Department for Business and Trade

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Ofcom’s duties, as the independent regulator for postal services, include furthering the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.

Ofcom’s regulatory framework supports competition by imposing minimal intervention in competitive areas of the postal market, for example, in relation to parcel services. Ofcom also requires Royal Mail, as the designated universal service provider, to allow access to its network for the provision of certain bulk letter and large letter services and impose a number of safeguards to protect postal operators reliant on this access.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

The Government currently has no plans to introduce a licensing scheme for funeral directors.

Funeral directors are subject to existing consumer rights legislation. We believe this provides the tools necessary for tackling rogue practices in the sector. We are strengthening consumer rights as part of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.

Following a market investigation into the funerals sector, the Competition and Markets Authority introduced legal obligations on funeral directors and crematorium operators in 2021 and set these out in guidance in 2023.

As per the Horizon Shortfall Scheme eligibility criteria which are published on Post Office’s website, individuals must have, or have previously had, a contract directly with the Post Office to be eligible for compensation.

Independent jewellers in Southport and across the country have benefited from the extension of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief for 2024-25, a tax cut worth nearly £2.4 billion and a freeze to the small business multiplier for a fourth consecutive year, protecting over a million ratepayers from bill increases.

Government provided an unprecedented package of support for businesses with energy costs through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and the Energy Bill Discount Scheme. Together these schemes have provided around £7.5 billion to businesses for energy costs.

The industry led Retail Sector Council is developing a strategic approach for retail and continues to invite views on the opportunities and challenges for business set out in the recently published discussion paper Retail: The Great Enabler.

Although remuneration rates are an operational matter for Post Office, postmaster remuneration is something I regularly raise in my meetings with the CEO of Post Office Ltd.

Remuneration rates are designed to reflect the differing operating models, range of products and services and cost structures between main and local branches.

As I stressed at the National Federation of Sub Postmasters Conference on 13^th May, we recognise how important postmaster pay issues are for postmasters and the future of the network and believe there are opportunities for Post Office that will make a difference to postmasters, particularly in the cash and banking space.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

I can confirm that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) instructed Counsel to advise on its duty of post-conviction disclosure and that advice included a consideration of the nature of its prosecutions.

The advice considered cases that had been brought before the Court of Appeal in which DWP evidence was scrutinised.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the UK-U.S. trading relationship. In 2023, businesses in Northern Ireland alone exported goods worth over £1.5 million to the U.S. The SME Dialogue in Belfast reflects the ongoing commitment from both countries to enhancing UK-U.S. SME trade.

Over 85 SMEs, including many from Northern Ireland, participated in the recent Dialogue in Belfast where the UK and U.S. Intellectual Property (IP) toolkits, to help SMEs protect their IP. The Department for Business and Trade have previously launched toolkits on Doing Business in the U.S. and an E-Commerce Guide for SMEs selling online to the U.S.

The department is committed to supporting SMEs to grow and export, with a dedicated Export Support Service. The Export Academy helps SMEs access free training programmes, 1:1 guidance from International Trade Advisers and in-market insight from teams around the world, including in the U.S.

We are monitoring the situation in Israel and Gaza very closely. All export licences are assessed against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria and are kept under careful and continual review as standard.

As part of the Government’s robust arms export control regime we periodically review advice on Israel’s capability and overall commitment to comply with International Humanitarian Law, which includes a range of evidence. Ministers act in accordance with that advice.

The UK Government has not spoken to the Norwegian government about its decision of 9 January 2024 to consider awarding licences for deep sea mining exploration, and potentially future extraction, on its continental shelf but has taken note of the decision. This area is within Norway's jurisdiction and is not regulated by the International Seabed Authority.

The Government continues to look closely at these important issues. While we have noted the recommendations of the Law Commission, any decision to change current procedures must fully consider the impact this will have on the tribunal system, which remains under pressure, as well as the effect on Acas, who are responsible for conducting early conciliation.

The Government continues to look closely at these important issues. While we have noted the recommendations of the Law Commission, any decision to change current procedures must fully consider the impact this will have on the tribunal system, which remains under pressure, as well as the effect on Acas, who are responsible for conducting early conciliation.

The National Living Wage is part of our wider commitment to ensuring a labour market that works for everyone, both in terms of fair pay and fair working conditions.

On 1 April 2024, the Government increased the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 years to £11.44 an hour. We are pleased to confirm that this record cash increase of £1.02 per hour means we will hit the target for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings for those aged 21 and over in 2024. This will end low hourly pay for this group.

Tata steel is making an investment of £1.25 billion, including a UK Government grant worth up to £500 million, in a new Electric Arc Furnace at the Port Talbot Steelworks. The electrification of steelmaking will significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint of the site which is currently the UK’s single largest emitter of CO₂.

The UK Government does not have a role in Tata Steel’s energy purchasing arrangements, and therefore cannot confirm the relevant energy sources they will choose to use. However, in recent months, renewables became the majority source of electricity generation for the first full quarter across Great Britain’s electricity grid and we are planning to decarbonise the electricity system by 2035, subject to security of supply.

The Government are in regular contact with the automotive sector to understand their requirements and we continue to support the automotive sector, including through the Automotive Council Skills Working Group which covers skills issues across manufacturing, aftermarket (repair and servicing) and sales.

The Government recognises that skills are critical to the current and future needs of the economy and that is why we are committed to delivering a world-leading skills system that is employer-focused, high-quality, and fit for the future. This is through high quality further and higher education, apprenticeships, and adult training. This is driving productivity and growth by growing talent across the country, addressing skills shortages and responding to evolving skills needs in key growth sectors.

The Government provides extensive business support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with over 40 offers of support available to all business including those in Suffolk.

Businesses in Suffolk can access support through GOV.UK, the Business Support Service and network of Growth Hubs. Government-backed financial support is available from the British Business Bank, including the Growth Guarantee Scheme, which has been extended until the end of March 2026.

The Government set out policy actions in the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow which was published alongside the Autumn Statement in November 2023. These actions include extending Payment Performance Reporting Regulations with legislation being passed earlier this month, ensuring that large businesses are required to report their payment performance.

The Start Up Loans Company provides loans and pre- and post-loan business support and mentoring to new entrepreneurs. Since the programme started in 2012, 917 loans have been awarded to start ups in Suffolk totalling over £9 million.

The Government’s recently launched initiatives supporting business:

• The refreshed Help to Grow campaign and website creating a one-stop shop for SMEs to find the information they need to grow and scale up;
• The Lilac Review to identify the barriers faced by disabled-led businesses and develop an action plan to remove them;
• The Invest in Women Taskforce with the mission of making the UK the best place in the world to be a female founder.

The Government Car service (GCS) provides vehicles to a number of Government departments. Due to logistical and operational reasons the type of vehicles deployed at each department can vary on a daily or weekly basis. The GCS fleet currently has 122 vehicles, 58 (48%) of which are vehicles made in Britain.

The Department for Business and Trade works with local stakeholders to promote trade and investment opportunities. Businesses in Suffolk can access the Department's range of export support services through great.gov.uk. This includes online learning and information, the Export Academy, our network of International Trade Advisers, and our International Market Advisors in overseas regions. UK Export Finance also has a network of export finance managers and coverage includes Suffolk.

The Department works in partnership with other Government Departments and locally to attract potential investors and provide support for foreign investors wishing to invest in the area.

For each of the last five audited financial years, the Competition and Markets Authority has spent the following amount on external consultancies.

Year Amount

2018/19 £239,900.46

2019/20 £541,058.36

2020/21 £585,389.23

2021/22 £733,361.96

2022/23 £786,795.35

Figures for 2023/24 have not been finalised and will be published in the CMA annual report in July 2024 once audited.

Lenders were required to take appropriate precautions against fraud, including Know Your Customer and Anti Money Laundering checks. If fraud has occurred because these checks have not been completed properly, lenders cannot claim on the Government guarantee and will have to bear the costs themselves. As at 16 January 2024, the Government guarantee has been removed from 11,720 loans offered across the three covid debt schemes to the value of £1.02 billion.

The Government is committed to bearing down on fraud in the schemes. We are working with a wide range of organisations, including lenders, law enforcement, and partners across government to recover fraudulently obtained loans.

The latest Government figures made available in the BEIS Annual Report and Accounts (2022/2023) indicate that estimated lifetime losses due to fraud and error will be £1.74bn.