Andrew Snowden

The emergency services, whose role is to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency have the Emergency Alerting capability available to them 24/7/365 upon request. The established procedures have been closely designed alongside both national and regional emergency response plans.

Regular training is undertaken with local authorities, local resilience forums, and emergency services to familiarise them with the Emergency Alert capability and requesting processes.

Emergency Alerts are just one of many capabilities available to first responders on the ground to assist them in disseminating vital information and guidance, complementing a wide range of tools at the disposal of emergency services for communicating risks to life for example local news, radio, television, social media, or door knocking.

The Cabinet Office works closely with the Ministry of Defence to track and monitor risks to national security supply chains. The forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will set out the government's approach to defence supply chain security and resilience.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 14th July is attached.

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.

Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service, as was the case under the previous administration.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 4th July is attached.

The Government Property Agency maintains defibrillators across its estate inline with best practice (annual servicing) and is aligned to manufacturer’s guidelines. Defibrillators are also regularly visually inspected.

Regulatory oversight of gig economy platforms spans multiple departments and agencies depending on the specific aspect being regulated. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology is responsible for data protection policy and legislation as it relates to personal data, and the Department for Business and Trade has responsibility for the legislative framework on employment rights.

Platform usage policies are contractual matters between the companies and their users, with companies responsible for enforcing their own terms of service within the bounds of applicable laws.

We regularly keep the resilience of our EV supply chains under review to ensure a strong and viable automotive sector. As part of our plan for growth, we will continue to work with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK including through new strategic investments and export support for automotive and battery manufacturing.

The Department for Business and Trade is currently engaging with stakeholders on proposed changes in filing requirements at Companies House to ensure they strike the right balance between tackling economic crime and avoiding undue burden on business.

HMRC has required companies to file electronic company tax returns since 2011 and announced earlier this year that, from 31 March 2026, it would be withdrawing the joint online filing service it runs with Companies House.

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill and these are available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill and these are available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK

Conducted properly, trading from door to door or conducting business in a consumer’s home can be a legitimate form of business, provided traders observe the legislation regulating the practice.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 updates existing protections that prohibit traders from engaging in aggressive or misleading commercial practices, including harassment, high pressure-selling techniques, coercion or undue influence against consumers. Traders are banned from ignoring a request from a consumer to leave or not return to the consumer’s home.

Residents can collectively ask their local Trading Standards services to set up ‘No cold calling zones’, which are designed to prohibit uninvited callers.

Conducted properly, trading from door to door or conducting business in a consumer’s home can be a legitimate form of business, provided traders observe the legislation regulating the practice.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 updates existing protections that prohibit traders from engaging in aggressive or misleading commercial practices, including harassment, high pressure-selling techniques, coercion or undue influence against consumers. Traders are banned from ignoring a request from a consumer to leave or not return to the consumer’s home.

Residents can collectively ask their local Trading Standards services to set up ‘No cold calling zones’, which are designed to prohibit uninvited callers.

Businesses operating in the UK, including online platforms in the gig economy, must comply with UK laws and regulations on employment, data protection, taxation, business regulation and right to work. Responsibility for overseeing these regulations spans multiple departments and regulators, depending on the issue.

The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for employment rights legislation, where the Government has committed to moving towards a simpler framework for employment status. Our priority is ensuring those workers who are most vulnerable know their rights and have the benefit of protection at work. 

The government recognises that small businesses are critical to our communities and essential to our economic success. We are committed to hardwiring the voice of small business into everything we do and collaborating with businesses and workers to kickstart and rebuild our economy.

The universal postal service ensures that SMEs across the UK have access to an affordable service.

Ofcom independently regulates the universal postal service. In its 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report, Ofcom found that three-quarters (74%) of SMEs were satisfied with the quality of service they receive from Royal Mail, while overall satisfaction with other providers stood at 81%.

We will publish our Small Business Strategy later this year with a clear ambition to promote start-ups and encourage entrepreneurship, built around the new Business Growth Service.

Start Up Loans are available across the UK, helping new and early-stage businesses access affordable finance. 209 such loans have been issued to Fylde businesses, worth an aggregate of over £2.1 million.[1]

Existing support offers include Help to Grow: Management - UK, providing practical ways to enhance small business productivity and growth, and the British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II provides debt and equity finance for businesses across the North.

[1] Start Up Loans Scheme – lending 2012 to 31/01/2025 | Start Up Loans (to 31 January 2025)

As part of its assessment of the beer market, the Department has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including small brewers and independent pub landlords.

The government is separately conducting a statutory review into the operation of the Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. Interested parties can submit their views to the call for inputs until 14 August 2025. The Pubs Code applies to large pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales, covering around 8,000 pubs.

The government notes the Scottish Pubs Code and the ‘guest beer agreement’ requirement, contained within it.

The England and Wales Pubs Code, which applies to large pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales, covers around 8,000 pubs. The government is currently undertaking the third statutory review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator. Stakeholders including brewers and pub companies are encouraged to contribute to the review’s call for inputs which is open until 14 August.

Additionally, the government is completing an exercise to understand whether there are any barriers to market for small brewers. This exercise covers all pub models. Interested parties can contact beermarketreview@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

The intention is to complete the review this summer. Ministers will then consider the report’s findings and, following discussions with those parties that have contributed to the review, whether any further steps should be taken.

The beer market review, with specific reference to market access for small brewers, will cover all subcategories of the pub sector, including leased and tenanted pubs. It will not however consider the merits of different pub models.

The government is separately conducting a statutory review into the operation of Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. Interested parties can submit their views to the call for inputs until 14 August 2025. The Pubs Code applies to large pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales, covering around 8,000 pubs.

Hospitality businesses, including pubs and independent breweries, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The government wishes to see small brewers retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and supporting local economies. The Government is currently assessing the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small brewers' from accessing pubs.

The government is currently completing an exercise to understand whether there are any barriers to market for small brewers. This exercise covers all pub models. Interested parties can contact beermarketreview@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

The government is separately conducting a statutory review into the operation of Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. Interested parties can submit their views to the call for inputs until 14 August 2025. The Pubs Code applies to large pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales, covering around 8,000 pubs.

Under product safety regulations, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and Local Authority Trading Standards (LATS) have powers to remove unsafe products or prevent them entering the UK. In 2023-2024, 2.4m goods, including e-bikes, were denied entry. LATS report serious risk products to OPSS, which has published 22 recalls and 29 other safety alerts on unsafe e-bikes and associated products since 2022. Last year OPSS led a LATS programme to inspect businesses that repair, maintain or modify e-bikes and raise awareness of legal responsibilities for safety.

Enforcement of illegally modified electric bikes on public roads is a police matter.

Under UK product safety regulations, businesses are responsible for ensuring the products they supply comply with all relevant legal requirements. The Office for Product Safety and Standards published a regulatory activity update for e-bikes in January which summarises its actions in this area. It does not routinely collect estimates of numbers of products removed from sale. Individual Trading Standards departments prioritise action against non-compliant consumer products based on the trading patterns and safety issues specific to their locality, which differ between regions.

Enforcement of illegally modified electric bikes used on public roads is a matter for the police.

As part of DBT's programme of activity tackling unsafe e-bikes and associated products, last October I launched a consumer awareness campaign Buy Safe, Be Safe to encourage consumers to buy safe e-bikes from reputable sellers; to only use manufacturer recommended replacements; and to only engage professionals if modifying products. DBT partners with fire services, consumer bodies and relevant businesses to ensure these messages reach gig economy workers and those most likely to use e-bikes. DBT also collaborates with other departments, including MHCLG on fire safety, and DfT on safe road use, to raise public awareness on using e-bikes safely.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains, including on SMEs.

The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2nd April.

We have announced a range of measures to support SMEs, including access to additional finance through the British Business Bank and sector specific measures. We are also expanding UKEF’s capacity to support business by £20 billion, with £10 billion specifically aimed at businesses impacted by the current US tariffs. Any business which is concerned about what tariff changes mean for them can find clear guidance and support on business.gov.uk.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains, including on SMEs.

The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2nd April.

We have announced a range of measures to support SMEs, including access to additional finance through the British Business Bank and sector specific measures. We are also expanding UKEF’s capacity to support business by £20 billion, with £10 billion specifically aimed at businesses impacted by the current US tariffs. Any business which is concerned about what tariff changes mean for them can find clear guidance and support on business.gov.uk.

We recognise the vital role pubs play in driving economic growth and strengthening community cohesion across the UK, I co-chair the Hospitality Sector Council to discuss matters affecting the sector and to recognise their contribution to the economy, which was around £50bn GVA in 2024, representing 2% total UK output. We've recently launched Hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which fast-track individuals into hospitality vacancies by providing flexible training and support for job seekers.

Additionally, we've launched a new £1.5 million Hospitality Fund to co-invest in projects that boost productivity and help community pubs adapt to local needs. We're working with the Licensing Taskforce to reduce burdens and encourage growth.

On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US which cuts tariffs for UK industry and cuts costs for businesses.

What we have agreed will provide the foundation for a new reciprocal trading partnership between the US and the UK, protecting businesses and jobs across the country. We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

We will continue our engagement with businesses from across the UK throughout these remaining negotiations.

The UK’s product safety framework requires businesses, including those that modify electric bikes, to only place safe and compliant consumer products on the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards and Local Authority Trading Standards have powers to tackle the supply of unsafe or non-compliant consumer products and remove them from the market.

The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will enable the Government to modernise product safety law, including placing new duties on online marketplaces to better protect consumers from unsafe products.

Enforcement of illegally modified electric bikes used on public roads is a matter for the police.

The Government is conscious that this is an anxious time for all businesses, not just those trading with the USA.

We have announced a range of measures to support SMEs dealing with cashflow difficulties linked to recent changes in global tariff rates, including an additional £500 million in lending capacity under the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS), delivered by the British Business Bank.

We are also expanding UKEF’s business support package by £20 billion, £10 billion of which will be used specifically for businesses impacted in the short term by the current US tariffs.