Nissan: Sunderland
Debate between Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Greg Clark(8 years ago)
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Greg Clark
I certainly will. With any industrial strategy, we should build on our strengths and not be complacent, but recognise that in order to continue to be strong, we need to look at the underlying conditions for promoting that. The presence of a vigorous supply chain is important for the automotive sector. It is important to be at the cutting edge of research and development, and to have skills in the workforce on which expanding companies can count in order to fulfil their order books. Those are all important enabling conditions, and the Government have a role to play by working with companies to make sure that they are all met.
Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)
Can the Secretary of State confirm whether the arrangement with Nissan is a one-off or part of a wider strategy to protect the economy from the impact of Brexit? If it is part of a wider strategy, what other businesses and organisations has he spoken to over the past few months on similar terms?
Greg Clark
It is certainly part of a strategy: it is part of our industrial strategy to make sure that Britain is competitive in the future, as it is now and it has been in the past. We are taking a strategic approach. As the hon. Lady might imagine, I meet businesses large and small almost every day of the week, and in all the conversations I have, we discuss what is important, what challenges they face and what their strategic ambition is, so that I can be informed about that.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Greg Clark(8 years, 2 months ago)
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Greg Clark
I am always keen to meet my hon. Friend. Despite the fact that I have moved from one Department to another, I hope the invitation to fish and chips in Cleethorpes still stands.
Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)
I understand that the Secretary of State has met many businesses over the past few months. Will he list which of those businesses support leaving the single market?
Greg Clark
We are putting together the priorities for our negotiation in consultation with businesses in all parts of the country. The hon. Lady will have the chance to contribute to that through the Scottish Government, and we will publish it when we have finished.