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1462197

registered interest
date	11/05/2022
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Insolvency Service: Birkenhead
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether an equality impact assessment has been carried out for the closure of the Insolvency Service office in Birkenhead.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	960
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2022 answer text <p>As part of the business case to restructure its estate, the Insolvency Service has carried out an Equality Impact Assessment on the plans to close offices including Birkenhead.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 17/05/2022 08:37:07 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1462198

registered interest
date	11/05/2022
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Insolvency Service: Birkenhead
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the (a) local Chambers of Commerce or (b) Federation of Small Businesses was consulted on the decision to close the Insolvency Service office in Birkenhead.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	961
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2022 answer text <p>The agency is engaging stakeholders as part of an on-going process.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 17/05/2022 08:36:20 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1452931

registered interest
date	21/03/2022
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Minimum Wage: Recruitment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) recruitment agencies and (b) job sites do not advertise vacancies that do not comply with minimum wage legislation.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	143796
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2022 answer text <p>This Government is clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it and will take robust enforcement action against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.</p><p> </p><p>The Employment Agencies Act 1973 and its associated regulations are the main pieces of legislation that directly regulate employment agencies and employment businesses, including online recruitment services, which operate within Great Britain. This legislation is enforced by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. It is the responsibility of the agency to check the validity of the adverts before they post them online and that they include the required information.</p><p> </p><p>An individual's entitlement to the minimum wage is not dependent on the rates of pay included in a job advert or job offer that they accepted. Therefore, if an individual is not being paid at least minimum wage when they are entitled to it, they should complain to HMRC using the online form on gov.uk. HMRC consider every complaint they receive and, if they identify underpayment, they will require the employer to repay the arrears to workers and a penalty to government.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC support employers and workers by actively raising awareness of employers’ obligations and workers’ rights relating to the minimum wage. For example, HMRC routinely contact employers who advertise unpaid internships, signposting them to guidance to help ensure they are compliant.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 29/03/2022 15:28:36 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1452933

registered interest
date	21/03/2022
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Shipping: Minimum Wage
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the enforcement of minimum wage legislation in the UK maritime industry.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	143798
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2022 answer text <p>Seafarers who ordinarily work within the UK and its territorial waters are entitled to be paid the UK National Minimum Wage.</p><p> </p><p>The government is clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it and takes robust enforcement action against employers who do not pay their staff correctly. HMRC enforce the minimum wage on behalf of the government, across all sectors of the economy. They consider every complaint from workers, conduct proactive enforcement activities, and deliver educational activity to support employer compliance. HMRC have a strong record on enforcing the minimum wage. Since 2015 they have returned over £100 million in unpaid wages to 1 million workers.</p><p> </p><p>If anyone thinks they have been underpaid, they should complain to HMRC using the online form on GOV.UK, or call the Acas helpline. Complaints can be made anonymously and HMRC won't reveal a worker's identity to the employer.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 29/03/2022 15:29:29 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1347643

registered interest
date	16/07/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Natural Gas: Carbon Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility of 11 March 2021, Official Report, column HL 1803, what assessment his Department has made of the potential role that the GeoEngine technology being developed by Titan Electricity could play in decarbonising the process of sour and acid natural gas extraction.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	34593
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2021 answer text <p>BEIS engineering experts met with Titan Electricity at a meeting on the 5<sup>th</sup> July to discuss their geo-engine concept and its use in removing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide from sour and acid natural gas.</p><p> </p><p>Technologies similar to the geo-engine could help achieve the ambitious decarbonisation targets set in the North Sea Transition Deal for offshore gas published by BEIS in March. This commits the UK offshore oil and gas sector to a carbon dioxide production emission reduction of 10% in 2025, 25% in 2027, and 50% in 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not specify the equipment used on gas rigs however, this being a matter solely for the individual scheme developers.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 26/07/2021 15:15:59 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1347452

registered interest
date	15/07/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Natural Gas: Carbon Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 7th June 2021 to Question 7763, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential role that the GeoEngine technology being developed by Titan Electricity could play in meeting the decarbonisation targets laid out in the North Sea Transition deal.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	34057
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2021 answer text <p>BEIS engineering officials have recently discussed with Titan Electricity at a meeting their geo-engine concept.</p><p> </p><p>Technologies similar to the geo-engine could help achieve the ambitious decarbonisation targets set in the North Sea Transition Deal for offshore gas published by BEIS in March. This commits the UK offshore oil and gas sector to a carbon dioxide production emission reduction of 10% in 2025, 25% in 2027, and 50% in 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 23/07/2021 12:01:48 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1347453

registered interest
date	15/07/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Innovation: Small Businesses
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) financial and (b) logistical support available to small and medium-sized enterprises involved in the development of net-zero technologies.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	34058
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2021 answer text <p>Small and medium-sized businesses have a vital role in developing the technologies needed to deliver net zero. There is a wide range of financial and logistical support available to aid them in doing so.</p><p> </p><p>The Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, a £1 billion fund announced in my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution, aims to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings, and industry. Funding is available for projects across the UK for companies of all sizes. Within the portfolio, the ‘Energy Entrepreneurs Fund’ particularly aims to assist small and medium sized enterprises, including start-ups. Those companies that are selected will receive acceleration support.</p><p> </p><p>More widely, Innovate UK (IUK) acts as the prime channel through which the Government incentivises business-led technology innovation. Its role is to fund business-led innovation through the allocation of competitively awarded grants, delivered through competitions. Through their Knowledge Transfer Network and Innovate UK EDGE, IUK help connect innovative businesses with the right partners, expertise, facilities, financiers and influencers to help them bring their ideas to market, grow and scale their companies, and build collaborations, partnerships and supply chains.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Government established a network of Catapult Centres in 2011 to commercialise new and emerging technologies in areas where there are large global market opportunities and a critical mass of UK capability to take advantage of them. There are nine Catapults, across 40 locations throughout the UK, supporting a broad range of technologies. The Catapult Centres have supported in excess of 8000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).</p><p> </p><p>Between 2014 and the third quarter of 2020 a total of £160m has been invested into clean technology businesses by equity funds backed by the British Business Bank. The Bank crowds in additional private sector capital to support equity investment for small and medium sized enterprises, maximising the impact of government investment.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 23/07/2021 12:09:30 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1347454

registered interest
date	15/07/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Titan Electricity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if officials in his Department will meet representatives of Titan Electricity to discuss the Geo Engine and the potential role it could play in helping to meet national net-zero targets.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	34059
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2021 answer text <p>Officials from the Department met with Titan Electricity on the 5<sup>th</sup> July where they discussed the GeoEngine technology and the various BEIS energy innovation competitions that Titan would be eligible to apply for to get funding for further development of the concept. Officials would be pleased to meet with Titan again if they would find another meeting helpful, although for any live competitions Titan should engage through the standard process.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 23/07/2021 11:59:36 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1337921

registered interest
date	17/06/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Energy: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has met representatives of energy providers to discuss the steps they are taking to guarantee the equitable treatment of customers with (a) learning and (b) physical disabilities.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	17847
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2021 answer text <p>Ministers in the Department regularly meet with energy providers to discuss a range of issues, including support for vulnerable energy consumers.</p><p> </p><p>Government, and the energy Regulator Ofgem, has a duty to protect the interests of electricity and gas consumers and to have specific regard to the interests of vulnerable consumers, including individuals who are disabled or chronically sick.</p><p> </p><p>Ofgem Supply Licence Conditions require energy companies to treat all customers fairly, including customers in a vulnerable situation. Ofgem also requires energy companies to maintain a Priority Services Register of vulnerable customers, including people with certain mental health conditions which impact their understanding of a bill. Customers on a Priority Service Register are offered a range of services relating to safety, access and communication free of charge. Full details of who is eligible and the support that can be accessed is available online at: <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register" target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ofgem monitors energy company performance with their requirements through their Social Obligations Reporting. The latest report can be found online at: <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2019/09/vulnerable_consumers_in_the_energy_market_2019_final.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2019/09/vulnerable_consumers_in_the_energy_market_2019_final.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 25/06/2021 11:54:40 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1337922

registered interest
date	17/06/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Energy: Meters
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has met representatives of energy providers to discuss the steps they are taking to ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place to allow people with limited mobility to access their gas and electricity meters.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
uin	17848
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2021 answer text <p>The energy Regulator Ofgem, requires energy companies to maintain a Priority Services Register of vulnerable customers, including individuals who are disabled or unable to top up their prepayment meter due to injury. Customers on a Priority Service Register are offered a range of services relating to safety, access and communication free of charge. These services include arrangements to ensure it is safe and practical for customers to use a prepayment meter, such as moving a meter that cannot be safely accessed to top up and meter reading services if a customer is unable to read their meter. Full details of who is eligible and the support that can be accessed is available online at: <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register" target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Smart meters are benefitting people with limited mobility by ending the need for manual meter reads, delivering accurate bills and enabling prepayment customers to conveniently track and top-up credit from home. The In-Home Display (IHD), which households are offered when they have smart meters installed, can be placed anywhere in the home and provides easily accessible, near-real time information about energy consumption, credit and costs.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 25/06/2021 11:57:13 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley