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1002183

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Parental 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, what information his Department holds on the average amount of parental leave taken by (a) women and (b) men in (i) England, (ii) London and (iii) the London Borough of Lewisham in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	188224
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The most recent official data on average length of family-related leave taken by parents is from the Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey in 2009, which collected data from parents of children born in 2008 across Great Britain.</p><p>This shows that in 2008,</p><ul><li>mothers took an average of 39 weeks of maternity leave, up from 32 weeks in 2006.</li><li>amongst fathers who took some paternity leave, 16% took more than two weeks, 50% took two weeks and 34% took less than two weeks of leave.</li></ul><p>This does not contain information on average weeks of unpaid Parental Leave, nor of Shared Parental Leave which was introduced in 2015.</p><p>Information on the amount of leave taken at the regional or local level is not available.</p><p>The full Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey 2009/10 Research Report can be found here:</p><p>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214367/rrep777.pdf</p><p>We are currently evaluating the Shared Parental Leave and Pay schemes. As a part of this, we are commissioning a new survey which will provide updated information. Subject to the progress of data collection, we anticipate publishing findings in Summer 2019.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/11/2018 16:43:25 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1006122

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Unpaid Work: 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, if he will make it his policy to ensure that people who are asked to complete work trials at the outset of employment are classed as workers.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South
	tabling member printed	Stewart Malcolm McDonald
	uin	190917
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Individuals on work trials who are asked to complete work for an employer are likely to be classed as ‘workers’ and are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Work trials may only be unpaid if they are part of a genuine recruitment exercise. An unpaid trial work period lasting a few hours may be reasonable and legal, but an unpaid work trial lasting more than one day is probably excessive and therefore illegal in all but exceptional circumstances. The Government has consulted with employers and trade unions on how to ensure greater clarity and better practice over work trials. We have just finalised new guidance that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190918 190919 question first answered 20/11/2018 08:49:26 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4461 label Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald

1006125

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Unpaid Work: Minimum Wage
	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 is taking steps to ensure that the November 2018 Government document Calculating the Minimum Wage includes guidance for people who are asked to complete unpaid work trials at the outset of employment.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South
	tabling member printed	Stewart Malcolm McDonald
	uin	190918
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Individuals on work trials who are asked to complete work for an employer are likely to be classed as ‘workers’ and are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Work trials may only be unpaid if they are part of a genuine recruitment exercise. An unpaid trial work period lasting a few hours may be reasonable and legal, but an unpaid work trial lasting more than one day is probably excessive and therefore illegal in all but exceptional circumstances. The Government has consulted with employers and trade unions on how to ensure greater clarity and better practice over work trials. We have just finalised new guidance that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190917 190919 question first answered 20/11/2018 08:49:27 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4461 label Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald

1006138

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Unpaid Work: Working Hours
	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 his Department's definition is of the word excessive in relation to the number of hours people are asked to complete for unpaid work trials.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South
	tabling member printed	Stewart Malcolm McDonald
	uin	190919
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Individuals on work trials who are asked to complete work for an employer are likely to be classed as ‘workers’ and are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Work trials may only be unpaid if they are part of a genuine recruitment exercise. An unpaid trial work period lasting a few hours may be reasonable and legal, but an unpaid work trial lasting more than one day is probably excessive and therefore illegal in all but exceptional circumstances. The Government has consulted with employers and trade unions on how to ensure greater clarity and better practice over work trials. We have just finalised new guidance that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst grouped question UIN 190917 190918 question first answered 20/11/2018 08:49:27 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4461 label Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald

1006209

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2018
	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	Minimum Wage: Young People
	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 potential effect on youth employment rates of the increase in the minimum wage to £8.21 per hour.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	190818
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The National Living Wage (NLW) is applicable for those aged 25 or older and will increase in April 2019 to £8.21 per hour. This will see a full-time NLW worker’s earnings increase by over £2,750 compared to its introduction</p><p> </p><p>April 2019’s rate increase is following recommendations from the independent and expert Low Pay Commission (LPC). The detailed assessment made by the LPC in reaching this recommended rate will be found in their Autumn 2018 report, which will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Low Pay Commission also provide recommendations on the youth-related National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates. In April 2019, the NMW for 21-24 year olds will rise to £7.70, the 18-20 year olds’ rate will rise to £6.15, the 16-17 year olds’ rate will rise to £4.35 and the Apprentices’ rate will rise to £3.90. The Low Pay Commission is asked to recommend these rates such that they do not damage the employment prospects of younger workers. Indeed, we have seen youth unemployment (16-24 year olds) decrease by 462,000 workers since 2010.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 20/11/2018 16:42:18 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1006970

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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	Cosmetics: Imports
	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 the UK plans to maintain current restrictions on the marketing of imported cosmetics that rely on animal testing safety data in future bilateral trade agreements.
	tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
	tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
	uin	191449
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to reduce current restrictions on the marketing of imported cosmetics that rely on animal testing safety data. We are committed to maintaining our existing high levels of product safety and consumer protection.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/11/2018 16:53:31 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1006992

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2018
	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: Electronic Tagging
	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 take steps to ban the microchipping of employees by employers.
	tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
	tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
	uin	191454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>If an employer required or encouraged implantation of microchips among its employees, it would raise several legal issues. While I am not aware of any cases being brought to test the legal position, it seems unlikely that such an invasive approach to security or monitoring would be found to be justifiable. So, it is likely to be difficult for an employer to show that such a practice would be consistent with the requirements of data protection legislation, health and safety requirements, and other legal obligations to employees.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 26/11/2018 17:19:14 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1007769

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2018
	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: Electronic Tagging
	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 he has made of the efficacy of proposals for employers to be able to microchip employees.
	tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
	tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
	uin	191950
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>We have not yet been asked to assess such proposals. However, it is not for Government to say what practices would be effective or beneficial for a particular employer. As long as their actions comply with all relevant legal requirements, an employer is free to decide what employment practices to follow.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 27/11/2018 14:57:33 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 86230 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1007894

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2018
	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	New Businesses: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to support graduate women to start their own businesses.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	191923
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is committed to a cohesive society, where everyone – no matter what their background – has the opportunity to enter into and progress at work and achieve on merit. We know that companies with diverse workforces perform better and are more profitable. An inclusive economic policy is vital to the success of our Industrial Strategy.</p><p> </p><p>Supporting female graduates is captured in our Government support offer which is available to all, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. There are now 1.1 million female-led small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. This accounts for 19% of SMEs in the UK, 5% higher than in 2010. The Government is also pleased that the female employment rate is 71% and a higher percentage of women are on FTSE 350 company boards than ever before.</p><p> </p><p>The Government-owned British Business Bank provides Start-Up Loans for individuals wishing to start a business and women account for 39% of recipients. The Bank is also conducting a review into the specific barriers female-led businesses face in accessing Venture Capital.</p><p> </p><p>On 21 September 2018, HM Treasury also launched a review into the barriers women face getting into business. Businesswoman Alison Rose, Chief Executive of RBS Commercial and Private Banking, will lead the government review to identify the extent of these barriers and explore what can be done to overcome them. This review will bolster our work to make it easier for them to access the support they need to get their ideas off the ground and grow their businesses.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 21/11/2018 16:51:29 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1010191

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2018
	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	Lidl: Land
	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 estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs that have been lost as a result of commercial evictions arising from land acquisition by Lidl.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	192723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not available from official sources. Land acquisition deals are a commercial matter for the parties concerned, and the use/reuse of purchased land is for the relevant local authority.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 27/11/2018 15:04:26 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman