Oral Answers to Questions

Christian Matheson Excerpts

Tuesday 14th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Greg Clark]

The self-employed have an important role to play. One trend that colleagues on both sides of the House will know of is that the development of supply chains is one of the key sources of innovation in many industries. Within that, start-up businesses, including those run by the self-employed, can make a big contribution to making us attractive for jobs and new businesses.

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)]

12. If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of his sector-based approach in delivering the aims of the Government’s industrial strategy.

[Louise Haigh (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab)]

16. What steps the Government is taking to ensure that all sectors of the economy benefit from its industrial strategy.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Greg Clark)]

We have had great success over the years in developing key sectors, including aerospace and the automotive sector. To build on this, we have set out proposals for new business-led sector deals in the industrial strategy. The first set of deals is already under development. We are taking steps to drive growth in sectors across the economy, including with funding for science, infrastructure and technical education.

[Christian Matheson]

Does the Secretary of State share my concern that the implementation of an industrial strategy led by the big players will focus solely on the big players? What is he doing to ensure that the small and medium-sized enterprises in those sectors, which are often the engine rooms, get their fair say and their fair share?

[Greg Clark]

I assure the hon. Gentleman that that is not the case. I have regular discussions with the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce and smaller businesses right across the country. The supply chain, and making our country more attractive to supply chain businesses, are absolutely foundational to our industrial success, and that involves a particular regard for small businesses.