Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Appointment

Debate between Michael Ellis and Jacob Young

Monday 7th February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

The hon. Lady is quite right to ask that question. That is a very important matter and it continues to be. I can give her that assurance.

[Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)]

In November, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was drafted in to help solve the illegal crossings crisis in the channel. Can my right hon. and learned Friend assure me that solving this issue remains front and centre of this Government’s mission?

[Michael Ellis]

I can indeed, and I know my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary continues to work on it, too.

Downing Street Parties: Police Investigation

Debate between Michael Ellis and Jacob Young

Tuesday 25th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman chooses to criticise the Metropolitan police; I do not think that has the support of the House. I ask him to accept that the position is that the Metropolitan police and the public servants who work in Government work hard, including during a period of major crisis for the country, in the public service. They are devoted to their work and they seek to serve the public in the best way they can. Assumptions ought not to be made of police or civil service impropriety. The matter is subject to investigation and I ask him to accept the default position that persons are innocent unless otherwise proved—that is how it works.

[Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)]

Last night, NATO announced that it was putting troops on standby in response to the situation in Ukraine. In April, gas prices are forecast to rise by more than 50% when the energy price cap lifts. People in Redcar and Cleveland want to move on from the debacle on parties and focus on the real issues. Will the Paymaster General assure me that the Cabinet Office will publish Sue Gray’s report as soon as it can?

[Michael Ellis]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend’s position. I would say that the report of Sue Gray—the findings of that report—will be published as soon as they are available.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Ellis and Jacob Young

Thursday 23rd September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

The trade and co-operation agreement provides for zero tariffs and zero-quota trade with the EU while also allowing us to regulate in a way that suits the UK economy and our businesses without being bound by EU rules. The trade and co-operation agreement includes appropriate rules of origin, as my hon. Friend mentions, to support tariff-free trade across all sectors.

[Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)]

12. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on implementing the Government’s levelling-up agenda.