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100004

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	Unpaid Work
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent proposal by the Child Poverty and Social Justice Commission that unpaid internships should be illegal.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2219
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>This Government is absolutely clear: exploitation of interns is unacceptable and we don’t hesitate to act where we find that employment law has been broken and someone who is entitled to the minimum wage hasn’t been paid it.</p><p> </p><p>Complaints from interns about non-payment of the minimum wage are prioritised by HMRC for investigation and HMRC will investigate every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline.</p><p> </p><p>Research shows that internships and work experience programmes can be valuable opportunities for young people taking their first steps in the labour market. Our work on interns and the National Minimum Wage aims to achieve the right balance between ensuring that opportunities for young people are not cut off and minimising the risk of exploitation.</p><p> </p><p>Our concern, if we were to prohibit unpaid internships, is that this may lead to employers recruiting interns through informal and privileged networks with adverse effects on social mobility or have adverse consequences on the number of available opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>There is no definition of an internship in minimum wage legislation and interns are considered in the same way as everyone else with regards to whether the minimum wage is due. The key issue is whether or not they are workers as defined by minimum wage legislation. If they are, then they are eligible for the minimum wage unless a specific exemption applies. Volunteers are not workers and are not eligible for the minimum wage.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 29/10/2014 16:15:22 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100082

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	UK Export Finance
	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 successful applicants to the UK Export Finance direct lending facility have been small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Ann McKechin
	uin	211319
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>UK Export Finance’s direct lending facility was launched in 2013-14. It was recently amended to make it more readily accessible, and has recently completed its first deal.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 16:01:54 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1419 label Biography information for Ann McKechin

100089

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Venture Capital
	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 his Department has made of a potential equity gap in UK venture capital sector.
	tabling member constituency	Stratford-on-Avon
	tabling member printed	Nadhim Zahawi
	uin	211212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>I have asked the British Business Bank to publish its analysis of equity finance available to UK small business before the end of the year, which will include analysis on UK venture capital. The Department also published an economics paper in January 2012 on SME access to finance, which summarized the evidence at that time about the equity gap in UK venture capital. The paper is available at the following web address: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32263/12-539-sme-access-external-finance.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32263/12-539-sme-access-external-finance.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 11:00:19 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi

100090

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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, what steps he is taking and is planning on taking to invest in training and apprenticeships in the UK steel industry given Tata Steel's recent announcement.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Ladywood
	tabling member printed	Shabana Mahmood
	uin	211386
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to a healthy and growing steel industry in the UK and as part of this we are supporting the development of skills in the sector.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are funding over 100 postgraduate research students working on Tata projects, over 250 apprentices and directly offering over £2 million for direct training of staff.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To boost the pool of potential engineers, Government is making a series of interventions, including £30 million in funding for employers to bid for to address engineering skills shortages in sectors with specific needs and an £18 million investment in a new National College at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Total numbers of apprentices starting apprenticeships in the Engineering and Manufacturing Sector stood at 42,520 in 2009/10 which grew to 66,410 in 2012/13.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 16:19:42 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3914 label Biography information for Shabana Mahmood

100091

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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, what steps he is (a) taking and (b) planning to take to increase investment in the UK steel industry given Tata Steel's recent announcement.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Ladywood
	tabling member printed	Shabana Mahmood
	uin	211387
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills met the global head of Tata in India on 14th October, who re-affirmed his company's commitment to the British steel industry and to investing substantially in Port Talbot and strip steel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Working within EU rules, we are implementing a £7billion package of measures to address energy costs including £3billion to compensate energy intensive businesses for the impact of policy costs in their electricity bills.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has offered just over £12.7 million in funding through the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) for the £22 million Proving Factory, which specialises in the industrialisation and low-volume production of advanced propulsion systems to automotive standards. Tata Steel is a key partner in this project, which is already producing commercial products.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Rounds 1 to 5 of the RGF have supported 430 projects and programmes across England – allocating £2.9 billion of government support. We project this to deliver 573,000 jobs and £16 billion of private investment between now and the mid-2020s.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 2014 Budget doubled the annual investment allowance to £500,000 until the end of 2015. Government has also cut corporation tax from 28% to 21% - it will fall to 20% next year, the joint lowest rate in the G20, making Britain one of the most attractive places to invest and do business.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 16:03:20 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	3914 label Biography information for Shabana Mahmood

100094

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Low Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce the number of people in work who are in poverty.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	211364
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>Work is the best route out of poverty. Universal Credit allows people who work to keep more of the money that they earn by introducing work allowances, which, in most cases, are more generous than the current system. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that 2.4 million working families will be better off, potentially by £167 per month, as a result of Universal Credit. Furthermore, additional support for childcare costs for families on Universal Credit will see 500,000 working families getting more out of the money they earn.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 28/10/2014 15:36:24 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

100095

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Directors
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent representations he has received about ensuring the presence of workforce representatives on Board of Directors of companies.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	211365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>I have received no recent representations about ensuring the presence of workforce representatives on Board of Directors of companies. Giving employees both a meaningful stake and a ‘voice’ in the business can lead to growth and productivity benefits. While what is right will vary from business to business, I therefore encourage employee ownership. Guidance, model documents and links to further expert advice for businesses and employees considering a move to employee ownership, are at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employee-ownership-company-model-documentation" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employee-ownership-company-model-documentation</a></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employee-ownership-guide-for-employees" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employee-ownership-guide-for-employees</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Research also suggests a link between employee engagement and enhanced employee wellbeing. Initiatives such as Engage for Success (<a href="http://www.engageforsuccess.org/" target="_blank">http://www.engageforsuccess.org/</a>) support employers to bring these practices into their workplaces.</p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 28/10/2014 15:22:41 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

100096

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	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, what recent steps the Government has taken to ensure continued investment into the manufacturing industry.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	211366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>Business is being encouraged to invest by a strong stable economy; competitive corporate tax rates; a good regulatory environment; strong legal frameworks; a dynamic labour market and a long-term sustainable industrial strategy. This provides stability for UK businesses and gives them the confidence to invest.</p><p>A £3.2 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is providing investment, across England, for projects and programmes such as capital investment, training and research &amp; development. Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) has made £345 million available, over 5 national rounds and a regional scheme, to support the repatriation, anchoring and growth of supply chains in England.</p><p>The Government continues to support inward investment in the UK and, in Coventry &amp; Warwickshire, the local LEP successfully achieved 43 Foreign Direct Investment projects in 2013/14 (30 involving UKTI) - an increase on 2012/13 - creating 2,427 new jobs and safeguarding 719. The majority of these projects are spread across advanced engineering &amp; manufacturing and business, professional &amp; financial services.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 11:47:57 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

100097

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	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, what recent steps his Department has taken to increase domestic sales in the manufacturing sector.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	211368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>Through Reshore UK, which brings together the expertise of UKTI and MAS, we are backing business every step of the way to bring back jobs and strengthen our manufacturing base. The Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) has made £345 million available to support the repatriation, anchoring and growth of manufacturing supply chains in the UK.</p><p>The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has a specific requirement to support manufacturing supply chain activity. £59.3 million has been allocated over 3 years and more than 17,250 manufacturing firms have already received specialist support from MAS, helping them improve and grow.</p><p>To support commercialisation of technology and innovation, Government has launched the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and 16 new university-based EPSRC Centres for Innovative Manufacturing. Budget 2014 included a further £74 million investment in the Catapult network.</p><p>Government has also created a Skills package that supports businesses in taking on apprentices and provides support for investment in higher level skills: providing an additional £85 million to extend Apprenticeship Grants for Employers Scheme; and £20 million for apprenticeships up to postgraduate level.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 11:18:04 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

100098

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Economic Growth
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that economic growth occurs across the country.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	211369
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government's economic policy objective is to achieve 'strong, sustainable and balanced growth that is more evenly shared across the country and between industries.' The economy is growing and unemployment falling in all regions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To date significant progress has been made to achieve this. This includes:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>· Industrial strategy, through which the whole of government is working in partnership with industry to set the long term direction needed to give business the confidence to invest. Industrial strategy has already helped to create jobs and encourage significant investment by industry. Notable examples include the announcements by Siemens and the UK’s Associated British Ports to invest a total of £310m in wind turbine factories in Hull and across the UK creating over 1,000 jobs and Balfour Beatty to spend a record £1bn in 2014 on contracts with SMEs across the country.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>· Growth Deals. These are a crucial part of the Government’s long term economic plan to secure a better future and stronger economy for our country. The first £6bn of local projects agreed under the first wave of Growth Deals were announced in July 2014. This includes £74.1million invested in the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership area, which will help to create at least 1,000 jobs and allow up to 1,000 homes to be built. It will also generate up to £30million in public and private investment</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>· Finally, the Regional Growth Fund which is a competitive £3.2 billion government fund operating across England to provide grants to private sector projects and programmes with significant potential for economic growth and support particular areas and communities that are currently dependent on the public sector for employment. To date £2.9 billion has been allocated across England with over £1 billion going to projects and programmes in the north and £670 million to nationwide programmes. These investments have in turn generated £2.4 billion of private investment with a further £13.6 billion to follow over the next ten years.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 28/10/2014 14:00:57 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham