Backing Business to Create Economic Growth

Liz Twist Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett) (Lab)]

I welcome the extensive measures that this Government are taking in this King’s Speech to create and enable economic growth across the country, including in my constituency in the north-east. As we know, growth is at the heart of this Government’s agenda, and a good deal of legislation has been proposed to ensure we make the conditions right for it. Bills such as the Government’s new regulating for growth Bill will drive our economic development forward. I am also pleased to see a regulation of late payments Bill—something that small businesses have long wanted—which is an important step forward. It was welcome to hear the positive news that the IMF has increased its growth expectations, and it is pleasing to see that the priority of growth will be written into legislation. However, I ask the Minister to confirm that health and safety—a key issue for workers—will be up there with growth as a priority, driving safety for our employees.

The UK’s long-term economic security depends on raising living standards in every part of the country. Places such as the north-east have been left behind for decades, and our young people deserve greater opportunities. We are already taking steps to address that through our action on child poverty—we cannot build a resilient economy without ending the opportunity crisis and ensuring every child has the best possible start in life. True economic growth requires an inclusive system in which every child can go as far as their talent and effort will take them, so we must build on the recently passed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 by taking further positive steps. I am pleased to see in the King’s Speech additional support for educating children with special needs. The Government will introduce the education for all Bill, which aims to transform the way in which special educational needs and disabilities are addressed.

I have recently held events in my constituency to hear from some of the parents, teachers, carers and others whom that Bill will affect. I want to understand how we can help improve the lives of parents, teachers, and the young people themselves. Parents and teachers tell me about the monumental pressures they face in supporting their children and students every day. They worry that without sufficient support, opportunities for those young people will close. They are fighting an outdated and ineffective system just to get those children the support they need, which is why I am glad that the education for all Bill will reform the system and invest over £200 million in training for teachers and support staff, helping them to better understand special educational needs and inclusion, on top of other money that has been provided for capital work on schools. However, naturally, some families fear that the changes will negatively affect them. I hope that the consultation that is ending today will help the Government to improve any forthcoming legislation, ensuring that it meets the needs of parents, teachers and young people and addresses their concerns. Every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their background or their needs, and inclusive education that supports children with additional needs has long-term economic benefits.

I will speak briefly about the regulation of waste operators. It is time for waste operators to be regulated—many are good and reliable, but others are not using permits, and we see the results in the form of fly-tipping locally, which many of our constituents complain about. I am glad that those rules are being strengthened.

Finally, I will touch on energy. In the current global context, energy security is more important than ever. The local authority in Gateshead has created a local power scheme to benefit the area, and I hope that similar community-run power schemes will be part of the Government’s agenda. I am proud to support the King’s Speech, which will continue to create the change that positively transforms ordinary people’s lives.