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178266

registered interest
date	05/02/2015
answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept id	26
answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
hansard heading	Digital Technology
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the digital economy in the United Kingdom.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL4732
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2015 answer text <p>The digital economy is considered an important sector by the Government, given its strong past performance and potential for future growth and the impact it has on all sectors of the economy. The ICT sector<strong><strong>[1]</strong></strong> has grown over two and a half times as fast as the whole economy over the past 10 years. In 2013, the sector contributed 7.5% (£113bn) to the UK’s GVA and supported 1.3m jobs in the UK economy. In GVA terms, the UK ICT sector is the largest in the EU, marginally ahead of Germany. In employment terms, the UK ICT sector is the second largest in the EU, marginally behind Germany[2].</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The opportunities and barriers to successful growth in the sector were considered in the Information Economy Strategy, published in June 2013. The strategy set out a long-term strategic action plan for industry, government and academia working in partnership to create the business conditions for a thriving UK information economy.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>One of the major challenges identified in the strategy was skills shortages. We are working in partnership with industry to make sure our education and training routes are providing the digital skills the UK needs now and in future. Specific action includes, a new Computing Curriculum launched in September with a greater focus on computational thinking, reforms to apprenticeships that enable employers to develop new standards which reflect the skills they need, a new Degree Apprenticeship in digital skills, which will enable young people to get a full honours degree alongside on the job training and a National College for Digital Skills, which will drive up further education standards.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] UN and OECD definition of ICT and Content and Media: which incorporates manufacturing of computers, communication equipment and consumer electronics, wholesale of information and communication equipment and information and communication services</p><p>[2] EuroStat Structural Business Statistics Database (based on UN/OECD definition.)</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 11/02/2015 17:07:59 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

175413

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Art Works
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the case for regulation of the global art market in order to prevent crime.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL4399
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p>The art market in the UK is already regulated in so far as antique and fine art dealers that accept cash payments of €15,000 Euro or more in exchange for goods are considered ‘High Value Dealers’ and fall within the scope of the Money Laundering Regulations. This is because cash-intensive businesses are considered particularly susceptible to money laundering. High Value Dealers are supervised for the purpose of these Regulations by HM Revenue &amp; Customs.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Deighton question first answered 04/02/2015 14:41:02 answering member 4262 label Biography information for Lord Deighton
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

175414

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Money Lenders
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what protections are in place to protect people from unscrupulous practices in the pawnbroking industry.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL4400
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2015 answer text <p>The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, including pawn broking. The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) more robust regulatory regime will help to improve protection for consumers who use pawn brokers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The FCA requires firms to provide adequate pre-contractual explanation to consumers including making it clear to the consumer that, where an article is taken into pawn, the article might be sold if not redeemed. In addition the FCA has introduced tough rules regarding pawn brokers’ conduct of business. The FCA also requires firms to comply with its high-level principles, including ‘treating customers fairly’.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Where firms breach its rules the FCA is able to impose tough sanctions, such as imposing unlimited fines and ordering firms to pay redress to customers.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Deighton question first answered 05/02/2015 16:43:30 answering member 4262 label Biography information for Lord Deighton
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

174103

registered interest
date	15/01/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Business: Loans
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are proposing in relation to banks that have missold business loans to customers.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL4206
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2015 answer text <p>Business lending is not, and never has been, within the scope of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) conduct rules. The position that has traditionally been taken in the UK is that the terms and conditions of contracts between businesses (e.g. loans) are not generally prescribed by government. The government is committed to regulating only where there is a clear case for doing so, in order to avoid putting additional costs on lenders that would ultimately lead to higher costs for businesses customer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>However, the smaller end of the business community does receive regulatory protection. In the UK, loans to the smallest businesses (sole traders, partnerships consisting of 2 or 3 partners and unincorporated businesses) of less than £25,000 are treated as regulated consumer credit agreements (CCAs).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This protects consumers, typically in their dealings with banks where there is the potential for consumer detriment. Around three quarters of the 4.8 million UK SMEs are sole traders, partnerships consisting of 2 or 3 partners and unincorporated businesses.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>For those loans which are not treated as CCA loans, there is also a clear route of recourse for businesses that feel they have been mis-sold a business loan to pursue. A business’ first recourse should be to its bank’s customer complaints department. This is a route that has been taken by a number of customers. The FCA’s rules require the banks to properly investigate all complaints and, through ongoing supervision, it continues to monitor the banks’ complaint handling process.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, micro businesses with a turnover of less than 2 million Euros and fewer than 10 employees have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The FOS is an independent, non-governmental body, established under statute to provide for the proportionate, prompt and informal resolution of complaints against financial services firms. It provides a free, independent dispute resolution service for bank customers and has a special team looking at this issue. Its decisions are binding on the firm concerned.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Beyond this, businesses are expected to be responsible for ensuring that contracts they make with other businesses are in their interest. However, if a business believes a bank has acted unlawfully, they can seek to take action through the courts</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Deighton question first answered 29/01/2015 15:38:46 answering member 4262 label Biography information for Lord Deighton
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

172711

registered interest
date	08/01/2015
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Credit Unions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to changing the Common Bond of geographical credit unions from potential to actual members.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL4031
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2015 answer text <p>On 31 December 2014 the government published a response to the Call for Evidence on Credit Unions. In this response the government committed to considering potential changes to credit union legislation, including to the Common Bond, in the next parliament.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Deighton question first answered 22/01/2015 16:53:12 answering member 4262 label Biography information for Lord Deighton
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

170078

registered interest
date	12/12/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Vending Machines
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the vending machine industry regarding the introduction of new coins and the costs to business it may entail.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL3713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government launched a public consultation on 12 September 2014, which focused on the impacts to industry of introducing a new, highly secure £1 coin in 2017. The consultation process ran until 21 November 2014 and included discussions with a wide range of industry stakeholders. The Government is currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will respond in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Deighton question first answered 19/12/2014 12:53:56 answering member 4262 label Biography information for Lord Deighton
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

169348

registered interest
date	10/12/2014
answering body	Department for Energy and Climate Change
answering dept id	63
answering dept short name	Energy and Climate Change
answering dept sort name	Energy and Climate Change
hansard heading	Energy
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of local authorities setting up energy companies to provide cheaper energy to their residents.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL3634
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2014 answer text <p>This Government is keen to understand the re-emergence of local authorities as energy companies and the potential benefits to their residents. In order to tackle the barriers surrounding this we launched the UK’s first Community Energy Strategy in January 2014 and we take views from a Local Supply Working Group.</p><p>Our Strategy recognises that local authorities are crucial to community energy activities and sets out how Government intends to help communities build strong and productive partnerships with the public sector. One of the commitments is to carry out a sector survey in 2016, including a local authority section.</p><p>We welcome recent developments in local authority engagement in the energy sector, for example, Cheshire East Council is the first local authority to have entered into a partnership with Ovo Energy under their new ‘Communities’ tariff. It is too early to make an assessment of these developments as the details are still being finalised.</p><p>In addition we expect to know the outcome early next year of the application by the Greater London Authority for a “Licence Lite”– if successful, the GLA will be the first authority to take advantage of Ofgem’s streamlined arrangements for supplying electricity.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/12/2014 14:52:49 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

168126

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
answering body	Department for Culture Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Mobile Phones
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure people are not trapped in unfair mobile phone contracts.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL3468
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>Ofcom, the UK Regulator for Telecoms, oversees the General Conditions of Entitlement (GCEs), the rules under which Telecoms companies must operate in the UK. GC 9.6 provides consumer protection in the event of mid-contract variations. Under GC 9.6, providers must give customers notice of contract modifications (e.g. price rises) likely to cause ‘material detriment’ to them and the right to exit the contract without penalty in response. Ofcom published guidance at the start of this year clarifying these rules and further enabling competition in the market to deliver a choice of competitive tariffs for the consumer in the UK.<br>Major telecoms companies have also agreed to work with the Government and Ofcom on ways to improve transparency in contracts in line with the principles underpinning the Ofcom guidance. The Government and the Regulator will continue to work with the industry to promote further ways of ensuring that consumers have the best possible information to help them make informed choices about the communications services they purchase.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 11/12/2014 16:23:28 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

168128

registered interest
date	05/12/2014
answering body	HM Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Bank Cards
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of retailers who are seeking to pass on the merchant charges to their customers when they pay for goods or services using debit or credit cards.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL3470
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government is clear that merchants should not pass on a charge to a customer that is higher than the cost that merchants themselves incur for processing that payment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is why the Government brought in the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012 in April 2013, which state that if a business wishes to charge a customer for using their credit or debit card, then that surcharge must not be higher than the cost the business has to pay for processing that method of payment.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Deighton question first answered 19/12/2014 12:40:32 answering member 4262 label Biography information for Lord Deighton
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

167913

registered interest
date	04/12/2014
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Fraud
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions for phone scamming offences there were in each year from 2010.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL3437
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2014 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service maintains a central record of the number of prosecutions it conducts for fraud and/or forgery offences; however, it is not possible to identify which of these offences were conducted, in whole or in part, through the telephone. To obtain this information would require a manual file examination which would incur a disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Tankerness question first answered 16/12/2014 14:45:52 answering member 630 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Tankerness
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark