Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1183286

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2020
	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	Renewable Energy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to commence his policy on enabling onshore wind and solar power projects.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	26189
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2020 answer text <p>Onshore wind and solar have already been deployed successfully in the UK with appropriate local support, generating enough electricity in 2018 to power over 11 million homes and producing nearly 13% of the UK’s electricity.</p><p> </p><p>Government announced on Monday 2 March that onshore wind and solar projects will be able to bid for contracts in the next Contracts for Difference allocation round planned to open in 2021. We will announce the auction parameters and auction timings in due course.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 16/03/2020 12:03:55 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1239662

	registered interest
	date	01/10/2020
	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	Electricity Generation: Carbon Emissions
	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 ensure that following his consultation on contracts for difference for low carbon electricity (a) biomass plants are ineligible to compete for those contracts with offshore wind and other renewable technologies and (b) the greenhouse gas threshold and minimum efficiency requirement applied in 2018 will be included in regulations and applied to all future allocation rounds.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	98289
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2020 answer text <p>The consultation on changes to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme closed on 29 May 2020 and a Government response will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>As part of this consultation, we indicated our intention to remove biomass conversion technologies from the CfD scheme. Sustainable, low carbon bioenergy is helping the UK move to a low-carbon energy mix, increasing our energy security, and keeping costs down for consumers. We have introduced mandatory sustainability criteria for biomass generation for heat and power. This is to ensure biomass continues to support the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and is sourced sustainably. Generators only receive subsidies for electricity output which complies with our sustainability criteria.</p><p> </p><p>The greenhouse gas (GHG) threshold and minimum efficiency requirements applied in 2018 were incorporated into the CfD Standard Terms and Conditions and so will apply to future allocation rounds.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 08/10/2020 16:59:17 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1244337

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2020
	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	Versarien: Loans
	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 compatibility of the recent loan given to Versarien PLC by Innovate UK with (a) Innovate UK's guidelines (b) the eligibility criteria for businesses to receive funds from Innovate UK and (c) the Government's guidance on Managing public money.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	105565
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>Graphene has the capability to become one of the sectors that will power our economic growth – and Versarien is at a crucial phase in its development as it strives to become one of the UK’s leading players in the production of graphene. Materials such a graphene can also provide a valuable contribution towards the Government’s Net Zero targets and has the potential to contribute significantly to a number of national infrastructure projects. Versarien’s G-SCALE project, which this loan will fund, will allow the firm to carry out later stage R&amp;D to enable it to supply the market with commercial quantities of graphene-enhanced materials.</p><p>Similar to many companies, Versarien seeks investment from a number of sources, including private funding. Innovate UK has a good understanding of Versarien’s business and has previously awarded the company several grants to support its development. Innovate’s loan scheme was set up to broaden the range of innovation finance support available to businesses, so they can access funding at all stages of innovation.</p><p>In order to be eligible, a business needs to show that it can afford the interest and repayments on the loan and that they cannot obtain finance from other sources such as banks and equity investors for a particular project. It is on this basis the loan was made.</p><p>Indeed, this loan was made on Innovate’s usual terms, that is an interest rate of 7.4% per annum with half of the interest deferred until the repayment period commences. Loan repayments will start 45 months after drawdown and be paid over a subsequent period of 36 months.</p><p>The loan award was made after Innovate UK’s rigorous process of innovation assessment and credit evaluation – the same level of scrutiny and assessment that accompanies any loan award that Innovate UK makes.</p><p>The assessment process for awarding the loan was compatible with the key principles set out in the guidance on Managing Public Money.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 22/10/2020 15:10:38 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1253898

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2020
	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	Postal Services: Domestic Abuse and Homelessness
	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 potential merits of creating an Address and Collect service at Post Offices to allow those affected by (a) homelessness and (b) domestic violence to access their post safely.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	118116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2020 answer text <p>Officials are working with Royal Mail and the Post Office to consider the recommendations from Citizens Advice on an Address and Collect Service and a Poste Restante service for vulnerable groups.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 24/11/2020 16:23:56 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1205313

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2020
	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	Electric Scooters: Safety
	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 steps (a) his Department and (b) the Office for Product Safety and Standards are taking to raise public awareness on the safe charging of e-scooters in homes.
	tabling member constituency	Makerfield
	tabling member printed	Yvonne Fovargue
	uin	61479
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>Manufacturers are required to ensure the safety of their products under reasonably foreseeable use, and to issue instructions for safe use.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is considering the requirements for electric scooters as part of its Future of Transport Regulatory Review. Following this review any necessary public awareness information or guidance will be issued.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 24/06/2020 15:34:01 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4034 label Biography information for Yvonne Fovargue

1242066

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2020
	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	Consumers: Prices
	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 steps his Department is taking to tackle the loyalty penalty in the (a) mobile, (b) broadband and (c) mortgage market.
	tabling member constituency	Makerfield
	tabling member printed	Yvonne Fovargue
	uin	101273
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2020 answer text <p>In 2019, new rules for mobile phones were created by Ofcom which required companies to provide better upfront contract information on pricing for bundled handset and airtime services, and several companies voluntarily agreed to reduce bills for out-of-contract customers. In broadband, a number of major providers took steps to reduce the loyalty penalty, including capping prices. An updated review was published by Ofcom in July 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Other telecoms interventions have been developed, including Ofcom’s new rules which require communication providers to send a notification to their customers when they are nearing the end of their contract. The Government and Ofcom continue to work on ‘Open Communications’ as part of the Smart Data project to help consumers access information and switch providers accordingly, for which Ofcom published a consultation in July 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The Financial Conduct Authority conducted a mortgage market study in 2019 which noted that they are working with lenders to make it easier for borrowers to switch, where that is possible and would be of benefit, in light of the ‘loyalty penalty’. That work continues.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 14/10/2020 16:38:06 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4034 label Biography information for Yvonne Fovargue

1169214

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2020
	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	Living 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, how frequently she plans to raise the National Living Wage to meet the Government target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	969
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government has announced that in April 2020 the National Living Wage (NLW) will increase by 6.2 per cent to £8.72 for those aged 25 and over. The Government has also announced inflation-beating increases in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for younger workers and apprentices of between 4.6 per cent and 6.5 per cent.</p><p> </p><p>My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has pledged that the NLW will increase further, reaching two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, providing economic conditions allow. The Government also plans to expand the reach of the NLW, bringing down the eligibility threshold first to age 23 in 2021 and then to 21 by 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The Government increases the NLW and NMW rates annually with consideration to recommendations made by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC). The Government will publish the LPC’s 2020 remit, which will include details of the new target for the NLW to reach two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 14/01/2020 10:05:36 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1169503

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2020
	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	Fireworks: Safety
	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 progress the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has made on developing a fact-based evidence base relating to firework safety; and if the OPSS will make that evidence base available to the public.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	1324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. This includes looking at data on noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals. This will build a fuller picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify whether further action is appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>The evidence base work includes reviewing existing literature, research and data sources which are already publicly available. The work to develop a full evidence base is an ongoing exercise which is not time limited and we will report in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/01/2020 17:18:17 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1176153

	registered interest
	date	04/02/2020
	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	Euratom
	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 remaining in Euratom will be a Government objective in negotiations with the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	12314
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2020 answer text <p>The UK left the EU, including Euratom, on 31 January 2020. The Government is now preparing to negotiate the UK’s future relationship with the EU, including on civil nuclear.</p><p> </p><p>A Written Ministerial Statement made by my rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3rd February 2020 (HCWS86) on UK-EU relations stated that “There should be rapid progress towards a Civil Nuclear Agreement, given the implications for both sides of not doing so and the clear benefits of co-operation&quot;:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-02-03/HCWS86/" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-02-03/HCWS86/</a></p><p>The civil nuclear sector is of key strategic importance to the UK; our withdrawal from Euratom in no way diminishes our nuclear ambitions.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 12/02/2020 14:58:36 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1192487

	registered interest
	date	04/05/2020
	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	Self-employed: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What estimate he has made of the number of self-employed people who do not qualify for covid-19 support.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	902142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/05/2020 answer text <p>We have prioritised helping the greatest number of people as quickly as possible and it is difficult to come up with reliable criteria that apply to all the relevant sectors of the economy. We are aware some people will not be eligible for the scheme, but they may still benefit from a number of other support schemes available.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is engaging a wide range of stakeholders in relation to Covid-19, and in addition to the Business Secretary’s regular meeting with business representative organisations, I recently hosted a call with stakeholders on support for the self-employed and will continue to engage on the issue.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully grouped question UIN 902141 902174 question first answered 04/05/2020 15:52:46 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi