Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that new trade deals do not undermine the UK's existing (a) social and (b) environmental standards after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU.
When we leave the European Union, we will maintain our current standards. We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of exit.
We’re clear that more trade doesn’t have to come at the expense of labour or the environment. We are exploring all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements, including possible labour and environmental provisions within these taking into account results of the DIT consultation exercise.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new trade deals do not affect the ability of the UK to (a) regulate in the public interest and (b) protect public services.
Answered by George Hollingbery
Protecting the UK’s right to regulate in the public interest and protect public services, including the NHS, is of the utmost importance. The UK’s public services are protected by specific exceptions and reservations in EU trade agreements - including the recent EU-Canada agreement (CETA) - and, as we leave the EU, the UK will continue to ensure that rigorous protections are included in all trade agreements it is party to. The Government has been consistently clear that we are committed to the fundamental principles of the NHS - that it is universal and free at the point of need. We will ensure that no trade agreements alter these fundamental facts.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential risks to the NHS as a result of future trade deals after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
Protecting the UK’s right to regulate in the public interest and protect public services, including the NHS, is of the utmost importance. The UK’s public services are protected by specific exceptions and reservations in EU trade agreements - including the recent EU-Canada agreement (CETA) - and, as we leave the EU, the UK will continue to ensure that rigorous protections are included in all trade agreements it is party to. The Government has been consistently clear that we are committed to the fundamental principles of the NHS - that it is universal and free at the point of need. We will ensure that no trade agreements alter these fundamental facts.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will take steps to ensure that future trade deals will not make it easier for private companies to provide NHS services.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The UK will continue to ensure that decisions about the NHS are made by UK Governments, including the Devolved Administrations, not our trade partners. The UK will determine whether private companies should be involved in providing services under contract, and if so to what extent. Trade deals will give no greater access for private companies, domestic or overseas, to NHS services.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will commission a review of the Pubs Code.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
As required by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State will review the operation of the Pubs Code for the period of 21 July 2016 to 31 March 2019. The Government is currently considering the format of the review and will ensure all those with an interest, including tenants and pub companies, have an opportunity to contribute.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will review trends in the level of pub closures in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Midlothian.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government does not hold information the information requested.
The Government recognises the important role pubs play in local communities. My Rt Hon Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at Autumn Budget 2018 that the Government was freezing beer duties for the second consecutive year as beer makes up close to 50% of pub sales. Many pubs are also benefitting from the business rates retail discount, announced at Budget 2018, which cuts bills by one third for retail properties with a rateable value below £51,000 from April 2019, as well as wider reforms and reductions to business rates.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to implement a pubs strategy to tackle the closure of pubs.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government does not hold information the information requested.
The Government recognises the important role pubs play in local communities. My Rt Hon Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at Autumn Budget 2018 that the Government was freezing beer duties for the second consecutive year as beer makes up close to 50% of pub sales. Many pubs are also benefitting from the business rates retail discount, announced at Budget 2018, which cuts bills by one third for retail properties with a rateable value below £51,000 from April 2019, as well as wider reforms and reductions to business rates.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of altering business rates to support local pubs.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The UK Government has introduced wide-ranging cuts to business rates benefitting all ratepayers in England that are worth more than £13bn over the next five years. They include a £1,000 discount for small and medium pubs in 2017-18 and 2018-19, and a retail discount of one third for two years from April 2019, for which pubs will be eligible. The pubs sector will also benefit from the Budget 2018 freeze on beer duty.
As business rates are devolved, business rates policy in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government. The UK Government is providing Barnett consequential funding so the Devolved Administrations may provide similar support if they wish.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what targets have been put in place for universal credit helpline call handlers to promote the use of the digital channel to claimants.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The Department has not set any targets for Universal Credit helpline call handlers to promote the use of the digital channel to claimants. I refer the hon. Member to my answers to Questions 212666 and 212668 on 30 January 2019.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what procedures she has put in place to incentivise call handlers at universal credit call centres to encourage claimants to use online accounts, and whether those procedures include targets.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The Department has not set any targets for the reduction in the number of calls made to the Universal Credit helpline. We have no procedures or targets to incentivise call handlers to encourage claimants to use online accounts.