back better if repeatedly urged him to bring forward plans to establish there is the political will, but my Middlesbrough constituents that campus and bring with it 22,000 Government jobs see very little evidence of it. for our communities, making the case for Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley to be chosen as a site for the new 5 pm campus. Again—lots of press releases, but no action. Mike Hill (Hartlepool) (Lab): It is a pleasure to My hon. Friends the Members for Stockton North serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. The and for Hartlepool (Mike Hill) and I recently met deindustrialisation of the north began long before Margaret senior representatives of BP and Net Zero Teesside. For Thatcher closed the pits. For Hartlepool, the closure of many years, we have been pressing the case for carbon our shipyards and steelworks provided an economic capture, use and storage on Teesside, and I pay tribute shock that we have barely recovered from. Since the to my hon. Friends’ work. We very much welcomed the 1980s, the town has gradually fallen behind other places discussion about further work on the plans, which have in the UK for job prospects, life expectancy, health and been a long time in development. However, the funding economic growth. Where there was once a vibrant, behind the Government’s 10-point plan for the green highly skilled workforce and a strong industrial sector, industrial revolution does not come anywhere near there are now high levels of unemployment and a low- addressing the immediate climate and employment crisis. wage economy. There is no engagement or consultation with trade For far too long, levelling down has been the agenda unions when we secure very welcome major capital for Hartlepool. One in three households are jobless, one expenditure projects, totally consistent with the ambitions third of our children are obese when they leave primary of the green industrial revolution. That cannot continue. school, life expectancy continues to decline, and such is I have begged the Government to listen to Frances the level of need that there are currently an estimated O’Grady of the TUC and her call for a national recovery nine known food kitchens. The same goes for the rest of council, with Government, businesses and unions working the Tees Valley. Once the industrial powerhouse of the together. Wewant good jobs and good industrial relations country, it has been systematically ground down by from the off. We want union engagement at the start of years of Government austerity and under-investment, 457WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 458WH and the dismantling of infrastructure designed specifically majority of Labour Members, I mentioned the need for to tackle local economic and regenerational needs such a fund that MPs could use to secure funding for local as One NorthEast. projects to commit to levelling up. When the Redcar steelworks closed recently and the blast furnace was capped, the beating heart of a centuries- Andy McDonald: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? old industry stopped. For many at the time it was as if Paul Howell: Let me make some progress first, please. life had been choked out of Teesside and the project’s decimation was complete.Most certainly it led to thousands Andy McDonald: It is on that point. If MPs have to of highly paid skilled workers entering the jobs market. get in a queue to get to the Chancellor or any other Fortunately,because events are so recent, we have retained Minister to say, “My constituency, please”, does the hon. that skills base in the Tees Valley. In fact, right across Gentleman see any flaws with that process? the piece, we have a disproportionate number of skilled workers in the labour market ready to work, desperate Paul Howell: Not really. for work, and in prime position to pass those skills on to the next generation. Andy McDonald: That’s because you’re the beneficiary. When we consider the levels of in-house poverty on Paul Howell: Prior to coming to this place, I sat as a Teesside,third-generationunemploymentinourcommunities, Durham county councillor, and the local councillors and workers desperate for jobs looking on in anger as had a local fund to help local projects at a small level. big industry replaces local jobs with cheaper agency It is a very similar concept. I am sure that the hon. workers, we know that levelling up is more than an Gentleman, like me, knows of things on which he would economic challenge. It is a generational life saver, which like to spend money in his constituency. is whythe work of the Tees Valley Mayor and the combined authority is so important. The project of levelling up the Tees Valley is ambitious and attainable. We have already seen great successes in What remains of our industrial infrastructure is unique. levelling up the valley, including the saving of Teesside Weare the most compact offshore oil and gas,petrochemical International airport in the south of my constituency, and pharmaceutical industrial cluster in the country. which has flights to connect the world to Teesside. It was We are in prime position to convert the old heavy announced this morning that Ryanair will be joining us. polluting industries into powerhouses for the so-called Teesside International airport and its estate is a flagship green industrial revolution. The people of the Tees Valley for levelling up and shows what can be achieved quickly have the skills, the knowledge and the know-how to with the correct capital investment and implementation embrace the new challenges, but we need the right level plan. I look forward to further investment. of investment from the Government, the banks and industry to make it so. Under the stewardship of Ben Houchen, levelling up the Tees Valley looks to have an exciting future, with The Tees Valley Mayor is undoubtedly ambitious and plans for a new freeport that could create 32,000 jobs vocal. Nobody can argue against the need to embrace and add £2 billion to the regional economy, and the new green technologies and the push for net zero carbon UK’s largest industrial zone in Teesworks will create emissions, so he is right and we are right to champion extra jobs there. This is an exciting time for the region, carbon capture, usage and storage, wind technology, and I hope this debate allows us to discuss how we can hydrogen technology,and to push for the aims of initiatives move it on further. such as Net Zero Teesside to become a reality. Some My constituency of Sedgefield sits on the edge of would argue that the Mayor is ahead of the curve on the Tees Valley, and I assume that I am the eighth of the many aspects that now fit with the Government’s levelling seven that the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex up ambitions, but what we do not need are pledges and Cunningham) mentioned—there are eight of us in the plans and promises of jam tomorrow. We need action, Tees Valley, and a third of my constituency is in the new money and real investment to realise our ambitions. Tees Valley Combined Authority.Because of that, we are For Hartlepool, that must include securing a firm in a unique position. Many of my constituents travel to commitment from the Government on the future of our the Tees Valley for work every day, and many from the nuclear power plant. Nobody has mentioned nuclear Tees Valley travel to Sedgefield. Because of that, hon. energy in this debate: it not only provides a low-carbon Members might expect good transport links between bridge to net zero but makes a significant contribution the two, but that is not the case. Out of 228,000 people to the national grid and produces hydrogen as a by-product. in County Durham, only 13,000 use the bus and 2,000 use New nuclear is listed in the Government’s 10-point the train. Cars are obviously the main thing. It is not plan for a green industrial revolution, which my hon. good that 164,000 people opt to use a car to get to work. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) I obviously support the Darlington bypass, which would mentioned, so it is clearly a priority. Rather than see link Newton Aycliffe business park, with 10,000 jobs, to more high-skilled jobs go, let us have a firm commitment Teesport. to supporting the industry on Teesside. Andy McDonald: Will the hon. Gentleman indulge 5.5 pm me one more time? Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con): It is a pleasure to Paul Howell: Shortly. speak in today’s debate. I welcome the Chancellor’s promises in the spending review, which will go a long Andy McDonald: The hon. Gentleman is making a way to kick-start the Government’s levelling up agenda. very good point about the public transport links. I As recently as this morning, in a debate on northern wonder whether he might want to have a word with the infrastructure, which was notably ignored by the vast Tees Valley Mayor about embracing the powers under 459WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 460WH

[Andy McDonald] Cunningham) for securing this debate. Before I start, I have had messages from my hon. Friends the Members the Bus Services Act 2017 to re-regulate our buses so for Darlington (Peter Gibson), for Stockton South (Matt that the hon. Gentleman can deliver the services that Vickers) and for Redcar (Jacob Young), who really wants in his constituency. wanted to be here but are doing their duty and self-isolating, so I just want to put that on record. Paul Howell: The Tees Valley Mayor’s initiatives, such Just last week I was in this Chamber emphasising the as the Tees Flex bus service, are a very good step in the importance of levelling up, and I am delighted to be able right direction. I wish that that service would come up to do so again. The levelling-up agenda is really at the to the north of my constituency. heart of my politics and the reason that I am in this We must remember that, in order to level up, the place. It means changing lives for the better, allowing benefits and successes of regeneration from freeports, businessestoflourishandthoseheldbackbythecircumstances green jobs and so on must be distributed across the to fulfil their potential and grasp opportunities. region. The critical advantage is connections to those Yet time and time again, when we are talking about projects by air, bus, train, bike—whatever. I welcome levelling up across the country,including in the north-east, the Chancellor’s decision to provide funding to start a we see the Opposition talk it down. While we drive feasibility study on Ferryhill station and include it in investment in transport, in industry and in green technology, the national infrastructure plan. The residents have the Opposition talk it down—[Interruption.] They are been asking for it for 24 years. When a certain Tony trying to do it right now.Wefocus on creating opportunities Blair was the MP for Sedgefield, there was no progress for the future, but instead, the hon. Members for whatever. The comment we got from the local Labour Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) and for Hartlepool group was, “Thatcher stopped that.” Well, 24 years is (Mike Hill) hark back to the past, talking about Margaret plenty of time to fix it. Thatcher and events under her premiership—things My point is that we need a long-term plan focused on that happened before I and many of their constituents connectivity.It is important to have an integrated transport were even born. system and short, medium and long-term commitments We are about the future; Labour are about the past. to encourage optimistic investment by business and For too long, the Opposition have taken people such as housing in places where it is needed. We look forward to my constituents for granted. They believed it was their further benefits of opening this rail connection, which right to represent seats such as mine in the north-east, would open the door and provide a foundation to better yet for decades under local Labour leadership our region connect Teesside with Tyneside and Wearside and improve saw nothing but decline—but then came the light. Leading connectivity. the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Ben Houchen has Alongside the levelling up of our physical infrastructure, shown that the levelling-up agenda is also at the heart of we must also level up our social infrastructure. This his mission. funding will be vital in the medium to long-term response The Tees Valley has an extraordinary champion in to covid, since research shows that the pandemic is Ben Houchen, someone who has been fighting for the likely to exacerbate existing social and economic problems area from day one. Though my constituency is not in left-behind neighbourhoods. What I mean by levelling within the Tees Valley Combined Authority area, Teesside’s up our social infrastructure is building social capital success means more opportunities for constituents of and investing in our communities and community projects. mine in Bishop Auckland, and although geography I am co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group means that they cannot vote for him, my constituents for “left behind”neighbourhoods, and we have identified certainly have a lot of very kind words to say about Ben 122 constituencies with left-behind communities. We Houchen, and Labour needs to take note of that. define those by using the community needs index and I was planning to say a lot more, but I want to keep it taking the bottom 10% of the wards in England. Some brief to allow my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk 30% of those were in former—I say again, former—red and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) a go. The short point is wall constituencies, and seven of the eight constituencies that we are delivering, after years and years of Labour’s in the Tees Valley include left-behind neighbourhoods. talking the area down and doing little to deliver for the One proposal, for a community wealth fund, would communities it claims to represent. We are delivering, provide investment and put left-behind communities in and that is the reason why Opposition Members hate it charge of the spend, enabling them to build the social so much. capital and civic infrastructure they need. I welcome the Chancellor’s commitment in the spending review to a 5.13 pm levelling up fund and the new community fund, and I hope to work with all local colleagues to maximise its Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): It is a application in our area. pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. I congratulate the hon. Member for Stockton North Judith Cummins (in the Chair): Before I call the last (Alex Cunningham) on bringing forward this important two Back Benchers, I remind them that I want the Front- debate. Bench speeches to start at a quarter past. The key message from my very brief words will be that if we want to level up—as we all do, and this should 5.11 pm be a constructive debate about how we do that—the reality is that for decades Government after Government Dehenna Davison (Bishop Auckland) (Con): It is a have left our region behind. I call Tees Valley our region; pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. I am probably only hon. Member speaking whose I thank the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex constituency is not directly covered by the geographyof Tees 461WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 462WH

Valley, but I am a neighbouring Member of Parliament, been created with the campus in the north. The list goes and we have Woodsmith Mine, which has important on. The north has heard all the promises from the economic connections with Redcar. Government, and is still waiting for the current pledges The reality is that it will be a huge task to level up. of infrastructure funding to be fulfilled before we turn The best analogy I can make for levelling up this to the new commitments made. country—the north and the midlands particularly—would Today, the Chancellor promised a bank, but the be the reunification of East and West Germany. That north is still waiting for its rail. Six years on from first took three decades and $2 trillion to do. It is a huge being announced, Northern Powerhouse Rail has still undertaking. The key thing we should learn from Germany not yet been approved, let alone started. The people of is that it was not just about public sector investment. It Stockton were promised a new hospital building, but it was public sector and private sector investment. Members has yet to materialise 10 years later. Today the Chancellor on both sides of the House have made that important spoke about creating jobs, but we have heard all of that point. We must accept that there is a natural spending before. At national level, employment figures across the bias towards London and the south-east because of country recovered in the decade following the crash, but things like the Green Book and the housing infrastructure there is a big imbalance in where the jobs were created. fund. We should be championing against that, and it For every job created in the north-east, 13 jobs were has been the same for Governments of many persuasions. created in London. The record over the last three years On the back of that, of course, the Government is of the Conservative Mayor of Tees Valley—creating a ensuring that hundreds of billions of pounds of infra- single job at a cost of £100,000—is such a disastrous structure will be spent in our region. waste of public funding that only his colleagues in I will provide an example of why this matter is: Mark Whitehall could do worse with taxpayers’ money. Littlewood from the Institute of Economic Affairs said Time and again, the north of England has been that if the issue is just about infrastructure, then why is governed by Whitehall and been left second to London. Doncaster not more prosperous? It is about more than As already outlined by my hon. Friend the Member for just connections. There must be private sector investment. Stockton North, the health inequalities in Stockton-on-Tees We must incentivise the private sector and we need are such that the lives of men living in the town centre super-enterprise zones across the whole of Tees Valley are expected to be 18 years shorter than their counterparts with business rate discounts, good treatment of capital just down the road. These existing inequalities have put allowances and incentives to invest more. We need that those from the north at higher risk from the pandemic. on the back of the excellent programme of investment Even in the pandemic, people in the north have been we will get from the Government. more likely to have their working hours reduced or to have lost their jobs altogether. As our shadow Chancellor 5.16 pm put it, “They have, bluntly and tragically, been more likely to die of Naz Shah (Bradford West) (Lab): It truly is a pleasure covid-19.” to be serving under your chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. From the outset of the pandemic, we have continually I thank and congratulate my hon. Friend the Member called for local test and trace. Regional Mayors and for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham) for securing local councils have been prepared from day one to assist this timely debate. the Government in building local infrastructure to deliver Other Members have already said that we have been a localised service. The country was in a time of need hearing the message of levelling up from consecutive and an opportunity to build locally presented itself, but Conservative Governments since 2010. I take the point the Government decided to dish out millions to private made by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Dehenna companies without competition, and without penalty Davison), but this is not about looking in the rear-view clauses for poor performance. Those with connections mirror. The truth is that if a child does not have the were 10 times more likely to get a deal. absolute right start in life, that child’s chances for the As if Tory cronyism could not get any worse, today, future are depleted. That is the point that Opposition the Chancellor’sinfrastructure fund is based on agreement Members are trying to make. It is absolutely right that from MPs—yet again Tory MPs get in ahead to lobby we refer back to the era of Margaret Thatcher, which for their own areas. The 2019 towns fund is just one desecrated the north. That was the foundation for where example that was meant to support struggling towns the north finds itself today. but, instead, one Minister signs off the next Minister’s My hon. Friend the Member for Stockton North and request for funds. Out of 101 towns funded, only 40 were other Opposition Members are right to talk about on a needs basis, and the other 61 were chosen by their poverty, and as a Member of Parliament for a fellow own Ministers. While our nation is facing the largest fall northern city constituency I share with him the same in output for 300 years, the choices this nation needs to concerns. We need to level up in education funding, make are based on the country’s needs, and not the unemployment rates, transport funding and much more. needs of Conservative MPs and their friends. We have Whether someone comes from Bradford West or Stockton been listening to Conservative jargon on redistribution North or Middlesbrough, the barriers in life created by since 2010. It is just another term now—levelling up—but Conservative Governments are, sadly, the same. despite the north and the poorest in society falling Despite the Government’s claim, regional inequality further behind, we are still waiting for delivery. has deepened under the conservatives. A decade of low We need high-quality businesses in every town that investment has left the country deeply imbalanced, with provide well-paid and secure jobs, so that people do not towns and cities outside London losing out. My hon. just survive but thrive. With rising unemployment, lower Friend the Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) average wages than the national average, and the biggest mentioned the 22,000 potential jobs that could have increase in child poverty in the past five years, the time 463WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 464WH

[Naz Shah] through the mayoral development corporation. We have supported that with £233 million on siteworks over the is now for this Government to act on the north-east. past five years, and recently handed full control over to The Government have a clear responsibility, and it is the combined authority. Work is now well under way to finally time for them to deliver on it. As my hon. Friend develop Teesworks as a pioneering business park, which the Member for Hartlepool (Mike Hill) outlined, this is will create 20,000 highly skilled jobs over the next a generational life-saver. two decades. It is a shining example of what effective partnerships between central Government and devolved powers with effective local Mayors can achieve. I echo 5.21 pm the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for The Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Sedgefield (Paul Howell) about achievements around (Luke Hall): It is a pleasure to serve under your the airport, and even the announcements we have seen chairmanship for the first time, Mrs Cummins, and to today about new routes from Teesside International be back in Westminster Hall after such an absence. I airport and new operators from the summer. I congratulate congratulate the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex colleagues in this House, the Mayor, and everybody Cunningham) on securing this debate and all Members involved. on their contributions. It has been an important and We should also welcome and look at the towns fund passionate debate, and certainly a timely one following investment. We have invited five of the region’s towns to the Chancellor’s statement earlier today. I also put on submit proposals for towns deals as part of our £3.6 billion record my gratitude to my hon. Friends the Members towns fund. We have now agreed the heads of terms for Redcar (Jacob Young), for Stockton South (Matt with Darlington—that is £22.3 million to boost employment Vickers) and for Darlington (Peter Gibson) for their and skills, as well as to make improvements to how the continued representations on behalf of their constituents. town looks and feels. Prospective deals can follow in They are rightly doing their duty in self-isolating, but I Middlesbrough, Thornaby-on-Tees,Hartlepool and Redcar. am sure they would have wanted to be here today. The objective of the deals is to drive the regeneration of The thing that has bound everyone in this debate towns and to deliver long-term economic and productivity together is their passion to get the best for the future of growth. Across the Tees Valley, the towns deal boards Tees Valley and the communities they represent. The are already working with the community, businesses, shared ambition that they have, working with Ben Houchen investors and local government to do just that. and the leadership teams at the Tees Valley Combined A number of Members have mentioned the Chancellor’s Authority, is to get the best for their constituents. announcement today about the levelling-up fund. We Levelling up is a central part of this Government’s think that is a further positive example of what can be agenda. That is why we have set out a clear commitment done with levelling up. Such projects will have a real to unlock economic prosperity across all parts of the impact on people’s communities. They can be delivered country. It is about providing the building blocks and within this Parliament, and it is right that they should momentum to address those long-term structural regional command local support, including from Members of inequalities, and providing the means to pursue life Parliament. It is wrong to suggest that MPs do not chances that, for too many people, have been out of speak to local government, because they are able to reach for far too long. This is hugely important for Tees input valuable information about the projects that their Valley,where deindustrialisation and the pace of economic constituents want to see. The levelling-up fund will change have created challenges to growth and social support the infrastructure that people want in everyday mobility.Levelling up is about enabling places to determine life and that they contact MPs about, from new bypasses and support their own economic priorities. That is why and upgrading railway services,to traffic, libraries,museums we are working so closely with the Tees Valley Combined and cultural assets—all the important issues that our Authority and the local enterprise partnership, and it is constituents raise with us. The levelling-up fund will be why we have invested £126 million of local growth open to all local areas and will be allocated competitively. funding in Tees Valley based on local evidence and local Next year, £600 million will be available in England. prioritisation. It is also right to point to the investment in high The fund has improved access to Billingham train streets, because the need for the regeneration of high station, and improved infrastructure to allow that critical streets is evident in so many of our towns and communities private sector expansion in Stockton’s biopharmaceutical across the country. We have seen considerable challenges campus—both of these are, of course, in the hon. for high streets in the past decade, which is why our Gentleman’s constituency.I want to thank Ben Houchen, future high streets fund will revitalise high streets, helping who has become a leader in showing the potential of them to adapt and evolve and to remain vibrant places devolution across our country. I do not make that point at the heart of our communities. We have submissions on a party-political basis—other Mayors across the from Loftus, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Stockton, country have done a fantastic job, too—but Ben Houchen and of course we have Hartlepool, which has been has been a model for what devolution can achieve. If we selected as the high street taskforce pilot. Wewill announce look at the devolution deal, which is already enabling the successful future high street fund places before the new spend and will deliver £450 million over that 30-year end of this year, and we will contact places once decisions period, it has established a regional investment fund have been made. That is a hugely important part of the supporting the plans by the Mayor for sustainable economic work that we are doing. growth. We should also recognise the unprecedented challenges We are delighted that one of the Mayors’ flagship that the pandemic has thrust upon us. To counteract initiatives has been transforming the industrial site that some of the impact on businesses and productivity, the includes the former SSI steelworks at Redcar into Teesworks Prime Minister announced the £900 million Getting 465WH Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley25 NOVEMBER 2020 Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley 466WH

Building fund in August, to deliver jobs. The Tees I am conscious of the time, so I thank the hon. Member Valley received £17.4 million of that money, and it is for Stockton North for securing the debate and for his worth noting that that was the highest amount per contribution. I know that he is rightly passionate about capita anywhere in the country. Those funds have been the levelling-up agenda, and I stand ready to support supporting the development of high-grade business him if he wants to work with the Government on these accommodation at Darlington’s flagship research and issues. However, it is right that towns and communities development site at Central Park, and they have also around the country will be powering our economic helped accelerate the redevelopment of Middlesbrough recovery, and it is clear that the Tees Valley will be at the railway station by improving its facilities and strengthening heart of this country’s renewal. its connectivity. The hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mike Hill) made 5.29 pm an informed and passionate contribution about the Alex Cunningham: I am grateful to everyone who has future of green energy and its importance for growth in taken part in this robust debate. I am pleased that the the Tees Valley. It is undoubtedly right that that has to Minister at least recognises that we are here because we be an important part of the area’s future growth. We believe in our areas; we are not talking them down. absolutely recognise the urgency of a green industrial We believe in them, and we are speaking up for them. revolution that will deliver an economic resurgence and I appreciate the fact that he is now nodding. meet our 2050 target, which is why the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan commits to invest up to £1 billion to I have 20 seconds left, so as for the Minister’s answers: support the establishment of carbon capture and storage no new hospitals, and no reference to health at all. I clusters in pioneering places such as Teesside. I am have one final point to repeat: five jobs have been lost in pleased that the Tees Valley is set to host the UK’s first the past seven months for every job created in the past hydrogen transport hub, helping to create hundreds of three years. We need to do much, much better for the green jobs. It will help establish the Tees Valley as a hive Tees Valley. of research and development activity, advocating the prospect of using green hydrogen to power our buses, 5.30 pm heavy goods vehicles, rail, maritime transport and aviation Motion lapsed, and sitting adjourned without Question around the country. put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).

27WS Written Statements 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Written Statements 28WS

Parents should continue to send their children to Written Statements school, and students should continue to attend college, in line with local guidance. The UK’s four chief medical Wednesday 25 November 2020 officers continue to advise that the best place for children and young people is in education. There is no need for CABINET OFFICE children to be taken out of school early. It is essential that everyone follows the rules applicable Covid-19: UK-Wide Christmas Arrangements to where they are in the UK. In England, that means continuing to follow the local tiers that will apply from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister 2 December. It will be particularly important for everyone for the Cabinet Office (Michael Gove): On 24 November to follow the social distancing guidelines in the new year 2020, agreement was reached between the UK Government and the start of January 2021. Historically, this period and the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales, is when the NHS sees the greatest pressure on services and Northern Ireland on a time-limited change to social such as accident and emergency, and the highest rates of contact restrictions over the Christmas period. bed occupancy, and this year the NHS is dealing with Christmas is an important time of year for many covid-19 as well. people in the UK. Regardless of faith, the Christmas While it will not be a normal Christmas, this UK-wide period is a time spent with family and friends while agreement should offer hope for families and friends schools and offices are closed. Covid-19 continues, however, who have made many sacrifices over this difficult year. to pose a very real and ongoing threat. It will not be Guidance on the UK-wide Christmas arrangements possible to take full advantage of the winter holiday and how they apply in England can be found on gov.uk; season and to celebrate Christmas in the normal way. the devolved Administrations will similarly be updating There will be some hard choices for families and friends, their guidance—at gov.scot, gov.wales, and nidirect.gov.uk. and there will be situations where it is not possible to [HCWS601] gather in the way many usually would. In this context, the UK Government and the devolved Administrations have reached agreement on a single set of UK-wide measures to help people come together with their loved ones in a way that is as safe as possible. BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY Between 23 and 27 December, up to three households will be able to join together to form an exclusive Christmas “bubble”. Everyone can be in one bubble only, and cannot change Contingencies Fund Advance: Covid-19 Business bubble during this time period (the only exemption to this Support being children (aged under 18) of separated parents). People (e.g. nannies, cleaners, tradespeople) can continue to work in someone’s home where necessary during this period. To reduce risk, they should observe social distancing The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, wherever possible, and where it can be avoided should not go Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully): I hereby into homes that are hosting Christmas bubbles. give notice of the Department for Business, Energy and A Christmas bubble will be able to spend time together in Industrial Strategy having drawn an advance from the private homes, attend places of worship, or meet in a public Contingencies Fund totalling £2,262,587,000 to enable outdoor place. expenditure on covid-19 support packages for business Travel restrictions across the UK will be lifted to allow to be spent ahead of the passage of the Supply and people to travel to form their bubble. Beyond this, people Appropriation Bill in March 2021. The schemes are: should follow local restrictions in the area they are staying. Students who move home from university for the holidays Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) (closed) will count as part of their family’s household, and in England and (open) schemes an existing support bubble will count as one household. Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme. Even where it is within the rules, meeting with friends and family over Christmas will be a matter of personal Local Local judgement for individuals,mindful of the risks to themselves Restrictions Restrictions Additional RDEL and others. People should reduce unnecessary contact Support Grant Support Grant Restrictions Total socially with people they do not live with as much as (closed) scheme (open) scheme Grant scheme £m possible in the two weeks before they form their Christmas 1,005.4 126.3 1,130.9 2,262.6 bubble. Everyone should think carefully about what they do during this period, balancing some increased The funding is urgently required to support businesses social contact with the need to keep the risk of increased during the coronavirus pandemic. transmission of the virus as low as possible. This is Parliamentary approval for additional resources of particularly important when considering those who are £2,262,587,000 will be sought in a supplementary estimate vulnerable and elderly. for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial The clinically extremely vulnerable can form a Christmas Strategy. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure bubble, but it is a personal choice and should be balanced estimated at £2,262,587,000 has been met by repayable against the increased risk of infection for those people. cash advances from the Contingencies Fund. Given the additional risks, visits out of care homes should only be considered for care home residents of The cash advance will be repaid upon receiving Royal working age, where the home is in agreement, and when Assent on the Supply and Appropriation Bill. an individual risk assessment has been completed. [HCWS604] 29WS Written Statements 25 NOVEMBER 2020 Written Statements 30WS

TREASURY Retail Prices Index Methodology: Government and UK Statistics Authority Joint Consultation Response

Contingencies Fund Advance The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (John Glen): Today, the Government and UK Statistics Authority have published the response to their joint consultation The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman): on the reform to Retail Prices Index (RPI) methodology. HM Revenue and Customs will incur new expenditure The consultation response document can be found at in connection with the Government’s response to the the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/ covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21. consultations/aconsultation-on-the-reform-to-retail- Parliamentary approval for additional resources of prices-index-rpi-methodology. £21,715,000,000 will be sought in a supplementary estimate A copy of the consultation response has been deposited for HM Revenue and Customs. Pending that approval, in the Library of the House. urgent expenditure estimated at £21,715,000,000 will be [HCWS602] met by repayable cash advances from the Contingencies Fund. WORK AND PENSIONS In line with the latest OBR forecasts, further requests to the Contingencies Fund may be made as necessary to Social Security Benefit and Pension Up-rating 2021-22 fund covid-19 activity delivered by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Dr Thérèse [HCWS603] Coffey): I have concluded my statutory annual review of benefit and state pension rates. The new rates will apply Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance in the tax year 2021-22, and come into effect on 12 April 2021. The Social Security (Uprating of Benefits) Act 2020 The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Steve Barclay): enables me to increase the basic and new state pensions The Government will bring forward regulations that and the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit will increase most tax credits rates and thresholds and by providing a discretion to increase them for one year will increase the Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance even though there has been no growth in earnings. rates in line with the general rise in prices as measured State pensions will be increased by 2.5%, in line with by the September 2020 Consumer Price Index (CPI). the Government’s manifesto commitment. The full rate CPI has been the default inflation measure for the of the new state pension will now be worth £179.60 per Government’s statutory annual review of benefits since week. The standard minimum guarantee in pension 2011. credit will also increase by the same cash amount as the The annual uprating of benefits will take place for basic state pension, rising by 1.9%. tax credits from the start of the new tax year and for All other benefits will be increased in line with CPI Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance in the first full —which was 0.5% in the relevant reference period. This week of the 2021-22 tax year. In 2021, this will be includes working-age benefits, benefits to help with 6 April for tax credits and 12 April for Child Benefit additional needs arising from disability, carers’ benefits, and Guardian’s Allowance. pensioner premiums in income-related benefits, statutory The Government are committed to supporting those payments, and additional state pension. who need it most. The annual up-rating process takes Separate to the uprating review, I can confirm that into account a variety of measures: the increase to local housing allowance rates in April The majority of elements and thresholds in Working Tax this year will be maintained in cash terms in 2021-22. Credit and Child Tax Credit will be increased by September’s The assumption in the forecast is that rates will remain CPI figure (0.5%) from April 2021. In line with established at these levels in future years, subject to the Secretary of practice and the Office for Budget Responsibility’s expectations State reviewing annually in the usual way. in their welfare forecast, the maximum rate of the childcare All of these pensions and benefits are transferred to element, the family element, the withdrawal rate and the income disregards will remain unchanged. Northern Ireland, and corresponding provision will be made The 0.5% increase will be applied to the rate of the there. Some of these benefits are devolved to Scotland; Working Tax Credit basic element announced by written in respect of these, the Scottish Government will bring ministerial statement on 4 November 2019 (£1,995). The forwardcorrespondinglegislationintheScottishParliament. statutory annual review of benefits is separate from the The statutory annual review is separate from the temporary £20 per week uplift to the Working Tax Credit temporary £20 per week uplift to universal credit and basic element and the Universal Credit standard allowance, which was announced as a temporary measure in March working tax credit, which was announced by the Chancellor 2020, and enacted for one year under different legislation in as a temporary measure in March 2020, and enacted for response to the public health emergency. As we have done one year under different legislation to support those facing throughout this crisis, we will continue to assess how best to the most financial disruption as a result of the public health support low-income families, which is why we will look at emergency. As the Government have done throughout the economic and health context in the new year. this crisis, they will continue to assess how best to Child Benefit will be increased in line with CPI (0.5%) from support low-income families, which is why we will look April 2021. at the economic and health context in the new year. As set out in legislation, Guardian’s Allowance will be uprated in line with prices, measured by CPI (0.5%). I will place the full list of proposed benefit and The full list of proposed benefit and credit rates will pension rates for 2021-22 in the Library of the House. be placed in the Libraries of the House in due course. [HCWS600] [HCWS599] ORAL ANSWERS

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Col. No. Col. No. PRIME MINISTER ...... 815 WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—continued Engagements...... 815 Social Mobility ...... 808 Topical Questions ...... 812 WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 805 Victims of Domestic Abuse: Free Travel ...... 807 Covid-19: Childcare ...... 812 Workplace Discrimination: Pregnant Women and Covid-19: Disabled People ...... 811 New Mothers...... 807 Covid-19: Disabled People and Legacy Benefits..... 810 Workplace Discrimination: Pregnant Women and Covid-19: Economic Effect ...... 805 New Mothers...... 808 Institutional Racism...... 811 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL TREASURY—continued STRATEGY ...... 28WS Retail Prices Index Methodology: Government Contingencies Fund Advance: Covid-19 Business and UK Statistics Authority Joint Consultation Support...... 28WS Response...... 30WS Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s CABINET OFFICE...... 27WS Allowance ...... 29WS Covid-19: UK-Wide Christmas Arrangements...... 27WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 30WS TREASURY ...... 29WS Social Security Benefit and Pension Up-rating Contingencies Fund Advance ...... 29WS 2021-22 ...... 30WS No proofs can be supplied. Corrections that Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked on a copy of the daily Hansard - not telephoned - and must be received in the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Wednesday 2 December 2020

STRICT ADHERENCE TO THIS ARRANGEMENT GREATLY FACILITATES THE PROMPT PUBLICATION OF BOUND VOLUMES

Members may obtain excerpts of their speeches from the Official Report (within one month from the date of publication), by applying to the Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons. Volume 684 Wednesday No. 141 25 November 2020

CONTENTS

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 805] [see index inside back page] Minister for Women and Equalities Prime Minister

Spending Review 2020 and OBR Forecast [Col. 827] Statement—(Rishi Sunak)

Driving Offences (Amendment) [Col. 872] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Gerald Jones)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Independent Expert Panel [Col. 875] Motion—(Mr Rees-Mogg)—agreed to

ICGS Investigations: Commons-Lords Agreement [Col. 888] Motion—(Mr Rees-Mogg)—agreed to

UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement [Col. 891] General debate

Petition [Col. 933]

Mental Health Support: Policing [Col. 934] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Exiting the European Union (Constitutional Law) [Col. 941] Motion, on a deferred Division agree to

Westminster Hall North of England: Infrastructure Spending [Col. 381WH] NHS Dentistry and Oral Health Inequalities [Col. 407WH] Football Governance [Col. 415WH] Parole Board: Maintaining Public Safety [Col. 439WH] Levelling-up Agenda: Tees Valley [Col. 447WH] General Debates

Written Statements [Col. 27WS]

Written Answers to Questions [The written answers can now be found at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers]