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168563

registered interest
date	08/12/2014
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	Education Funding Agency: Skills Funding Agency
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 he has now made of the potential efficiency gains that could result from a merger of the Education Funding Agency and Skills Funding Agency.
tabling member constituency	Lewes
tabling member printed	Norman Baker
uin	217761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) constantly keeps its delivery arrangements under review to ensure that funding of skills programmes is efficient and effective, as well as responsive to policy priorities to increase take-up of apprenticeships and traineeships for young people.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Skills Funding Agency works closely with the Education Funding Agency on the funding of Further Education college provision and funding of apprenticeships and traineeships for 16-19 year olds. We have recently appointed Peter Lauener as joint Chief Executive of both agencies to make the most of the clear synergies between the two agencies. This exemplifies the commitment we have to promoting joined up Government. The Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency share a number of services to ensure they function as efficiently as possible.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Skills Funding Agency has recently been through significant restructuring exercises reducing staffing levels by 50% and administration budget by 37%. In addition the regional office structure was reduced from 54 offices to six offices.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 11/12/2014 16:23:44 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	28 label Biography information for Norman Baker

168565

registered interest
date	08/12/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to improve apprentice National Minimum Wage enforcement.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	217685
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to the National Minimum Wage and is absolutely clear that everyone who is entitled to it should receive it. Any worker who thinks they have been underpaid should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the helpline and calls from apprentices are prioritised for consideration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware that non-compliance involving apprentices is an issue and we are taking action. We are:</p><p> </p><p>· Ensuring that all training providers [in England] deliver on existing obligations to inform employers and apprentices of their NMW requirements.</p><p> </p><p>· Improving guidance and information more generally, to ensure we have clear and comprehensive information on the minimum wage rules. In England the National Apprenticeship Service includes information on the NMW in its information pack for employers taking on an apprentice.</p><p> </p><p>· Encouraging workers to call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline if they think they are not getting what they are legally entitled to through our communication campaign which began in Sept 2014.</p><p> </p><p>· Writing to level 2 &amp; 3 apprentices in England informing them of their NMW entitlement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to consider whether we can simplify the apprentice rate structure so that it is as clear and simple as possible, in order to support those employers who take on apprentices. The LPC will report back with their recommendations in February 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to take a tough approach towards all employers that do not comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, including through making their non-compliance public. 55 employers, including some who underpaid apprentices, have been named so far and between them they owed workers a total of over £139,000 in arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid arrears owed to workers and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. This came into effect on 7 March 2014. We are introducing primary legislation so that the penalty can be calculated on a per worker basis which will substantially increase the penalty for some employers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There have been no prosecutions since 2010 involving apprentices. Prosecution is reserved for the most serious cases. The Government usually pursues other means, which are more effective, to achieve the key goals of getting workers paid their arrears of wages and deter employers from being non-compliant. For example, the Government policy on the naming scheme and the increase in the NMW civil penalty will have considerable reputational and financial consequences for employers who are non-compliant with the NMW. However, HMRC will refer suitable cases to prosecutors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson grouped question UIN 217684 217744 question first answered 11/12/2014 16:21:02 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

168569

registered interest
date	08/12/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 5 of his Department's publication, National Minimum Wage, Interim government evidence for the 2015 Low Pay Commission report, published in October 2014, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the rate of non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for apprentices; and what steps he plans to take to increase the rate of compliance with the apprentice NMW.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	217744
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to the National Minimum Wage and is absolutely clear that everyone who is entitled to it should receive it. Any worker who thinks they have been underpaid should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the helpline and calls from apprentices are prioritised for consideration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware that non-compliance involving apprentices is an issue and we are taking action. We are:</p><p> </p><p>· Ensuring that all training providers [in England] deliver on existing obligations to inform employers and apprentices of their NMW requirements.</p><p> </p><p>· Improving guidance and information more generally, to ensure we have clear and comprehensive information on the minimum wage rules. In England the National Apprenticeship Service includes information on the NMW in its information pack for employers taking on an apprentice.</p><p> </p><p>· Encouraging workers to call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline if they think they are not getting what they are legally entitled to through our communication campaign which began in Sept 2014.</p><p> </p><p>· Writing to level 2 &amp; 3 apprentices in England informing them of their NMW entitlement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to consider whether we can simplify the apprentice rate structure so that it is as clear and simple as possible, in order to support those employers who take on apprentices. The LPC will report back with their recommendations in February 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to take a tough approach towards all employers that do not comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, including through making their non-compliance public. 55 employers, including some who underpaid apprentices, have been named so far and between them they owed workers a total of over £139,000 in arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid arrears owed to workers and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. This came into effect on 7 March 2014. We are introducing primary legislation so that the penalty can be calculated on a per worker basis which will substantially increase the penalty for some employers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There have been no prosecutions since 2010 involving apprentices. Prosecution is reserved for the most serious cases. The Government usually pursues other means, which are more effective, to achieve the key goals of getting workers paid their arrears of wages and deter employers from being non-compliant. For example, the Government policy on the naming scheme and the increase in the NMW civil penalty will have considerable reputational and financial consequences for employers who are non-compliant with the NMW. However, HMRC will refer suitable cases to prosecutors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson grouped question UIN 217684 217685 question first answered 11/12/2014 16:21:02 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

168574

registered interest
date	08/12/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many employers have been prosecuted for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	217684
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to the National Minimum Wage and is absolutely clear that everyone who is entitled to it should receive it. Any worker who thinks they have been underpaid should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the helpline and calls from apprentices are prioritised for consideration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware that non-compliance involving apprentices is an issue and we are taking action. We are:</p><p> </p><p>· Ensuring that all training providers [in England] deliver on existing obligations to inform employers and apprentices of their NMW requirements.</p><p> </p><p>· Improving guidance and information more generally, to ensure we have clear and comprehensive information on the minimum wage rules. In England the National Apprenticeship Service includes information on the NMW in its information pack for employers taking on an apprentice.</p><p> </p><p>· Encouraging workers to call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline if they think they are not getting what they are legally entitled to through our communication campaign which began in Sept 2014.</p><p> </p><p>· Writing to level 2 &amp; 3 apprentices in England informing them of their NMW entitlement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to consider whether we can simplify the apprentice rate structure so that it is as clear and simple as possible, in order to support those employers who take on apprentices. The LPC will report back with their recommendations in February 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to take a tough approach towards all employers that do not comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, including through making their non-compliance public. 55 employers, including some who underpaid apprentices, have been named so far and between them they owed workers a total of over £139,000 in arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid arrears owed to workers and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. This came into effect on 7 March 2014. We are introducing primary legislation so that the penalty can be calculated on a per worker basis which will substantially increase the penalty for some employers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There have been no prosecutions since 2010 involving apprentices. Prosecution is reserved for the most serious cases. The Government usually pursues other means, which are more effective, to achieve the key goals of getting workers paid their arrears of wages and deter employers from being non-compliant. For example, the Government policy on the naming scheme and the increase in the NMW civil penalty will have considerable reputational and financial consequences for employers who are non-compliant with the NMW. However, HMRC will refer suitable cases to prosecutors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson grouped question UIN 217685 217744 question first answered 11/12/2014 16:21:02 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

168137

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
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	Directors
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 members of his Department's executive board are (a) white British and (b) from any other ethnic background.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	217367
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>All nine members of the BIS Executive Board have declared their ethnicity as white British.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 11/12/2014 16:53:58 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

168143

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
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	Directors
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 members of his Department's executive board are disabled.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	217388
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>No members of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Executive Board have declared any disabilities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 11/12/2014 16:28:32 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

168145

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
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	Agency Workers: EU Law
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of those engaged with agencies using the Swedish derogation who are (a) white British and (b) from any other ethnic minority background.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	217343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The exact number of agency workers in the UK who are employed on pay between assignment contracts who are men, women, white British or any other ethnic minority background is not known. Any estimated impacts of the Agency Workers Regulations were covered in the original impact assessment which can be found at: <a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121212135622/http:/www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-582-agency-workers-directive-impact-assessment" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121212135622/http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-582-agency-workers-directive-impact-assessment</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson grouped question UIN 217342 question first answered 11/12/2014 16:26:13 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

168148

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
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	Agency Workers: EU Law
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of those engaged with agencies using the Swedish derogation who are (a) men and (b) women.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	217342
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The exact number of agency workers in the UK who are employed on pay between assignment contracts who are men, women, white British or any other ethnic minority background is not known. Any estimated impacts of the Agency Workers Regulations were covered in the original impact assessment which can be found at: <a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121212135622/http:/www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-582-agency-workers-directive-impact-assessment" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121212135622/http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/10-582-agency-workers-directive-impact-assessment</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson grouped question UIN 217343 question first answered 11/12/2014 16:26:13 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

168149

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
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	Directors
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 members of his Department's executive board are (a) male and (b) female.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	217346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>Five members of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Executive Board are male and four are female.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 11/12/2014 16:29:21 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

168151

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
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	Directors
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to increase representation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds on the boards of FTSE 250 companies.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	217341
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has recently asked Trevor Phillips to start a new private sector led campaign which will look to address the lack of ethnic diversity in boardrooms, based in part on research that indicates the proportion of Black &amp; Ethnic Minority people in leadership positions is lower than expected compared to the wider population (estimated at 5.1% and 14% respectively).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 11/12/2014 16:27:34 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson