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Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, let me pay tribute to my own predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Central Devon (Sir Mel Stride), and let me welcome the Chancellor to his role. He is already responsible for the highest borrowing costs for 28 years. One in six of our young people are unemployed and yesterday we had the news that one of Britain’s top taxpayers is leaving our country. Every time a billionaire leaves, our country becomes poorer. Chris Rokos is reported to have paid over £300 million in taxes last year. Could the Chancellor tell us how many average taxpayers it will take to replace him?
Thank you, Mr Speaker. First, let me pay tribute to my own predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Central Devon (Sir Mel Stride), and let me welcome the Chancellor to his role. He is already responsible for the highest borrowing costs for 28 years. One in six of our young people are unemployed and yesterday we had the news that one of Britain’s top taxpayers is leaving our country. Every time a billionaire leaves, our country becomes poorer. Chris Rokos is reported to have paid over £300 million in taxes last year. Could the Chancellor tell us how many average taxpayers it will take to replace him?
The Chancellor does not know the answer. On the Treasury’s own statistics, it would take 38,000 average income tax payers to make up for the loss of Chris Rokos. That is a lot of breathing space paid for. It means higher taxes for everyone else, or lower public spending. We know what Labour will choose. The last Chancellor raised taxes on farmers, family businesses and jobs. Conservatives will reform welfare to cut taxes; Labour always puts them up. Which, if any, of his predecessor’s damaging decisions will the Chancellor reverse?
The Chancellor does not know the answer. On the Treasury’s own statistics, it would take 38,000 average income tax payers to make up for the loss of Chris Rokos. That is a lot of breathing space paid for. It means higher taxes for everyone else, or lower public spending. We know what Labour will choose. The last Chancellor raised taxes on farmers, family businesses and jobs. Conservatives will reform welfare to cut taxes; Labour always puts them up. Which, if any, of his predecessor’s damaging decisions will the Chancellor reverse?
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letters of 7 May 2026 and 10 June 2025 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letters of 7 May 2026 and 10 June 2025 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
We received the Hon. Member’s correspondence of 7 May 2026 and 10 June 2026 and will reply in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the letter of 2 June 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the letter of 2 June 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
The department apologises for the delay in responding to the Hon. Member on this occasion. A full response was sent on 10 July.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Interim Chief Executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service plans to respond to the letters of 29th April 2026 and 10th June 2026 in relation to a constituent.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Interim Chief Executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service plans to respond to the letters of 29th April 2026 and 10th June 2026 in relation to a constituent.
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is an independent, non-government body, and is best placed to respond to this question. The FOS will reach out to the Honourable Member to address this.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Minister of State for Rail plans to respond to the letters of (a) 23 April and (b) 3 June from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Minister of State for Rail plans to respond to the letters of (a) 23 April and (b) 3 June from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
A response was sent on 01 July 2026.
Today, we Conservatives have launched a campaign to save the summer job. Employment rights do not help young people if they cannot get a first experience of work, and they are trapped in a Catch-22 situation of needing experience to get work but not being able to get any during their education years. Young people say it, businesses say it and Alan Milburn, the former Labour Minister, says it. Will the Government now back our plans to save the summer job, cut employment red tape, support seasonal working and lower taxes?
Today, we Conservatives have launched a campaign to save the summer job. Employment rights do not help young people if they cannot get a first experience of work, and they are trapped in a Catch-22 situation of needing experience to get work but not being able to get any during their education years. Young people say it, businesses say it and Alan Milburn, the former Labour Minister, says it. Will the Government now back our plans to save the summer job, cut employment red tape, support seasonal working and lower taxes?
The Opposition’s suggestion of getting 13-year-olds to work later hours on a Sunday is simply not serious. What is serious is the review that we have conducted with Alan Milburn on how we can get more young people into employment. We recognise the challenge, and that is why it is an important priority for us. We inherited a situation in which nearly a million young people were not in employment, education or training. That increased by 250,000 before the general election, and the Conservatives did absolutely nothing about it. Young people written off by a legacy of rising youth inactivity and declining apprenticeship jobs. That is why we are serious about this. I appreciate and welcome Alan Milburn’s review, which is detailing how we can improve the situation. He has looked at the challenges that we are facing and laid bare the scale of them. We have already taken action to help young people by bringing forward the biggest youth employment reforms to create 500,000 opportunities for young people through our £2.5 billion youth guarantee, and we will continue to do more.
This week, our hard-pressed automotive industry has sounded the alarm: under the zero emission vehicle rules, British car makers are being fined for making precisely the type of cars people want to buy. That is costing them £5 billion a year, denying consumer choice, damaging British jobs and putting automotive firms at risk. Like me, the Secretary of State met with car makers earlier this week, so will he listen to them, adopt the Conservative policy of scrapping these rules and support our great British automotive industry?
This week, our hard-pressed automotive industry has sounded the alarm: under the zero emission vehicle rules, British car makers are being fined for making precisely the type of cars people want to buy. That is costing them £5 billion a year, denying consumer choice, damaging British jobs and putting automotive firms at risk. Like me, the Secretary of State met with car makers earlier this week, so will he listen to them, adopt the Conservative policy of scrapping these rules and support our great British automotive industry?
I am very grateful for the hon. Member’s question because he raises important points. First, we are a listening Government, which is why we have acted to tackle the energy costs faced by the automotive sector—of course, we inherited those energy costs from the Tory Government. The BICS will lower the cost of producing cars in this country.
The hon. Member mentioned the ZEV mandate. I am listening very closely to him on that. In general terms, when it comes to environmental regulations across the piece, it is really important that we deliver net zero targets and get to that destination. We need to be creative in how we get to that destination, and I speak in general terms. He spoke to the automotive sector earlier this week, as I did. I was very honest about these issues. He should have been honest, too: his party brought in the rules in the first place—he should have apologised for them if he does not like them.
Support for rural areas, farming, country sports and the equestrian sector
I rise to present a petition from residents in my constituency of Arundel and South Downs in West Sussex. Hundreds of signatures have been gathered from local residents who see at first hand what feels like a constant attack on...
Support for rural areas, farming, country sports and the equestrian sector
I rise to present a petition from residents in my constituency of Arundel and South Downs in West Sussex. Hundreds of signatures have been gathered from local residents who see at first hand what feels like a constant attack on...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many advance notifications of redundancy were received by the Insolvency Service's Redundancy Payments Service in each financial year from 2019-20 to 2025-26 by (a) 20 to 50 proposed redundancies, (b) 51 to 100 proposed redundancies, (c) 101 to 250...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many advance notifications of redundancy were received by the Insolvency Service's Redundancy Payments Service in each financial year from 2019-20 to 2025-26 by (a) 20 to 50 proposed redundancies, (b) 51 to 100 proposed redundancies, (c) 101 to 250...
Please see ‘advanced notifications of redundancy’ received by the Redundancy Payments Service for the requested Period.
Financial Year / Advance Notice of Redundancy | 20-50 | 51-100 | 101-250 | 250+ |
2019-2020 | 2,174 | 777 | 420 | 153 |
2020-2021 | 6,989 | 2,127 | 866 | 358 |
2021-2022 | 1,740 | 581 | 235 | 96 |
2022-2023 | 2,170 | 689 | 316 | 90 |
2023-2024 | 2,631 | 923 | 441 | 132 |
2024-2025 | 2,839 | 897 | 372 | 113 |
2025-2026 | 2,919 | 992 | 494 | 159 |
Urgent question on steel tariffs.
Urgent question on steel tariffs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to negotiate a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Mercosur.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to negotiate a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Mercosur.
Mercosur countries are important partners for the UK. We are committed to strengthening our bilateral trading relationships to remove barriers to trade and help grow UK exports, which is why I visited Brazil soon after I took up post in 2025, where I signed agreements on customs, regulatory reform and export credit; and Argentina where I had meetings to further UK interests on whisky, financial services and air services. In addition, Uruguay has started its accession process to the CPTPP and Argentina has recently applied to join.
Any decision to seek to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with Mercosur will be communicated to the House in line with my department’s standard approach.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to negotiate a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the UAE.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to negotiate a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the UAE.
The UK concluded a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on 20 May, which will strengthen trade and investment ties with all six member states.
The UK’s focus is working with the UAE and GCC towards signature and entry into force of the FTA, so that businesses can realise its benefits.
In addition, the UAE is seeking membership of the CPTPP, which the UK supports.
The UAE is the UK’s largest trading partner in the GCC, with total trade in goods and services worth £25 billion in 2025. The UK values this relationship and will continue to deepen cooperation in trade and investment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties have been purchased by the Local Authority Housing Fund in (a) the Chichester District, (b) the Horsham District, (c) the Arun District and (d) aggregate for the West Sussex Tier 1 authority area.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties have been purchased by the Local Authority Housing Fund in (a) the Chichester District, (b) the Horsham District, (c) the Arun District and (d) aggregate for the West Sussex Tier 1 authority area.
Since 2022, there have been several rounds of properties purchased through the Local Authority Housing Fund. Round 1 (delivered between 2022- 24), Round 2 (delivered between 2023-25) and Round 3 (delivered between 2024-26).
Chichester has delivered 18 homes in Round 1 , 3 homes in Round 2 and 6 homes in Round 3. Horsham have delivered 3 homes in Round 1, 8 homes in Round 2, and 9 homes in Round 3. Arun has delivered 11 homes in Round 2 and 3 homes in Round 3. Across West Sussex, 33 homes were delivered in Round 1, 26 homes were delivered in Round 2, and 63 in Round 3. Overall, 125 homes have been delivered in West Sussex to date through the Local Authority Housing Fund to provide better quality accommodation for local homeless families, as well as safe and suitable resettlement accommodation for vulnerable families fleeing conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many premises in Arundel and South Downs constituency were included in the original Project Gigabit contract awarded to CityFibre for East and West Sussex; and how many premises are now out of scope for a fibre connection following...
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many premises in Arundel and South Downs constituency were included in the original Project Gigabit contract awarded to CityFibre for East and West Sussex; and how many premises are now out of scope for a fibre connection following...
Approximately 6,490 premises in the Arundel and South Downs constituency were included in the initial scope of the Project Gigabit contract for East and West Sussex, which is being delivered by CityFibre.
Building Digital UK (BDUK) and CityFibre have since agreed not to progress with the later stages of the contract which are not yet in delivery. This is due to commercial coverage extending further than suppliers had previously indicated, meaning fewer premises now require public subsidy and therefore, the contract was redesigned to minimise overlap with commercial plans and ensure best use of public money.
Following this decision, approximately 5,890 premises in Arundel and South Downs have been descoped from the contract. Of the descoped premises, approximately 850 already have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection and around 890 are currently included in future commercial delivery plans.
As with other areas, BDUK is working to put in place alternative coverage solutions as soon as possible for the remaining premises which still require support. A market engagement consultation for suppliers was published on 1 June to confirm supplier interest in relation to the premises that still need coverage in the affected areas.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the letters of 10 April and 12 May 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the letters of 10 April and 12 May 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.
The Department of Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days, but in some instances it can take longer. The Department has conducted a search of its records and has not identified the correspondence referred to, and will respond as soon as possible if it is received.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure reliable and affordable supplies of Helium for MRI scanners in the NHS estate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure reliable and affordable supplies of Helium for MRI scanners in the NHS estate.
The Department is closely monitoring the impacts of the Middle East conflict on the medical supply chain, including on the supply of helium. We have engaged with industry and received assurance on the stability of continued helium supply through contingency planning and sourcing through multiple global routes. We will continue to monitor the supply of helium and other medical products to mitigate any potential impacts on patient care.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she intends to respond to the letter of 14 April 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs on a constituent's complaint about the Financial Ombudsman Service.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she intends to respond to the letter of 14 April 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs on a constituent's complaint about the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The letter of 14 April from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs is currently receiving urgent attention under reference MC2026/08512. HM Treasury will respond in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans she has to ensure reliable and affordable supplies of Helium in the use of research funded by her department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans she has to ensure reliable and affordable supplies of Helium in the use of research funded by her department.
The Government recognises the importance of reliable and affordable helium supplies for UK research. We are strengthening resilience across critical supply chains including through diversifying supply sources and supporting domestic capability, where appropriate.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) work closely with the research community and infrastructure providers to monitor emerging risks and is already starting to explore options for continued access to essential materials. Decisions on procurement and use of resources are taken locally by institutions, supported by UKRI funding, while Government continues to engage internationally and with partners to promote stable and sustainable global supply chains for critical research inputs.
In the specific context of Helium for a closed-loop cryoplant (the majority of the large scale cryoplants in use) only a very small fraction of Helium is lost; most of it is actually recycled. Top-up to the systems is therefore minimal.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what consideration he has given to securing reliable supplies of Helium for use in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what consideration he has given to securing reliable supplies of Helium for use in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
A secure supply of critical minerals, like helium, is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition
Through the 2025 UK Critical Minerals Strategy we are building will build strong partnerships with key markets to diversify production and processing and strengthen our supply chains, alongside working with key existing producers.
At present, in response to the Middle East situation, the Government is assessing supply chain risks and mitigations across a range of key supply chain inputs and the sectors in which they are used. This is an ongoing process and will remain in place if it is needed.
We encourage any business experiencing disruption to visit business.gov.uk to access support and guidance.