Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and James Grundy

Wednesday 19th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call James Grundy. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”] Order. I must say he is obviously a most popular choice. Come on, James Grundy—you have a future.

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

Q4. Will my right hon. Friend congratulate Leigh Centurions rugby league team on their recent promotion to the super league, bringing millions to the local economy? Furthermore, will she guarantee that our excellent women’s Euros team, including Ella Toone from Tyldesley in my constituency, will receive the No. 10 reception that they so deserve?

[The Prime Minister]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Leigh Centurions on their return to the super league. I had the huge privilege of meeting the Lionesses last week—a fantastic team who won a major tournament for us—and we will host a Downing Street reception as soon as their training programme makes them available.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and James Grundy

Tuesday 26th October 2021 Commons Chamber

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

3. What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to strengthen economic and security ties with international allies to help challenge hostile actors.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Elizabeth Truss)]

We are deepening our economic and security ties with allies, including the United States, members of the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership, and India. We need to win the battle for economic influence through free enterprise and economies based on democracy.

[James Grundy]

Boosting our economic ties with India could provide opportunities for businesses in my constituency of Leigh and across the UK. Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that she will do everything she can to turbo-charge that relationship?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. I was in New Delhi and Mumbai last week doing just that. India is a key strategic partner for the United Kingdom. It is the world’s largest democracy. There are huge opportunities. We are shortly about to launch trade talks with India and we are working to increase two-way investment flows.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and James Grundy

Thursday 3rd September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are reformulating the new strategic advisory group, which will contain some large business representative organisations alongside civil society groups, and we will be announcing that in due course. None the less, there is a difference between the detailed consultation that we need to undergo on the specifics of trade negotiation—for example, rules of origin for specific industries—and then the broader strategic advice on our trade policy. It is right that we are consulting the trade unions, the environmental groups and organisations such as the CBI on that broader strategy as well, and we will be announcing that in due course. The hon. Lady will not have to wait much longer.

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

What steps her Department is taking to engage with the food and farming sector as part of free trade agreement negotiations.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth Truss)]

We have established an agrifood trade advisory group to ensure that farmers and food producers are involved in the details of our negotiations. We have also launched the Trade and Agriculture Commission to advise and inform on agriculture, trade policies and export opportunities for UK farmers.

[James Grundy]

Can the Secretary of State confirm that, contrary to persistent rumours in the media, chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef will not be on our supermarket shelves post Brexit?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I can confirm that, as part of the EU withdrawal Act, the ban in place on chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef remains after we leave the transition period on 1 January 2021.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and James Grundy

Wednesday 22nd July 2020 Commons Chamber

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

What plans she has for the Equality Hub to tackle geographical and socio-economic inequality.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)]

The Prime Minister has set out his vision to level up and spread opportunity across the country, and the Equality Hub will play an important part in realising that vision by rigorously analysing where the real inequality in Britain is today. It will focus in particular on areas such as geography and social background.

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. We want everybody across the country to benefit from our levelling-up agenda of investing more in transport infrastructure and dealing with educational inequality. We recognise that deprived rural areas can face additional barriers to opportunity. The Equality Hub will analyse the data and look at where that inequality of opportunity is, so that Departments can take measures to address them.

[James Grundy]

How might northern constituencies, such as my constituency of Leigh, which according to some measures is in the top 20% most deprived constituencies in the country, benefit from the plans my right hon. Friend mentioned earlier?

[Elizabeth Truss]

We want to make sure that no part of our country feels forgotten about, particularly towns and cities in the north and the midlands, such as my hon. Friend’s constituency. I can assure him that we will do everything we can to look at the roots of that geographical inequality and to make sure his constituents have the best opportunities in life.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and James Grundy

Thursday 23rd January 2020 Commons Chamber

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

10. What steps her Department is taking to support more women to start their own businesses.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)]

The number of self-employed women is at a record high of 1.7 million. We are cutting unnecessary red tape and reducing business rates, making it easier for more women to start their own businesses.

[James Grundy]

I am grateful for the Minister’s response. What grants are available for young women to start their own businesses, particularly in northern constituencies such as mine?

[Elizabeth Truss]

Starting a business is a fantastic opportunity. It provides people with power and control over their life, and it helps contribute to the economy and their family. We are expanding the start-up loan scheme, which has a particularly high take-up rate among female entrepreneurs. I strongly encourage my hon. Friend to talk to his constituents about this excellent scheme and make them aware of it.