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1137415

registered interest
date	08/07/2019
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	Maternity Leave
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 held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending the period of statutory maternity leave.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	274539
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>In the UK, employed pregnant women and new mothers have a ‘day one’ right to 52 weeks of Maternity Leave; and, if eligible, they are entitled to 39 weeks of pay.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has no current plans to extend the period of statutory Maternity Leave, and so I have not had any discussions on this subject with my rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 15/07/2019 13:30:54 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1137480

registered interest
date	08/07/2019
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	Employment: Bullying
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 he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban bullying in the workplace.
tabling member constituency	Bristol North West
tabling member printed	Darren Jones
uin	274614
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Any form of bullying and harassment is unacceptable and has no place in today’s workplace. Current legislation provides robust safeguards for employees against harassment in the workplace. This covers harassment on the grounds of gender, race, disability, religion or believe, sexual orientation or age. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and the Protection from Harrassment Act 1997 make intentional harassment a criminal offence.</p><p> </p><p>However, whilst it is important to have a safety net of legislation to protect employees from the worst form of abuses, the best way to address bad behaviour is through cultural change within the workplace. Employers can, for example, establish good practices through a clear anti-harassment policy and ensuring all staff receive training in this area.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 15/07/2019 13:31:02 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	4621 label Biography information for Darren Jones

1137581

registered interest
date	08/07/2019
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
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 develop local energy distribution networks to respond to a potential increase in domestic electricity consumption.
tabling member constituency	Stirling
tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
uin	274611
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Electricity distribution networks are regulated by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, and, by law, network regulation must be carried out independently of Government. Under the existing regulatory framework, distribution network operators are allowed to increase capacity on their networks to accommodate expected growth in demand from domestic electricity consumption.</p><p> </p><p>Energy networks require significant investment in order to ensure that Great Britain has a secure, dynamic energy system that is fit for the challenges of the future. BEIS estimates that between 2010 and 2017 £35bn has been invested to upgrade, reinforce and extend the electricity networks (both transmission and distribution) and a further £14bn may need to be invested between by 2020. Ofgem's RIIO 2 price control will set out the pathway for investment in our energy networks through the mid-2020s.</p><p> </p><p>Government expects network companies and regulators to act in the best interests of consumers including in relation to more active system management as per the Government and Ofgem’s <em>Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan</em>. We are already seeing distribution network operators manage their systems more actively, and make more innovative use of data and smart technologies. For example, all six DNOs in Great Britain have now committed to open all significant network reinforcement to competition with flexibility services.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 16/07/2019 14:44:29 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr

1137647

registered interest
date	08/07/2019
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
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 decisions on the next Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs price control period will include the requirement for energy networks to deliver the Government's policies set out in the (a) Industrial Strategy and (b) Clean Growth Strategy.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	274577
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Network regulation, including gas and electricity network price controls, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator and, by law, must be set independently of Government. Government expects network companies and regulators to act in the best interests of consumers including in relation to Government’s net zero and clean growth ambitions, and taking into account the industrial strategy. As an independent arm’s length body, whose objectives are set out in statute, Ofgem is directly accountable to Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 16/07/2019 14:44:01 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1137648

registered interest
date	08/07/2019
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
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 the Government has made of the effect of Ofgem’s Sector Specific Methodology on the ability of energy networks to deliver (a) net zero emissions and (b) the Government's policies set out in the (i) Industrial Strategy and (ii) Clean Growth Strategy.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	274578
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Network regulation, including the sector specific methodology for gas and electricity network price controls, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator and, by law, must be set independently of Government. Government expects network companies and regulators to act in the best interests of consumers including in relation to Government’s net zero and clean growth ambitions, and taking into account the industrial strategy. As an independent arm’s length body, whose objectives are set out in statute, Ofgem is directly accountable to Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 16/07/2019 14:44:09 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1137649

registered interest
date	08/07/2019
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
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 plans he has to ensure that Ofgem’s Sector Specific Methodology enables energy networks to deliver (a) net zero emissions and (b) the Government policies set out in the (i) Industrial Strategy and (ii) Clean Growth Strategy.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	274579
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Network regulation, including the sector specific methodology for gas and electricity network price controls, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator and, by law, must be set independently of Government. Government expects network companies and regulators to act in the best interests of consumers including in relation to Government’s net zero and clean growth ambitions, and taking into account the industrial strategy. As an independent arm’s length body, whose objectives are set out in statute, Ofgem is directly accountable to Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 16/07/2019 14:44:19 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1137132

registered interest
date	05/07/2019
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	Supermarkets: Conditions of Employment
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 the he has made of the merits of the application of Oxfam’s supermarket scorecard on human suffering in global supply chains for his Department’s policies.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	273754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government welcomes campaigns such as Oxfam’s ‘Behind the Price’ with the supermarket scorecard that is a part of it and which includes scores for the fair treatment of women.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the positive competitive environment which benchmarks of this type help to create, whereby businesses aim to be at the top of an annual ranking. At the same time, such benchmarks enable consumers, investors, civil society and regulators to challenge those businesses who could improve, using this evidence base.</p><p> </p><p>The retail sector recognises it has a responsibility on these issues and is pioneering responsible sourcing practices. The Government welcomes industry initiatives in this context such as the British Retail Consortium’s ‘Better Retail, Better World’. The Government is determined to eliminate exploitation of workers in the food supply chain in the UK. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 increased specialist support for victims and it requires businesses to be transparent about their supply chains. The Government response to the independent review of the legislation will set out how it intends to strengthen this approach further.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 273756 273757 question first answered 15/07/2019 13:33:26 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1137134

registered interest
date	05/07/2019
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	Supermarkets: Conditions of Employment
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 he is taking to support supermarkets to publish a human rights strategy for workers in the food supply chain in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	273756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government welcomes campaigns such as Oxfam’s ‘Behind the Price’ with the supermarket scorecard that is a part of it and which includes scores for the fair treatment of women.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the positive competitive environment which benchmarks of this type help to create, whereby businesses aim to be at the top of an annual ranking. At the same time, such benchmarks enable consumers, investors, civil society and regulators to challenge those businesses who could improve, using this evidence base.</p><p> </p><p>The retail sector recognises it has a responsibility on these issues and is pioneering responsible sourcing practices. The Government welcomes industry initiatives in this context such as the British Retail Consortium’s ‘Better Retail, Better World’. The Government is determined to eliminate exploitation of workers in the food supply chain in the UK. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 increased specialist support for victims and it requires businesses to be transparent about their supply chains. The Government response to the independent review of the legislation will set out how it intends to strengthen this approach further.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 273754 273757 question first answered 15/07/2019 13:33:26 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1137135

registered interest
date	05/07/2019
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	Supermarkets: Conditions of Employment
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 the Government has taken in the last year to help ensure women workers in the supermarket food supply chain are treated fairly.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	273757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government welcomes campaigns such as Oxfam’s ‘Behind the Price’ with the supermarket scorecard that is a part of it and which includes scores for the fair treatment of women.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the positive competitive environment which benchmarks of this type help to create, whereby businesses aim to be at the top of an annual ranking. At the same time, such benchmarks enable consumers, investors, civil society and regulators to challenge those businesses who could improve, using this evidence base.</p><p> </p><p>The retail sector recognises it has a responsibility on these issues and is pioneering responsible sourcing practices. The Government welcomes industry initiatives in this context such as the British Retail Consortium’s ‘Better Retail, Better World’. The Government is determined to eliminate exploitation of workers in the food supply chain in the UK. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 increased specialist support for victims and it requires businesses to be transparent about their supply chains. The Government response to the independent review of the legislation will set out how it intends to strengthen this approach further.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 273754 273756 question first answered 15/07/2019 13:33:26 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1136741

registered interest
date	03/07/2019
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	Business: Finance
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 report entitled, The state of the nation: The UK Family Business Sector 2018-19 by Oxford Economics, published in July 2019, what steps his Department is taking to make it easier for family businesses to access external finance.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	272777
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>As the report notes, the family business sector is vital to the UK economy, employing over 13 million people and generating more than a quarter of the nation’s GDP. In May this year, I attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Family Business and discussed a range of issues including access to external finance. The authors of the Report, The Institute for Family Business, are also a member of the BEIS SME Advisory Board, who last met on 24 June.</p><p>As part of the modern Industrial Strategy, this Department’s aim is to improve access to finance for all UK businesses, including family-owned businesses. The Government-backed British Business Bank supports more than £6.4bn of finance to over 85,000 SMEs. The Bank’s online Finance Hub also helps small business owners identify potential sources of finance via the finance finder web tool.</p><p>The Business Bank has also established a UK Network, with team members based within each of the English regions and the three Devolved Nations. The UK Network works with small business finance intermediaries to enhance business finance ecosystems across the UK, so smaller businesses, wherever they are, can grow and prosper.</p><p>In addition, Government has actively supported and invested in the creation of 38 Growth Hubs (one in each Local Enterprise Partnership area), providing businesses across England support and advice via a free and impartial, local single point of contact. At the end of FY18/19, Government had invested £56.4 million in Growth Hubs.</p><p>The Government provides support and advice to all types of businesses through our core services including GOV.UK, the Business Support Helpline and Growth Hubs operating in England.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/07/2019 15:34:53 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly