Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen McPartland Excerpts

Tuesday 18th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Simon Kirby]

We will carefully consider the commission’s proposals for a broader register. If those proposals go forward, the Government will consult on what the register should look like after the negotiations have concluded.

[Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) (Con)]

17. What steps he is taking to improve productivity.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Government recognise the challenge that Britain’s productivity performance represents, and we are resolved to tackle the issue. At last year’s autumn statement we launched the national productivity investment fund to provide £23 billion-worth of additional spending, focused on areas key to boosting productivity. We went further at the Budget by investing an additional £500 million in technical education to ensure that businesses can access the skills they need.

[Stephen McPartland]

With the average worker spending 23% of their day on email, what assessment have the Government made of how the increasing reliance on email is stalling productivity?

[Mr Gauke]

Particularly in the context of the public sector, we have an ongoing efficiency review. Where we find areas in which we can improve efficiency and ensure that everyone becomes more productive, we will obviously look to take those opportunities.