The Insolvency Service first received information that a national logistics firm was at risk via email on 9 December and passed this to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on 10 December. Requests for the company name were rejected as the information was commercially sensitive. On the basis of the available information, officials worked with the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus to be ready to provide support should a failure actually materialise.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
It is not uncommon for BIS to receive commercially sensitive information about companies or facilities at risk in strict confidence, though not all of these result in a company or site closure or significant job losses. BIS treats any such information with the utmost discretion in order to avoid precipitating a failure, which we would all wish to avoid.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Suffolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Hancock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173345/answer/previousversion/38907", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Suffolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Hancock"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-21T14:52:26.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "City Link"} , "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 7 January 2015 to Question 219632, whether his Department received any direct or indirect information from people or organisations other than City Link or the administrators (a) orally or (b) in writing before 23 December 2014 that there was a possibility of City Link being placed into administration.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1419", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ann McKechin"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ann McKechin"} ], "uin" : "220534"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173346", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173346/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Insolvency Service has recently undertaken reviews of its systems and processes to identify ways to reduce costs. It also regularly reviews its fees. In addition, measures contained in the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill will benefit creditors by saving an estimated £20m per year from the cost of all insolvency proceedings.<\/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" : "2015-01-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-20T15:14:49.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Insolvency Service"} , "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 steps he is taking to ensure that the Insolvency Service provides value for money for creditors of liquidated companies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/411", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Huddersfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Barry Sheerman"} ], "uin" : "220547"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173347", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173347/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Retailers are responsible for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of customers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.<\/p>
<\/p>
When organising special events such as Black Friday retailers must plan their activities to effectively control and manage risks. Regulation of retail activities sits with the relevant local authority.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Health and Safety Executive is in discussion with both the retail industry trade associations and Local Authorities about the implications of initiatives such as Black Friday promotions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1520", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Harper"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Forest of Dean"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Harper"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-20T12:06:23.85Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Retail Trade"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure that shops secure the physical safety of their customers during future Black Friday promotions; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "220588"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173348", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173348/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Jobcentre Plus through its Rapid Response Service (RRS) aims to address the effects of redundancies on individuals and the local community by helping those affected move into alternative employment quickly.<\/p>
RRS offers a range of support, tailored at a local level to the needs of the individual and the local labour market.<\/p>
Former City Link employees, or any other employee who has been made redundant in the parcel delivery sector would be eligible for RRS support and anyone who approaches their local Jobcentre will be advised and directed accordingly.<\/p>
In Scotland and Wales, RRS support is delivered in partnership with Skills Development Scotland (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) and the Welsh Assembly Government (Redundancy Action Scheme), respectively. The Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland (DELNI) leads support there. Each service is similarly serving the needs of City Link employees based there.<\/p>
Both DWP and BIS continue to work with the Administrator Ernst & Young and trade unions to see how we might further assist and support City Link employees in their movement back into employment.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4084", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Esther McVey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Esther McVey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-20T16:48:04.103Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Delivery Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to provide retraining opportunities for (a) former employees of City Link and (b) others who have been made redundant in the parcel delivery sector.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1388", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Nigel Dodds"} ], "uin" : "220644"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173359", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173359/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All these data are available from the Office for Budget Responsibility\u2019s databank, including the Office for National Statistics outturn data (published 22nd<\/sup> November 2014) and the Office for Budget Responsibility\u2019s independent forecast (consistent with the Economic and Fiscal Outlook December 2014 and the Autumn Statement 2014).<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> UK Total Managed Expenditure in nominal sterling.<\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ol> <\/p> 2009-10<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2010-11<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2011-12<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2012-13<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2013-14<\/strong><\/p><\/td> TME outturn (£bn)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 680.6<\/p><\/td> 700.9<\/p><\/td> 701.2<\/p><\/td> 717.9<\/p><\/td> 719.9<\/p><\/td> 2014-15<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015-16<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2016-17<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2017-18<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018-19<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019-20<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> TME forecast (£bn)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 737.1<\/p><\/td> 746.2<\/p><\/td> 746.7<\/p><\/td> 751.3<\/p><\/td> 765.3<\/p><\/td> 779.9<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> Gross Domestic Product in nominal sterling.<\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ol> <\/p> 2009-10<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2010-11<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2011-12<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2012-13<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2013-14<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Nominal GDP outturn (£bn)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1501.7<\/p><\/td> 1,576.2<\/p><\/td> 1,628.5<\/p><\/td> 1,663.2<\/p><\/td> 1,733.0<\/p><\/td> 2014-15<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015-16<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2016-17<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2017-18<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018-19<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019-20<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Nominal GDP forecast (£bn)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1,822.0<\/p><\/td> 1,888.0<\/p><\/td> 1,956.0<\/p><\/td> 2,038.0<\/p><\/td> 2,124.0<\/p><\/td> 2,215.0<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> Total Managed Expenditure expressed as a percentage of the gross domestic product.<\/strong><\/p> <\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ol> <\/p> 2009-10<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2010-11<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2011-12<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2012-13<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2013-14<\/strong><\/p><\/td> TME outturn (%GDP)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 45.3<\/p><\/td> 44.5<\/p><\/td> 43.1<\/p><\/td> 43.2<\/p><\/td> 41.5<\/p><\/td> 2014-15<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015-16<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2016-17<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2017-18<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018-19<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019-20<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> TME forecast (%GDP)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 40.5<\/p><\/td> 39.5<\/p><\/td> 38.2<\/p><\/td> 36.9<\/p><\/td> 36.0<\/p><\/td> 35.2<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> Variances when comparing the most up to date figures set out above against the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis (command paper) are due to these figures including the latest outturn data, incorporating the latest forecast judgement by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the latest classification changes made by the Office for National Statistics.<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p> Since the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis was published in July 2014 the Office for Budget Responsibility has published their latest forecast in their December 2014 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Office for National Statistics regularly update outturn, at a various points in the year, for total managed expenditure and gross domestic product.<\/strong><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1535", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Danny Alexander"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Danny Alexander"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-21T17:19:05.753Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Expenditure"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) UK total managed expenditure in nominal sterling, (b) gross domestic product in nominal sterling and (c) percentage total managed expenditure is expressed as a percentage of the gross domestic product; and what the reasons are for the variances from the Public Expenditure Statistical analysis published by his Department in 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1483", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Hemming"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Yardley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Hemming"}
], "uin" : "220518"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173361", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173361/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " No representations have been made to the EU Court of Justice regarding the VAT treatment of Bitcoin transactions.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1529", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr David Gauke"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Hertfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Gauke"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-25T16:55:25.883Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bitcoin: VAT"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to the European Court of Justice in response to its consideration of the VAT treatment of bitcoin transactions; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Timms"}
], "uin" : "220557"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173363", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173363/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Following the 23 December Stormont House Agreement, the Government introduced and published the Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) Bill on 8 January 2015. The Bill is available here:<\/p> <\/p> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td>