Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to expose criminal fronts by working with enforcement bodies.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The new High Streets Illegality Taskforce is currently being established and will bring together departments and agencies to develop an intelligence led understanding of organised crime on our high streets, and a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated criminality on UK high streets.
As well, Companies House works with a wide range of partners across Law Enforcement and Government to identify and disrupt economic crime. Where criminality is suspected, information and intelligence are shared with relevant partners.
The capability and capacity of Companies House’s Intelligence Hub has continued to grow, with increased use of the new data sharing powers to disseminate relevant intelligence to key partners, including the National Crime Agency, HMRC, the Insolvency Service and policing in the UK.
Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support the Government is providing to independent brewers and local supply chains linked to the pub sector.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the vital contribution that breweries and local supply chains make to pubs and remains committed to supporting a sector that is diverse, competitive, and rooted in local communities.
Small Producer Relief (SPR) supports smaller producers by allowing those producing up to 4,500 hectolitres of pure alcohol per year to pay reduced duty on products below 8.5% ABV. At Budget 2025, the Government increased the cash discount for small producers, maintaining the value of SPR relative to main duty rates.
The Government works closely with industry and across departments to monitor risks to food and drink supply chain resilience, supported by regular engagement to prepare for and respond to potential disruptions
Additionally, we have reviewed the beer market to assess whether structural barriers are preventing small breweries from accessing pubs. The findings are being considered, and I will announce the outcome in due course.
Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what targeted support is available to rural pubs that face higher operating costs and limited footfall compared with urban businesses.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the significant role rural pubs play in driving economic growth, employment and community cohesion across the UK. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector.
Following the Budget, we recently announced an additional 15% reduction in the business rates bill for pubs, alongside the permanent reduction in the business rates multiplier for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties.
We recognise that pubs are at the beating heart of communities, providing not just a place to socialise but essential services and local jobs. That's why we're investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services.
We have announced a new Hospitality Support Fund, with £10 million of funding over three years. This fund will aim to help over 1000 pubs to diversify their business models, improve efficiency and productivity in the sector; and support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality.
Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen trading standards enforcement against rogue high street traders.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need. The department continues to engage with Trading Standards and supports their efforts and work in tackling rogue high street traders.
Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many trading standards inspections of high street shops took place in the last 12 months in (a) Suffolk Coastal, (b) Suffolk and (c) East Anglia.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade does not hold this information. Trading Standards inspections are the responsibility of individual Local Authorities.
Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of firework regulations in protecting animals and vulnerable people; and whether he plans to review the existing framework.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
There currently has been no assessment to the effectiveness of firework regulations in protecting animals and vulnerable people. The Government's intention is to minimise negative impacts of fireworks and to support their considerate use, reducing the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals, and property.
To inform future decisions about the regulation of fireworks, I am engaging with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. The safety of the public and the impact on people, animals and property will be central in how the Government proceeds in relation to the regulation of fireworks.
Asked by: Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour - Suffolk Coastal)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help protect consumers from exploitative practices in the (a) holiday park and (b) static caravan sector.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Consumers who purchase holiday and static caravans, often for significant sums, are protected under consumer legislation such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 strengthens consumer law enforcement by giving the CMA new administrative powers, and the CMA and courts the ability to impose significant monetary penalties.
It is crucial that consumers seek appropriate legal advice to clearly understand the terms and conditions of any caravan purchase, so they can make a fully informed decision.
My department is also engaging with enforcement bodies to understand more about exploitative practices taking place in the sector and how they can be tackled.