Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Duncan Hames and Matt Hancock

Thursday 19th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

This is an important issue for the two coal mines owned by UK Coal—two of the three remaining deep coal mines. I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman, who has been steadfast and hard working in delivering on this issue. There will absolutely be a decision before the Dissolution of Parliament.

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

I warmly welcome the Government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy generation, but does the Minister agree that we should not tolerate the payment of renewables obligation certificates or feed-in tariffs to unlawful developments?

[Matthew Hancock]

Yes.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Duncan Hames and Matt Hancock

Thursday 24th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

12. What initiatives local enterprise partnerships are taking to support small businesses.

[The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew Hancock)]

The Government believe that local businesses are best placed to make the case on their needs. Local enterprise partnerships have consulted with small businesses to develop their strategic economic plans, which will help to give them access to the local growth fund and support skills, housing and infrastructure.

[Duncan Hames]

I thank the Minister for that reply and, while I am at it, for his support for investment in the further education college estate. Does he agree that, whether through the regional growth fund, Europe, city deals or local enterprise partnerships and the single local growth fund, supporting initiatives that help small businesses to grow and provide more jobs is critical?

[Matthew Hancock]

The Government are a passionate supporter of small businesses. The fact that 4.9 million businesses exist—a record number—is partly a response to the improvement in the environment for small businesses, supported by LEPs and the skills system, which we have done so much to put in place.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Duncan Hames and Matt Hancock

Thursday 20th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to ensure that further education colleges provide a modern learning environment.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills (Matthew Hancock)]

The autumn statement released £270 million more in funding to upgrade further education colleges, and I can today announce that details of the college capital fund are being published by the Skills Funding Agency. These new funds take to over £1 billion investment in college capital in this Parliament, because the Government believe in helping everybody to reach their potential.

[Matthew Hancock]

The right hon. Gentleman and I had an extremely productive meeting with stakeholders on the future of Lewisham college, which is soon, as he says, to change its name, and I hope that a resolution can be brought that satisfies all parties.

[Duncan Hames]

Wiltshire college’s Chippenham campus missed out on a £36 million rebuild during the fiasco that was the Learning and Skills Council’s capital programme under the previous Government. The college now has more focused plans to build an engineering facility at the Chippenham campus. Will the Minister ensure that college campuses that missed out while the sun shone get more than their roofs fixed this winter?

[Matthew Hancock]

Wiltshire college has already undertaken building works up to the value of £6 million, including through the third stage of the capital grants that were released this September. However, I hear very clearly the hon. Gentleman’s call for work at the Chippenham campus, and I look forward to receiving his submission. As I say, the details of the investment fund have been published today, so work can proceed apace.

Amendment of the Law

Debate between Duncan Hames and Matt Hancock

Thursday 24th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

rose—

[Matthew Hancock]

rose—

[Ed Balls]

I will take an intervention from the hon. Member for Chippenham (Duncan Hames) now, but I will come back to the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock)—definitely.