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100004

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Unpaid Work
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent proposal by the Child Poverty and Social Justice Commission that unpaid internships should be illegal.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2219
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>This Government is absolutely clear: exploitation of interns is unacceptable and we don’t hesitate to act where we find that employment law has been broken and someone who is entitled to the minimum wage hasn’t been paid it.</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.</p><p> </p><p>Research shows that internships and work experience programmes can be valuable opportunities for young people taking their first steps in the labour market. Our work on interns and the National Minimum Wage aims to achieve the right balance between ensuring that opportunities for young people are not cut off and minimising the risk of exploitation.</p><p> </p><p>Our concern, if we were to prohibit unpaid internships, is that this may lead to employers recruiting interns through informal and privileged networks with adverse effects on social mobility or have adverse consequences on the number of available opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>There is no definition of an internship in minimum wage legislation and interns are considered in the same way as everyone else with regards to whether the minimum wage is due. The key issue is whether or not they are workers as defined by minimum wage legislation. If they are, then they are eligible for the minimum wage unless a specific exemption applies. Volunteers are not workers and are not eligible for the minimum wage.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 29/10/2014 16:15:22 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100604

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Apprentices
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) 16 year-olds, (2) 17 year-olds, and (3) 18 year-olds started apprenticeships in the academic years 2012–13 and 2013–14 in England.
	tabling member printed	Lord Smith of Clifton
	uin	HL2335
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts for 16, 17 and 18 year olds in 2012/13 and provisional full year apprenticeship starts for the same ages in 2013/14. Provisional data are subject to change and should not be directly compared with data from earlier academic years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Table 1: Apprenticeship starts by age (2012/13 and 2013/14 provisional full year)</strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012/13</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013/14</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Full year</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Age</p></td><td><p>Full year</p></td><td><p>(provisional)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>16</p></td><td><p>25,080</p></td><td><p>25,170</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>17</p></td><td><p>35,810</p></td><td><p>38,320</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>53,430</p></td><td><p>54,140</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Notes</p><p> </p><p>1) Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10.</p><p> </p><p>2) Age is calculated based on age at start of the programme rather than based on 31 August.</p><p> </p><p>3) Provisional data are subject to change and should not be directly compared with data from earlier academic years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 29/10/2014 17:05:23 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	3144 label Biography information for Lord Smith of Clifton

99959

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	New Businesses: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications for the Start Up Loans scheme have been received from Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such loans provided for new businesses in Northern Ireland since the scheme was introduced.
	tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
	uin	HL2174
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Start Up Loan Company (SULCo) administers the Start Up Loan programme on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). As a commercially independent company, SULCo reports to BIS on the number of Start Up Loans.</p><p>The Start Up Loan programme was extended to include Northeren Ireland in June 2013.</p><p>Figures from 30/09/2014 show there have been 186 Start Up Loans with a value of £893,010 in Northeren Ireland</p><p> </p><p>in the UK, there have been over 21,000 Start Up Loans with a value of £113m issued since the programme began in June 2012.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To date there have been over 21,000 Start Up Loans with a value of £113m issued since the programme began in June 2012.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 03/11/2014 11:51:29 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

99961

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Overseas Trade: Republic of Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of jobs in the Republic of Ireland associated with direct trade with the United Kingdom.
	tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
	uin	HL2176
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>The most recent official figures available (calculated by the Irish government and estimating the figure at 198,000 jobs) are now 5 years old. We were unable to find an estimate more current than this.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In this case, we consider that the time and the associated costs involved in generating an estimate of the number of jobs would be disproportionate to the outcome.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Figure calculated by Cambridge Econometrics analysis based on Trade in Value-Added (TiVA) data. Source : British – Irish Relations - <a href="http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Publications/Publications_2013/Joint_Economic_Study_Vol1.pdf" target="_blank">Joint Economic Study</a> 2013 Vol.1 Evaluating the value of the economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland (PA Consulting Group).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Livingston of Parkhead question first answered 30/10/2014 15:42:03 answering member 4278 label Biography information for Lord Livingston of Parkhead
	tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

100662

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Post Offices: Rhyl
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made on the proposed relocation or closure of Rhyl Post Office.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	211757
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>The proposed franchising of some of its Crown Post Offices is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited (POL). I understand that the company continues to explore all options for Rhyl with a view to finding a retail partner for the franchise. In the event that a suitable new retail partner cannot be found, POL has given a commitment that a post office service will be retained within the area.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As this is the operational responsibility of the company I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 30/10/2014 15:32:33 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

100776

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Performance Appraisal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department (a) are currently on a personal improvement plan, (b) have been on a persoanl improvement plan for over one year and (c) have been on a personal improvement plan for more than two consecutive years; and what the grades are or were of such staff.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	211820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>At present the Department does not hold any central data on the number of staff on personal improvement plans, as these are handled within the line management chain.</p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 30/10/2014 14:59:54 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100777

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Performance Appraisal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department are responsible for mentoring staff on personal improvement plans.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	211821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>At present the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not hold any central data on the number of staff on personal improvement plans, as these are handled within the line management chain.</p><p>BIS currently has over 200 internal mentors; however, mentor relationships are confidential and therefore no data is held on how many of these are involved in mentoring staff on personal improvement plans.</p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 30/10/2014 14:55:26 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100778

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Performance Appraisal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many teams in his Department currently have more than one member of staff on personal improvement plans.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	211822
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>At present the Department does not hold any central data on the number of staff on personal improvement plans, as these are handled within the line management chain.</p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 30/10/2014 14:56:39 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100779

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Job Evaluation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the procedure is in his Department for assessing grade boundaries and job roles; and how often such assessments take place.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	211823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) uses grading guidance as a tool to help managers and job holders determine the grading of a post. The guidance applies to all BIS staff, except the Senior Civil Service (SCS) and Fast Streamers, who have central grading structures.</p><p> </p><p>Job evaluation is used when the grading guidance alone is insufficient for the manager and job holder to determine the grade of a post. BIS uses a systematic job evaluation system called JEGS (Job Evaluation and Grading Support) for non-SCS staff and JESP (Job Evaluation for Senior Posts) for SCS staff. These have been developed specifically for the Civil Service. It is a systematic process for defining the relative worth or size of jobs in order to establish internal relativities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The procedure for assessing grade boundaries using job evaluation are:</p><p> </p><p>1. Form a clear picture of the job</p><p> </p><p>2. Refer to grading guidance and where possible allocate to a grade</p><p> </p><p>3. If not, a trained evaluator will evaluate the post</p><p> </p><p>4. The evaluator’s conclusions are quality assured by an appropriate panel which includes trade union representatives</p><p> </p><p>5. HR will communicate the outcome to the line manager</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We do not keep records of how often the grading guidance are used or when job evaluations have taken place. Possible reasons for formal job evaluation might include:</p><p> </p><p>· the recruiting manager, Independent Panel Member (IPM) and Deputy Director cannot agree on the appropriate grade using the BIS grading guidance;</p><p> </p><p>· a new post has arisen and there are limited comparator posts within which to agree the grading;</p><p> </p><p>· a substantial and material change has been made to the weighting and responsibilities of the post;</p><p> </p><p>· an area has been restructured and the boundaries for responsibility and weighting have changed significantly;</p><p> </p><p>· there is sufficient doubt of grading when similar roles are compared across the Department; or</p><p> </p><p>· the Department is undergoing a full grading review.</p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 30/10/2014 14:58:14 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100843

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Social Services: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of HM Revenue and Customs launching pro-active investigations into the non-payment of the national minimum wage.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	211865
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government has not undertaken a formal assessment of the merits of pro-active investigations but believes they are an important part of enforcement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>HMRC published findings from their targeted social care evaluation on 25 November 2013. Over the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013, HMRC had made enquiries into 224 employers in the social care sector. Of the cases completed by the end of September 2014, HMRC have found non-compliance in 108 (48%) of their enquiries, identifying £1,319,729 arrears of pay for 6,550 workers, with penalties issued with a total value of £146,931.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As part of this targeted enforcement activity, HMRC have collaborated with care sector representative bodies to improve understanding of compliance risks and design controls within payroll systems that prevent workers being underpaid the minimum wage.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department of Health has recently published statutory guidance for local authorities as part of the package of secondary legislation that accompanies the Care Act. The chapter of statutory guidance on commissioning and market shaping explicitly states that local authorities should have evidence that contract terms, conditions and fee levels will not compromise care providers’ ability to pay at least minimum wages. A copy of the guidance can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-2014-statutory-guidance-for-implementation" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-2014-statutory-guidance-for-implementation</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department of Health is asking all Local Authorities to sign up to the Social Care Commitment which incorporates a statement about employer compliance with minimum wage legislation. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has written out to all its members encouraging them to support the Commitment as a way of raising standards in adult social care.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We regularly update our Guidance on Gov.UK and we will continue to work with the sector to improve understanding and compliance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any worker who believes that they are being paid below the minimum wage should call the Pay &amp; Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HM Revenue &amp; Customs investigate all complaints.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 03/11/2014 11:47:07 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham