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1109037

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	08/04/2019
	date	02/04/2019
	date tabled	02/04/2019
	ddp created	02/04/2019 18:20:47
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	03/04/2019 17:47:53 11/04/2019 15:39:22
	hansard heading	Self-employed: Billing
	house id	1
	identifier	239900
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	11/04/2019 15:00:12
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to tackle late payments to freelancers.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 239900
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	239900
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>Government is clear that unfavourable payment practices is a serious issue. That is why we have a range of measures in place with the aim to address the imbalance in market power between parties, increase transparency and encourage better payment practices through culture change.</p><p> </p><p>The Payment Practices and Performance Reporting Requirement requires large businesses to report biannually on their payment practices and performance. Businesses must publish this information on gov.uk, providing transparency in payment practices and making payment behaviour a reputational, board room issue. To date over 13,000 reports have been submitted.</p><p> </p><p>Government continues to support the Prompt Payment Code as a best practice in payment standards. Last year the Secretary of State announced a new, tough and transparent compliance regime to ensure the Code is rigorously enforced. The Secretary of State also announced that he had appointed the Small Business Commissioner to the Prompt Payment Code Compliance Board.</p><p> </p><p>Last year Government launched a Call for Evidence to assess what further steps and intervention may be needed to create a responsible payment culture. A full response will be published shortly and will contain a full package of policy measures.</p><p> </p><p>At Spring Statement Government announced that it will require large company’s Audit Committees to review payments practices and report them in their annual accounts. This will elevate payment practices to Board level and increase transparency.</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1147159

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	03/10/2019
	date	30/09/2019
	date tabled	30/09/2019
	ddp created	30/09/2019 21:21:40
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	01/10/2019 16:35:16 07/10/2019 17:10:40
	hansard heading	Employment: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	identifier	292139
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	07/10/2019 16:38:15
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to require employers to provide domestic abuse survivors with (a) flexible working arrangements and (b) a period of paid leave.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 292139
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	292139
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>Domestic abuse is a devastating crime which shatters the lives of victims and their families, and this Government remains committed to transforming the response to this abuse. That is why we have introduced the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, which had its Second Reading on 2 October and will be carried over to the next Parliamentary session.</p><p>Employers should take all steps which are reasonably possible to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing of their employees.</p><p>We know that 97% of employers offer some form of flexible working. Many employers also offer compassionate leave or special leave to employees to enable them to take time to deal with a wide range of circumstances. This type of leave is agreed between the employer and the employee, either as a contractual entitlement or on a discretionary basis.</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1109340

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	08/04/2019
	date	03/04/2019
	date tabled	03/04/2019
	ddp created	03/04/2019 18:55:05
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	04/04/2019 13:46:41 08/04/2019 16:45:27
	hansard heading	Self-employed
	house id	1
	identifier	240521
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	08/04/2019 16:07:41
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support freelancers.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 240521
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	240521
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Government’s December 2018 Good Work Plan sets out the vision for the future of the labour market and the ambitious plans for implementing the recommendations arising from the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has committed to legislate to improve the clarity of the employment status tests, reflecting the reality of modern working relationships. This will help to ensure that both businesses and individuals understand their rights and obligations.</p><p> </p><p>Employment status is a complex issue and so it is only right that we take time to consider how best to achieve change that works for all. We will bring forward detailed proposals on status in due course.</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1122065

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	24/04/2019
	date	18/04/2019
	date tabled	18/04/2019
	ddp created	18/04/2019 15:41:43
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	18/04/2019 16:02:37 30/04/2019 10:11:10
	hansard heading	Consumers: Internet
	house id	1
	identifier	245672
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	30/04/2019 09:39:17
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the (a) accuracy and (b) integrity of consumer reviews on major retail websites.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 245672
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	245672
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) prohibit traders giving consumers false or misleading information about goods and services including reviews on their websites. It also prohibits the practice of falsely representing itself as a consumer. Enforcement of the legislation is by local authority trading standards services.</p><p> </p><p>The Advertising Standards Authority through its code of advertising practice has recently published guidance for marketers on making claims in testimonials and endorsements. A copy of the guidance can be found at: <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/testimonials-and-endorsements.html" target="_blank">https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/testimonials-and-endorsements.html</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Citizens Advice consumer service provides consumers with free advice and information on their rights. The helpline can be contacted on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>). However, if the consumer resides in Scotland, they should contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 (www.consumeradvice.scot).</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1123434

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	01/05/2019
	date	26/04/2019
	date tabled	26/04/2019
	ddp created	26/04/2019 14:28:57
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	29/04/2019 15:16:14 01/05/2019 16:33:11
	hansard heading	Carbon Emissions
	house id	1
	identifier	247989
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	01/05/2019 16:01:22
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to include methane in the UK's net-zero emissions targets.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 247989
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	247989
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>Following the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on the impact of global warming of 1.5°C in October 2018, the Government commissioned its independent experts, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), to provide their advice on the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction targets. This commission included a request for options for the date by which the UK should achieve a) a net zero greenhouse gas target and/or b) a net zero carbon target. The advice will therefore address carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methane. The CCC’s advice is due on 2 May and we will consider it carefully when it is received.</p><p> </p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1123518

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	01/05/2019
	date	29/04/2019
	date tabled	29/04/2019
	ddp created	29/04/2019 19:24:00
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	29/04/2019 19:25:11 08/05/2019 15:38:02
	hansard heading	Artificial Intelligence: Employment
	house id	1
	identifier	248599
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	08/05/2019 15:06:20
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps he has taken to train and prepare workers for the impact of artificial intelligence.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 248599
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	248599
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Industrial Strategy sets out the Government’s vision to make the UK a global centre for AI and data innovation, alongside measures to ensure our people are equipped to capitalise on those opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>We are improving the UK's system for training in digital skills and lifelong learning to ensure that working people have the support they need to navigate the challenge of automation to a higher-wage future. Through the Industrial Strategy we are delivering:</p><p> </p><ul><li>16 New Centres for Doctoral Training at universities across the country, delivering 1,000 new PhDs over the next 5 years;</li><li>New prestigious AI fellowships to attract and retain the top AI talent, underpinned by up to £50m of funding agreed at Autumn Budget</li><li>Industry-funding for new AI Masters places;</li><li>Invested £406m in maths, digital and technical education; and</li><li>Committed £100m for the first phase of developing the National Retraining Scheme to support people vulnerable to technological change.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Good Work Plan was published in December 2018 and will ensure that the labour market continues to work for everyone. The Plan commits to a wide range of policy and legislative changes to ensure that workers can access fair and decent work, that both employers and workers have the clarity they need to understand their employment relationships, and that the enforcement system is fair and fit for purpose.</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1124741

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	08/05/2019
	date	03/05/2019
	date tabled	03/05/2019
	ddp created	03/05/2019 14:11:22
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	08/05/2019 11:25:05 13/05/2019 14:01:05
	hansard heading	Migrant Workers: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	identifier	250794
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	13/05/2019 13:29:18
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that non-EU migrants working in the (a) cleaning and (b) hospitality industry receive the statutory rights they are entitled to under UK law.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 250794
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	250794
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	Ordinary
	answer	answer answer text <p>Non-EU migrants working legally in the UK are entitled to the same workplace statutory protections as any other worker. Fair and effective enforcement is central to the Good Work Plan, which sets out the biggest upgrade of employment rights in a generation. Building on existing minimum wage and agency worker enforcement, we are expanding state enforcement to cover holiday payments for the most vulnerable workers and intermediary companies that operate in the agency worker market.</p><p>Government has taken concrete measures to increase the number of labour market inspectors and extend their coverage.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Government has increased funding for HMRC’s enforcement of the National Minimum and Living Wage (NMW) to a record high of £26.3 million for 2018/19.</li><li>Funding for the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has also risen in the last two years to reflect the expansion of its remit to tackle labour exploitation. The GLAA now receives over £7m per year in funding, up from £4.5m in 2016/17.</li><li>The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate has seen its funding increase from £0.5m in 2016/17 to £0.725m in 2018/19.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p>These three enforcement bodies continue to ensure workers receive the protections they are entitled to. As well as responding to every complaint they receive, all three undertake proactive, intelligence-led enforcement, targeting employers and sectors where the risks of non-compliance are highest, including in the cleaning and hospitality sectors.</p><p> </p><p>Government is also exploring options for a single labour market enforcement body – we will publish proposals on this for consultation shortly. More recently we announced that this consultation will consider extending the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s licensing scheme to further sectors and that we will ensure trade unions and businesses are consulted on the strategic direction of labour market enforcement.</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1125789

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	14/05/2019
	date	09/05/2019
	date tabled	09/05/2019
	ddp created	09/05/2019 17:03:38
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	13/05/2019 11:55:20 14/05/2019 13:04:01
	hansard heading	Foreign Companies: Assets
	house id	1
	identifier	252519
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	14/05/2019 12:32:55
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to require companies to disclose the proportion of their assets under management originating from countries with a poor record of human rights.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 252519
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	252519
	version	2
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>Companies registered in the UK are required to report the value of their global assets within their annual accounts but there are no plans to introduce requirements to report on their assets in relation to human rights.</p><p> </p><p>Government has introduced other requirements on companies in relation to human rights Quoted companies are required to report on human rights issues, as they relate to the company, within the narrative part of their annual report. Companies must include a description of their business model and of their policies, in relation to human rights, and the effectiveness of those policies. The information provided must be to the extent necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the company’s business and the impact of its activities.</p><p> </p><p>These requirements are enhanced by voluntary guidance and standards, including the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1125901

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	15/05/2019
	date	10/05/2019
	date tabled	10/05/2019
	ddp created	10/05/2019 14:10:22
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	14/05/2019 13:55:06 15/05/2019 14:14:07
	hansard heading	Minimum Wage
	house id	1
	identifier	252839
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	15/05/2019 13:42:13
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that the national minimum wage is enforced.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 252839
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	252839
	version	4
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>Enforcement of the National Minimum and National Living Wage (NMW) is a priority for the Government. Since 2015 we have doubled the budget to enforce the NMW and we are taking tough action against the minority of employers who underpay. In 2018/19 HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC) identified a record £24.4 million in arrears for over 220,000 workers and issued over £17 million in penalties to non-compliant employers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC proactively investigates employers where they identify a risk of non-compliance; this work accounts for around half of all investigations undertaken. In addition, HMRC responds to every worker complaint regarding NMW payment including those made anonymously.</p><p> </p><p>Government is committed to helping employers comply with NMW rules first time; in April we launched a £1 million communications campaign to raise awareness and understanding of NMW rules among both workers and employers.</p><p> </p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1127077

	human indexable
	published
	registered interest
	answer date	21/05/2019
	date	16/05/2019
	date tabled	16/05/2019
	ddp created	16/05/2019 16:39:09
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	question status	Tabled
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	ddp modified	16/05/2019 16:45:20 21/05/2019 15:26:03
	hansard heading	Consumers: Internet
	house id	1
	identifier	255292
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	parliament number	57
	question first answered	21/05/2019 14:54:53
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2019 to Question 245672 on Consumers: Internet, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 are fully enforced.
	session	2017/19
	session number	1
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	title	House of Commons Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 255292
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	255292
	version	1
	written parliamentary question type	NamedDay
	answer	answer answer text <p>Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2008 provides for a number of enforcers, such as Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority, to enforce consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Alleged breaches of legislation should be reported in the first instance through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>). The helpline will refer on alleged breaches of legislation to the relevant authority for appropriate enforcement action.</p>
	creator	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly
	publisher	25259 pref label House of Commons
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly