1 549 10 0 false 2014-12-15 2014-12-17T11:11:20.067Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-12-17 Biography information for Jo Swinson <p>The initial report from Mr MacDonald was received on 17 July 2014 for review by the Insolvency Service. Further information including another more detailed report was received from him during September and October 2014, and these again have been reviewed by the Insolvency Service. The reports are confidential.</p><p> </p><p>The reports themselves do not require a direct response but I can confirm that the Insolvency Service has completed its review of this material and is in communication with Mr MacDonald.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> Biography information for Steve Rotheram To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he received reports from the MacDonald Partnership in relation to mis-sold Scottish Power Power Plan warranties; what the titles of such reports were; and when he plans to respond to those reports. Liverpool, Walton Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 26 218595 Business, Innovation and Skills Business, Innovation and Skills Steve Rotheram House of Commons Scottish Power 211244 To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to evaluate the effect of the ACAS early conciliation service on keeping workplace disputes out of court. Stephen Timms Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms ACAS East Ham 2014-10-21 1 26 false Business, Innovation and Skills Business, Innovation and Skills 2014-10-24T11:30:02.3392087Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-24 <p>Early Conciliation was introduced in April 2014 and it is too early to make any meaningful assessment on the effect of Early Conciliation on Employment Tribunal cases at this stage. However, officials in the Department and Acas are already monitoring the impact of Early Conciliation and I will make an announcement on evaluation in due course, once we have a sufficient evidence base to do so.</p> Department for Business, Innovation and Skills To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to help workers on zero hours contracts who desire regular, contracted employment. 211362 Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham 1 Mr Jim Cunningham Zero Hours Contracts Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Business, Innovation and Skills Coventry South 2014-10-27T14:48:39.5462303Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-27 <p>Under the Flexible Working Regulations, brought in on 30 June, all employees with 26 continuous weeks of service have the right to request flexible working from their employer. Individuals on zero hours contracts, who are employees, can request a change in their contracts, which could also include a request to move to a fixed hours contract.</p><p> </p> false 26 2014-10-21 Business, Innovation and Skills Mr Jim Cunningham Coventry South Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Business, Innovation and Skills 26 211364 2014-10-21 2014-10-28T15:36:24.4977156Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-28 <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> Business, Innovation and Skills false Low Pay 1 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. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 26 2014-10-21 Business, Innovation and Skills Directors Mr Jim Cunningham 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. 2014-10-28T15:22:41.6652078Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-28 <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> Coventry South false 211365 1 Business, Innovation and Skills Business, Innovation and Skills Business, Innovation and Skills East Ham To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2014 to Question 201383, how much was spent on national minimum wage enforcement in 2013-14. false 211245 Stephen Timms 1 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 2014-10-24T11:29:09.5418464Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-24 <p>£7.5m was spent by HM Revenue and Customs on the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage in 2013/14.</p><p>We have increased the budget allocation for National Minimum Wage enforcement in 2014/15 to £9.2m. This extra funding will enable HMRC to increase the number of compliance officers working in this area who, as well as continuing to respond to every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline, will also undertake targeted enforcement, focusing on the worst offending employers in the highest-risk sectors.</p><p>Anyone who believes they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage and has not received it should contact this free and confidential helpline on 0800 917 2368.</p> 2014-10-21 Minimum Wage 26 Bassetlaw 211421 26 Bassetlaw Business, Innovation and Skills 1 To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he next plans to visit local businesses in Bassetlaw. 2014-10-29T14:30:51.0132019Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-29 <p>My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills is planning to visit Bassetlaw on Thursday 27 November.</p> 2014-10-22 Biography information for Lord Mann false Department for Business, Innovation and Skills John Mann Business, Innovation and Skills Biography information for Chris Ruane false Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 211757 Vale of Clwyd Chris Ruane Post Offices: Rhyl Business, Innovation and Skills 26 1 2014-10-23 To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made on the proposed relocation or closure of Rhyl Post Office. Business, Innovation and Skills 2014-10-30T15:32:33.5350582Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-30 <p>The proposed franchising of some of its Crown Post Offices is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited (POL). I understand that the company continues to explore all options for Rhyl with a view to finding a retail partner for the franchise. In the event that a suitable new retail partner cannot be found, POL has given a commitment that a post office service will be retained within the area.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As this is the operational responsibility of the company I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.</p><p> </p> Thirsk and Malton 2014-10-28T09:03:28.8801937Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-28 <p>I receive regular representations on many issues including the role of women in public life.</p><p>We are removing barriers that prevent women from progressing in public life. For example, the Government has established the Centre for Public Appointments (CPA) in the Cabinet Office to ensure best practice is followed. As a result, the proportion of new female appointees to public boards has increased to 39%. We have also supported political parties to increase women’s representation thorough a combination of legislative and voluntary measures.</p><p> </p> false Women and Equalities 1 Miss Anne McIntosh To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities, what recent representations she has received on the role of women in public life; and if she will make a statement. Females: Public Appointments Women and Equalities Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Women and Equalities 2014-10-23 211750 31 false 2014-10-30T14:59:54.6046995Z East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson false 2014-10-30 <p>At present the Department does not hold any central data on the number of staff on personal improvement plans, as these are handled within the line management chain.</p> 26 Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones North Durham Department for Business, Innovation and Skills To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff in his Department (a) are currently on a personal improvement plan, (b) have been on a persoanl improvement plan for over one year and (c) have been on a personal improvement plan for more than two consecutive years; and what the grades are or were of such staff. 1 211820 Mr Kevan Jones Business, Innovation and Skills 2014-10-23 Performance Appraisal Business, Innovation and Skills