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

1183151

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2020
	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	Small Businesses: Ofcom and Ofgem
	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 Government has plans to encourage (a) Ofgem and (b) Ofcom to cooperate on producing guidance for best practice in their dealings with SMEs operating in the (i) energy, (ii) communications and (iii) other sectors.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	25700
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government wants all consumers to pay a fair price for their energy. In 2019 Ofgem launched a Strategic Review of the Microbusiness Retail Market to better understand the customer journey for microbusinesses and consider what solutions may be necessary to safeguard them as consumers. The regulator plans to publish a consultation this spring setting out its detailed policy solutions in response to the Review’s findings.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Microbusinesses display similar characteristics to domestic consumers when buying energy. Therefore, where they have exhausted their energy company’s own complaints procedure, businesses with up to 10 employees can make a complaint to the Ombudsman Services: Energy.</p><p> </p><p>Larger businesses are more likely to be able to effectively procure their energy supply, as they procure other commodities for their businesses.</p><p><br> The Communications Act 2003 places a duty on Ofcom to ensure that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures are available for domestic and small business customers (defined as up to 10 employees). All communications providers must be a member of an approved scheme, Ofcom currently approves two ADR Schemes: Ombudsman Services: Communications (OS) and the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS).</p><p> </p><p>In 2019 Ofcom published an independent review of the two approved ADR schemes. The review found that both schemes show a high level of decision-making accuracy with regard to case acceptance or rejection, and Ofcom is satisfied that both ADR Schemes are following the requirements set out in the ADR regulations and the Communications Act.</p><p> </p><p>It is for Ofgem and Ofcom to review the evidence and to work with Government to determine whether further regulatory intervention, or other steps, are necessary to assist SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Though there are currently no plans to offer joint guidance between Ofcom, Ofgem and the FCA, they continue to cooperate on dealing with issues affecting SMEs in their respective sectors.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 25701 25702 question first answered 12/03/2020 16:38:08 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1183152

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2020
	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	Small Businesses: Complaints
	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 introduce a redress service for SMEs in the (a) energy and (b) communications sectors that is equivalent to that service offered by the Financial Ombudsman Service to SMEs operating in the financial sector.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	25701
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government wants all consumers to pay a fair price for their energy. In 2019 Ofgem launched a Strategic Review of the Microbusiness Retail Market to better understand the customer journey for microbusinesses and consider what solutions may be necessary to safeguard them as consumers. The regulator plans to publish a consultation this spring setting out its detailed policy solutions in response to the Review’s findings.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Microbusinesses display similar characteristics to domestic consumers when buying energy. Therefore, where they have exhausted their energy company’s own complaints procedure, businesses with up to 10 employees can make a complaint to the Ombudsman Services: Energy.</p><p> </p><p>Larger businesses are more likely to be able to effectively procure their energy supply, as they procure other commodities for their businesses.</p><p><br> The Communications Act 2003 places a duty on Ofcom to ensure that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures are available for domestic and small business customers (defined as up to 10 employees). All communications providers must be a member of an approved scheme, Ofcom currently approves two ADR Schemes: Ombudsman Services: Communications (OS) and the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS).</p><p> </p><p>In 2019 Ofcom published an independent review of the two approved ADR schemes. The review found that both schemes show a high level of decision-making accuracy with regard to case acceptance or rejection, and Ofcom is satisfied that both ADR Schemes are following the requirements set out in the ADR regulations and the Communications Act.</p><p> </p><p>It is for Ofgem and Ofcom to review the evidence and to work with Government to determine whether further regulatory intervention, or other steps, are necessary to assist SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Though there are currently no plans to offer joint guidance between Ofcom, Ofgem and the FCA, they continue to cooperate on dealing with issues affecting SMEs in their respective sectors.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 25700 25702 question first answered 12/03/2020 16:38:08 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1183153

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2020
	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	Small Businesses: Dispute Resolution
	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 effect of the definition of a microbusiness on access to complaint handling and dispute resolution processes by SMEs in the (a) energy and (b) communications sectors.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	25702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government wants all consumers to pay a fair price for their energy. In 2019 Ofgem launched a Strategic Review of the Microbusiness Retail Market to better understand the customer journey for microbusinesses and consider what solutions may be necessary to safeguard them as consumers. The regulator plans to publish a consultation this spring setting out its detailed policy solutions in response to the Review’s findings.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Microbusinesses display similar characteristics to domestic consumers when buying energy. Therefore, where they have exhausted their energy company’s own complaints procedure, businesses with up to 10 employees can make a complaint to the Ombudsman Services: Energy.</p><p> </p><p>Larger businesses are more likely to be able to effectively procure their energy supply, as they procure other commodities for their businesses.</p><p><br> The Communications Act 2003 places a duty on Ofcom to ensure that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures are available for domestic and small business customers (defined as up to 10 employees). All communications providers must be a member of an approved scheme, Ofcom currently approves two ADR Schemes: Ombudsman Services: Communications (OS) and the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS).</p><p> </p><p>In 2019 Ofcom published an independent review of the two approved ADR schemes. The review found that both schemes show a high level of decision-making accuracy with regard to case acceptance or rejection, and Ofcom is satisfied that both ADR Schemes are following the requirements set out in the ADR regulations and the Communications Act.</p><p> </p><p>It is for Ofgem and Ofcom to review the evidence and to work with Government to determine whether further regulatory intervention, or other steps, are necessary to assist SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Though there are currently no plans to offer joint guidance between Ofcom, Ofgem and the FCA, they continue to cooperate on dealing with issues affecting SMEs in their respective sectors.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 25700 25701 question first answered 12/03/2020 16:38:08 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1201809

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Companies: Registration
	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 his Department plans to publish its response to its consultation on corporate transparency and register reform before the 2020 summer recess.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	57274
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government is currently considering a broad package of reforms to Companies House to ensure it is fit for the future and continues to contribute to the UK’s business environment. This would amount to the most significant reform of the UK’s company registration framework since a companies register was first introduced in 1844, and it is important, therefore, to take the time to get it right.</p><p> </p><p>The consultation received a significant number of responses and an official government response with proposals for the way forward will be published in due course.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 17/06/2020 14:39:31 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1201810

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	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	Companies: Registration
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the consultation published by his Department on 5 May 2019 on corporate transparency and register reform, what assessment he has made of the level of resources required by Companies House to implement the reforms recommended in that consultation.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	57275
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>Companies House ensures it has the appropriate amount of resources to effectively manage the register. Staffing levels are made available in the Companies House Annual Report which is published after the end of the financial year.</p><p> </p><p>The Department’s consultation received a significant number of responses and an official government response with proposals for the way forward will be published in due course. An assessment of the staffing levels required to implement the recommended reforms will be finalised as the proposals are finalised.</p><p> </p><p>As proposals under the consultation have not yet been finalised, the staffing levels required have not been finalised.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 17/06/2020 14:43:05 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1204752

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2020
	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	Hydrogen: Investment and Job Creation
	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 discussions he has had with representatives from businesses on (a) investment plans and (b) the potential for job creation in shovel-ready hydrogen projects.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	60823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>We are in regular discussions with businesses about their investment plans for hydrogen projects, including those that are ready for very near-term deployment. In addition we are undertaking extensive stakeholder engagement as we develop new policy to help bring forward the technologies and supply chain we will need to grow the UK hydrogen economy.</p><p> </p><p>We recently published the Energy Innovation Needs Assessment (EINA) for hydrogen and fuel cells which identified that up to 15,000 jobs per annum by 2050 could be created through domestic hydrogen opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>We are also looking to formalise regular engagement between Government and industry to discuss and drive development if the UK hydrogen economy. This will consider how we can best work together to retain and expand jobs and skills in hydrogen and related sectors; as well as developing the UK supply chain.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 60826 question first answered 25/06/2020 10:45:02 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1204832

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2020
	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	Hydrogen: Investment and Job Creation
	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 discussions he has had with businesses about (a) investment plans and (b) potential for jobs in shovel-ready hydrogen projects.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	60826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>We are in regular discussions with businesses about their investment plans for hydrogen projects, including those that are ready for very near-term deployment. In addition we are undertaking extensive stakeholder engagement as we develop new policy to help bring forward the technologies and supply chain we will need to grow the UK hydrogen economy.</p><p> </p><p>We recently published the Energy Innovation Needs Assessment (EINA) for hydrogen and fuel cells which identified that up to 15,000 jobs per annum by 2050 could be created through domestic hydrogen opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>We are also looking to formalise regular engagement between Government and industry to discuss and drive development if the UK hydrogen economy. This will consider how we can best work together to retain and expand jobs and skills in hydrogen and related sectors; as well as developing the UK supply chain.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 60823 question first answered 25/06/2020 10:45:02 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1225149

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2020
	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	Small Businesses: EU Grants and 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, when he plans to bring forward changes to the Undertaking in Difficulty rules.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	74670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>Although the UK has left the EU, under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement the EU State aid rules continue to apply in the UK until the end of the Transition Period. The rules are an exclusive competence of the European Commission and it is not within the power of the United Kingdom or any EU Member State to unilaterally vary or suspend them.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has announced that following the end of the Transition Period, a new domestic subsidy control regime will replace the EU State aid rules. The treatment of firms in difficulty will be considered as part of the work to develop the new regime, which will also take into account, amongst other factors, the arrangements agreed under the Northern Ireland Protocol. Announcements on the new regime will be made in due course.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 20/07/2020 13:49:50 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1229673

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	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	McColl's: Horizon IT System
	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 many sub-postmasters employed directly by McColls stores are known to have been removed from their employment as managers of branch sub Post Offices in McColls stores on grounds of alleged shortfalls in their Post Office Horizon branch accounts since 2000.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	82133
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK.</p><p>While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. As such, the number of postmasters employed by McColls and who were subsequently removed as managers on grounds of alleged Horizon shortfalls are an operational matter for Post Office Limited.</p><p>​I have asked Nick Read, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon. Member about this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House. ​</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 08/09/2020 10:53:27 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1231994

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2020
	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	Horizon IT System: Compensation
	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 (a) holds information and (b) has received representations on the exclusion by the Post Office from the Horizon historical shortfall compensation scheme of the (i) 550 litigants who brought the Horizon scandal to light and (ii) (A) 600 subpostmasters employed through McColls and (B) 500 subpostmasters employed through the Co-op who were also affected by the Horizon system; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	86113
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2020 answer text <p>The Historical Shortfall Scheme was designed for postmasters and companies who had or have a direct contract with Post Office, and therefore the individual or company had potential contractual liability for shortfalls found under previous versions of Horizon. On this basis, companies such as McColls and Co-Op were eligible to apply for the scheme. Claims could include consequential losses where appropriate. Assistants of postmasters or employees of other companies are not be eligible, as they had no contract with or contractual liability directly to the Post Office.</p><p> </p><p>The Historical Shortfalls Scheme was designed for postmasters or companies who were not part of the group litigation and have had issues with historical shortfalls recorded in Horizon and want these to be investigated and addressed. Claimants in the settled litigation were therefore not eligible for the Historical Shortfalls Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 10/09/2020 14:13:01 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake