Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margot James and Craig Tracey

Thursday 7th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his positive input, and I am planning to visit Scotland in April. I draw his attention to the excellent 5G testbed pilots that we are running in rural areas in his part of Scotland.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to support media coverage of sport played by (a) women and (b) disabled people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margot James and Craig Tracey

Tuesday 12th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

I am meeting the chief executive of the FCA before Christmas, and I will be raising the issue of unregulated small business lending, which the hon. Gentleman mentions.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that the key to a successful industrial strategy is that it focuses on all areas of the UK, obviously including North Warwickshire and Bedworth?

Taylor Review: Working Practices

Debate between Margot James and Craig Tracey

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

The whole basis of the report is good work and the aspiration of good work for all, including, I believe, the constituents to whom the hon. Lady refers, but let me reassure her. Two years ago, the Office for National Statistics labour force survey found that nearly 70% of people on zero-hours contracts were content with the hours that they were working. However, that does mean that a third want more hours, which is a finding that we must embrace in the context of some of the changes that Matthew Taylor is recommending to help to achieve the good work and the working hours that the hon. Lady’s constituents want.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

I, too, welcome the report. Does my hon. Friend agree that flexibility in the labour market benefits workers and employers equally?

[Margot James]

My hon. Friend asks me a difficult question. I do believe—Matthew Taylor’s report bears this out—that flexibility benefits employers and employees, but I am afraid that the evidence given to the inquiry suggested that in too many cases that flexibility is a one-way street, as I said earlier. We must deal with the problem of people who are really at risk and whose employment position is far too insecure.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margot James and Craig Tracey

Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

The UK economy is strong in spite of uncertainty. Scottish SMEs currently benefit from nearly £400 million of investment from the British Business Bank and Innovate UK aimed at helping them to grow and capitalise on new technologies and new export markets.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

13. Does the Minister agree, given that the UK market is four times the size of the EU market in Scotland, that it is clear why businesses are saying loud and clear that they do not want talk of another independence referendum, but instead want stability to strengthen the economy?