Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that individual healthcare recruits from India are being charged significant sums of money to obtain a work permit and visa; and whether this is prohibited by section 6(i) of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have noted the reports of unethical and exploitative practices in this sector. To address this the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has recently published guidance aimed at candidates who are applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad. It provides information on how to avoid scams, working rights and standards, what to consider when deciding whether to take a health or care job in the UK and where to go for further guidance, help or support.
Section 6 of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 (EAA 1973) prohibits the charging of work-finding fees to work-seekers wherever they are recruited from, provided the agency is operating in Great Britain. Agencies are permitted to charge fees for other paid-for services and can pass on visa costs to work-seekers, but this should be clearly set out in writing to the work-seeker. The Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate continues to work closely with DHSC to ensure their guidance aligns with these requirements.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance of home parcel deliveries during the last 18 months to the health and well-being of the UK; what conclusions, if any, they have drawn from any such assessment; and what plans they have to further regulate home parcel deliveries to protect the public interest.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government recognises the important role that postal services have played in helping to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on individuals, families and businesses throughout the country. We remain committed to ensuring the universal postal service, through the universal service obligation, remains affordable and accessible to all users.
Ofcom, as the UK’s designated independent regulator of postal services, is carrying out a review of the future regulatory framework for post which it aims to complete in 2022. As part of this review, Ofcom is considering whether extra consumer protections may be required and has sought views on the future regulation of the parcel delivery market. A Call for Inputs was launched on 11 March 2021 and closed on 20 May 2021. Ofcom intends to publish a full consultation on the future regulation of postal services later this year.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote consumer confidence in buying online; and what assessment they have made of the performance of delivery companies in this regard.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Through the Consumer Right Act 2015 and other legislation, the Government ensures that consumers have specified rights when shopping online. Furthermore, the Government is consulting on measures to boost these online rights further, including proposals to prevent consumers being misled by fake reviews and preventing online exploitation of consumer behaviour.
Ofcom is the UK’s independent regulator of postal services. It monitors competition and consumer protection in the sector. Ofcom is currently conducting a review of postal regulation so that it remains relevant and fit for purpose in the light of market changes. It intends to publish a consultation later this year before concluding the review next year.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they provide local authorities with (1) guidance, or (2) obligations, in relation to funding provided by the Small Business Fund; and if so, whether the funding provided by Harrogate Council to the Harrogate Conservative Association is in line with any such guidance or obligations.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Local Authorities were provided with initial guidance on 24 March 2020 regarding the eligibility and distribution of the Small Business Grant Fund.
Under the Small Business Grant Fund, all business hereditaments which were on 11 March in receipt of either the Small Business Rates Relief or the Rural Rates Relief in the business rates system were eligible for a payment of £10,000. Eligible recipients were entitled to receive one grant per qualifying hereditament.
Local Authorities were responsible for determining eligibility for the Small Business Grant Fund in line with the guidance provided to them.