Nicola raised the ongoing Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea with the Business Minister in Parliament this morning.
As well as highlighting the security concerns for British ships, Nicola posed the question of the economic impact on West Bromwich based businesses and, ultimately, the price that consumers pay for goods.
She asked the Minister to reassure businesses in West Bromwich East that the Government will do all it can to protect the flow of goods through the Red Sea.
You can see Nicola's question on her Facebook page.
Nicola Richards: "At a time when we are beginning to see inflation fall, recent developments in the Red sea are extremely concerning, not just in terms of security, but because of the huge cost to shipping.
"My constituents do not want an increase in prices as a result of the terror attacks. Can the Minister build on the excellent answer she gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) by reassuring businesses in my constituency that we will do all we can to maintain the flow of goods to and from the UK?"
Nusrat Ghani: "Absolutely. The UK will always stand up for the freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We take threats to shipping vessels in the Red sea extremely seriously.
"My hon. Friend is right to note that, fundamentally, there has been an increase in cost potential, including a 124% increase in freight rates, which is why we have produced a strategy and why we have a council that will continue to work with industry to ensure that supply chains are resilient and the situation has the smallest possible impact on our economy."