Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide economic support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) this winter, given the increase in inflation.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has reversed the National Insurance rise, which will save SMEs approximately £4,200 on average, cut fuel duty for 12 months and brought in the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, to protect small businesses from high energy costs over the winter.
The Business Support Helpline on 0800 998 1098 enables SMEs in England to access support of all kinds, including grants, loans and business advice. Equivalent services are available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) helps ensure that smaller businesses can access loans and other kinds of finance for working capital and investment. The current iteration of the scheme was announced on 20 July 2022 and supports finance up to £2 million per business group. RLS is available through 38 accredited lenders including banks, asset finance providers, regional and social lenders.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy for ensuring that their funding promotes (1) fair work, and (2) paying people a real living wage.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The National Living Wage (NLW) 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. Through the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the NLW, we protect the lowest paid within our society. We are clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it and we take robust enforcement action against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of rising (1) energy, and (2) staff, costs on small businesses.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The costs of gas and electricity is forecast to remain high, and many small businesses are experiencing increased energy bills. The government is taking action by intervening in the energy market to support non-domestic consumers including small businesses. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide a price reduction to ensure that all eligible businesses and other non-domestic customers are protected from excessively high energy bills over the winter period.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish local climate resilience funds to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Through the local Government core settlement, grant funding schemes, and UK growth funding, the Government is enabling local areas to tackle net zero goals in ways that best suit their needs.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the planned cap on renewable energy revenues does not deter investment into the UK.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Renewable electricity generation will be key to securing more low-cost homegrown energy. The Government will support investment in the sector through the UK’s flagship scheme for low carbon generation (Contracts for Difference) which from next year will move to annual auctions. This will help further accelerate the deployment of clean, low-cost generation.
The precise mechanics of the temporary Cost-Plus Revenue Limit will be subject to a consultation to be launched shortly, enabling those affected to share their views. The measure will allow generators to cover their costs and receive an appropriate revenue that reflects their operational output, investment commitment and risk profile.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support older workers filling the hospitality labour gap.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are in regular dialogue with the sector and are aware of the recruitment challenges facing businesses. The Hospitality Sector Council is actively looking at this issue, including working directly with the Hospitality Rising Campaign through our Hospitality and Tourism Skills Board.
Support has been boosted by 37 50PLUS Champions covering every district across England, Wales and Scotland who will work with local employers to help them realise how their recruitment could benefit from the talent of older workers.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses experiencing consumer growth slowdowns.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
On 20 July, my Rt. Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced an extension for the Recovery Loan Scheme. The Recovery Loan Scheme helps smaller businesses access loans and other kinds of finance up to £2 million per business group so they can grow and invest. The finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose, including growth and investment or working capital. Furthermore, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide a price reduction to ensure that all eligible businesses and other non-domestic customers are protected from excessively high energy bills over the winter period.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prepare for winter electricity blackouts.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) works closely with network operators, the regulator Ofgem and other stakeholders to ensure that the appropriate technical measures are able to be deployed throughout the year, to ensure the integrity of the energy system.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase regulation of the energy market for businesses.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The business supply market benefits from greater diversity because it is less regulated than the domestic market. It is important to strike the right balance to assist businesses.
On 8th September the Prime Minister announced a new six-month scheme – the Energy Price Guarantee for Businesses (EPGB) – to protect all businesses and other non-domestic energy users from soaring energy costs. It will offer comparable support to that being provided for consumers and we expect the scheme to be available in the autumn.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to lift the ban on fracking.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and restrictions on gas supply to Europe, have emphasised the need for ‘home grown’ sources of energy to reduce our reliance on imports.
My rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on Thursday 7th September that the Government will end the pause on extracting shale gas