Since August 2012 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has benefitted from having central records of contracts let by the Department. However, the operational management of each contract continues to rest with the respective project SRO (Senior Responsible Owner) or team, and there may often be valid reasons for any subsequent contract changes. The Department is reviewing its Commercial Strategy and expects to increase management information in this area soon but presently lacks the capacity to marry contracts let with actual payments made, and to do so would involve disproportionate cost.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-24T13:11:42.56Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Procurement"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether any (a) external contractors and (b) consultancy companies engaged by his Department have charged more than the initial price agreed for their services since May 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4040", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Evans"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Islwyn"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Evans"} ], "uin" : "214978"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156157", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156157/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have received no representations from the Scottish Government regarding the living wage.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-24T11:12:12.043Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Low Pay: Scotland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received from the Scottish Government on the living wage; and if he will place in the Library any correspondence on this issue between his Department and the Scottish Government.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3982", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margaret Curran"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Margaret Curran"} ], "uin" : "214844"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/155713", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/155713/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department is committed to the Government\u2019s small and medium sized enterprise (SME) agenda and works with Cabinet Office guidance and requirements on reporting. This includes the use of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers to identify spend through SMEs and monitoring information provided by Cabinet Office to all Departments on a quarterly basis setting out the spend of SME subcontractors provided by the top 400 main suppliers.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-20T16:14:48.717Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Procurement"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how the Government gathers data on whether its suppliers are small and medium-sized enterprises.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1567", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Burt of Solihull"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Solihull"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lorely Burt"} ], "uin" : "214517"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/155714", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/155714/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling on holiday pay is a significant judgment for employers and workers. Government is urgently working through the detail, including with the Taskforce of business representatives and Government departments convened by my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.<\/p>
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Employers may wish to check their current arrangements for holiday pay and overtime/sales commission, and seek legal advice when necessary. Employers and workers can contact the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free and confidential advice.<\/p>
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<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-20T16:13:33.56Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Holiday Leave: Pay"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what guidance he plans to give to employers following the recent ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal on holiday pay.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1589", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Banks"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ochil and South Perthshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Banks"} ], "uin" : "214507"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/155719", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/155719/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the financial year 2012-13, the number of permanent members of staff employed in the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) inspectorate was 16, all based in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).<\/p>
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At the beginning of the financial year 2013-14, there were 12 permanent members of staff working in EAS in BIS. In November 2013, nine permanent staff went on loan to HMRC to assist with enforcing non-payment of National Minimum Wage, including in the recruitment sector.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-20T16:18:31.26Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014 to Question 212650, how many permanent members of staff employed by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate were working in (a) his Department and (b) HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4058", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Blomfield"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Blomfield"} ], "uin" : "214639"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156085", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156085/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Since July 2013 when the timetable was published, the government has received a number of representations from MPs, Peers, organisations and individuals. These representations have concerned whether the timetable should go ahead as well as the length of time required to implement the various stages it contains. Representations from organisations in particular have included both those in favour of and those opposed to the introduction of legislation.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-24T13:12:09.92Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "31"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Castes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities, what representations she has received on the timetable for the amendment of the definition of race to include caste in the Equality Act 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1594", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Durkan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Foyle"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Durkan"} ], "uin" : "214592"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156129", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156129/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is committed to ensuring there is a strong legislative framework to encourage workers to speak up about wrongdoing, risk or malpractice without fear of reprisal. The whistleblowing legislation ensures there is a legal remedy for those that do suffer a detriment in their employment as a result of whistleblowing. We recognise there is further to go and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is currently implementing further legislative and non-legislative changes to improve the understanding and application of the law.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-24T11:01:51.867Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to review the adequacy of regulations protecting employees who report concerns about child exploitation; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/422", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Leslie"} ], "uin" : "214492"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156131", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156131/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The primary source of data on the characteristics and performance of the small and medium sized SME population is the BIS Small Business Survey (SBS).<\/p>
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<\/p>
The businesses surveyed in the SBS are asked what proportion of the partners or directors are women and whether the business is owned by women. Women-led businesses are defined as those where women make up more than 50 per cent of the partners or directors in day-to-day control of the business, or where the sole proprietor is a woman. Women-owned business are defined as those where more than 50 per cent of the business is owned by women.<\/p>
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