National Minimum Wage: Sports Direct

Debate between Nick Boles and David Mowat

Monday 14th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

This is an extremely important matter but we have other important business to follow, so I am looking for pithy questions and answers.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

On the facts, the case in The Guardian is disturbing. Does the Minister agree that one good piece of news is that, whatever else happens, in April next year Sports Direct will have to pay these people 11% more than they are getting now?

[Nick Boles]

That is absolutely right. That has happened because the majority Conservative Government have run the economy sufficiently well that we can expect employers to do that and still prosper.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Boles and David Mowat

Monday 27th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Nick Boles]

It is incredibly important that opportunities to work are not preserved for one group in society. We will be a fair and prosperous society only if we create opportunities involving all people, whether that is women in engineering or people with learning disabilities and other special needs. I visited my local college in Grantham the other week; it is working closely with local employers to create opportunities for young people with learning disabilities and other special needs to gain experience of employment. That is exactly what a great FE college will do in a community, and there are many such around the country.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

22. Our new studio school in Warrington is providing a brilliant link between the school and the work force. It is supported by parents and all local employers. Will the Minister confirm that he intends to accelerate the roll-out of studio schools in Cheshire and more generally?

[Nick Boles]

We are happy to take proposals for new studio schools from any area and any group of people who want to set one up, as we are for free schools and new university technical colleges. We do not have a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all policy: we believe in letting a thousand flowers bloom, and studio schools are an important part of that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Boles and David Mowat

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

11. What guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the duty of co-operation arising from the Localism Act 2011 in respect of waste disposal.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Nick Boles)]

We issued draft guidance on the duty to co-operate on 28 August and expect to finalise this shortly. The Localism Act has given local councils more power over planning for waste management.

[David Mowat]

I thank the Minister for that answer. He may be aware of the Arpley landfill site, which is located right in the middle of Warrington and causes severe disruption to more than 5,000 residents. All Warrington’s councillors want it closed. Both Warrington’s MPs want it closed. As of next year, no Warrington waste will go to it. Does the Minister agree that it would be a triumph for localism if the current 20-year planning application was rejected and that those local authorities that still use the site found somewhere else to put their rubbish?

[Nick Boles]

My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment on an application that is yet to be determined, but I hope he is aware that, if he thinks that an application raises issues of particular concern and national significance, he can write to the Secretary of State and ask for that application to be recovered for ministerial decision.