Speeches by Griffiths.

“In the light of that answer, how have the Government performed so far in producing a coherent package of reforms and incentives to drive up pay and rights at work?”

“Matthew, taking stock of the 2024 Budget and the Employment Rights Bill, can you give us the business view of how the cost of business is changing?”

“With respect, I am asking you to consider the view of the employer. Put yourself in their shoes.”

“I just want you to reflect on this: why do you think private employers and entrepreneurs who have built up their own businesses would want to have control over access to their businesses? What are the risks to employees of enforcement of access?”

“In Bognor Regis and Littlehampton more than 23,000 people have lost their winter fuel allowance—more than 90% of former claimants. Does the Secretary of State think that it is fair that someone who has paid tax all their working life will now be taxed on their state pension as well as losing their winter fuel allowance…”

“T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.”

“I thank the hon. Lady for clarifying that point. Letting the Bill pass without that amendment would have been a disservice, so I am delighted to hear it.”

“It is an honour to speak on such an important issue, one that affects my coastal constituency daily. Sewage discharges, water quality, and the related issue of flooding are among the most pressing concerns for my constituents. The Environment Agency’s bathing water classifications, updated on 26 November, reveal alarmi…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Mark, and to contribute to this important debate, which I thank the hon. Member for Thurrock (Jen Craft) for securing. She made many important points, some of which I will also mention. As has already been said, the theme of this year’s UK Disability History Month …”

“Businesses in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton are at the sharp end of the Bank of England’s business confidence survey. Unlike the Chancellor and the Secretary of State, they know that her Budget and the Employment Rights Bill are a recipe for higher prices, higher inflation, higher interest rates and higher unemploymen…”

“Ministers Doughty and Alexander, are you still using the decision-making framework set out by the then Foreign Secretary in April 2024. when making licensing decisions under criterion 2c?”

“I commend the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Samantha Niblett) for her maiden speech. She and I share many interests, not least in technology, promoting women in technology and accessibility. I wish her well. Turning to the matter in hand, the measures in the Bill are in addition to others announced as part of a Bud…”

“My right hon. Friend makes a valid and important point. I have restricted my comments to the Finance Bill and the Budget, but the Employment Rights Bill places significant additional pressures on businesses, and I thank him for that point. For towns such as Bognor Regis and Littlehampton where businesses already operat…”

“Some of those points were covered in the Kalifa review some years ago and have already been progressed, but it is good to hear that you are taking that forward. Finally, right across different sectors, but particularly in fintech and technology more widely, there are barriers to women and ethnic minority groups startin…”

“I just wanted to make the point that, first of all, the businesses that I am speaking about are absolutely operating at the highest end of the spectrum. We are also talking about the Budget measures in combination. This is a tsunami of different measures, and the Budget measures, particularly around ERNIC, were not exp…”

“I hear what you say about wanting SMEs to be exporting, but would you agree that the measures in the Employment Rights Bill and the Budget work in absolute opposition to that? I have heard from so many successful small businesses that are exporting. Every single one of them is speaking to me about their concern about t…”

“You have mentioned various elements of this, but if we can encapsulate it in one place, the Government have promised to publish a small business strategy next year. Can you give us some more detail on the reforms that you are planning and when businesses can expect them?”

“We are talking about the—”

“I look forward to seeing that.”

“I have a quick question on your last point. “Productivity” is a word that you have not mentioned in any of the answers you have just given to my colleague Antonia Bance, and yet it seems absolutely fundamental to attracting investment into the UK. The scene seemed to be set with train drivers being given a 22% pay rise…”