Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse on the Shop Direct closure in Greater Manchester.

I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues, including the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse (Jake Berry). Government is responding to the Shop Direct closures and has held a number of conversations with various parties to ensure proper processes are followed and employee rights are upheld. We will continue to engage with relevant parties as appropriate. My rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State has already met with the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams) about Shop Direct and will be having a further meeting with her in due course.