Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how his Department is working with colleagues in the Government Equalities Office to support women working in the night time economy.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade works across Government and with industry to support the hospitality and night-time economy, a major employer of women across the UK.
Through the Employment Rights Act, we are strengthening protections and improving job quality for workers, including women, across sectors like hospitality. This includes measures to tackle insecure work, enhance protections for those on low or variable hours, and ensure fairer working conditions. The Act also introduces stronger safeguards on workplace rights, including action on harassment and improved access to flexible working and family-related leave. Alongside regular engagement with sector bodies, these measures will help women access, remain and progress in good quality jobs across the night-time economy.
Additionally, the Government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and improving safety in public spaces, including at night, through delivery of the Freedom from Violence and Abuse cross-government strategy, which brings together action across policing, public services, industry and communities.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what alternatives are available for company directors unable to use One Login.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Individuals who are required to verify are encouraged to use GOV.UK One Login where possible. This offers several routes, including using photo ID, answering online security questions, or attending a Post Office with appropriate documents. Where an individual is unable to complete verification using any One Login route, they can instead use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant or solicitor, to verify their identity on their behalf. ACSPs must meet Companies House’s identity verification standard. Companies House also provides tailored support or reasonable adjustment.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what alternatives are available for company directors unable to use One Login.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the One Login programme is compliant with the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Assessment Framework.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of regulatory or legislative measures to prevent private companies from unreasonably blocking the transfer of vested shares held by former employees.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Section 771 of the Companies Act 2006 requires companies to register a share transfer or provide reasons to the transferee for not doing so. Private companies’ articles of association, which must be approved by shareholders, may include provisions covering the secondary sale of shares. Such provisions may seek to balance the alignment of employee interests with the company’s long-term prospects while also considering the impact any restrictions have on employee share liquidity. In May 2025, the Government legislated to establish PISCES (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System), the legal framework for a new type of stock exchange for private companies. PISCES makes private secondary markets more transparent and efficient, enabling employees, founders and early-stage investors to realise and reinvest their gains.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact that restrictions on secondary sales of private company shares have on economic growth and new business creation.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Section 771 of the Companies Act 2006 requires companies to register a share transfer or provide reasons to the transferee for not doing so. Private companies’ articles of association, which must be approved by shareholders, may include provisions covering the secondary sale of shares. Such provisions may seek to balance the alignment of employee interests with the company’s long-term prospects while also considering the impact any restrictions have on employee share liquidity. In May 2025, the Government legislated to establish PISCES (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System), the legal framework for a new type of stock exchange for private companies. PISCES makes private secondary markets more transparent and efficient, enabling employees, founders and early-stage investors to realise and reinvest their gains.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support start-up businesses.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government is committed to supporting start-up businesses through the Small Business Plan - the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium sized businesses in a generation.
This includes the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlocking billions of pounds in finance to support start-ups; removing unnecessary red tape; revitalising High Streets and boosting Digital and AI Adoption among small businesses.
The Business Growth Service helps start-ups access tailored support at every stage of their growth journey. Business Surrey offers free accessible business advice and support at all stages of a business journey.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to inform start-ups about alternative finance, including the use of liquidity, to help promote growth.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The growth of non-bank lenders over the past decade means that over two thirds (68%) of overall SME lending in 2025 came from either challenger and specialist banks or non-bank lenders. Alternative finance options include asset-backed lending, invoice finance and merchant finance. The British Business Bank’s finance hub at https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/business-guidance has comprehensive information on these options.
The government’s Business Growth Service provides start-ups with information on all aspects of growing a business, including access to finance, and can be accessed at https://www.business.gov.uk or by telephone.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to introduce a statutory entitlement to paid leave for kinship carers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings which outline next steps for implementing any reforms.
In addition to considering, all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, the Review is considering the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.
The Government is also supporting kinship carers through other mechanisms and has recently launched a kinship pilot to support up to 5,000 kinship families by paying eligible carers an allowance equivalent to the Fostering National Minimum Allowance.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he expects to receive the outcome of the Personal Insolvency Review.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Personal Insolvency Review is the most significant review of the personal insolvency framework in England and Wales since the introduction of the current regime in 1986. The review is ongoing, and the Government expects to finalise options for reform in the coming months.
Any proposed reforms to the personal insolvency regime will be subject to public consultation.