Oral Answers to Questions

Sandy Martin Excerpts

Thursday 15th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Bambos Charalambous (Enfield, Southgate) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to protect the creative industries in any future trade agreements after the UK leaves the EU.

[Sandy Martin (Ipswich) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking to protect the creative industries in any future trade agreements after the UK leaves the EU.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Dr Liam Fox)]

The UK is home to a world-leading creative industries sector, which we will continue to support as part of our modern and ambitious trade policy. UK creative industries exported £40.2 billion of goods and services in 2016, and we recently completed a public consultation that will inform our future approach in trade agreements.

[Dr Fox]

That is exactly what we are seeking to achieve in the agreement the Prime Minister reaches—I take it that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the European market. Not only do we want to secure continued tariff-free EU access, but we want further liberalisation so that we increase potential global trade, too.

[Sandy Martin]

Can the Secretary of State confirm that trade in the creative industries of the EU will benefit from reciprocity of regulation on licensing and collective rights management?

[Dr Fox]

On services, we want an open and liberal arrangement with the European Union that goes well beyond the current World Trade Organisation commitments that both sides have, so we will want not just continuity of liberalisation, but an increase.

--- Later in debate ---

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point. One of the outcomes of that day, alongside the issues that the women discussed, was the desire expressed by me and the other host of the event that those women should form a lasting network to support one another in fighting for gender equality around the world.

[Sandy Martin (Ipswich) (Lab)]

9. What assessment the Government have made of the effect of Budget 2018 on women.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Penny Mordaunt)]

As a result of meeting the commitments to raise the personal allowance to £12,500 and the higher rate threshold to £50,000 one year early, 13.6 million women will see their income tax bill reduced in 2019-20 and 1 million women will be taken out of income tax altogether.

[Mr Speaker]

Topical questions. I call Alan Mak.

[Sandy Martin]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

I am sorry. I call Sandy Martin.

[Sandy Martin]

Thank you very much for allowing me a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. What steps are the Government taking to address the pensions inequality faced by older women affected by the rise in the state pension age?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I will be making an announcement on this in my topical questions statement. It is important that the Government Equalities Office, which has rightly concentrated on executive women and women in the workplace, should broaden the scope of its work to look at wider issues, including the financial fragility of some women.