<\/strong><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1578", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Clark"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tunbridge Wells"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Greg Clark"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-19T16:17:37.013Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Postgraduate Education"}
, "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, Innovation and Skills, what the proposed timetable is for his consultation on the introduction of loans for postgraduate students.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/95", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Andrew Smith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Andrew Smith"}
], "uin" : "226986"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226212", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226212/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme is administered by the British Business Bank (BBB), which was set up by the Secretary of State to manage such programmes professionally. The BBB closely monitors the performance of the scheme on a quarterly basis. The scheme default rate, which was 11.5% as at 31st December 2014 on the original drawn loan balance, does not reflect the overall cost to Government as not all defaults lead to a claim being made against the guarantee.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The EFG is a valuable programme that, since launch, has supported additional lending to small and medium sized businesses by enabling over 23,000 loans with a total value of some £2.4bn (as at 31 December 2014) and has a significant wider economic benefit.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"}
}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Hancock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-16T15:01:37.447Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme"}
, "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, Innovation and Skills, what his most recent assessment is of default rates under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme; and with what frequency his Department makes such an assessment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4128", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chuka Umunna"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Streatham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Chuka Umunna"}
], "uin" : "227105"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226213", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226213/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As at 8 March, there were 26,903 applications to the Growth Vouchers programme. Of the 16,903 businesses who have gone on to complete the assessment of their needs, 12,687 have been allocated a voucher and 4,216 have not.<\/p>
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Suffolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Hancock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-16T15:04:09.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Business: Advisory Services"}
, "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, Innovation and Skills, how many business that have applied for Growth Vouchers have not been successful in that application to date.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4128", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chuka Umunna"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Streatham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Chuka Umunna"}
], "uin" : "227103"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226214", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226214/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As at 19 March, 8,103 businesses have a valid voucher and they will have until the expiry date on the voucher to redeem the subsidy.<\/p>
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Suffolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Hancock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226214/answer/previousversion/50323", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Suffolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Hancock"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-24T15:35:09.483Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Small Businesses: Government Assistance"}
, "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, Innovation and Skills, how many valid Growth Vouchers have been issued that have not yet been redeemed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4128", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chuka Umunna"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Streatham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Chuka Umunna"}
], "uin" : "227102"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226215", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226215/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the 2014 People Survey, 71% of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) respondents declaring a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability responded that they were treated fairly at work.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
80% of BIS respondents declaring that they did not have a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability responded that they were treated fairly at work.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Overall, the BIS score for the \u2018Inclusion and fair treatment\u2019 survey theme were in line with the Civil Service benchmark (75% positive). 78% of all BIS respondents reported that they had been treated fairly at work in the past 12 months, compared to 79% of respondents in the Civil Service.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/p>
Actions to improve results include:<\/strong><\/p> <\/p>
- Delivering the Civil Service Talent Action Plan and the BIS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy to continue to build an increasingly inclusive Department where everyone is treated fairly. This includes actions relating to disability, which is identified as a priority demographic within the Department. Examples of deliverables under the Plan and Strategy include:<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
o The appointment of disability, race and gender champions at Director level to work with our Board level ED&I Champion and the Diversity Networks to support and highlight barriers so they can be addressed at an early stage.<\/p>
<\/p>
o Professor Binna Kandola ran 3 unconscious bias sessions for managers last autumn to raise greater diversity awareness and address issues across BIS.<\/p>
<\/p>
o Mandated unconscious bias e-learning for all line managers to ensure that we attain a baseline of awareness across all BIS managers.<\/p>
<\/p>
o Piloting non-executive board members\u2019 providing coaching and mentoring to under-represented SCS staff.<\/p>
<\/p>
o Launched a Reverse Mentoring programme where 2 Directors General and 6 Directors receive mentoring from a junior BME and/or disabled member of staff. The programme aims to lead to more inclusive decision making and a better understanding of perceptions and behaviour.<\/p>
<\/p>
- Providing further guidance and information to staff and managers on our approach to performance management to mitigate against a more robust system potentially being misinterpreted as unfair treatment, bullying or harassment.<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
- Engaging staff in Groups through e.g. surveys and conversations, to identify particular areas of concern, causes, and potential actions to take forward locally.<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> <\/p>
Points to note: <\/strong> <\/strong><\/p> <\/p>
The Civil Service People Survey asks the question \u201cDo you have any long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability?\u201d The survey does not include a question that specifically identifies disability status.<\/p>
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-17T16:20:01.117Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) all other staff in his Department responded that they were treated fairly at work in the most recent Civil Service People Survey.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4277", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Shields"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck"}
], "uin" : "226957"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226216", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226216/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is absolutely clear that large companies should lead by example and aim to pay their suppliers in 30 days. It is not acceptable for large companies in the UK to be using unduly long payment terms which squeeze suppliers.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
We are acutely aware of the negative impact late payment and unduly long payment terms can have on small companies\u2019 cash flow, which in turn can impact on their ability to trade.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is taking forward a comprehensive package of measure to bring an end to these practices once and for all, including: introducing a new reporting requirement on all large businesses; and strengthening the Prompt Payment Code.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Through the Small Business, Employment and Enterprise Bill we will require the UK\u2019s largest companies to report on their payment practices \u2013 through a tough, new reporting requirement which will shine a light on those companies using lengthy payment terms.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
We have also sought views on proposals for business representative bodies to have wider powers to challenge payment terms and practices which are grossly unfair \u2013 which will build on existing protections for small businesses.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
I also recently announced changes to the Prompt Payment Code to strengthen its impact. The Code will now promote 30 days payment terms as the norm and a maximum payment terms on 60 days.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4070", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Hancock"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Billing"}
, "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, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of large companies' use of lengthy payment terms for suppliers on suppliers' ability to trade.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1511", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Austin of Dudley"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dudley North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Austin"}
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