Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Matt Hancock

Thursday 8th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

I know that the hon. Gentleman likes to chip in to this debate, but recent events have clearly demonstrated the power of transparency in relation to late payment to small business. As he knows, we are radically improving the position through the small business Bill. When the contracts came to light, the company was held to account and did a U-turn. [Interruption.] They were brought to light by the Federation of Small Businesses, to which I pay tribute for its work in highlighting the issue.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

14. What steps he is taking to increase the number of engineers.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Matt Hancock

Thursday 20th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

The latest Office for National Statistics bulletin showed that manufacturing production had increased by 2.9% over the same time last year. These are encouraging figures. What more can I tell manufacturers in my constituency about further action that will be taken to support them?

[Matthew Hancock]

There will be continued further action to support manufacturers, and not only on the skills front, where it is vital to increase engineering skills. In April there will be a further cut in corporation tax to help companies to employ more people—something that is opposed by the Labour party.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Matt Hancock

Thursday 6th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

12. What steps he is taking to promote investment in energy generation.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Matthew Hancock)]

We are working through our long-term energy plan for a further £100 billion investment in energy infrastructure up to 2020. Since 2010, we have delivered £45 billion of that, with much more to come.

[Andrew Jones]

Will the Minister give a bit more information about how much investment there has been in the energy sector under this Government?

[Matthew Hancock]

With that £45 billion, the investment per year is at least twice its previous rate, as is our investment in renewables. Renewables investment has been a large part of that overall investment, not least as a result of electricity market reform and the support for renewables under this Government. That means that 15% of electricity last year was generated from renewables, demonstrating that we are meeting our goal of being the greenest Government ever.

Start-up Loans

Debate between Andrew Jones and Matt Hancock

Wednesday 20th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

That is a surprise, given that ensuring that there is more competition in banking is a key part of the answer to that problem.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

I strongly welcome the statement. Having started businesses myself, I know how hard it can be. A key element of the statement was mentoring. I urge my hon. Friend to build on the targeted approach to mentoring that he has outlined today.

[Matthew Hancock]

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is the Prime Minister’s apprenticeship ambassador. He does a huge amount of work to promote apprenticeships, small businesses and start-ups across the country.

Apprenticeships

Debate between Andrew Jones and Matt Hancock

Thursday 14th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

We have introduced a grant of £1,500 for small businesses taking on their first apprentices, precisely to help them with the bureaucracy that the hon. Lady mentioned, and I would encourage her to tell the small businesses that she talks to that it is available. The take-up has been good, but we need to ensure that everyone who could benefit from it knows about it.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that employers will welcome the greater control of funding so that they can direct resources to where they need them most?