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429334

registered interest
date	19/11/2015
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	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 assessment he has made of the career progression of people aged 16 to 24 who have completed an apprenticeship since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
uin	17034
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/04/2016 answer text <p>The Department assesses the impact of apprenticeships on career progression in a number of ways including measuring longer term wage and employment outcomes, short term employment outcomes and self-reported impacts. We also measure progression of advanced apprentices to higher education. Where possible the data are broken down by age band. Links to the relevant reports are provided below.</p><p> </p><p>Wage returns and employment outcomes for Further Education, including apprenticeships are published here:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-comparing-labour-market-economic-benefits-from-qualifications-gained" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-comparing-labour-market-economic-benefits-from-qualifications-gained</a></p><p> </p><p>Experimental data showing the learning and employment outcomes of learners completing further education training between 2010 and 2013 is published here:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-further-education-outcome-based-success-measures-experimental-data-2010-to-2013" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-further-education-outcome-based-success-measures-experimental-data-2010-to-2013</a></p><p> </p><p>Short term employment outcomes and self-reported impacts are published in the Evaluation of apprenticeships: learner survey which is published here:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-evaluation-learner-survey-2014" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-evaluation-learner-survey-2014</a></p><p> </p><p>Progression of advanced apprentices to higher education broken down by year and age band is published here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progression-of-apprentices-to-higher-education-second-cohort" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progression-of-apprentices-to-higher-education-second-cohort</a></p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 20/04/2016 08:20:27 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

428969

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Witnesses
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps the CPS has recently taken to improve its support for (a) child witnesses and (b) people with learning disabilities who give evidence in criminal proceedings.
tabling member constituency	Crawley
tabling member printed	Henry Smith
uin	16813
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to improving the ‘at court’ experience for all witnesses. The CPS works closely with the police and the voluntary sector to ensure that vulnerable witnesses such as children and people with learning disabilities are well supported through the Criminal Justice System.</p><p>Special measures such as the use of intermediaries, using screens at court and video live links help vulnerable witnesses, including children and people with learning difficulties, to give their best evidence. Recently, the CPS assisted the MoJ in recruiting an additional 105 intermediaries, who play a vital role in facilitating coherent conversations during police interviews and at court. The use of pre-recorded cross-examination has also been successfully piloted and the Lord Chancellor has committed publically to a national roll-out.</p><p>In September, following public consultation, the Director of Public Prosecutions announced the launch of new guidance for prosecutors entitled ‘Speaking to Witnesses at Court’. The aim of this guidance is to set out the role played by prosecutors at or before court in ensuring that witnesses give their best evidence. This will benefit all prosecution witnesses and will help them understand what to expect. These enhanced arrangements will be piloted over the coming months and will be rolled out nationally during 2016.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 23/11/2015 14:27:50 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

428970

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Evidence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of hearsay evidence in court proceedings in reducing the number of unsuccessful cases due to victim or witness issues; and what estimate he has made of the number of cases where hearsay evidence has been used by prosecutors in each year since 2010-11.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne North
tabling member printed	Catherine McKinnell
uin	16836
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutors will apply to admit hearsay evidence where they consider it appropriate to do so and the legislation permits. However, the CPS does not record information on the number of cases where hearsay evidence has been used in the course of criminal proceedings. It follows, therefore, that no assessment of the effectiveness of the use of hearsay evidence in court proceedings in reducing the number of unsuccessful cases due to victim or witness issues is routinely conducted. answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 23/11/2015 09:36:38 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell

428971

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Minimum Wage: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many cases of suspected non-compliance with minimum wage legislation were referred to the CPS in each of the last five years; and how many such referrals led to a prosecution in each of those years.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	16852
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p>Data held centrally by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), together with information provided by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which has responsibility for enforcing the law in relation to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), shows that there were three cases which were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by HMRC in the financial year 2010 – 2011, of which two resulted in prosecution. No referrals were made in the financial years 2011 – 2012 and 2012 – 2013. No cases were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by HMRC in 2013 – 2014 and two cases were referred in 2014 – 2015, of which one resulted in prosecution. One case has been referred in this financial year (2015-2016), which is currently under consideration.</p><p>The majority of employers identified as paying below the National Minimum Wage pay arrears on receipt of a formal Notice of Underpayment. Where they do not do so, HMRC pursues recovery through the civil courts. For deliberate non-compliance or obstructive behaviour HMRC operates a policy of selective and exemplary criminal investigation action as part of a wider enforcement strategy.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 23/11/2015 13:42:29 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

428974

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
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	Postgraduate Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with the higher education sector on extending the new postgraduate loans scheme to part-time taught masters students aged over 30.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
uin	16890
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p><strong></strong></p><br /><p>A consultation on support for postgraduate study was launched in March of this year. The consultation sought views on the Government’s intention to introduce a new loan scheme for taught Master’s study and a review of how to broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate research. Consultation responses have been analysed and the Department is preparing its response.</p><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson grouped question UIN 16891 question first answered 23/11/2015 14:32:15 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

428975

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
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	Clothing: Children
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 adequacy of product safety guidance for manufacturers of children's fancy dress costumes; and what assessment he has made of the effect on safety of retailers classifying such costumes as toys rather than clothing.
tabling member constituency	Croydon North
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Reed
uin	16854
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p><strong></strong></p><p>I am satisfied that existing guidance for manufacturers of children’s fancy dress costumes on compliance with the appropriate product safety legislation is adequate.</p><br /><p>I am also satisfied that the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 include robust requirements that provide for a high level of protection of children. However, Trading Standards are currently undertaking a major assessment of the state of the UK market and the compliance of fancy dress costumes with the relevant European Standard (BS EN71-2). In addition, the British Standards Institution is considering whether the Standard still reflects best practice or should be improved. This will include consideration of testing methods used for fabrics in other consumer products.</p><br /><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 23/11/2015 16:06:50 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	4268 label Biography information for Steve Reed

428976

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
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	Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries
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 times the working groups on (a) public procurement, (b) international comparisons and (c) competitiveness and productivity have met since the Steel Summit on 16 October 2015; and what the actions and outcomes of each of those groups has been since their formation.
tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
uin	16849
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p>There have been three meetings of the International Comparisons Working Group, which has been examining the application of EU state aid rules in other EU member states and the issue of dumping of steel into the EU. A review of how other EU countries support their steel sectors showed that the UK was not missing an opportunity to provide assistance within the existing rules. It has also helped strengthen the partnership between industry and government, including on the evidence base on dumping of steel.</p><br /><p>The Competitiveness and Productivity Working Group, which has met twice under the chairmanship of my Noble Friend Lord O’Neill of Gatley, has held discussions with steel industry representatives on the regulatory regime, energy costs and business taxation issues, as well as looking at broader issues around the future competitiveness of the steel industry. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has already announced on 28th October during Prime Ministers Questions that we are, subject to state aid clearance, bringing forward compensation for the costs of Renewables Obligation for Energy Intensive Industries and have confirmed the steel industry will be able to take advantage of the available flexibilities under the Industrial Emissions Directive.</p><br /><p>The Steel Procurement Working Group, chaired by my Rt Hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, has met twice, looking at how better to take account of socio-economic considerations in procurement, at achieving better transparency of the pipeline of steel needs in future infrastructure projects, and at steel standards. Following the first meeting, the Government published on 30 October new guidelines for departments to apply on major projects when sourcing and buying steel. The new instructions will help steel suppliers compete on a level playing field with international suppliers for major government projects.</p><br /><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 23/11/2015 17:30:23 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

428977

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
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	Postgraduate Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how he plans for part-time taught masters students who study at a minimum of 50 per cent intensity, but not by means of distance learning, to access the proposed new postgraduate loans scheme.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
uin	16891
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p><strong></strong></p><br /><p>A consultation on support for postgraduate study was launched in March of this year. The consultation sought views on the Government’s intention to introduce a new loan scheme for taught Master’s study and a review of how to broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate research. Consultation responses have been analysed and the Department is preparing its response.</p><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson grouped question UIN 16890 question first answered 23/11/2015 14:32:15 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

428980

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
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	Higher Education: Part-time Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which of the proposals in Higher education: teaching excellence, social mobility and student choice, published by his Department on 6 November 2015 are intended to enhance part-time higher education.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
uin	16894
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <br /><p><strong></strong></p><p>Proposals in the Green Paper, ‘Fulfilling our Potential: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice’ will benefit both full-time and part-time higher education. Through the Teaching Excellence Framework all students will get better value for money and have more information about the courses they are applying for. Our proposals on social mobility and widening participation will apply to all students and creating a competitive, well regulated higher education system will benefit current and prospective part-time students as well as full-time.</p><br /><p>We have taken steps to support part-time students including introducing non-means tested fee loans and extending loans for those already holding a degree to students wishing to retrain in engineering, technology and computer science. We continue to examine what more we can do to support part-time and are engaging actively with the sector on this issue.</p><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 23/11/2015 14:29:38 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

428983

registered interest
date	18/11/2015
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	Students: Loans
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will amend the criteria by which some students without permanent residence may be entitled to a student loan to reflect the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of R v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (2015) UKSC 57.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	16883
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p>On 16 September 2015 the Department published details of an interim policy in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling of 29 July 2015 (on the application of Tigere) (Appellant) v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (respondent) 2015 UKSC57.</p><p>We intend to consult shortly on amending the relevant Regulations.</p> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Joseph Johnson question first answered 23/11/2015 12:43:40 answering member 4039 label Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord