Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Guy Opperman and Stephen Crabb

Wednesday 3rd December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

My hon. Friend is right. The employment allowance has been a huge success for small businesses up and down Wales. There is a responsibility not just on Government but on all of us as Members of Parliament to champion that project and to tell businesses in our own constituencies how they can benefit from the allowance.

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

14. It is clear that the successful investment summit in Newport brought in overseas investors and created jobs as part of the long-term economic plan. Does the Secretary of State agree that we should have a northern powerhouse investment summit—and if they like, the north Welsh can come too?

[Stephen Crabb]

I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend. The northern powerhouse represents an exciting vision for economic and civic renewal in the north of England, and it poses huge opportunities and potential for north Wales too.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Guy Opperman and Stephen Crabb

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

12. What steps he is taking to tackle fuel poverty in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

The Government are committed to tackling fuel poverty and helping people in Wales and across the UK, and especially those in low-income vulnerable households, to heat their homes more affordably.

[Guy Opperman]

I thank the Minister for that answer. The Office of Fair Trading looked at fuel poverty in both Wales and Northumberland. Does the Minister agree that the energy reforms will bring about real change for hard-pressed consumers?

[Stephen Crabb]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The Government cannot, of course, control volatile energy prices on the world markets, but what we can do is ensure that consumers in the UK get access to the very best deals on their energy bills. That is what we are committed to doing, as demonstrated by last week’s announcement by my right hon. Friend the Energy Secretary.