Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<p>This Government is committed to building an economy that works for everyone. Through the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, the Government is ensuring that the lowest paid within our society benefit from their contribution to the economy.</p><p> </p><p>In April 2019, an above-inflation increase in the 16-17 year old National Minimum Wage saw 38,000 young workers receive a pay rise. The rate increased by 3.6% to £4.35 per hour. Since 2015, the National Minimum Wage for the 16-17 age group has increased by 12.4%.</p><p> </p><p>In the first quarter of 2019, the unemployment rate for 16-17 year olds was 19.2%, down from 28% in 2015. As noted by the Low Pay Commission in its 2018 report, for 16-17 year olds, the priority remains their effective entry into the labour market, as they are the most vulnerable age group in the labour market due to their relative lack of experience.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018, approximately 2,900 workers in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill were on one of the minimum wage rates.</p>Rochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21false2019-05-21T14:58:52.28Z201Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy2019-05-13Minimum Wage: Young People1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the level of the National Minimum Wage on the income of people in employment aged under 18.falseCoatbridge, Chryston and BellshillHugh Gaffney253695Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<p>The Government has no plans to introduce a scrappage scheme for washing machines. However, some retailers do offer a recycling scheme on a voluntary basis for old appliances including washing machines.</p><p> </p><p>Electrical Products must be safe when placed on the market and producers must keep consumers informed of risks and take appropriate action to avoid risks once they are in use.</p>Rochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21false2019-05-21T14:57:35.843Z201Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy2019-05-15Washing Machines: Waste Disposal1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a washing machine scrappage scheme.falseNorth CornwallScott Mann254845Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<p>The Department has not issued guidance to consumers on identifying competent builders. However, the Government has endorsed the TrustMark scheme, which identifies local traders who have undergone independent checks for both trade competence and good trading practice. This scheme gives consumers increased confidence and ability to choose registered businesses including builders who adhere to and maintain high standards.</p><p> </p><p>Further information is available for consumers on the Citizens Advice website at: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.citizensadvice.org.uk%2Fconsumer%2Fget-more-help%2Ffind-a-trader-and-check-you-can-trust-them%2F&data=02%7C01%7CDavid.A.Evans%40beis.gov.uk%7C5e108d5ef26c4fe5799d08d6d9e53d9e%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C636935975928961375&sdata=yiYErA%2BneSDju7p8BfPMbMPySqK5tc9zS7ArZpKBZrc%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/find-a-trader-and-check-you-can-trust-them/</a>.</p><p> </p><p>For free information on their rights and how to take a complaint forward, consumers should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>).</p>Rochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21falseRochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21T14:56:02.487Z201Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy2019-05-15Construction: Trading Standards1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department has issued to the public on identifying competent builders.falseMorecambe and LunesdaleDavid Morris254823Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<p>The Government’s Consumer White Paper is due to be published later this year.</p>Rochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21falseRochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21T14:56:17.387Z201Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy2019-05-15Consumers1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Government plans to publish the White Paper on modernising consumer markets.falseMorecambe and LunesdaleDavid Morris254824Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<p>Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2008 provides for a number of enforcers, such as Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority, to enforce consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Alleged breaches of legislation should be reported in the first instance through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>). The helpline will refer on alleged breaches of legislation to the relevant authority for appropriate enforcement action.</p>Rochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21false2019-05-21T14:54:53.487Z201Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy2019-05-16Consumers: Internet1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2019 to Question 245672 on Consumers: Internet, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 are fully enforced.falseNewcastle-under-LymePaul Farrelly255292Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<p>We keep the effectiveness of our regulatory regimes under review. The National Audit Office also assesses regulation and regulatory outcomes. The Government has asked the National Infrastructure Commission to assess what changes might be necessary to the existing regulatory framework to facilitate future investment needs, promote greater competition and increase innovation, and meet the needs of both current and future consumers.</p>Rochester and StroodKelly Tolhurst2019-05-21false2019-05-21T14:55:07.317Z201Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy2019-05-16Telecommunications and Utilities: Regulation1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of the (a) water, (b) energy and (c) telecoms sectors in promoting sustainability.falseNewcastle upon Tyne CentralChi Onwurah25532810016