Thomas Cook

Debate between Grant Shapps and Wera Hobhouse

Wednesday 25th September 2019 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

Yes, absolutely. This Jobcentre Plus rapid response service is absolutely set up, ready and mobilised to assist. As I said in a previous response, if any of my hon. Friend’s constituents walk in and find that that is not the case, I will certainly want to know about it, so that we can work on the cross-Government taskforce to ensure people are getting the help they need.

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

Following the closure of 588 Thomas Cook outlets, including the one in Abbeygate Street in Bath, what are the Secretary of State and the Government doing about halting the further decline of the high street?

[Grant Shapps]

My right hon. Friend the high streets Minister has already been in contact with me about the further hole that this leaves in our high streets. He has a number of fantastic programmes, and the local authorities of many of us in the House will be bidding under them to enhance and improve high streets. As this latest collapse has shown, our high streets are dramatically changing as people need to come to the high street for an experience or a service that they cannot get elsewhere, including perhaps online. My right hon. Friend will be very happy to speak to the hon. Lady about that.

HS2

Debate between Grant Shapps and Wera Hobhouse

Thursday 5th September 2019 Commons Chamber

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

Will the Secretary of State commit to look at any new major transport infrastructure projects in line with the 2050 net zero carbon target that this House has set itself?

[Grant Shapps]

Yes.