Angus MacDonald

The Government expects all businesses to treat their consumers fairly. Businesses are required under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address.

As long as businesses comply with this requirement, the mechanisms they use to provide customer services is a commercial decision that the government does not normally seek to intervene in.

The Department has been engaging with Acas on developing their guidance in the context of both Make Work Pay and wider public policy developments. This has included recent discussions around developing Acas’ guidance on internal disciplinary and grievance (D&G) procedures.

Women returning from maternity, adoption, or six continuous weeks of shared parental or neonatal leave are entitled to enhanced redundancy protection. However, the government is strengthening legal protections, as we know this group continues to face a particular risk to their job security.

We'll make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers returning to work for a six-month period - except in specific circumstances. This starts with the Employment Rights Bill, with protections in force from 2027. From April 2026, the Fair Work Agency will strengthen the enforcement of rights, with women expected to particularly benefit.

The Department for Business and Trade regularly engages with representatives from the hospitality sector, including through the hospitality sector council to understand the challenges they face, including the impact of VAT on small businesses.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Whilst there are no current plans to reduce VAT, HM Treasury keep all taxes under review.

To support businesses, we are reforming the business rates system and plan to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000.

The government is committed to a sustainable universal postal service for users throughout the UK, including maintaining the one-price-goes anywhere principle including for those in remote and rural areas.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

The UK’s Trade Envoys play a crucial role in supporting HMG’s growth priorities, through helping deliver the industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to the UK. Lord Austin, in his capacity as Trade Envoy, visited Israel to continue to support these key UK businesses.

DBT publishes data on export licences issued for military and dual-use equipment. Enquiries related to data on the final exports of specific products should be referred to HMRC.

The most recent publication on export licences covers the quarter up to December 2024: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has also on an exceptional basis published further information on the current status of export licences to Israel: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024.

This data shows that licences for the export of all military equipment that might be used in current military operations in Gaza have been suspended, subject to the special measures put in place for exports to the global F-35 programme.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17^th September 2024 to question 4955.

Seasonal businesses in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire can benefit from a range of British Business Bank programmes for example, through the Start Up Loans programme, in addition, the Investment Fund for Scotland also provides debt and equity funding to businesses across Scotland to help them grow and invest.

The BBB's website hosts a 3-step Finance Finder that can help businesses understand the options available to them, while Help to Grow: Management provides practical training to enhance small business productivity and growth.

This government regularly engages with stakeholders including the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss the potential impacts of relevant policies.

In taking difficult decisions to address issues with public finances, the Government increased employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) while lowering the per-employee threshold. Government has protected small businesses by raising the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. Consequently, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs this year, and over half will gain or see no change. While addressing fiscal challenges, the measure will help to alleviate the burden on the smaller businesses.

The UK continues to support the protection of human rights in Colombia, including by improving access to justice, protecting human rights defenders and promoting media freedom.

The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) includes binding investment protection provisions which protect both UK and Colombian investors against unfair and discriminatory treatment, and expropriation without adequate compensation. These commitments do not remove a government’s right to regulate in the public interest, nor its obligations to comply with other commitments, including with respect to human rights.

Products containing ethylene glycol can only be placed on the market if they are safe. This includes meeting any legal requirements on the concentration within that product so that it is at a level that is safe for both humans and the environment. I have not held, and do not plan to hold, specific discussions with manufacturers at this time.

The Government funds the Citizens Advice Consumer Service in England and Wales, providing impartial advice on a range of consumer issues, including buying online. In Scotland, where consumer advice and advocacy are devolved, a similar service is provided by Advice Direct Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government.

The level of customer credit balances held by energy suppliers is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator.

Energy suppliers use credit balances as a way to smooth customer direct debit payments over a year, accounting for seasonal variations in usage. If a customer has concerns about their direct debit or the level of credit balance they should contact their energy supplier.

Under the terms of Ofgem’s Standard Licence Conditions, customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier and ask the supplier to justify how amounts have been calculated. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings used.

Customers can ask their supplier to lower monthly direct debit payments to reflect the energy use more accurately and if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it.

The level of customer credit balances held by energy suppliers is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator.

Energy suppliers use credit balances as a way to smooth customer direct debit payments over a year, accounting for seasonal variations in usage. If a customer has concerns about their direct debit or the level of credit balance they should contact their energy supplier.

Under the terms of Ofgem’s Standard Licence Conditions, customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier and ask the supplier to justify how amounts have been calculated. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings used.

Customers can ask their supplier to lower monthly direct debit payments to reflect the energy use more accurately and if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it.

The level of customer credit balances held by energy suppliers is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator.

Energy suppliers use credit balances as a way to smooth customer direct debit payments over a year, accounting for seasonal variations in usage. If a customer has concerns about their direct debit or the level of credit balance they should contact their energy supplier.

Under the terms of Ofgem’s Standard Licence Conditions, customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier and ask the supplier to justify how amounts have been calculated. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings used.

Customers can ask their supplier to lower monthly direct debit payments to reflect the energy use more accurately and if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it.

The Department issues no such guidance to energy suppliers.

Requirements for how energy suppliers should treat customer credit balances are included within the Supplier Licence Conditions. These set out consumer standards, rules on credit balances, and what suppliers must do to stay financially stable, as set down by the industry regulator Ofgem.

If a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they should contact their supplier and they can ask for a refund.

Biomass generators must currently comply with the reporting requirements of the Renewables Obligation and Contract for Difference (CfD). These include reporting sustainability profiling data for biomass which includes the country of purchase of each fuel consignment. From 2027 under the new Low-Carbon Dispatchable CfD, enhanced reporting obligations will require Drax to report the country of origin, including the identification of each processing plant within the supply chain.

Drax must ensure its power generation complies with the terms of its subsidy agreements, currently provided for by the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Contract for Difference (CfD) schemes. These agreements include wide-ranging environmental protections addressing biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, legal and sustainable harvesting, and maintaining forest productivity, and require at least 70% of woody biomass to be sustainably sourced.

From 2027 these arrangements will be replaced by the new Low-Carbon Dispatchable CfD. This will require all of Drax’s generation to comply with strengthened sustainability standards, including an obligation to ensure that 100% of biomass used is sustainably sourced. We have also tightened the standard of supply chain greenhouse gas emissions and excluded primary feedstocks sourced from primary and old growth forests from receiving support payments.

Monitoring and enforcement under the existing Renewables Obligation (RO) and Contract for Difference (CfD) schemes are the responsibility of the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) and Ofgem respectively, who conduct independent checks to ensure compliance with the sustainability requirements.

Under the new Low-Carbon Dispatchable CfD the monitoring, reporting and verification regime has been enhanced by extending LCCC’s audit rights across Drax’s global supply chain, increasing the audit standard from ‘limited’ to ‘reasonable’ assurance, and requiring sustainability data to be reported down to the level of individual pellet mill facilities. This will provide increased confidence that the biomass used is 100% sustainable.

The Government is funding the majority of the legacy Renewables Obligation for 3 full years, covering the period for which the Government set resource budgets at the Spending Review, while it takes steps to address the underlying issues of high bills.

Our clean power mission will get us off the rollercoaster of international gas prices, which remain more than double what they were in 2020. Any future funding will be considered in the next spending review in the usual way.

The Government is funding the majority of the legacy Renewables Obligation for 3 full years, covering the period for which the Government set resource budgets at the Spending Review, while it takes steps to address the underlying issues of high bills.

Our clean power mission will get us off the rollercoaster of international gas prices, which remain more than double what they were in 2020. Any future funding will be considered in the next spending review in the usual way.

The Government is committed to ensuring electricity networks can meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres, and to protecting consumer bills. Locating data centres where there is excess renewable generation could lower constraint costs, thereby reducing overall system costs and consumer bills. The Government has set up the AI Energy Council jointly chaired by the Secretary of State for DESNZ and Secretary of State for DSIT to look strategically at the energy case for AI and data centres across the UK.

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department works closely with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand, assess and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure.

Where necessary this includes written guidance, for example in relation to the Procurement Act 2023, or clear and robust regulatory standards, for example for cyber resilience through the Network and Information Systems Regulations.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

The Government is clear that the greatest risk to our energy security is from failing to decarbonise and continuing to be overly dependent on fossil fuels, exposing household bills to the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices.

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department works closely with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand, assess and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The Department collaborates with government departments – including the Ministry of Defence – other agencies and industry partners on a regular and ongoing basis to understand, assess and mitigate threats to both energy infrastructure and sensitive sites.

The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe and we are aware of the complexities involved in decarbonising rural and off-gas grid homes.

This government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings.

Our Warm Homes Plan will help households, including rural off-gas grid households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The Department has partnered with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. Details of the plan will be published soon.

As issues of energy efficiency are devolved, Scotland has specific Net Zero strategies. We work closely with our counterparts in the Devolved Governments to ensure our strategies align.

Consumers can visit Home Energy Scotland for advice on home upgrades and information about the Scottish Government funded Warmer Homes Scotland programme which provides grants and support. A phoneline service is available on 0808 808 2282.

Rural off-gas-grid properties in Scotland receive a 35% uplift incentivising delivery in harder to reach areas and reflecting additional energy costs.

Between Jan 2013 and June 2025, the Highlands (Local Authority) received 15,874 measures under the ECO scheme, and 9,242 via ECO Flex between April 2017 and June 2025.

Energy efficiency policy is devolved in Scotland. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has reporting responsibilities for England only.