We want the UK to be the best place to start and grow a digital business. As announced in the government's Industrial Strategy, the new Business Basics Programme will trial innovative approaches to drive up the adoption of tried and tested technologies and business practices that can improve businesses\u2019 productivity. The programme will test and encourage SMEs to adopt technologies and practices such as new accountancy software or performance management systems.<\/p>
In addition, more than four million free digital skills training opportunities will be created as part of a Digital Strategy to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business and ensure our digital economy works for everyone.<\/p>
In addition, the Digital Skills Partnership (DSP) will see Government, business, charities and voluntary organisations coming together to make sure people have the right skills for the jobs in their area and are aware of all the digital training opportunities on offer.<\/p>
The DSP will also build upon the 4 million pledges of free digital skills training opportunities that our corporate partners pledged as part of the Digital Strategy, published in March 2017. More than 2 million of these pledges have already been delivered; DCMS will continue to work with DSP members to develop new opportunities, direct training to areas where need has been identified, and to encourage the sharing and scaling up of best practice in digital skills provision.<\/p>
The strategy includes new commitments, including a plan by Lloyds Banking Group to give face-to-face digital skills training to 2.5 million individuals, charities and small and medium businesses by 2020.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3936", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffiths"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Burton"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffiths"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-31T16:11:58.333Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Business: Digital Technology"} , "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to improve the rate of adoption of digital technology in everyday business practice; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"} ], "uin" : "124545"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851652", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851652/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
During the course of the Review of Modern Working Practices, the panel held events across the UK including in Wales and Northern Ireland. Unfortunately due to the General Election in 2017, the scheduled event for Scotland was cancelled. Officials in the Department speak regularly to their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations and we look forward to engaging with them through the further work set out in the Government response to the Review of Modern Working Practices.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3936", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffiths"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Burton"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffiths"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-08T15:24:12.927Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Modern Working Practices Review"} , "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has held with the devolved administrations on the Government's response to the Matthew Taylor review of modern working practices; and what the outcomes of those discussions were.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"} ], "uin" : "130415"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137581", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137581/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Electricity distribution networks are regulated by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, and, by law, network regulation must be carried out independently of Government. Under the existing regulatory framework, distribution network operators are allowed to increase capacity on their networks to accommodate expected growth in demand from domestic electricity consumption.<\/p>
<\/p>
Energy networks require significant investment in order to ensure that Great Britain has a secure, dynamic energy system that is fit for the challenges of the future. BEIS estimates that between 2010 and 2017 £35bn has been invested to upgrade, reinforce and extend the electricity networks (both transmission and distribution) and a further £14bn may need to be invested between by 2020. Ofgem's RIIO 2 price control will set out the pathway for investment in our energy networks through the mid-2020s.<\/p>
<\/p>
Government expects network companies and regulators to act in the best interests of consumers including in relation to more active system management as per the Government and Ofgem\u2019s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan<\/em>. We are already seeing distribution network operators manage their systems more actively, and make more innovative use of data and smart technologies. For example, all six DNOs in Great Britain have now committed to open all significant network reinforcement to competition with flexibility services.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4021", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Skidmore"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingswood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Skidmore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-16T14:44:29.237Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Energy"}
, "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to develop local energy distribution networks to respond to a potential increase in domestic electricity consumption.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"}
], "uin" : "274611"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091273", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091273/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In CfD Allocation Round 2 dedicated biomass and offshore wind cleared at the same strike price of £74.75MWh for delivery year 2021/22.<\/p> <\/p> The Administrative Strike Prices (ASPs) set out the maximum support that the Government is willing to offer developers for each technology in a given delivery year. In setting the ASPs, the government has drawn upon the latest generation cost data, while also considering market conditions, policy considerations and other technology specific factors in order to encourage new investment whilst ensuring value for money for consumers.<\/p> <\/p> The methodology used to determine the draft ASPs for the third allocation round is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contract-for-difference-cfd-third-allocation-round-methodology-used-to-set-administrative-strike-prices<\/a><\/p> <\/p> CfDs are awarded in a series of competitive auctions, with the lowest price bids being successful as a means of driving cost reduction and project efficiencies.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-26T15:27:32.09Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Biofuels and Wind Power: Finance"}
, "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy why Contracts for Difference (CfD), for what reasons strike prices have been higher for dedicated biomass technologies than for offshore wind during CfD allocation rounds two and three.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"}
], "uin" : "234221"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091274", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091274/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " A draft budget notice was published in November 2018, which outlined the proposed Administrative Strike Prices (ASPs) for all technologies eligible to compete in the next allocation round, this notice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contracts-for-difference-cfd-draft-budget-notice-for-the-third-allocation-round<\/a><\/p> <\/p> In setting the ASPs, the government has drawn upon the latest generation cost data, while also considering market conditions, policy considerations and other technology specific factors in order to encourage new investment whilst ensuring value for money for consumers.<\/p> <\/p> The methodology used to determine the draft ASPs for the third allocation round is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contract-for-difference-cfd-third-allocation-round-methodology-used-to-set-administrative-strike-prices<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-26T15:27:40.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Biofuels and Wind Power: Finance"}
, "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy if he will make it his policy to create parity under Contract for Difference allocation rounds two and three between dedicated biomass with CHP and offshore wind; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"}
], "uin" : "234222"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091275", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091275/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) announced on 19 October 2018 its decision to terminate the contract for difference (CfD) awarded to Grangemouth Renewable Energy Plant for failing to make sufficient progress by the Milestone Delivery Date. The press release is available on the LCCC\u2019s web site - https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/<\/a><\/p> <\/p> CfDs are private law contracts between a generator and the LCCC, and decisions relating to whether a generator has met its milestone requirement are for the LCCC.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-26T15:27:49.17Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Biofuels: Grangemouth"}
, "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, Energy and Industrial, if he will provide an update on the delivery of the Grangemouth Renewable Energy Plant which was awarded a Contract for Difference in 2017 as part of CfD allocation round two.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"}
], "uin" : "234223"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091276", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091276/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) compares favourably to other ways of saving carbon or generating renewable energy across the economy, contributes to our renewable targets, and plays a significant role in supporting supply chains in the renewable heating industry.<\/p> <\/p> The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and prior to BEIS, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has made regular assessments of value for money in the RHI subsidy mechanism. The latest scheme Impact Assessment was made in February 2018 and is available on GOV.UK.<\/p> <\/p> The RHI was reformed in 2017 and 2018 to focus on long-term decarbonisation, improve consumer protection, support supply chain growth and improve value for money for the taxpayer. These reforms included setting maximum heat demand limits for biomass, air source and ground source heat pumps in the Domestic RHI, removing wood drying as an eligible heat use for the Non-domestic scheme and giving Ofgem greater enforcement powers.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Devizes"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Perry"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-26T15:27:56.257Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme: Cost Effectiveness"}
, "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, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the renewable heat incentive subsidy mechanism; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4604", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kerr"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stirling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Kerr"}
], "uin" : "234224"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091278", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091278/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "