Oral Answers to Questions

Nusrat Ghani Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

The hon. Gentleman knows me quite well and I think he will understand, at least in private, that I do very much care, as does every Member of this House. He talks about those who are not able to get access to this scheme, and, obviously, one issue relates to those who are paid in dividends. As he knows, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has made the point that it is difficult to distinguish between income earned through an individual’s own company dividends and dividends that have been paid from holding shares in other companies. If the hon. Gentleman has suggestions as to how we might overcome this, I would be interested to work with him.

[Ms Nusrat Ghani (Wealden) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the manufacturing sector.

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the manufacturing sector.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Alok Sharma)]

I want to thank those in the manufacturing sector for the brilliant work they are doing to support the economy and keep it going. Despite the national restrictions, the manufacturing and construction sectors can continue to operate and are doing so. Thus far, the manufacturing sector has benefited from about £5 billion of furlough grants and £4 billion of government-backed loans.

[Ms Ghani]

I thank the Secretary of State for his response. I wish to seek further assurances on behalf of my three local chambers of commerce—Hailsham, Crowborough and Uckfield. What further support can be provided for small and medium-sized manufacturing firms in my constituency, not only during covid, but during transition next year?