Labour demand remains strong. The unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in the three months to July, its lowest rate since 1974. Redundancies are close to record lows, 40% below pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>
The latest data indicates that nominal pay growth was 5.5% in three months to July.<\/p>
There are now more vacancies (up 54% on pre-pandemic levels) than unemployed people for the first time. The Growth Plan announces measures to get more people back into work which, together with the agenda to boost productivity, will drive higher employment, wages and economic growth.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-28T14:13:17.663Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pay"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of labour on levels of pay.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51776"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506505", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506505/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we want public transport & walking and cycling to be the natural first choice for our daily journeys. This shift has the potential to save significant amounts of carbon, improve air quality, and reduce noise and congestion \u2013 improving health and wellbeing for all.<\/p>
We are undertaking pilot projects which will explore new ways for how we can use our cars differently and less often. For example, we have provided £92m to fund local authorities in Solent Transport, Nottingham and Derby, West Midlands, and the West of England to become Future Transport Zones and pilot a range of innovative mode shift efforts, such as mobility as a service apps, or paying \u2018mobility credits\u2019 to people in return for giving up their cars.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-28T12:44:34.307Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will introduce a funding pilot aimed at increasing the number of people who shift from using cars to public transport.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51777"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506506", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506506/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Ofsted is the regulator for children\u2019s homes in England. They operate a rigorous inspection regime for the inspection and monitoring of children's homes including ensuring that all providers meet legal standards as set out in legislation.<\/p>
Ofsted takes action where a children\u2019s home is providing inadequate care. This can include suspending a provider, cancelling their registration and/or placing restrictions on the number of children that can be cared for by the home.<\/p>
The department is looking at ways to improve the system and are working closely with Ofsted to explore additional new powers that would strengthen their regulatory ability. Both the Independent Review of Children\u2019s Social Care and the Competition and Markets Authority\u2019s study of the children\u2019s social care market made recommendations for revising the legislation and guidance for children's care standards and improving market oversight. We will be responding to these reports by the end of this year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-27T09:42:25.847Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Care Homes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference the BBC Radio 4 File on Four programme on private children's residential care companies on 3 July 2022, what steps he is taking to strike off private companies that fail to meet the legal standards required to operate residential care.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51778"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506507", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506507/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The sharing economy has brought many benefits to the tourism sector and wider economy, as well as creating an additional income stream for homeowners. In rural areas, the growth of the sharing economy has enabled travellers to utilise the flexible accommodation options on offer to explore lesser-known rural destinations and make the most of the leisure opportunities they offer. However, we recognise that the increase in short-term letting has also prompted some concerns including the impact on the housing market and local communities, and a sense that new entrants in the market are not being held to the same health and safety standards as, for example, hotels and B&Bs.<\/p>
The Government\u2019s Call for Evidence on the Short-Term Letting of Tourism Accommodation ran from 29 June to 21 September and analysis of the responses is now underway.<\/p>
We wanted to hear from a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, in order to build a much-needed evidence base on these issues and enable us to develop proportionate policy responses for a future consultation.<\/p>
With the Call for Evidence now closed, we will now consider the evidence collected and look to provide updates to the sector over the coming months regarding our next steps.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-27T09:43:27.58Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Holiday Accommodation: Regulation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of regulating short-term holiday lets to help support the sustainability of rural tourism and communities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51779"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506508", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506508/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Co-operatives and mutuals contribute to the UK economy by offering a different form of running a business, with a focus on delivering the services their members and communities need.<\/p>
The Government has improved the business environment for co-operatives and mutuals through the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 which cut through the legal complexity involved in running a co-operative, improving their competitiveness. The ability of co-operatives to raise £100,000 of withdrawable share capital per member, increased from £20,000 in 2014, has ensured that co-operatives have the flexibility to raise funding and compete more effectively with companies.<\/p>
Furthermore, following the interest rate cap rise from two per cent to three per cent in 2014, credit unions have expanded into higher-risk markets and provide an important alternative to high-cost lenders. The prize-linked savings scheme, which was offered through credit unions, increased individuals\u2019 financial resilience and raise awareness of credit unions. Credit unions have also benefited from the distribution of dormant asset funding by Fair4All Finance, including their £5m COVID-19 resilience fund.<\/p>
At Budget 2021, the Government also announced the £150m Community Ownership Fund. This will allow community groups to bid for up to £250,000 matched-funding to help them buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost and run them as community-owned businesses, supporting co-operative entrepreneurship. In the first round of the fund, the Government funded 38 bids, totaling £10.07 million. Twenty-six of these projects were in England totaling £7.6 million; six in Scotland totaling £1.2 million; three in Wales totaling £460,000; and three in Northern Ireland totaling £780,000. Second round bids are currently being assessed and funding decisions will be announced in due course.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government will continue to support the growth of the mutuals sector. Through the Financial Services and Markets Bill, the Government will enable credit unions in Great Britain to offer a wider range of products and services, thereby supporting the growth, diversification, and development of the sector.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-26T16:15:20.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cooperatives and Mutual Societies"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of cooperatives and mutuals in his industrial plan for the country.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51780"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506509", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506509/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
A process to select the next eight hospitals for the New Hospital Programme was launched in summer 2021, where all interested trusts could submit an expression of interest. No expression of interest was received for a new teaching hospital in York.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-29T14:23:34.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hospitals: York"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the potential timeframe for establishing a new teaching hospital in York.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51781"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506510", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506510/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We want to see vibrant towns and high streets that are more attractive places to live, work and visit. This is central to our levelling up agenda.<\/p>
Our £3.6bn Towns Fund is investing in amenities across the country that will benefit children and young people. For example, the £9 million Youth Zone in Crewe will have 13 high spec equipped spaces including large-scale sports hall and multi-use 3G pitch, as well as other facilities for young people.<\/p>
Our £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund continues to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life for residents across the UK. One key investment theme of the fund is regeneration and town centre investment. Applicants have been encouraged to submit bids which focus on bringing accessible community spaces into town and city centres.<\/p>
The £2.6bn UK Shared Prosperity Fund was allocated to all areas of the UK and empowers places to identify and build on their own needs at a local level. Local places are free to choose a range of interventions to support, this includes specific funding to support the improvement of town centres and high streets.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-28T14:31:12.277Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Urban Areas: Children and Young People"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making funds available for the purposes of investing in high streets with amenities and space for children and young people.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "51782"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506511", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506511/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published the most recent \u2018Heatwave plan for England\u2019 on 26 April 2022, which provides advice on safety from heat-related harm to health. The plan is available at the following link:<\/p>
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1096593/heatwave-plan-for-England-2022-5-August-2022.pdf<\/a><\/p> The UKHSA held a heatwave and summer preparedness stakeholder event on 28 April 2022 with over 1,000 participants from the health and social care sector and other Government departments and issued a toolkit for hot weather to National Health Service organisations, emergency services and local authorities in England through Local Resilience Forums and regional communications teams. On 14 July 2022, the UKHSA provided heat health alerts and advice on staying safe in the sun during extreme heat, which is available at the following link:<\/p>