Speeches by Wrighting.

“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?”

“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?”

“Your answers lead me on nicely to my next couple of questions. The Public Accounts Committee says the combined delay for defence equipment programmes is 21 years. Given the reforms that you have set out for us today and the changes that you are making in your Department, are you confident we will never be in this posit…”

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

“We have discussed the eight key sectors in the industrial strategy, of which defence, based on the increase in defence spending and the spring statement today, becomes a really important one not only for the industrial strategy but for economic growth. Minister Eagle, how are you going to use defence procurement so tha…”

“The Conservatives left a £22 billion hole in our public finances and they continue to oppose every decision made by the Chancellor to clean up their mess. Can the Chancellor tell us how things would look now if the Conservatives had their way?”

“This Government have made a solid commitment to make work pay and put more money into working people’s pockets. In my constituency, we have a large number of distribution jobs, and as a result of this Government’s actions, people in Kettering on the minimum wage will have more money in their pockets to last them throug…”

“Mr Humphreys, to back to your point where you said they will be choosing a path, do you have concerns about data centres, like US and China data centres, in close proximity in south Asian countries?”

“On the back of that, what steps do you think should be taken to balance market growth with fair trade practices and consumer protection in regulating e-commerce platforms like AliExpress, Shein, Temu in the light of increasing volume of small-value imports?”

“As we know, Asia is digitalising fast. What opportunities do you think exist for the UK to integrate digital trade frameworks to strengthen its economic ties with the region?”