Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kelly Tolhurst and Peter Heaton-Jones

Tuesday 30th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I would welcome it if the hon. Lady passed me the details of her constituent, so that I can follow up that matter.

[Peter Heaton-Jones (North Devon) (Con)]

In North Devon, we are proudly playing our role in clean energy generation with two major wind farms. Does the Minister agree that, to ensure our security of supply and to get the best climate change outcomes, we need a mix of clean energy generation?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kelly Tolhurst and Peter Heaton-Jones

Tuesday 12th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Kelly Tolhurst]

The right hon. Gentleman is quite correct: the Post Office is at the forefront of looking at new ways in which it can modernise and increase the services delivered through our post offices. I will be more than happy to listen to any suggestions that he has—so, yes, of course, at some point I will meet him.

[Peter Heaton-Jones (North Devon) (Con)]

16. What recent steps he has taken to support small businesses.

[Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

17. What recent steps he has taken to support small businesses.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Kelly Tolhurst)]

In the past five years we have halved late payments and through our call for evidence we are looking at what more we can do to end the scourge of late payments affecting small businesses. In January, we announced £2 million of funding for our business basics programme, supporting 15 innovative projects. We continue to do that as we try to improve productivity.

[Peter Heaton-Jones]

Many of the excellent small businesses in North Devon are in the hospitality sector. Will the Minister assure me that the Government will continue to support those excellent small businesses, which give such good service to our visitors and tourists?

[Kelly Tolhurst]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. North Devon is a wonderful part of the country. The tourism sector is particularly important for our economy, providing 1.6 million jobs across all regions and contributing £67.7 billion in gross value added. The Government are committed to supporting the sector and to continuing to work with small businesses through our industrial strategy and the sector deal that is under way.