Tackling Rogue Builders

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Giles Watling

Tuesday 13th June 2023 Westminster Hall

[Giles Watling]

I am very grateful to the Minister for giving way. Is it not the case that historically we have relied on the cry of caveat emptor so much that we have not regulated, but that the time has come to regulate now?

[Nigel Huddleston]

I am sure the appropriate Minister has heard my hon. Friend’s appeals, and I promise to pass on those comments. The key thing is to get the right balance. If things work, we have got the balance right, but if they do not work properly, we need to reassess the balance. I assure him that on an ongoing basis, officials and Ministers pay close attention to what is going on in the sector. Many of the things that my hon. Friend and colleagues have appealed for today have been asked for by many people, but there is also some quite strong opposition, for good reason, so it is a matter of balance.

I will bring my comments to a close shortly, Sir Mark. On decarbonisation, the Government are working with the industry to ensure that high standards of consumer protection are embedded in our domestic household decarbonisation retrofit programmes. Government-funded schemes require installers to hold appropriate certifications. The Government are also seeking to increase the number of qualified and competent tradespeople and to ensure that they have the skills to deliver the quality of work required. We have already provided nearly £7 million to fund 8,000 training opportunities for the energy efficiency and low-carbon heating supply chains. We are considering options to work with the industry to support further training in key skills shortage areas and new routes of entry to increase capacity. My Department is also working closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to strengthen the consumer protections available through competent person schemes.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest, for securing a debate on this important issue. I hope that I have been able to reassure hon. Members that the Government are not only committed to, but taking action to ensure that high standards of consumer protection exist and to tackle the problem of rogue builders and tradespeople.

Question put and agreed to.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Giles Watling

Thursday 9th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade (Nigel Huddleston)]

The countries of the Commonwealth are important trading partners. Our total trading relationship was worth more than £146 billion in the 12 months to September 2022, which is why my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already appointed trade envoys to 15 Commonwealth nations. We have trade agreements with 33 Commonwealth members, and five of the 11 members of the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership are in the Commonwealth as well.

[Giles Watling]

As chairman of the 1922 committee’s Back-Bench foreign affairs policy committee, I recently shared our report with ministerial colleagues. One of its recommendations was the creation of a Commonwealth-specific trade envoy post. Does my hon. Friend agree that in this post-Brexit era, increasing trade and movement between the Commonwealth and the UK should be a top priority to foster economic growth? By the way, this is not a pitch for that job.

[Nigel Huddleston]

Yes, I am afraid that those jobs are at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

I hear what my hon. Friend is saying. We already have extensive coverage through the existing network, but we review the network regularly because we are committed to working with our allies in the Commonwealth to remove the barriers to trade and strengthen trading relationships to foster economic growth. Growing exports to Commonwealth countries is a priority, and trade increased by 25% in the year to September 2022. As for movement, we have a new global immigration system which is vital in supporting trade and economic growth, and the movement of business people on a temporary basis promotes and supports trade in services and goods and investment activities. Recognition of professional qualifications and business travel are always an important part of our trade deals.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Giles Watling

Thursday 4th February 2021 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Nigel Huddleston)]

Over £1 billion-worth of funding from the culture recovery fund has already been allocated across all four nations of the UK. The funding is supporting over 3,000 arts and heritage organisations in England alone and more than 75,000 jobs.

[Giles Watling [V]]

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. It is great that the Government are taking the theatre sector seriously, as demonstrated by this fund, but there is so much more that we can do to help our cultural offer that is not just cash injection. I implore him to push the Government to re-engage with the European Union on visa and carnet-free travel for performers, their kit and their support teams. I know that the EU walked away from our offer, but it must be brought back to the table. Touring performers will be left with a double whammy of an industry devastated by covid and the loss of an entire continent as a venue. Will he please bang the table and get the EU back to talk on this?

[Nigel Huddleston]

First, I thank my hon. Friend for banging the table so well for the culture sector over so many years. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Digital and Culture has previously said, the door always remains open should our European friends wish to reconsider our mutually beneficial proposals, which would have allowed UK touring professionals to tour more easily, but they rejected them. In the meantime, where visas apply, our agreement with the EU contains measures designed to make the necessary processes as smooth as possible. A working group has been set up by the Secretary of State to look at any obstacles that might face British performers seeking to tour. We will continue to seek to co-operate with our European friends on this important issue.