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226196

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
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	Adult Education: Hyndburn
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 2015-16 adult social skills budget for Hyndburn is; and what the percentage change from last year's budget is.
tabling member constituency	Hyndburn
tabling member printed	Graham Jones
uin	227015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2015 answer text <p>The funding available for Adult Skills in 2015/16 is outlined in the Skills Funding Letter. The letter sets out the Government’s priorities for the budget and it is for providers to decide how they use their adult skills funding to reflect those priorities and meet the needs of learners and employers in their local area.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-funding-letter-april-2015-to-march-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-funding-letter-april-2015-to-march-2016</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 16/03/2015 11:16:35 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	3999 label Biography information for Graham P Jones

226212

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
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	Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his most recent assessment is of default rates under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme; and with what frequency his Department makes such an assessment.
tabling member constituency	Streatham
tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
uin	227105
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2015 answer text <p>The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme is administered by the British Business Bank (BBB), which was set up by the Secretary of State to manage such programmes professionally. The BBB closely monitors the performance of the scheme on a quarterly basis. The scheme default rate, which was 11.5% as at 31st December 2014 on the original drawn loan balance, does not reflect the overall cost to Government as not all defaults lead to a claim being made against the guarantee.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The EFG is a valuable programme that, since launch, has supported additional lending to small and medium sized businesses by enabling over 23,000 loans with a total value of some £2.4bn (as at 31 December 2014) and has a significant wider economic benefit.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 16/03/2015 15:01:37 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

226213

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
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	Business: Advisory Services
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 business that have applied for Growth Vouchers have not been successful in that application to date.
tabling member constituency	Streatham
tabling member printed	Mr Chuka Umunna
uin	227103
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2015 answer text <p>As at 8 March, there were 26,903 applications to the Growth Vouchers programme. Of the 16,903 businesses who have gone on to complete the assessment of their needs, 12,687 have been allocated a voucher and 4,216 have not.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 16/03/2015 15:04:09 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

226215

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
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	Surveys
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) all other staff in his Department responded that they were treated fairly at work in the most recent Civil Service People Survey.
tabling member constituency	South Shields
tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
uin	226957
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2015 answer text <p>In the 2014 People Survey, 71% of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) respondents declaring a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability responded that they were treated fairly at work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>80% of BIS respondents declaring that they did not have a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability responded that they were treated fairly at work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Overall, the BIS score for the ‘Inclusion and fair treatment’ survey theme were in line with the Civil Service benchmark (75% positive). 78% of all BIS respondents reported that they had been treated fairly at work in the past 12 months, compared to 79% of respondents in the Civil Service.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Actions to improve results include:</strong></p><p> </p><ul><li>Delivering the Civil Service Talent Action Plan and the BIS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&amp;I) Strategy to continue to build an increasingly inclusive Department where everyone is treated fairly. This includes actions relating to disability, which is identified as a priority demographic within the Department. Examples of deliverables under the Plan and Strategy include:</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>o The appointment of disability, race and gender champions at Director level to work with our Board level ED&amp;I Champion and the Diversity Networks to support and highlight barriers so they can be addressed at an early stage.</p><p> </p><p>o Professor Binna Kandola ran 3 unconscious bias sessions for managers last autumn to raise greater diversity awareness and address issues across BIS.</p><p> </p><p>o Mandated unconscious bias e-learning for all line managers to ensure that we attain a baseline of awareness across all BIS managers.</p><p> </p><p>o Piloting non-executive board members’ providing coaching and mentoring to under-represented SCS staff.</p><p> </p><p>o Launched a Reverse Mentoring programme where 2 Directors General and 6 Directors receive mentoring from a junior BME and/or disabled member of staff. The programme aims to lead to more inclusive decision making and a better understanding of perceptions and behaviour.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Providing further guidance and information to staff and managers on our approach to performance management to mitigate against a more robust system potentially being misinterpreted as unfair treatment, bullying or harassment.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>Engaging staff in Groups through e.g. surveys and conversations, to identify particular areas of concern, causes, and potential actions to take forward locally.</li></ul><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Points to note: </strong> <strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The Civil Service People Survey asks the question “Do you have any long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability?” The survey does not include a question that specifically identifies disability status.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 17/03/2015 16:20:01 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

226216

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
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	Billing
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 made of the effect of large companies' use of lengthy payment terms for suppliers on suppliers' ability to trade.
tabling member constituency	Dudley North
tabling member printed	Ian Austin
uin	226870
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2015 answer text <p>The Government is absolutely clear that large companies should lead by example and aim to pay their suppliers in 30 days. It is not acceptable for large companies in the UK to be using unduly long payment terms which squeeze suppliers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are acutely aware of the negative impact late payment and unduly long payment terms can have on small companies’ cash flow, which in turn can impact on their ability to trade.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is taking forward a comprehensive package of measure to bring an end to these practices once and for all, including: introducing a new reporting requirement on all large businesses; and strengthening the Prompt Payment Code.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Through the Small Business, Employment and Enterprise Bill we will require the UK’s largest companies to report on their payment practices – through a tough, new reporting requirement which will shine a light on those companies using lengthy payment terms.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also sought views on proposals for business representative bodies to have wider powers to challenge payment terms and practices which are grossly unfair – which will build on existing protections for small businesses.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also recently announced changes to the Prompt Payment Code to strengthen its impact. The Code will now promote 30 days payment terms as the norm and a maximum payment terms on 60 days.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 18/03/2015 16:05:50 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	1511 label Biography information for Lord Austin of Dudley

226217

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
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	Billing
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 (a) number and (b) proportion of UK companies requiring (i) 30 day, (ii) 60 day, (iii) 90 day, (iv) 120 day and (v) greater than 120 day payment terms from their suppliers.
tabling member constituency	Dudley North
tabling member printed	Ian Austin
uin	226871
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2015 answer text <p>Until now there has been very little transparency on payment terms in the UK. That is why this government is taking action in the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill to require the UK’s largest companies to report on their payment practices – through a tough, new reporting requirement which includes metrics setting out payment performance within 30 and 60 days and beyond.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also recently announced changes to the Prompt Payment Code to strengthen its impact. The Code will now promote 30 days payment terms as standard practice, and a maximum payment terms on 60 days.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 18/03/2015 16:04:25 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
tabling member	1511 label Biography information for Lord Austin of Dudley

226218

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Surveys
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) all other staff in his Department responded that they were treated fairly at work in the most recent Civil Service People Survey.
tabling member constituency	South Shields
tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
uin	226959
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2015 answer text <p>The Government will shortly publish a review by Disability Rights UK which examines the health and disability-related barriers to progression within the Civil Service. Alongside it we will publish a refreshed Talent Action Plan which responds to its conclusions. Analysis of responses to the People Survey will be included.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Mr Francis Maude question first answered 17/03/2015 17:19:58 answering member 115 label Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham
tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

226219

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Mark Jenner
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the decision to send Mark Jenner of the Special Demonstration Squad into a covert long-term surveillance operation in the 1990s was approved by (a) officials and (b) Ministers of his Department.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Walton
tabling member printed	Steve Rotheram
uin	226977
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2015 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement by the Home Secretary on 12 March 2015 at: <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-12/HCWS381/" target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-12/HCWS381/</a></p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Mr Francis Maude question first answered 16/03/2015 16:06:56 answering member 115 label Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham
tabling member	4035 label Biography information for Steve Rotheram

226220

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	Energy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost to the public purse was of the Government's advertising campaign encouraging consumers to switch energy providers.
tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Murphy
uin	227021
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2015 answer text <p>As the campaign is still ongoing the actual final spends are not yet available, but we have allocated a budget for the Power to Switch Campaign as follows:</p><ul><li>£620,000 to develop, produce and supply advertisements;</li><li>£4,100,000 to buy advertising space (including agency media buying and communications planning fees).</li></ul><p>The Power to Switch Campaign encourages people to switch supplier and save money by visiting:</p><p><a href="http://www.beanenergyshopper.com/" target="_blank">www.BeAnEnergyShopper.com</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hastings and Rye answering member printed Amber Rudd question first answered 18/03/2015 17:58:08 answering member 3983 label Biography information for Amber Rudd
tabling member	595 label Biography information for Mr Jim Murphy

226221

registered interest
date	10/03/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Oil: Prices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when Ministers of his Department last met representatives of the oil and gas industry to discuss the fiscal implications of falling oil prices for the North Sea oil and gas industry.
tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Murphy
uin	227020
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2015 answer text <p>The government understands the challenges currently facing the UK oil and gas industry and is engaging closely with stakeholders on this.</p><p> </p><p>We have been proactive in our response to the fall in oil price. Budget 2015 announced an ambitious programme of reform across the oil and gas tax regime to make sure the North Sea continues to attract investment and safeguard the future of this vital national asset. The government announced an immediate cut to the rate of the Supplementary Charge, from 30% to 20%, which is already in effect; a reduction to Petroleum Revenue Tax, from 50% to 35%, from January 2016; and the introduction of a new Investment Allowance to support investment in the UK Continental Shelf.</p><p> </p><p>This package is expected to deliver over £4bn of additional investment and increase production by 15% by 2019, the equivalent of 0.1% of GDP.</p><p> </p><p>Details of meetings between Treasury Ministers and external organisations are published on the Gov.UK website at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 20/03/2015 14:50:24 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
tabling member	595 label Biography information for Mr Jim Murphy