Tuesday Volume 696 25 May 2021 No. 9 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 25 May 2021 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2021 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 223 25 MAY 2021 224 in producing electricity if we could get the schemes in House of Commons place. Will he look at that and perhaps explore the possibilities? Tuesday 25 May 2021 Kwasi Kwarteng: My hon. Friend correctly observes that there are two major rivers in Tewkesbury, the Avon The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock and the Severn—very beautiful rivers, I might add. As far as hydroelectric power on rivers is concerned, we PRAYERS would have to look at the hydraulics and the power that can be generated, but we clearly appreciate that there is potential there, and we want to explore any ideas that [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] can bring those projects to fruition. Having said that, Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Orders, there is a limit to the capacity that such rivers can 4 June and 30 December 2020). generate, unfortunately. [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP): Just last BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS week, the Secretary of State accepted that the inexcusable costs facing Scottish renewables projects trying to access COMMITTEE OF SELECTION the electricity grid had been an issue for a long time, Ordered, notwithstanding the 11 years that his party has been in That Sir Alan Campbell and Owen Thompson be discharged government. The Government continue to blame Ofgem from the Committee of Selection and Chris Elmore and Richard while at the same time refusing to accept that they are Thomson be nominated.—(Michael Tomlinson.) the ones who set Ofgem’s strategy and policy statement. On that point, can the Secretary of State outline when SESSIONAL RETURNS the consultation detailed in his energy White Paper will Ordered, begin, when it will end and when we will see real That there be laid before this House Returns for Session change—or are UK Energy Ministers simply among 2019-21 of information and statistics relating to: the worst idlers in the world? (1) Business of the House; (2) Closure of Debate, Proposal of Question and Allocation of Kwasi Kwarteng: The hon. Gentleman makes a pointed Time (including Programme Motions); and unfair observation at the end of his remarks, which (3) Sittings of the House; I think is beneath his dignity. I know that he is referring (4) Private Bills and Private Business; to “Britannia Unchained”, a classic work published 10 years ago, but 10 years is a very long time and I do (5) Public Bills; not want to revisit those battles. I will say what I have (6) Delegated Legislation and Legislative Reform Orders; said to him before: this is an issue for Ofgem and we are (7) European Legislation, etc; discussing how to seek to make progress on that important (8) Grand Committees; subject. (9) Panel of Chairs; (10) Select Committees.—(The Chairman of Ways and Means.) Levelling-up Agenda Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): What steps Oral Answers to Questions his Department is taking to support the Government’s levelling-up agenda. [900517] Tom Hunt (Ipswich) (Con): What steps his Department BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL is taking to support the Government’slevelling-up agenda. STRATEGY [900519] The Secretary of State was asked— The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Local Electricity Generation Strategy (Kwasi Kwarteng): We have made a commitment to level up all areas of the country. The plan for growth Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): What is a critical part of that, and we will go further with the steps he is taking to increase the opportunities for publication of a levelling-up White Paper, led ably by my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Neil generating electricity locally. [900505] O’Brien), later this year. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Kwasi Kwarteng): We are providing support Jason McCartney: I fully welcome the Prime Minister’s for the delivery of renewable energy projects within 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution as we rural communities in England through the £10 million build back greener. Green eco-businesses in my Colne rural community energy fund programme. Valley constituency are ready to play their part, so can I please suggest to the Secretary of State that if the Mr Robertson: I thank the Minister for that response. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Does he agree that the production of electricity locally or any other Government Department is looking to could help a great deal towards our net zero target? relocate to the north, towns such as Slaithwaite and Will he also look at the situation in my constituency of Marsden, with their mills and their direct rail links to Tewkesbury, where two rivers, the Avon and the Severn, the likes of Manchester and Leeds on the trans-Pennine join? The Severn would, I think, be particularly useful line, would be ideal locations? 225 Oral Answers 25 MAY 2021 Oral Answers 226 Kwasi Kwarteng: As my hon. Friend will appreciate, generate evidence about the use of fire and rehire. ACAS we are looking at many ideal locations at the moment. I officials have shared their findings with BEIS officials. It was pleased to make an announcement last week about isrightandproperthatwegivethisevidencefullconsideration, Darlington; that is a really good move for the Department. and we will communicate our next steps in due course. Weare always looking at ways to create more employment and recruit really great talent for our Department across Judith Cummins: Mr Speaker, I am sure you will join the country, and I am sure that his constituency will me in welcoming the return of the Bradford Bulls to also—perhaps—be among those considered for such their iconic home of Odsal Stadium in Bradford. expansion. A recent Survation poll found that 76% of those Tom Hunt: My constituents are very proud of the asked said that they think fire and rehire should be north of England and the midlands, even though we are against the law. The Prime Minister has said that fire in East Anglia, but they want a firm commitment from and rehire is “unacceptable”. The time to act is now. the Government—it cannot be stressed enough—that With no mention of it in the Queen’s Speech, when will the levelling-up agenda also covers Ipswich. Of course, the Minister legislate to make this practice illegal? we have the £25 million from the town deal, which goes some way to assuaging these concerns. However, does Paul Scully: I congratulate the Bradford Bulls on my right hon. Friend agree that the skills improvement their return. plan pilot bid from Norfolk and Suffolk could be a We have always been clear that using the threats of fantastic example to prove to the people of Ipswich that fire and rehire as a tactic to put undue pressure on workers we are in fact at the heart of the levelling-up agenda? during negotiations is completely unacceptable, but we Will he engage in discussions with the Department for need to tread carefully when considering Government Education about the possibility of that pilot scheme, intervention in commercial contractual matters between which would also feed the new freeport east in Felixstowe, employers and employees. That is why we are now which already employs 6,000 of my constituents but carefully considering, with the evidence, our next steps. could employ many more? Kwasi Kwarteng: My hon. Friend is quite right. He Grahame Morris: May I first congratulate members was good enough to mention the fact that Ipswich has of my union, Unite, at Go North West buses in Manchester indeed been selected for a £25 million town deal, and he who, after an incredible 85 days of continuous strike suggested that that was as a matter of course, but I action, have now won a landmark victory against appalling think it is due to his keen advocacy and his eloquent fire and rehire abuses? My question to the Minister is and persuasive powers that the Government can provide straightforward: does he condemn rogue bosses such as help in that way. Clearly, skills are at the core of any Go North West or coffee producers Jacobs Douwe levelling-up agenda, and I know that there are great Egberts, which, despite record profits during lockdown, ideas in Ipswich and great things being promoted in has provoked strike action by firing and rehiring more East Anglia. I look forward to engaging with him than 300 loyal staff on worse pay and conditions? Will on that. the Minister wake up, smell the coffee and agree that this disgraceful behaviour leaves a bitter taste in the Fire and Rehire: ACAS Report mouth? Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab): When his Paul Scully: I see what the hon. Gentleman has done Department plans to publish the ACAS report on fire there. His coffee-based puns belie the fact that this is an and rehire and the Government’s response to that report. incredibly serious situation. As I was saying, if those [900507] companies or any others are using such a practice for bully-boy tactics, that is completely unacceptable. We Grahame Morris (Easington) (Lab): When his need to look at the evidence before we intervene on the Department plans to publish the ACAS report on fire flexibility of the workforce, but clearly we do not want and rehire and the Government’s response to that report.