Speeches by Wrighting.

“The hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (John Cooper) is talking about the feedback that we heard on the Business and Trade Committee. Does he recognise that businesses also fed back about the political uncertainty under the previous Government and how that made it very difficult to create an environment in which the…”

“Will the hon. Gentleman give way?”

“indicated dissent.”

“The Business and Trade Committee visited Brussels earlier this year, where we saw at first hand how the previous Conservative Government damaged our relationships with our close trading partners—and British businesses paid the price. Can the Prime Minister confirm that this Labour Government are putting our national in…”

“When there is finance available, do you think that entrepreneurs and individuals in this country have the financial literacy to access it? If not, how are we going to address that?”

“We have heard time and again from businesses across the key sectors that they are struggling to access scale-up funding, sometimes even after receiving R&D funding. They are going to places such as Silicon Valley or, within the creative industries, European countries, to be able to scale up their business. What reforms…”

“Do you believe these new initiatives are going to change how we procure to get the most out of the increased defence spending?”

“As we know, in the UK, we have amazing talent and creative innovation. How can we use public procurement to foster that?”

“Is there anything about moving the SMEs that are working under the umbrella of the larger suppliers on to direct contracts so that they do not have to go through them as well?”

“Yes.”

“Just on Sonia’s point, Mr Forzani, you spoke earlier about complex multi-tiered supply chains. Are we doing anything about the SMEs that might not be directly involved in public procurement? Are we trying to bring them on to direct contracts?”

“Can the Minister update the House on the Government’s engagement with the chemicals industry?”

“I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require new maternity units to have a bereavement suite; and for connected purposes. For anyone experiencing the loss of a baby, that is already one of the most difficult times in their life. It is made more difficult when they experience it in a hospital materni…”

“My right hon. Friend will know that the Select Committee has spoken to defence companies about how necessary it is not to rely on imports at a time such as this. Does he agree that national resilience and defence rely on industrial security?”

“Which Department should lead that work?”

“While working together, should there be a Department that leads on it?”

“I have a quick question for both of you. Which Department is best placed to lead on defence exports?”

“Minister Eagle, who should lead the export drive work for GCAP Tempest?”

“We have also heard evidence from businesses that are concerned about skills. They feel like they need to start investing in people now to get the skills for the next few years. That is another reason they are crying out for continuity.”

“The Committee has heard similar evidence from defence primes. They are crying out for multi-year certainty and spending programmes, if they are going to scale up. Will the defence strategy deliver this?”