Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Hollinrake Excerpts

Tuesday 7th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clarke]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. We are clear that this is a central priority for the Budget in March. Obviously, I am not going to disclose details of that today, but the Government have a clean growth strategy. We are clear that green finance lies at the heart of the UK’s offer to the world, and obviously that goes for both the private and public sectors; we need to bring together the whole strength of the country to make a truly radical offer.

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

3. What fiscal steps he is taking to increase productivity throughout the UK economy.

[Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)]

7. What fiscal steps he is taking to increase productivity throughout the UK economy.

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[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sajid Javid)]

Increasing productivity is the best way to boost wages, improve living standards and enhance prosperity. We have worked hard to build a stronger, fairer economy, dealing with the deficit, helping to get people into work, and cutting taxes for families and businesses. We will continue to invest responsibly, including by investing billions more in infrastructure, creating a new national skills fund and boosting investment in research and development. We will invest to unleash the potential of the whole country, so that no place is left behind.

[Kevin Hollinrake]

Productivity is damaged if SMEs feel that there is no fair system for resolving disputes with their bank, yet the eligibility rules for the new Business Banking Resolution Service exclude 85% of historical claims, including, incredibly, those that have been through the recently discredited Lloyds bank customer review. Will the Chancellor meet me to discuss how we make this fit for purpose and not simply a fig leaf to cover past banking malpractice?