The Growth Plan
Debate between Kim Johnson and Kwasi Kwarteng(2 years, 2 months ago)
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Kwasi Kwarteng
Obviously, I will have to look at the specifics of the case, because I have just heard about it today. If the hon. Lady corresponds with my Department, I am sure that we can get back with a timely answer to her question.
Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab)
This is not a growth plan for the constituents in my constituency, or for the 4 million children living in poverty. The No Child Left Behind campaign is calling urgently on this Government to tackle child poverty. Will the Chancellor commit to finding funding to roll out free universal school meals immediately and to tackle childhood poverty?
Kwasi Kwarteng
This is not a spending statement, but, of course, we take child poverty and the vulnerable extremely seriously. That was the basis of the energy intervention.
Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port and Battery Manufacturing Strategy
Debate between Kim Johnson and Kwasi Kwarteng(3 years, 9 months ago)
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Kwasi Kwarteng
I am delighted to answer that question, because it relates to an earlier answer that I gave. There are new jobs and opportunities in this push towards net zero. I would be very pleased to visit the Johnson Matthey site in Wantage and I think that it is an excellent development that we are all extremely pleased about.
Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab)
A thousand jobs are at risk if the Ellesmere Port plant closes, and a further 6,000 in the supply chain. Does the Minister agree that the future of the Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant and the GKN plant in Birmingham could be secured if the Government commit to investing in a green recovery for the automotive sector to produce a new electric model and, in that way, they could protect thousands of jobs, because actions speak louder than words.
Kwasi Kwarteng
As I said to my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), the Government are 100% committed to making sure those jobs stay. We are in conversations—negotiations, if they may be called that—with the company. We are also very committed to the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan and driving the energy transition, which will have economic impacts, secure jobs and be a great thing not only in the fight against climate change but for the economic development of our country.