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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her planned timetable is for the publication of the findings of the payment and cash flow review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her planned timetable is for the publication of the findings of the payment and cash flow review.
As set out in the published terms of reference (www.gov.uk/government/publications/prompt-payment-and-cash-flow-review/payment-and-cash-flow-review-terms-of-reference), we anticipate delivery of a conclusions document in 2023 which would:
- summarise our findings in response to the engagement undertaken, and next steps;
- respond to the consultation on the Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017;
- set out the findings of the statutory review on the performance of the Small Business Commissioner.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to publish an industrial strategy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to publish an industrial strategy.
Growth is one of the Prime Minister’s top five priorities. The Government has a plan to grow the economy, capitalising on both the UK’s world-leading position in the sectors of the future and the regulatory and trade opportunities of leaving the European Union. This Department plays a vital role in this cross-Government effort, and we are committed to working in partnership with the private sector.
For example, Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, is leading a review of regulation in five high-potential sectors – digital technology, green industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries – to identify barriers to innovation and catalyse growth.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2023 to Question 113305 on Help to Grow Schemes: Costs, how much funding her Department provided for (a) setting up, (b) administration and (c) redemption of vouchers for Help to Grow: Digital between...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2023 to Question 113305 on Help to Grow Schemes: Costs, how much funding her Department provided for (a) setting up, (b) administration and (c) redemption of vouchers for Help to Grow: Digital between...
Data on the Help to Grow: Digital scheme will be released in Spring 2023 after the scheme has fully closed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2023 to Question 113307 on Help to Grow Schemes, what the total business uptake was for Help to Grow: Digital when the scheme closed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2023 to Question 113307 on Help to Grow Schemes, what the total business uptake was for Help to Grow: Digital when the scheme closed.
Data on the Help to Grow: Digital scheme will be released in Spring 2023 after the scheme has fully closed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which projects have received funding from the Clean Steel Fund.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which projects have received funding from the Clean Steel Fund.
The Government recognises the important role the steel sector plays in the UK economy and we continue to work with the sector to understand and support its decarbonisation investment plans. To this end, we have already established various funding schemes such as the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and the Industrial Decarbonisation and Hydrogen Revenue Support. Further proposals, including the approach to the Clean Steel Fund, will be unveiled as soon as possible.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department will publish the draft Audit Reform Bill.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department will publish the draft Audit Reform Bill.
The Government has not set a date for publication of a draft Audit Reform Bill. The Government is committed to legislating when Parliamentary time allows.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many business deaths there were in each local authority in England in 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many business deaths there were in each local authority in England in 2022.
Table 2.1d in Business Demography, UK shows the number of business closures by district, county, and unitary authority in England, and can be found here: www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/datasets/businessdemographyreferencetable.
Urgent question on the UK's gigafactory capacity given the announcement of Britishvolt entering into administration.
Urgent question on the UK's gigafactory capacity given the announcement of Britishvolt entering into administration.
Last Monday the Government presented the next stage of their energy support scheme, but it got a decidedly mixed response. The Federation of Small Businesses calculated that it is worth just 2p per kilowatt hour of
electricity to the average small business, which it says is not enough to be material to a business’s decision to close or not, despite that element of the scheme costing £2 billion of taxpayers’ money. The worst of all worlds would be a scheme that costs a large amount of money, while failing to improve the situation facing businesses in any significant way. Will the Secretary of State respond to that criticism and explain the Government’s thinking behind the design of that stage of the scheme?
Last Monday the Government presented the next stage of their energy support scheme, but it got a decidedly mixed response. The Federation of Small Businesses calculated that it is worth just 2p per kilowatt hour of
electricity to the average small business, which it says is not enough to be material to a business’s decision to close or not, despite that element of the scheme costing £2 billion of taxpayers’ money. The worst of all worlds would be a scheme that costs a large amount of money, while failing to improve the situation facing businesses in any significant way. Will the Secretary of State respond to that criticism and explain the Government’s thinking behind the design of that stage of the scheme?
The hon. Gentleman will know that UK gas wholesale prices—the forward price—peaked at £600 in August. I looked this morning before coming to the Dispatch Box, and it is currently at 136p per therm, which is a massive reduction. We are very much of the view that we must continue to provide support to business, on top of the £18 billion, which is why the Chancellor has announced up to another £5.5 billion. We also recognise that prices are lower now than they were before the invasion of Ukraine, so we will track the issue carefully and continue to provide that support to business.
As we heard from colleagues, energy prices are inextricably linked to our country’s competitiveness. Last week, Make UK published a survey of manufacturing businesses. That report was damning, with businesses saying that under the Conservatives they pay a premium for doing business in the UK. They can see that the political instability caused by this Government has driven investment away from Britain, and after three Prime Ministers, four Chancellors and three Business Secretaries last year, it is hard to disagree. Does the Secretary of State accept that the low investment the Conservatives have presided over is at the heart of our economic problems? What is he planning to do this year finally to change that?
As we heard from colleagues, energy prices are inextricably linked to our country’s competitiveness. Last week, Make UK published a survey of manufacturing businesses. That report was damning, with businesses saying that under the Conservatives they pay a premium for doing business in the UK. They can see that the political instability caused by this Government has driven investment away from Britain, and after three Prime Ministers, four Chancellors and three Business Secretaries last year, it is hard to disagree. Does the Secretary of State accept that the low investment the Conservatives have presided over is at the heart of our economic problems? What is he planning to do this year finally to change that?
No, I do not accept the hon. Gentleman’s analysis. He must recognise that in countries such as Germany, for example, where he is right to say that energy costs for business are lower, that cost is reflected in typically higher costs for domestic bills, and he would need to say whether he supports that. In addition, £18 billion is a huge amount of support. Taxpayers are having to pay that money, and it is a question of getting the right balance between the taxpayer and industry. I have already explained the ongoing support we will put in, in addition to the energy-intensive industry consultation that has already gone out, and we will say more about that shortly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2022 to 2023 following the completion of its consultation in March 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2022 to 2023 following the completion of its consultation in March 2022.
I am grateful to the Director of Labour Market Enforcement for their annual strategy. The Government did not respond to the 2020/21 and 2021/22 strategies. This is because Government agreed the recommendations ahead of publication. This was set out in a written ministerial statement in December 2021.
The Home Office and BEIS have recently reviewed the 2022/23 Labour Enforcement Strategy and it will be published in the new year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to respond to (a) Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2020 to 2021 and (b) Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2021 to 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to respond to (a) Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2020 to 2021 and (b) Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2021 to 2022.
I am grateful to the Director of Labour Market Enforcement for their annual strategy. The Government did not respond to the 2020/21 and 2021/22 strategies. This is because Government agreed the recommendations ahead of publication. This was set out in a written ministerial statement in December 2021.
The Home Office and BEIS have recently reviewed the 2022/23 Labour Enforcement Strategy and it will be published in the new year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the annual report of Labour Market Enforcement for 2020 to 2021.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the annual report of Labour Market Enforcement for 2020 to 2021.
I am grateful to the Director of Labour Market Enforcement for their annual strategy. The Government did not respond to the 2020/21 and 2021/22 strategies. This is because Government agreed the recommendations ahead of publication. This was set out in a written ministerial statement in December 2021.
The Home Office and BEIS have recently reviewed the 2022/23 Labour Enforcement Strategy and it will be published in the new year.
I welcome the Business Secretary to his first oral questions. He is the third Business Secretary we have had this year, and I have to say that lack of stability is the No. 1 complaint from businesses, which genuinely cannot keep track of Government policy in any particular area. If they do know the policy, they feel it could change at any moment if the internal politics of the Conservative party shift one way or the other. Does he accept that political instability has very real consequences for economic stability?
I welcome the Business Secretary to his first oral questions. He is the third Business Secretary we have had this year, and I have to say that lack of stability is the No. 1 complaint from businesses, which genuinely cannot keep track of Government policy in any particular area. If they do know the policy, they feel it could change at any moment if the internal politics of the Conservative party shift one way or the other. Does he accept that political instability has very real consequences for economic stability?
I very much welcome the hon. Gentleman’s welcome, I hope to be in post for a long time, not to disappoint him in any way. His talk about the instability of policy is a bit rich, as many Labour Members sat on the Front Bench under their previous leader, who believed in a whole bunch of different things. Even the shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero, the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), once said it is impossible for this country to get to 40% renewable energy—he called it “pie in the sky.” Right now we are producing 43.1% of our energy from renewables. That is from a party that is consistent.
Respectfully, I think the Business Secretary needs to focus a little bit more on his own side and the humility required to do that.
On a more positive note, this Saturday is small business Saturday. A future Labour Government will tackle the issue of late payments to small and medium-sized enterprises by making audit committees report on public companies’ payment practices. With more than £20 million waiting to be paid at any one time, this is a change that will make a real difference and one that is backed by the Federation of Small Businesses. We could, however, implement it sooner by amending the draft audit reform Bill when it comes forward. Would the Secretary of State support that change?
Respectfully, I think the Business Secretary needs to focus a little bit more on his own side and the humility required to do that.
On a more positive note, this Saturday is small business Saturday. A future Labour Government will tackle the issue of late payments to small and medium-sized enterprises by making audit committees report on public companies’ payment practices. With more than £20 million waiting to be paid at any one time, this is a change that will make a real difference and one that is backed by the Federation of Small Businesses. We could, however, implement it sooner by amending the draft audit reform Bill when it comes forward. Would the Secretary of State support that change?
I agree that payment for small businesses is very important, particularly when it is not done by larger companies that have the resources. That is one of the reasons why the Government have led the way to make sure that, when small businesses deal with Government, payments are made quickly and efficiently. The Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) is looking at a whole range of different things to ensure that we speed up the culture of late payments to small businesses, and he will be saying more about that very shortly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision to delay the implementation of the UKCA mark on the test and certification sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision to delay the implementation of the UKCA mark on the test and certification sector.
The Government has engaged regularly with industry, including the test and certification sector, on the implementation of the UKCA mark. Whilst recognising that providing additional time to transition to UKCA requirements may lead to reduced demand for the sector in the immediate term, this decision was taken to reduce immediate burdens and costs for businesses, given current cost of living and supply chain challenges.
The Government will continue to engage with the sector to understand the potential impacts of this change, and will consider whether targeted measures could be used to support a sustainable product testing sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he had discussions with representatives of the test and certification sector prior to the announcement of the decision to delay the implementation of the UKCA mark.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he had discussions with representatives of the test and certification sector prior to the announcement of the decision to delay the implementation of the UKCA mark.
The Government has engaged regularly with industry, including the test and certification sector, on the implementation of the UKCA mark. Whilst recognising that providing additional time to transition to UKCA requirements may lead to reduced demand for the sector in the immediate term, this decision was taken to reduce immediate burdens and costs for businesses, given current cost of living and supply chain challenges.
The Government will continue to engage with the sector to understand the potential impacts of this change, and will consider whether targeted measures could be used to support a sustainable product testing sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the list of ministerial responsibilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish the list of ministerial responsibilities.
The details of ministerial portfolios in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will be published shortly and will then be found on www.gov.uk/beis.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department provides to Ministers on sending departmental information using personal email addresses; and whether his Department is taking steps to reissue guidance on that issue.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department provides to Ministers on sending departmental information using personal email addresses; and whether his Department is taking steps to reissue guidance on that issue.
The Cabinet Office has published guidance to departments on the use of private email that covers how information is held for the purposes of access to information, and how formal decisions are recorded for the official record. This guidance is being updated to reflect changes in technology and ways of working, and will be published by the Cabinet Office in due course. It is Government policy not to comment on individual Ministers’ security arrangements. Ministers receive support and expert advice to help them meet their obligations in the most appropriate and secure fashion. That includes regular security briefings for Ministers, and advice on protecting their personal data and mitigating cyber threats.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether any Minister in his Department has sent Departmental information from their personal email addresses since December 2019.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether any Minister in his Department has sent Departmental information from their personal email addresses since December 2019.
There is a place for the use of a variety of digital channels in fast moving modern environments. Ministers will have informal conversations from time to time, in person or remotely, and relevant content from such discussions is passed back to officials. They will also use a variety of digital communications channels for personal, political and Parliamentary matters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on the Vaccines Taskforce will be in each financial year of that project; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on the Vaccines Taskforce will be in each financial year of that project; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
On 1 October 2022, the core functions of the Vaccine Taskforce (VTF) merged with the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Life Sciences.
In February 2022, the National Audit Office confirmed that the VTF’s expenditure on vaccine development and procurement was £3.3 billion to the end of October 2021. In 2022/23, the Department has allocated £2 billion to procure and deploy COVID-19 vaccines
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the status is of the contract to execute the signed Head of Terms from June 2022 between the Government and Moderna for the manufacturer to open a vaccines research and manufacturing centre in the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the status is of the contract to execute the signed Head of Terms from June 2022 between the Government and Moderna for the manufacturer to open a vaccines research and manufacturing centre in the UK.
In June 2022, the Government agreed a heads of terms with Moderna to create a strategic partnership over the next decade. A full contract is being negotiated, subject to approval of a Full Business Case. The proposed partnership, if agreed, will strengthen domestic mRNA capability and equip the United Kingdom to respond to COVID-19 and future health emergencies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the delays to completing the contract to execute the signed Head of Terms from June 2022 between the Government and Moderna for the manufacturer to open a vaccines research...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the delays to completing the contract to execute the signed Head of Terms from June 2022 between the Government and Moderna for the manufacturer to open a vaccines research...
The Government was pleased to sign the Heads of Terms agreement back in June, and since then has been working at pace with Moderna to negotiate a strategic partnership to support the UK’s vaccine resilience. During this time, relevant Ministers have been regularly kept informed of progress, and will continue to receive full briefings as the contract progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on the new polar research vessel will be in each financial year of that project; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on the new polar research vessel will be in each financial year of that project; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
The new polar research vessel was named Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough in 2019 and came into service in 2021. Annual operating costs are in the region of £20 million. The ship is operated by the British Antarctic Survey a wholly owned research centre of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). All UKRI’s budget is considered capital in the national accounts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on the Met Office Supercomputing 2020+ Programme will be in each financial year of that scheme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on the Met Office Supercomputing 2020+ Programme will be in each financial year of that scheme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons...
The amount allocated to the Met Office Supercomputing 2020+ Programme over the 2022-2025 Spending Review period is £349.1 million. This is part of the total business case approved investment of £1.2 billion. The Programme is funded through the BEIS R&D Capital budget. The Met Office annual report and accounts are published on metoffice.gov.uk.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is her Department's policy to double dementia research funding.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is her Department's policy to double dementia research funding.
We are continuing to develop our long term plans for dementia, including dementia research.
The Government’s economic crisis is now being paid for by every household and business in this country, but the Government’s failure goes well beyond the pantomime of the last few weeks. Twelve years of Conservative Government have given us the lowest rate of business investment in the G7, and that is with the lowest headline rate of corporation tax. So why does the Business
Secretary believe the Conservative party has been so consistently unable to provide a platform for the UK’s fantastic businesses to invest in throughout the last 12 years?
The Government’s economic crisis is now being paid for by every household and business in this country, but the Government’s failure goes well beyond the pantomime of the last few weeks. Twelve years of Conservative Government have given us the lowest rate of business investment in the G7, and that is with the lowest headline rate of corporation tax. So why does the Business
Secretary believe the Conservative party has been so consistently unable to provide a platform for the UK’s fantastic businesses to invest in throughout the last 12 years?
What we have seen is the lowest level of unemployment in this country since 1973. That is real people and real jobs, and employment is the best route out of poverty. We have seen the most enormous advance in clean energy, with more offshore wind than any other country in the world. We have ensured that, during this difficult winter, we were one of the first countries to come forward with a comprehensive package to protect both domestic and non-domestic users to ensure that the economy could thrive. The hon. Gentleman complains that everything that has gone wrong is the fault of the Government. He seems to have forgotten about Ukraine and covid. Perhaps he should read the newspapers occasionally.
That was an interesting answer on the 12 years of failure—it was perhaps an answer to a question, but not the one I asked. Our wonderful businesses want to expand, invest and grow, but they cannot do that with so much uncertainty hanging over the country. The Conservative party cannot be the solution to that instability because it is the cause of it. Will the Business Secretary give us his honest view and tell us whether he still holds the view he has expressed before—that what we should have, following a change of Prime Minister, is a general election?
That was an interesting answer on the 12 years of failure—it was perhaps an answer to a question, but not the one I asked. Our wonderful businesses want to expand, invest and grow, but they cannot do that with so much uncertainty hanging over the country. The Conservative party cannot be the solution to that instability because it is the cause of it. Will the Business Secretary give us his honest view and tell us whether he still holds the view he has expressed before—that what we should have, following a change of Prime Minister, is a general election?
Pots and kettles, Mr Speaker—that was neither short nor sweet. The greatest uncertainty of all is having socialists in office because the socialists ruin economies wherever they go. They create desolation, chaos and high taxes. As I said before, every socialist Government have left office with higher unemployment, including the short-lived one of 1923.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on Help to Grow: Management will be in each financial year of that scheme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on Help to Grow: Management will be in each financial year of that scheme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
We intend to publish data on costs of both the Help to Grow programmes on the GOV.UK website by Spring 2023.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on Help to Grow: Digital will be in each financial year of that scheme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the expected annual (a) current and (b) capital expenditure on Help to Grow: Digital will be in each financial year of that scheme; and if he will place that information in the House of Commons Library.
We intend to publish data on costs of both the Help to Grow programmes on the GOV.UK website by Spring 2023.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer on 21 September 2022 to Question 48327 on Help to Grow Schemes, when his Department plans to publish data on the take up of Help to Grow programmes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer on 21 September 2022 to Question 48327 on Help to Grow Schemes, when his Department plans to publish data on the take up of Help to Grow programmes.
We intend to publish data on take up of both the Help to Grow programmes on the gov.uk website by the end of December.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform independent report, dated 16 June 2021, which of the proposals contained in that report are Government policy as of September 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform independent report, dated 16 June 2021, which of the proposals contained in that report are Government policy as of September 2022.
The Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform’s (TIGRR) report shows how, with ambition and vision, the UK can deliver on the opportunities of Brexit. The Benefits of Brexit paper outlines how the government is driving forward our commitments in response to TIGRR, including forging ahead to reform our data laws, setting out a 10 year plan to make Britain a global AI superpower, building on the successes of the Vaccine Taskforce to ensure we have the world’s most innovative life sciences sector, as well as reforms to the financial services and agriculture sectors. These reforms will create a new pro-growth, high standards regulatory framework that gives businesses the confidence to innovate, invest and create jobs.
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, introduced to Parliament on 22nd September, will help to accelerate delivery of the recommendations from TIGRR.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of rising energy costs on the rate of business deaths.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of rising energy costs on the rate of business deaths.
The Government monitors the economy using a range of data sources. In a dynamic and competitive economy, a proportion of businesses will cease trading each year, for a range of reasons.
The recently announced Energy Bill Relief Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-outlines-plans-to-help-cut-energy-bills-for-businesses) all businesses and other non-domestic customers are protected from excessively high energy bills over the winter period. The Government will publish a review of the scheme after 3 months to inform decisions on future support after March 2023. The review will focus in particular on identifying the most vulnerable non-domestic customers and how the government will continue assisting them with energy costs. Continuing support to those deemed eligible would begin at the end of the initial 6-month support scheme, without a gap.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the prospects of the UK's future involvement in Horizon Europe.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the prospects of the UK's future involvement in Horizon Europe.
It is disappointing that the EU has politicised scientific cooperation by inappropriately linking the UK participation in EU Programmes and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Our preference remains association to the EU programmes as agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), including Horizon Europe, and we continue to do everything we can to secure this. The EU is in breach of the agreement reached under the TCA for the UK to participate in EU programmes and these unjustified delays are causing uncertainty for our research and business communities. That is why we entered into formal consultations with the EU, which are a mechanism set out in the TCA to resolve issues between the UK and the EU. At the UK-EU Specialised Committee meeting on 22 September, which marked the end of the consultations period, the UK again request that the EU fulfil its obligation to finalise the UK’s association to EU Programmes. It is regrettable that the EU continues to decline this request. The UK government is now considering next steps. Our priority is to support the UK’s world leading R&D sector and we have already outlined potential options for doing so.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish a response to the consultation entitled Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to publish a response to the consultation entitled Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales.
The consultation ‘Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales’ closed on 26 August. We are reviewing the responses to the consultation and will respond in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of not securing membership to Horizon Europe on the UK's science sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of not securing membership to Horizon Europe on the UK's science sector.
At the UK-EU Specialised Committee meeting on 22 September, which marked the end of the consultations period, the UK once again requested that the EU fulfil its obligation to finalise the UK’s association to EU Programmes. It is regrettable that the EU continues to decline this request. The UK government is now considering next steps. Our priority is to support the UK’s world leading R&D sector and we have already outlined potential options for doing so.
Our preference remains association to the EU programmes as agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), including Horizon Europe, and we continue to do everything we can to secure this. The EU is in breach of the agreement reached under the TCA for the UK to participate in EU programmes and these unjustified delays are causing uncertainty for our research and business communities. That is why we entered into formal consultations with the EU, which are a mechanism set out in the TCA to resolve issues between the UK and the EU.
The 2021 Spending Review confirmed that if we are unable to associate, the funding allocated to Horizon association will go to UK government R&D programmes, including international partnerships.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it is his Department's policy to present information in internal documents and briefings using (a) imperial and (b) metric measurements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it is his Department's policy to present information in internal documents and briefings using (a) imperial and (b) metric measurements.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy uses both imperial measures and metric units in internal documents and briefings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made on levels of business investment in the UK compared to that in other countries.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made on levels of business investment in the UK compared to that in other countries.
The Office for National Statistics has calculated that the UK’s business investment was £207bn in 2021. This amounted to 14.3% of GDP, the lowest of all nations in the G7 by this measure.
The Government is committed to boosting business led growth and investment across all parts of the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on audit reform.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on audit reform.
The Government will prepare and publish a draft Bill on audit and corporate governance during this session of Parliament. The Government will bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many officials in his Department are working on legislative proposals on audit reform.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many officials in his Department are working on legislative proposals on audit reform.
There are 19 BEIS officials working on legislative proposals on reform of audit and corporate governance.
Urgent question on Government support for businesses facing rising energy prices.
Urgent question on Government support for businesses facing rising energy prices.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many businesses have successfully enrolled on (a) Help to Grow: Management and (b) Help to Grow: Digital.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many businesses have successfully enrolled on (a) Help to Grow: Management and (b) Help to Grow: Digital.
We intend to publish data on take up of the Help to Grow programmes later this year on the GOV.UK website. Help to Grow: Management will support up to 30,000 small business leaders to improve their leadership and management capability and enhance their growth through world-leading business schools. Help to Grow: Digital could help up to 100,000 eligible SMEs adopt new digital technologies over three years as it offers businesses targeted financial support.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his Department's Annual report and accounts 2020-21, HC 808, published on 25 November 2021, for what reasons did the amount spent on consultancy increase from £55.7 million in 2019-20 to £137.3 million in 2020-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his Department's Annual report and accounts 2020-21, HC 808, published on 25 November 2021, for what reasons did the amount spent on consultancy increase from £55.7 million in 2019-20 to £137.3 million in 2020-21.
There are two main reasons for the increase in Department’s consultancy spend:
1) Covid-19 response, including the Vaccines Task Force and the business support measures.
2) Change in approach to identifying consultancy costs disclosed in Department's Annual report and accounts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reasons the transition to separate UK safety certification for tradable goods following the UK's departure from the EU will not take place until 2027; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reasons the transition to separate UK safety certification for tradable goods following the UK's departure from the EU will not take place until 2027; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of...
The Government has announced a series of measures for many product areas to make the transition to UKCA requirements much simpler, less burdensome, and less costly for businesses over the coming years. This includes enabling conformity assessment undertaken to CE requirements before the end of this year to be used as the basis for UKCA marking for up to 5 years.
We are committed to supporting businesses, protecting consumers and building a sustainable domestic conformity assessment market. We appreciate the efforts already taken by businesses and UK Approved Bodies to get ready for the UKCA regime as this will ensure the transition is a success.
Most new products covered by UKCA requirements that are placed on the market after 31 December 2022 will still need to undergo UKCA conformity assessment by a UK Approved Body.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to implement the Government's National Disability Strategy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to implement the Government's National Disability Strategy.
The National Disability Strategy set out the Government's ambitions to improve the lives of millions of disabled people. In January 2022, the High Court declared it was unlawful because the UK Disability Survey, which informed it, was held to be a voluntary consultation that failed to comply with the legal requirements on public consultations.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions sought permission to appeal the High Court's declaration. Whilst awaiting a decision on permission to appeal from the Court of Appeal, we are required to take steps to comply with the Court’s declaration. We have therefore paused a limited number of policies which are referred to in the Strategy or are directly connected with it.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of funding for Companies House, in the context of the reforms envisaged in the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform White Paper, CP 638, published on 28 February 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of funding for Companies House, in the context of the reforms envisaged in the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform White Paper, CP 638, published on 28 February 2022.
The Government provided £63 million to Companies House at the last Spending Review to fund the work needed to implement our reforms. We are committed to ensuring that Companies House has the resources it needs to carry out its functions, and the Government is looking closely at the funding requirements arising from the reforms as we take them forward.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many officials in his Department are working on legislative proposals relating to employment as on 2 September 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many officials in his Department are working on legislative proposals relating to employment as on 2 September 2022.
The Government is committed to building a high skilled, high productivity, high wage economy. As part of this, on Friday 15 July, two Private Members’ Bills were introduced into Parliament, backed by the Government, which will increase participation and help support vulnerable and low-paid workers. These were the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill and the Neonatal (Leave and Pay) Bill.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including trade unions, as their views and input are essential to developing and delivering our policies.
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is appropriately resourced to deliver on this priority.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with which trade unions his Department has had discussions on legislative proposals relating to employment in the last 12 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with which trade unions his Department has had discussions on legislative proposals relating to employment in the last 12 months.
The Government is committed to building a high skilled, high productivity, high wage economy. As part of this, on Friday 15 July, two Private Members’ Bills were introduced into Parliament, backed by the Government, which will increase participation and help support vulnerable and low-paid workers. These were the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill and the Neonatal (Leave and Pay) Bill.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including trade unions, as their views and input are essential to developing and delivering our policies.
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is appropriately resourced to deliver on this priority.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has had with external stakeholders on legislative proposals relating to employment in the last six months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has had with external stakeholders on legislative proposals relating to employment in the last six months.
The Government is committed to building a high skilled, high productivity, high wage economy. As part of this, on Friday 15 July, two Private Members’ Bills were introduced into Parliament, backed by the Government, which will increase participation and help support vulnerable and low-paid workers. These were the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill and the Neonatal (Leave and Pay) Bill.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including trade unions, as their views and input are essential to developing and delivering our policies.
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is appropriately resourced to deliver on this priority.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on employment rights.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on employment rights.
The Government is committed to building a high skilled, high productivity, high wage economy. As part of this, on Friday 15 July, two Private Members’ Bills were introduced into Parliament, backed by the Government, which will increase participation and help support vulnerable and low-paid workers. These were the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill and the Neonatal (Leave and Pay) Bill.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including trade unions, as their views and input are essential to developing and delivering our policies.
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is appropriately resourced to deliver on this priority.