Speeches by Atkinson.

“Derbyshire Victim Services does really important work supporting victims, including those who have experienced sexual assault and domestic violence, but given the court backlog inherited from the Conservative Government, the service has told me that many of the victims are in need of support for longer, with many havin…”

“Backing Rolls-Royce, a brilliant Derby business, to deliver small modular reactors with £2.5 billion of investment shows what Labour’s new industrial strategy is about—backing British business, creating more skilled jobs and delivering clean, secure energy. Does the Chancellor agree that, after years of chaos under the…”

“I met taxi drivers in Derby, at a meeting organised by the GMB, who are proud of the work they do. They want high standards across the board; what actions is the Minister taking to review taxi licensing, so that everyone can have confidence that the taxi and private hire industry is reliable, sustainable, and safe for …”

“With 80% of offenders being reoffenders, does that not show that our current system is really broken and that we need a different approach? Does my hon. Friend agree that we have an opportunity with the sentencing review to keep our communities safer by properly addressing reoffending?”

“In the east midlands, we saw our bus routes cut by 60% under successive Conservative Governments. Does my hon. Friend agree that buses have a huge impact upon people’s lives and their ability to access opportunities in training and work, to get to health appointments and to connect with family and friends? Does my hon.…”

“Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has secured £2 billion for transport to and between Derby and Nottingham. Considering that the east midlands has languished at the bottom of the list for transport spend per person, does my hon. Friend agree that this Government are taking strides to ensure that the growth that …”

“My husband was an Army reservist who served in Afghanistan. He has not told me a great deal about what his job entailed, but he has told me about taking flights in helicopters that hugged mountains on which the burned-out remnants of Soviet tanks stood ghostly guard; about his interactions with the people in the Afghan…”

“Worryingly, only 9% of secondary vocational learners are studying engineering, manufacturing and construction compared with the OECD average of 32%, so I warmly welcome that this industrial strategy confirms a £100 million investment to support engineering skills in England. Will the Secretary of State outline how that…”

“Will my hon. Friend give way?”

“Finally, what is the strategic advantage in making decisions on rail investment in the context of a broader infrastructural and industrial strategy, and in making sure that you are part of that wider strategy?”

“What is the importance of taking decisions in rail investment—infrastructure, passenger and freight—on a system-wide basis?”

“How can Government work with industry—you have talked about procurement being a part of that—to encourage entry into the rail sector? You talk about it going back and forth; what are the mechanisms?”

“I declare an interest as a Derby MP, as the headquarters of Great British Railways is coming to Derby. What structural focus would you like to be placed on skills and workforce within GBR’s organisation, when it is stood up? Does there need to be some sort of skills unit within GBR?”

“Jonathan, you gave Australia and its states as an example of determining the infrastructure needed and being able to determine the skills and workforce needed to deliver. I am pretty sure that the answer from you all will be, “Central,” but what place should skills and workforce have in the development of the Governmen…”

“Are pre-apprenticeships early enough? My friend and constituency neighbour, Baggy Shanker, the MP for Derby South, is clear about the need to inspire people in primary school. You were talking earlier about the fact that the apprentices we need and will get in the future are already in primary school. Are we leaving it…”

“Yes, having a strategy means it is clear that we need more, but doesn’t having one mean that we and industry can plan to identify and meet the shortfalls?”

“Can I ask a specific question, Lydia? In your written evidence you say that the current shortage of engineers in the UK will be exacerbated by the Government’s industrial strategy. Could you tell us more about why?”

“Given our workforce challenges—we have seen data on a third of the workforce being 50 or over and fewer than 10% being under 30—how important is it to have a more diverse workforce for the long-term sustainability of the industry?”

“I am very interested in procurement mandates, but can I clarify something? You started your answer by saying that you need three-year certainty, but you explained that the actual time it takes to get the qualification is three years, so people will only be qualified at the end of that three-year period. You were also t…”

“I am conscious that time is tight. Derby has seen the first hand the pain and the cost of boom and bust in rail, which a number of you have already mentioned. I do not want to end this session without giving you the opportunity to explain from the point of view of your members what it means for individuals, for their l…”