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170297
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Scottish Power more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he received reports from the MacDonald Partnership in relation to mis-sold Scottish Power Power Plan warranties; what the titles of such reports were; and when he plans to respond to those reports. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Steve Rotheram more like this
star this property uin 218595 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-12-17more like thismore than 2014-12-17
star this property answer text <p>The initial report from Mr MacDonald was received on 17 July 2014 for review by the Insolvency Service. Further information including another more detailed report was received from him during September and October 2014, and these again have been reviewed by the Insolvency Service. The reports are confidential.</p><p> </p><p>The reports themselves do not require a direct response but I can confirm that the Insolvency Service has completed its review of this material and is in communication with Mr MacDonald.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-12-17T11:11:20.067Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-17T11:11:20.067Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4035
unstar this property label Biography information for Steve Rotheram more like this
170286
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Written Questions more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department from the Q&A system in the (a) 12 months and (b) five years since 4 June 2014; what additional ICT systems or improvements to existing systems his Department has introduced or plans to introduce that would not have been feasible without the Q&A system; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which the system has made it easier to answer questions from hon. Members on time. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Newcastle upon Tyne Central more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Chi Onwurah more like this
star this property uin 218770 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2015-01-02more like thismore than 2015-01-02
star this property answer text <p>No financial estimate of savings has been made since the introduction of the Q&amp;A system. However, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has seen a reduction in paper usage and BIS staff no longer have to physically deliver PQ answers to hon. Members and the House authorities. These obvious savings will continue.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>BIS changed its IT platform for managing PQs to eCase last summer. This would have happened regardless of the introduction of the Q&amp;A system.</p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2015-01-02T11:52:42.76Zmore like thismore than 2015-01-02T11:52:42.76Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4124
unstar this property label Biography information for Chi Onwurah more like this
170287
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Post Offices: Worcestershire more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many post offices were closed in (a) Worcester and (b) Worcestershire (i) between 1997 and 2010 and (ii) between 2010 and 2015. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Worcester more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Robin Walker more like this
star this property uin 218796 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2015-01-05more like thismore than 2015-01-05
star this property answer text <p>The Government understands the important role that post offices play in communities across the country and since 2010 has committed nearly £2 billion to maintain, modernise and protect a network of at least 11,500 branches that continues to meet strict access criteria that see, for example, 95% of the urban population living within one mile of a post office outlet.</p><p> </p><p>This Government has also committed that there will be no programme of Post Office closures. There are currently around 11,700 post office branches in the UK, with the Post Office network at its most stable for over two decades.</p><p> </p><p>The information requested is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited and I understand from the company that it does not hold information in the format requested. For your reference I include historic information on the number of open Post Office branches at national level and by the West Midlands Government Office region in the tables below:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Number of open post offices in the UK</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Number of open Post Office branches</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>End of March 1997</p></td><td><p>19251</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>End of March 2010</p></td><td><p>11905</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>End of Sept 2014</p></td><td><p>11631</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Number of open post offices in West Midlands Government Office region (historic figures are only available from the year 2000)</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Number of open Post Office branches</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>End of March 2000</p></td><td><p>1479</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>End of March 2010</p></td><td><p>930</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>End of Sept 2014</p></td><td><p>904</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2015-01-05T11:22:53.13Zmore like thismore than 2015-01-05T11:22:53.13Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4091
unstar this property label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker more like this
170289
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Minimum Wage more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to ensure that interns used for full-time work are paid at least the National Minimum Wage; and if he will make a statement. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Warrington North more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Helen Jones more like this
star this property uin 218759 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
star this property answer text <p>The term “intern” is not defined in any legislation: entitlement to the minimum wage depends on whether or not an individual is a worker. If an internship meets the legal definition of a worker, then they must be paid at least the minimum wage from the start.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Given this dependency on employment status, it is vital that employers and workers understand how this is determined. We continue to carry out targeted awareness raising initiatives with interns and HMRC have been working with employers to identify potential non-compliance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Complaints from interns about non-payment of the minimum wage are prioritised by HMRC for investigation and HMRC will investigate every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. Any worker who believes that they are being paid below the minimum wage should call the helpline on 0800 917 2368.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Determining an individual’s employment status can be complicated. This is why the Business Secretary announced a review of employment status in October this year, to help ensure an employment status framework in the UK that meets the needs of everyone. This is an internal review and will present findings to ministers early next year.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:13:10.193Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:13:10.193Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
432
unstar this property label Biography information for Helen Jones more like this
170291
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Post Offices more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many post offices have been refurbished as a result of the Government's £2 billion investment in the Post Office Network since 2010 in (a) Worcester, (b) Worcestershire and (c) England. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Worcester more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Robin Walker more like this
star this property uin 218797 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2015-01-05more like thismore than 2015-01-05
star this property answer text <p>The Government understands the important role that post offices play in communities across the country and since 2010 has committed nearly £2 billion to maintain, modernise and protect the network. This is an historic commitment, and is designed to ensure that the Post Office has a vibrant, successful and financially sustainable long-term future where is it less reliant on an annual taxpayer funded subsidy.</p><p> </p><p>The Post Office is undertaking the largest modernisation programme in its history and network transformation is seeing subpostmasters receiving public investment to improve their branches; delivering benefits to customers including longer opening hours, more convenient access and improved branch environments. To date over 3,500 branches have converted to the new Main and Local models and nearly 290 of the Post Office’s directly owned Crown post offices have benefitted from investment.</p><p> </p><p>The following table sets out the numbers of post offices that have received investment in the areas requested:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p>Number of post offices that</p><p>have received investment</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Worcester</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Worcestershire</p></td><td><p>32</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West Midlands Government Office Region</p></td><td><p>302</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>3173</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2015-01-05T14:03:59.903Zmore like thismore than 2015-01-05T14:03:59.903Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4091
unstar this property label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker more like this
170296
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Scottish Power more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made on implementing the findings of the original report compiled by the Office of Fair Trading and Department of Trade and Industry regarding the collapse of Scottish Power's Power Plan. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Steve Rotheram more like this
star this property uin 218594 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2015-01-06more like thismore than 2015-01-06
star this property answer text <p>Statutory investigations by the Department of Trade and Industry (now Business, Innovation and Skills) using Companies Act powers are confidential and their findings cannot be disclosed outside strict statutory gateways.</p><p> </p><p>The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) did not directly investigate the collapse of Scottish Power’s Power Plan. In 2003 an investigation was undertaken by the OFT into the terms and conditions used in contracts with consumers purchasing goods under the PowerPlan scheme sold by Scottish Power plc. As a result a series of recommendations regarding those terms and conditions were made to the companies who operated the scheme, and I understand that the recommendations were implemented by the companies before they entered insolvency.</p><p> </p><p>More generally, the OFT investigated the market for extended warranties in the UK in 2002 and, having found that competition in the market did not appear to be working effectively, referred the market to the Competition Commission (CC). Following the CC’s report in 2003, the DTI implemented the Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order which came into force in April 2005. The OFT undertook a further study of the market for extended warranties in 2012.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2015-01-06T17:15:43.73Zmore like thismore than 2015-01-06T17:15:43.73Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4035
unstar this property label Biography information for Steve Rotheram more like this
170298
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Scottish Power more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what meetings he has had with his ministerial colleagues on what steps to take in response to allegations that Scottish Power mis-sold cashback warranties in the 1990s. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Steve Rotheram more like this
star this property uin 218620 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
star this property answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>No meetings have been held between myself, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills or other ministerial colleagues concerning this matter. The Secretary of State and I have both met with the Insolvency Service for briefing on their conclusions following review of material submitted by liquidators of two companies involved in administering the cash-back warranty scheme.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:11:50.527Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:11:50.527Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4035
unstar this property label Biography information for Steve Rotheram more like this
170299
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Scottish Power more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how he plans to keep the people who lost money following the failure of firms involved in Scottish Power's cash back warranty scheme updated on progress on the review of whether there will be a further investigation of that matter. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Steve Rotheram more like this
star this property uin 218621 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
star this property answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Investigations conducted under section 447 Companies Act 1985 are confidential, therefore it is not possible to announce whether or not such an investigation is taking place, or to report on the investigation outside of strict statutory gateways.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Whether or not an investigation under section 432 Companies Act 1985 is being undertaken is something which can be announced, and I am able to confirm that such an investigation will not be commenced at this stage.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Because the liquidation of the companies involved in the scheme is still under way, I do not propose to make a public announcement about the outcome of any review. However the creditors of those companies will receive reports from the liquidators if they are to be paid further dividends.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:10:36.33Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:10:36.33Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4035
unstar this property label Biography information for Steve Rotheram more like this
170300
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Company Investigations more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the Insolvency Service plans to conduct any inquiries under sections 432 or 447 of the Companies Act 1985 in the next six months. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Steve Rotheram more like this
star this property uin 218622 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
star this property answer text <p>For the financial year 2014-15 The Insolvency Service anticipates conducting between 140 and 160 investigations under section 447 Companies Act 1985. This is part of the normal function of the Insolvency Service so I can confirm that investigations will be conducted using this power in the next six months, though it is not possible to say how many.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The circumstances giving rise to an investigation using section 432 Companies Act 1985 are much less common, and I cannot at present state whether any such investigations will be commenced within the next six months.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:08:00.46Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:08:00.46Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4035
unstar this property label Biography information for Steve Rotheram more like this
170301
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2014-12-15more like thisremove minimum value filter
star this property answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property answering dept id 26 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
star this property hansard heading Apprentices: Minimum Wage more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217684, how many employers have been fined for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage at the rate introduced in March 2014. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Sheffield Central more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
star this property uin 218677 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
star this property answer text <p>The Notice of Underpayment issued to an employer by HMRC following the identification of underpayments of the National Minimum Wage does not differentiate between underpayments to workers and apprentices. Non-compliance involving apprentices is not restricted to the Apprentice National Minimum Wage; some non-compliance will occur where an apprentice is entitled to the relevant age rate (where they are aged over 19 and have completed their first year).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is therefore not possible to provide information on the number of employers who have faced a penalty for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage since March 2014, as HMRC do not hold this information. Nor is it possible to provide details of the number of naming cases involving underpayments to apprentices. We can confirm that every employer that has been named has faced a financial penalty. These penalties will have related to pay reference periods falling before and after 7 March 2014 and so will have been calculated at the previous and current rates.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In 2014/15, the National Minimum Wage enforcement budget was increased by £1.2m from £8m to £9.2m. There are currently 189 staff across HMRC contributing to enforcing NMW, including people who work in legal advice, debt management, technical support and criminal investigation, amongst others. This includes an additional 26 inspectors recently recruited following the in-year 14/15 funding increase. Within this overall resource, we do not specify an amount that should be allocated to enforcing the apprentice National Minimum Wage. HMRC are required to respond to every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition to this, complaints from apprentices are prioritised and fast-tracked.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Anyone who is concerned that they have been underpaid the National Minimum Wage should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline for free and confidential advice on 0800 917 2368.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
unstar this property answering member printed Jo Swinson remove filter
star this property grouped question UIN
218678 more like this
218679 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.337Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.337Z
star this property answering member
1513
star this property label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4058
unstar this property label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this