Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Government is taking to support independent jewellers in Southport constituency.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Independent jewellers in Southport and across the country have benefited from the extension of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief for 2024-25, a tax cut worth nearly £2.4 billion and a freeze to the small business multiplier for a fourth consecutive year, protecting over a million ratepayers from bill increases.
Government provided an unprecedented package of support for businesses with energy costs through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and the Energy Bill Discount Scheme. Together these schemes have provided around £7.5 billion to businesses for energy costs.
The industry led Retail Sector Council is developing a strategic approach for retail and continues to invite views on the opportunities and challenges for business set out in the recently published discussion paper Retail: The Great Enabler.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help support the establishment of new business ventures (a) in the North West and (b) Southport constituency.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to support the (a) digital technology and (b) creative industries in (a) the North West and (b) Southport constituency.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that age restrictions are appropriately enforced for people signing up to be delivery drivers.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
The Government is clear that all businesses must fulfil their legal obligations in respect of employment law.
The Government is in regular conversation with businesses who utilise the service of delivery drivers. On 14th November Minister Jenrick hosted a roundtable with industry representatives. While onboarding processes are a matter for businesses themselves, this department continues to work closely with business to ensure that risks are minimised by ensuring business has robust onboarding systems and processes in place, to cover matters such as age verification.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will take steps to require all businesses to provide paper bills to people over the age of 70.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Government has no plans to introduce new rules. Businesses should treat all their customers fairly. Anyone who feels they have experienced age discrimination may contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), the government helpline established to provide free support.