While the decisions about what products are offered to individual businesses remain commercial decisions for banks and building societies, the Government recognises the vital role SMEs play in fuelling economic growth, and it is important they can access the banking services they need. Last year the Chancellor asked the FCA to collect evidence to help the Government understand where account closures and refusals are happening and why. The FCA are now doing further work to better understand the reasons behind account refusals.<\/p>
The Government is also acting to increase customer protections, increasing the minimum notice period in cases of contract termination to 90 days \u2013 giving customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service, or find a replacement service \u2013 and requiring providers to spell out to affected customers why they are terminating their contract. Both requirements will be subject to certain exceptions, including if to do so would be unlawful.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Vere of Norbiton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-07T12:47:31.793Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-02-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Small Businesses: Bank Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had their bank accounts closed, what steps they are taking to ensure SMEs have continued access to banking services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL2925"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1536593", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1536593/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK closely monitors all cases of political violence in Zimbabwe including that of Jasmine Toffa MP. We regularly raise the issue of political violence with the Government of Zimbabwe.<\/p>
Violence against women is unacceptable. We continue to push for the rights of all citizens to be respected, and for all political parties to be able to campaign peacefully without fear of violence.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-11-10T12:06:51.723Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Zimbabwe: Crimes of Violence"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Zimbabwe following the attack on Ms Jasmine Toffa, MP for Bulawayo, and other members of the Citizens Coalition for Change, on 18 October.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL2925"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1358733", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1358733/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There are currently 47 oil and gas extraction sites in England.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-10-27T16:17:55.393Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-10-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Oil: Exploration"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many oil drilling extraction sites there are in England.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4291", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Grender"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Grender"} ], "uin" : "HL2925"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187911", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187911/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The government is grateful for the huge amount of work being done across the higher education sector to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on our students and institutions.<\/p>
There will be many students \u2013 international students, along with students estranged from their parents and care leavers, among others \u2013 who remain in university-owned, or private university accommodation at present, particularly now government advice is for students to remain in their current residence, and not to return home. Higher education (HE) providers should aim to ensure that sufficient institutional accommodation is available to these students<\/p>
In addition, the government has reminded HE providers of their responsibility to support services for students who remain on campus. This includes practical support to ensure students can access sufficient food and medical and cleaning supplies. HE providers have been asked to ensure catering staff are available to support on halls management, even in the event of wider university closure.<\/p>
It is particularly important that universities who rely on outsourced staff, such as catering, who maintain the delivery of critical services and infrastructure, take appropriate measures to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff.<\/p>
The government is also working to improve joint continuity planning between HE providers and Local Resilience Forums to consider how to ensure availability of supply of food and medicines.<\/p>
We stand ready to support HE providers in any discussion that is needed to ensure they have access to the right resources to care for their students. It is essential that students are reassured that their provider will continue to support them through these difficult and unsettling times.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-04-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-07T14:54:41.763Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Students: Food"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to provide meals to students resident at hostels in the higher education sector who are unable to return to their home countries.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4282", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth"} ], "uin" : "HL2925"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/784707", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/784707/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has no plans to designate a group of healthcare professionals focused on the prevention of rickets.<\/p>
Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring that children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time outside in the sun and take appropriate supplements containing ten micrograms of vitamin D. There is already a range of resources available to increase awareness of the need for vitamin D supplements, including advice on the NHS Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone health, and supplements are readily available over the counter and through the Healthy Start vitamins scheme.<\/p>
In August the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its public health guidance on increasing vitamin D supplement use among population groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the 2016 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report on Vitamin D and health. A copy of Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups <\/em>is attached. This guideline includes recommendations on how to: increase access to and availability of vitamin D supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the BAME community, ensure health professionals recommend vitamin D supplements, raise awareness of the importance of these supplements amongst the population, and monitor provision and uptake of vitamin D supplements. Local commissioners will wish to consider how best to take forward these recommendations in respect of local BAME populations.<\/p> The Government has made no formal assessment of the research referred to. Given the widespread availability of vitamin D supplements and clear guidance to health professionals and the public the Government does not believe there is a need for further strategies to prevent rickets.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord O'Shaughnessy"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/784707/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "vitamin-d-supplement-use-in-specific-population-groups-pdf-1996421765317.pdf"}
, "title" : "Vitamin D supplement use"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T12:33:04.673Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Rickets"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to designate a group of health care professionals to be accountable and responsible for the prevention of rickets and its complications.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2024", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hunt of Kings Heath"}
], "uin" : "HL2925"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627549", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627549/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The estimated impact of increasing the rate of employees National Insurance Contributions (NICs) can be found in HM Revenue and Customs\u2019 (HMRC\u2019s) 2016 publication the Direct effects of illustrative tax changes, <\/em>which can be found on the gov.uk website. The 2018-19 figures are given in the table below:<\/p> <\/p> Direct effects of illustrative changes (£m) <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> National Insurance Contributions Rates <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018-19<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Change Class 1 employee main rate by 1 percent point<\/p><\/td> 4,100<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Change Class 1 employee additional rate by 1 percent point<\/p><\/td> 920<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Change Class 1 employer rate by 1 percentage point<\/p><\/td> 5,200<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Change Class 2 rate by £1 per week<\/p><\/td> 160<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Change Class 4 main rate by 1 percentage point<\/p><\/td> 340<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Change Class 4 additional rate by 1 percentage point<\/p><\/td> 210<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> HMRC currently estimates that the direct effect of imposing NICs charged at 1% on those over State Pension age would raise around £100m in employee NIC receipts in 2018-19. This is comparable to the table above.<\/p> <\/p> The estimate is based on the latest Survey of Personal Incomes (2013-14), which has been projected in line with Budget 2016 economic assumptions from the Office of Budget Responsibility.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/57", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Young of Cookham"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-10T12:49:45.887Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Insurance Contributions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have made an estimate of the revenue that would be raised by (1) a one percentage point rise in the rate of national insurance, and (2) the imposition of national insurance contributions of one per cent on employees who have reached State Pension age; and if so, how much those estimated revenues would be.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2492", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lipsey"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Lipsey"}
], "uin" : "HL2925"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/423175", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/423175/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government has been at the forefront of action at a European level to ensure tests of all new passenger cars and vans accurately represent performance out on the road and ensure public confidence. We will continue to press for the introduction of real world driving emissions (RDE) and updates to the current laboratory tests at the earliest opportunity.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-10-30T09:47:11.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motor Vehicles: Fuels"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they intend to bring forward the introduction of new tests for fuel emissions and fuel economy in cars.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4230", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Randerson"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Randerson"}
], "uin" : "HL2925"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156483", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/156483/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has sympathy for the women who suffered by their admission to and work in the Magdalen institutions. However, payments made under the Republic of Ireland\u2019s ex gratia<\/em> scheme do not meet GB legal criteria to be treated as personal injury payments. The payments are not being made \u2018in consequence of any personal injury\u2019, but are made in consequence of being admitted to a laundry, regardless of the effects. The amount each woman will receive is dependent on the length of time spent in the laundries and not on the specific effect that it has had on their health. They are also being made as part of a broader process of restorative justice by the Republic of Ireland Government.<\/p> <\/p> The Government has no plans to amend GB income-related benefit legislation to include specific disregards along the lines of the schemes mentioned. There is already provision in the benefit system to disregard payments made in respect of personal injury to avoid the need to disregard specific payments on an ad hoc<\/em> basis. To amend legislation as new compensation schemes are introduced would add complexity to the benefit system and its administration.<\/p> <\/p> There is already provision in legislation to disregard some elements of the ex gratia <\/em>payments. For example, Pension Credit \u2013 the income-related benefit most likely to be claimed - has no capital cut off limit. Where compensation in excess of the \u20ac50,000 lump sum maximum ex gratia<\/em> award is payable as weekly payments, these will be disregarded under current Pension Credit and pension age Housing Benefit legislation.<\/p> <\/p> We understand that as of 6 August 2014 there had been a total number of approximately 760 applications to the scheme, around 160 of which were from UK residents. However, neither information regarding the number of UK applicants who are also in receipt of Pension Credit or other benefits, nor the amount of any ex gratia<\/em> payments made is available. We are therefore unable to estimate the potential cost of a disregard.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3893", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Freud"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Freud"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2924"}
, {"_value" : "HL2926"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-24T14:37:33.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is their estimate of the number of potential applicants for United Kingdom benefits who have received compensation for abuse in the Magdalene laundries and other institutions under the scheme established by the government of the Republic of Ireland; and what is their estimate of the cost which would arise from a disregard being applied to such applications.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4181", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Beecham"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Beecham"}
], "uin" : "HL2925"}
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}