Energy Prices: Support for Business

Barry Sheerman Excerpts

Thursday 22nd September 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

I am in entire agreement with my hon. Friend. It makes absolutely no sense to make British industry uncompetitive against global industry.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

It saddens me to remind the House that we now have a Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who has never worked in industry or business—[Interruption.] He is an investment banker.

May I tell the Secretary of State that small firms, and big firms, in Huddersfield will go bust due to the cost of energy this winter? Has he seen the front page of the Financial Times? This is a crisis for our country, especially in manufacturing. When will he do something and wake up to his responsibility to get out there in the country and talk to manufacturers?

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

I think it is the hon. Gentleman who needs to wake up and pay attention to what has been announced.