Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential for abuse of voluntary insolvencies.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In recent years the Government has commissioned research covering both corporate and personal voluntary insolvency processes. In 2022 the company voluntary arrangement research report was published and on 17 October 2024 the research findings into Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) was published. Further research into corporate voluntary insolvency processes will be published later this year. The Government will be considering the findings of this research, and along with other evidence, may bring forward proposals for reform in due course.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) his officials have had with DP World since 1 October 2024; and whether any incentives have been (i) discussed and (ii) agreed since that date.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Officials from the Department for Business and Trade engaged with DP World in advance of the International Investment Summit, on both the 10th and 13th October, to finalise communications plans surrounding their investment announcement at the Summit. Ministers also engaged with DP World as an attendee of the International Investment Summit. In relation to DP World, no benefits – financial or otherwise – have been offered, discussed, or agreed since the date specified.
Oct. 29 2024
Source Page: New UK-EU Competition Cooperation AgreementAsked by: Richard Tice (Reform UK - Boston and Skegness)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential (a) economic, (b) security and (c) supply chain risks posed by the potential closure of the UK's remaining blast furnaces.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK government recognises the strategic importance of the steel industry for economic growth and national security. We are committed to developing the sector.
Many countries, particularly across Europe, are replacing aging blast furnaces with Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs). While the future of the remaining blast furnaces ultimately lies with British Steel, as I recently conveyed to the Hon Gentleman, the government is reviewing innovative technologies, such as Direct Reduced Iron, to support primary steelmaking in the future.
EAFs will also bolster our economic security by reducing our reliance on imports. This shift will enable us to use the abundant supply of scrap metal available in the UK, thereby increasing the resilience of our steel sector and the wider UK supply chain from global shocks.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase the (a) availability and (b) affordability of Post Office services in rural areas.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
To help ensure that there are affordable post office services in rural areas, the government provides an annual £50m network subsidy to support the delivery of both a minimum number of branches and strong geographical spread of branches in line with published access criteria.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision by the US Federal Trade Commission to require online subscription services to allow users to cancel more easily on UK consumers.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Similar measures have already been introduced in the UK through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. These rules apply to all traders who target UK consumers, whether they are located in the UK or not. Nevertheless, the US initiative sets a standard the Government welcomes.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision by the US Federal Trade Commission to require online subscription services to be cancelled more easily on the UK.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Similar measures have already been introduced in the UK through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. These rules apply to all traders who target UK consumers, whether they are located in the UK or not. Nevertheless, the US initiative sets a standard the Government welcomes.