Jonathan Reynolds MP: speeches

Speeches

• 23 Jun 2025 · UK Modern Industrial Strategy · Hansard source

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  I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s support and the contribution his local area can make. In some areas, we have a lot of good things going on, but it needs to happen faster and we have to make sure that we execute the plans we have in place. That sounds like exactly the sort of challenge in this area that we should commit to.

• 23 Jun 2025 · UK Modern Industrial Strategy · Hansard source

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  I thoroughly welcome my right hon. Friend’s question and thank her for all her support for our determination to make sure we have the competitive automotive sector that we all want. She is right that the changes to the ZEV mandate are part of this. They were brought forward because of the pressing urgency—I was not happy with the situation that I inherited from the Conservative party. We closely review the level of consumer demand in the sector and are always willing to work with her and the tremendous businesses in her constituency to make sure we are getting this country’s markets to where they need to be.

• 12 Jun 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  That is an area of concern to us all. We support and continue to implement some of the listing rules and prospective changes of the previous Government, but the bigger change from this Government is to liquidity, particularly around pensions reforms. None the less, this remains an issue of key competitiveness for the United Kingdom.

• 12 Jun 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I am concerned by the figures the hon. Gentleman raises; if he writes to me, I will look into that immediately. We have taken extensive action to sanction not just individuals, but the shadow fleet, as it is described, transporting Russian fossil fuels, and are willing to take any action necessary.

• 12 Jun 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend knows that I believe the workers at that mill in her constituency are a national asset and that I want them to have a strong future as part of our overall steel strategy. We are closely monitoring the specific situation there, which colleagues will be aware of, and are determined to find the outcome that she and I would want to see.

• 1 May 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I can absolutely give that assurance. I have had meetings about this issue just this week. We are ambitious for the just transition for Grangemouth and recognise the issues not just with the refinery but with the polyethylene cracker. We will get to work and set that meeting up.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  This is a little off-topic for a Second Reading, but the hon. Gentleman could have just listened to the “Today” programme this morning. He would have heard me articulate those concerns. We are engaged with our US counterparts, more so than any other country, in those negotiations. He will know that I will not share the content or detail of those talks. The policy originates with the President of the United States and we are responding to and engaging with it. The hon. Gentleman will understand that it comes from the mandate and the agenda of the US Administration.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I will give way to the right hon. Member.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Of course—why not?

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I find that when political parties go into opposition, all of a sudden they seem less keen on the Government having decisive powers to take action in a whole range of areas. We have listened carefully to the criticism from the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, and significant changes have been made to the legislation, which I am happy to take the hon. Member through. They relate to the number of Henry VIII powers, the consultation requirement and the additional affirmative resolution procedure. We are always seeking feedback. I will now go through some of the other amendments that were made in the other place.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  The question I always have for the right hon. Gentleman is: is it going to be good? I will give way one more time.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Will the hon. Member give way?

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Will the hon. Member give way?

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I give way on that point.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I was going to make a little progress, but I cannot resist the right hon. Gentleman.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I am sorry that we have not convinced the right hon. Gentleman, but I am certain that the Government need powers in this area. We need to be able to respond to fast-moving changes in technology and regulation. The public would expect me, as Secretary of State, as well as my Department and the Government, to have these powers to keep them safe. Perhaps we have not convinced him at this stage, but he can look at proceedings in the other place and in Committee.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  rose —

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I am extremely grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that intervention; he always brings wisdom to these debates. I can absolutely give him the assurance that the Bill makes no decision as to how we should use these powers. The reason we are bringing it forward today is the same reason the previous Conservative Government first proposed a Bill of this kind: having left the European Union, we need the powers to properly regulate these products in this way; without this legislation, we would not necessarily have the ability to do that.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I will give way one more time before we come to the amendments that were made in the Lords.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  The right hon. Gentleman will have heard me say just now that our intention is to cement the UK’s status as a world leader in product regulation and safety. I am sure we would all recognise the tremendous benefits for both consumers and businesses that come from being a jurisdiction whose consumer protections are widely recognised and where people have confidence that the goods and services they buy will be to the highest standard possible. Where we see gaps in our provision, because of the substantial change that has occurred with our leaving the European Union, we would surely want to fill those gaps so that we are in a position to continue our success in this area.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Will the hon. Member give way?

• 13 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman may have not seen the news recently, but the UK, led by our Prime Minister, has had the best engagement of any country with the new US Administration. Is it not good to see again a British Prime Minister who is respected on the world stage and delivering for Britain? We have had tremendous engagement with the new US Administration, and I am looking forward to meeting them in person next week.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  The frustration that comes across in the hon. Lady’s question relates to exactly the sort of problem the Government are fixing. I would be more than happy to work with her and any Secretary of State or Department necessary to unblock that for her.

• 13 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  On steel and aluminium tariffs, the US Administration’s position is that there are no exemptions for anybody—that is across the board. I think they recognise the very strong case that we have, but that is their position. No, I will not publish my negotiating red lines before a negotiation. Frankly, that is the worst advice I have ever heard in the House of Commons. The Conservative party fell out with the EU, would not deal with China and could not do a deal with India. It fell out with the United Arab Emirates and could not do a deal with the Gulf. It got nothing out of the US. It did deals with Australia and New Zealand, then disowned them. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives.