Kevin Hollinrake: I welcome the devolution of powers and money to the north of England. We hear about Manchester, we hear about Leeds and we hear about Sheffield. What can the Secretary of State say to the people of North Yorkshire? How will we benefit from devolution to the north?
Kevin Hollinrake: Does the shadow Chancellor agree that the best way to drive productivity is to increase competition and that 800,000 new businesses created in the last Parliament will drive productivity in this country?
Kevin Hollinrake: Congratulations on your election, Madam Deputy Speaker. In speaking to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Roger Mullin) as one of the “problems” from the other side of the House, I congratulate him on a fine opening speech. I stand before you today not as someone who has long pursued a career in politics, but as someone who was inspired many years ago to make the most of...
Kevin Hollinrake: The new powers are clear. Is it not time we heard what the SNP will do with the new powers?
Kevin Hollinrake: Does the hon. Lady agree that the origins of the difficulties in today’s housing market are to be found not in the last Parliament but in the Parliament before that and the Parliament before that and the Parliament before that?
Kevin Hollinrake: Rural businesses in my constituency are disadvantaged in their access to superfast broadband. What progress has been made on our commitment to provide subsidised satellite services for those in the hardest-to-reach areas?
Kevin Hollinrake: In 2010, according to the World Economic Forum, the UK had the second highest burden of red tape in the G7. By 2015, we have the lowest. Does the Minister agree that that alone will have a significant impact on productivity in the UK?
Kevin Hollinrake: It is important to look at the facts. The hon. Gentleman quoted the ONS. Does he agree that when the ONS talked about oil and the financial service industries, it said: “Together, these two industry groupings account for the majority of the fall in productivity since Q1 2008.”?
Kevin Hollinrake: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this important debate. It is also a pleasure to speak after the excellent maiden speeches we heard from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough (Harry Harpham) and my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Oliver Dowden). It is important to look at productivity in the context of the overall economy. Productivity is not a means...
Kevin Hollinrake: Absolutely. We need to move towards a living wage over time. Rushing to a living wage too quickly might put jobs under pressure, but I believe that we should move towards a living wage over time and in consultation with business. We need low and consistent corporation tax, which is what the Government are delivering. Governments should do less, not more, and the tax regime should be the same...
Kevin Hollinrake: What plans she has to increase the productivity, competitiveness and resilience of the UK food and farming sector.
Kevin Hollinrake: This week a dairy farm in my constituency closed its gates for the last time. That follows a 55% reduction in the number of dairy farms in the UK since 1998. What can the Minister say to support British dairy farming?
Kevin Hollinrake: Unemployment is down by 61% in Thirsk and Malton since 2010—a strong endorsement of this Government’s policy to make work pay and of the hard work and investment of business people in my constituency. What further support will the Prime Minister offer to help with much-needed investment in the A64, superfast broadband, and mobile phone coverage, all of which would further help job...
Kevin Hollinrake: I recognise the huge improvements that have been made and the manifesto commitment to roll out ultrafast broadband to premises as soon as possible. However, are we being ambitious enough? Australia will be delivering 100 megabit broadband to 93% of premises by 2021, Finland will deliver that by 2015 and South Korea will deliver 1 gigabit by 2017. According to a London School of Economics...
Kevin Hollinrake: In my constituency, over the next five years, the number of residents aged 65 and above will increase by 20% and the number aged 95 and above will increase by 50%. What funding support can the Minister offer to meet the unique challenges of age and rurality in my constituency and others like it?
Kevin Hollinrake: I beg to move, That this House has considered shale gas. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Howarth. Is shale gas exploration right for the UK, right now, and right for the constituency I represent? The benefits of shale gas exploration are clear. Greater energy independence and security at a time of significant international uncertainty is a compelling proposition, as is...
Kevin Hollinrake: I absolutely accept that many local residents have real concerns, and we need to take those concerns into account before taking the next steps.
Kevin Hollinrake: I am grateful for the lesson in geography. It is not a part of the world I am all that familiar with, but I am very familiar with the geography of the beautiful parts of North Yorkshire, and I am strongly keen to ensure that they remain that way. As the IEA report recommends, we need to: “Integrate engagement with local communities, residents and other stakeholders into each phase of a...
Kevin Hollinrake: There is clearly an opportunity here. The volatility of oil and gas prices is not within my remit, but there is commercial pressure to exploit shale gas for future domestic security. I understand that; it is why we need to get it right. The public deserve precise answers to their questions via every means possible, including a comprehensive series of community meetings conducted by real...
Kevin Hollinrake: The five-year forward plan will need to deal with the outstanding issue of the contaminated blood scandal, as a result of which one of my constituents suffered devastating consequences, including having to take the terrible decision to terminate their unborn child. When might we expect a statement and final resolution on this matter?