Jim Fitzpatrick

The Department does not hold information on how many families are in debt with their energy companies.

Ofgem closely monitors domestic energy suppliers’ performance and publishes information in relation to debt owed by domestic electricity and gas accounts holders in Great Britain, but they do not publish data relating to families with children or constituency areas. At the end of 2013, latest data available, 1.5 million domestic electricity account holders and 1.4 million domestic gas account holders were in debt to their energy supplier Ofgem’s Domestic Suppliers’ Social Obligations: 2013 Annual Report:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/92186/annualreport2013finalforpublication.pdf.

Earlier this year, the indicative amounts of funding for value added services (‘enhanced activity’) to be delivered by the British Marine Federation (BMF) for UK businesses at the Dusseldorf Boat Show and the Miami Boat Show were withdrawn. Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) grants for small business customers at these events were unaffected. Subsequent to this, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has offered an additional five TAP grants to assist new-to-event exhibitors at Dusseldorf. Since UKTI and the BMF had not progressed beyond the basic planning stage on the enhanced activity to be delivered alongside grants at these two shows when the funding was withdrawn, it is not possible to estimate accurately the impact of this withdrawal on small businesses in the sector.

As required by section 9 of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013, the Adjudicator has consulted on a proposed maximum penalty, and has made a recommendation to the Secretary of State. This is currently the subject of cross-Government Ministerial consideration.

We currently support two units of Drax under the Renewables Obligation (RO), one as a full conversion, the other as an enhanced co-firing unit. One further unit has been awarded a contract under Final Investment Decision Enabling for Renewables (FIDeR). Government spending on levy funded support for low carbon electricity, including renewables, is capped by the Levy Control Framework (LCF), thereby helping to minimise the impact on consumer bills.

An estimate of the cost of support for renewable electricity generation by Drax cannot be provided as such information would allow the determination of operational factors which are commercially confidential.

The Government invited interested parties to submit evidence as part of its programme of consultation during the summer.

Over the summer Ministers and officials undertook extensive discussions with a wide range of stakeholders regarding changes to DSA.

A variety of information is already available to students, both through the Unistats website - http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ - and from individual Institutions. Institutions are considering what additional information may be necessary in light of the announcement on changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

There are already a number of rights of appeal available to students.

The Government is working with interested parties to consider if further changes are needed.

In 2009 the Renewables Obligation Order introduced the requirements for generating stations using biomass fuels to report against sustainability criteria. The dataset for the fourth reporting year (2012-2013) against these criteria has been published, and details the types of biomass used:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2012-13.

In 2009 the Renewables Obligation Order introduced the requirements for generating stations using biomass fuels to report against sustainability criteria. Datasets for four reporting years have been published. These detail the types of biomass used. The dataset for 2012-13 is at:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2012-13.

The dataset for 2011-12 is at:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/annual-sustainability-report-2011-2012.

The dataset for 2010-11 is at:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/annual-sustainability-report-2010-11.

The dataset does not provide a comparable breakdown by roundwood, diseased trees, broken branches, unused sawdust that would otherwise go to waste and other wood used by Drax and other biomass power stations except where generators have provided further descriptions of the material used, in addition to the reporting requirements.

The reporting requirements include the following: fuel name, biomass type and biomass form.

Our intention is for the sustainability criteria to become mandatory from April 2015 for stations of 1MW and above wishing to claim support under the Renewables Obligation, Renewable Heat Incentive, Investment Contracts and future Contracts for Difference.

The Bioenergy Strategy 2012 defined a set of low-risk energy deployment pathway, opposed to high risk pathways, for biomass combusted for power generation. These included:

· Using wastes for energy where it maximises carbon and cost effectiveness and where it is consistent with the waste hierarchy

· Using sustainable biomass as a transitional fuel to reduce carbon emissions from current coal power generation

· The promotion of combined heat and power generation to make more efficient use of biomass resources

The Department has acted to support biomass deployment in line with these pathways. Information on the capacity of and generation from these sources is publically available and published as part of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes.

Ministers and officials have been engaged in extensive discussions with stakeholders, students and their representatives and disability organisations since April this year. The views and evidence provided have informed proposals and the on-going Equality Analysis.

The analysis is currently being updated in light of information and evidence provided by stakeholders and will be published alongside the regulations in the autumn.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has had no recent discussions directly concerning the removal of the CXL sugar import duty, or on improving access to the EU sugar market for cane sugar suppliers. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is involved in ongoing trade negotiations between the EU and various trading partners which aim to increase trade of goods, and this includes sugar cane imports.

The integrity of our elections is central to our democracy.

I am aware that the Electoral Commission is investigating allegations of electoral misconduct in Tower Hamlets at the recent local elections and the Metropolitan Police are conducting a number of criminal investigations. I have written to the chair of the Electoral Commission, stressing the importance of ensuring public confidence in the electoral process.

Given the gravity of the allegations it is important that the Electoral Commission provides a robust assessment of what went on in Tower Hamlets and includes firm recommendations of how to ensure the integrity of future elections.

The Government published a draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill in December 2016 to allow the Bill to be opened up to pre-legislative scrutiny.

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee held a pre-legislative scrutiny session in March 2017. This can be accessed on their Parliamentary website:

www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/communities-and-local-government-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/inquiry8/

Responses will be taken account of in the final Bill, which will be introduced as and when a legislative opportunity arises.

The Government published a draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill in December 2016 to allow the Bill to be opened up to pre-legislative scrutiny.

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee held a pre-legislative scrutiny session in March 2017. This can be accessed on their Parliamentary website:

www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/communities-and-local-government-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/inquiry8/

Responses will be taken account of in the final Bill, which will be introduced as and when a legislative opportunity arises.

Under the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty, all Government
departments have a responsibility to create inclusive communications. This does not
mean promoting BSL as an activity in itself but it does mean identifying and meeting
the communication needs of the audiences we are targeting (for example, where
formats could include Braille, BSL, easy read etc).

The high-level vehicle data that is held centrally does not include the safety specific standard equipment or the optional safety related extras that may have been added. Consequently, we are unable to provide the information required.

The Crown Commercial Service is committed to supporting the British Road Safety Statement and has recently put in place a Vehicle Telematics Framework to support public sector fleets in addressing driver behaviour and adopting safer driving policies.

The Government is committed to ensuring that there is a place on National Citizen Service (NCS) for every young person who wants one. The Cabinet Office is working closely with NCS Trust, the independent organisation which delivers NCS, to ensure that NCS is accessible, including to those with physical and sensory disabilities.

Many NCS providers already reach out and offer support to those with disabilities, including deaf young people. The largest provider, The Challenge, has worked with the National Deaf Children's Society, and adapted the programme for deaf young people, including providing dedicated support workers.

The NCS Trust is currently developing a detailed inclusion strategy to ensure that over the longer term there is consistent and high quality provision for young people with disabilities to take part in the programme.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The Government recalls website keeps consumers informed on recalls of all electrical goods and other products. The Government advises consumers to register their electrical appliances, whether new or second-hand, with the manufacturer so they can be informed directly by them should a recall or other corrective action subsequently be required. There is also helpful guidance for consumers on buying second hand electrical goods produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Electrical Safety First.

Goods and services supplied with the Official Receiver’s agreement following the making of the winding up orders against Carillion Plc and its subsidiaries will be paid in full. Any amounts due by the Carillion companies to contractors and suppliers prior to the date of the winding-up orders will be claims in the liquidation and included in the general body of unsecured creditors. Those claims in the liquidation could include incidental costs incurred by subcontractors and others which are a direct consequence of the liquidations.

My rt. hon. friend, the Secretary of State and I are working to ensure information is provided to SMEs in the Carillion supply chain in a timely manner.

The Secretary of State has established the Carillion Taskforce to advise on the impact on small businesses and employees affected by Carillion insolvency. The Taskforce’s attendees included representatives from leading business bodies, the construction trade sector, unions, banks and government. This has already led to useful collaborations, in particular in relation to ensuring firms and employees have access to support from Government and the banks.

I have also met several times with leading business and construction trade bodies, representing Carillion’s sub-contractors, to understand the impact of Carillion’s insolvency on the supply chain, and agree actions that could be taken to mitigate this. It is our intention to continue to meet regularly with this group on an ongoing basis.

Following the Secretary of State and my meeting with the banks on Wednesday 17^th January, they made public commitments to provide support to SMEs affected and are contacting customers and, where appropriate, are putting in place emergency measures, including overdraft extensions, payment holidays and fee waivers to ensure those facing short term issues can be helped to stay on track. Details of these can be found at https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/banks-offer-support-to-business-customers-impacted-by-carillion/

On the 3^rd February, the Government announced that through the British Business Bank, it will make available support of up to £100m to small businesses, through their delivery partners, using the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG); enabling lenders to extend credit to SMEs which, while viable, may have insufficient security to secure other credit lines to support their businesses at this time. Through this collaboration the UK government and the banks can continue to support small businesses with the appropriate finance.

The Secretary of State has written to all accredited EFG lenders to draw their attention to this additional support, and expects them to ensure that they are actively engaging with SME businesses so they can give them the support they need. Accredited EFG lenders are listed on the British Business Bank website at https://british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/supporting-business-loans-enterprise-finance-guarantee/efg-accredited-lenders/

The Department is providing a range of advice and support services for firms, delivered both nationally and locally available to SMEs affected by the insolvency of Carillion. These include a network of 38 Local Growth Hubs, run in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Partnership, to help businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to access support.

Information is published online by the Insolvency Service for employees, creditors and suppliers affected and seeking advice. In addition to providing current information, they provide a dedicated hotline for enquiries and contact numbers to other relevant organisations such as the Pensions Advisory Service, and the website PwC have been established to provide information. These can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/carillion-declares-insolvency-information-for-employees-creditors-and-suppliers

The Department has been closely monitoring this tragic case and we will be considering whether there are any wider implications for product safety in light of the Coroner’s Report and Whirlpool’s formal response to the Coroner, which is due by 26^th December.

The Government’s response to the Working Group on Product Recalls and Safety will consider the recommendations made in their Report in July. Our response will consider any factors that are relevant to improving the system of product safety and recalls so that consumers can have confidence in the safety of electrical products.

Electrical products intended for use by consumers, are regulated under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations. These require all electrical products to be safe when placed on the market. They also require manufacturers, where appropriate, to monitor their products on the market and to take immediate corrective action or if necessary recall a product if they become aware it is unsafe.

The Working Group on Product Recalls and Safety published its recommendations in July. We plan to respond to the report before the end of the year. Actions already underway include a new draft Code of Practice on recalls commissioned from the British Standards Institution (BSI), which has recently been subject to consultation, and an upgraded Government website to make it easier to find information on recalls and to register appliances. We are also actively considering the proposal made by the Working Group on Product Recalls and Safety for a new central body to support consumers on product safety.

Solar PV is a UK success story. In 2013, we estimated that solar capacity would reach 10-12GW by 2020. We now expect Government support to bring forward around 13 GW by 2020. The Feed-in Tariff remains open to solar PV which provides an incentive for businesses to invest in rooftop solar.

My Right Hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a number of issues. This includes issues related to the safety of buildings where BEIS can support the Government response to the tragic fire in Grenfell Tower.

The Working Group on Product Recalls and Safety includes representatives from a wide range of experts including the Chief Fire Officers Association, the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers, Electrical Safety First, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), many of whom represent the interests of individuals and consumers.

I have met with Which? to talk to them about the Working Group and they have been invited to join the Group.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy currently has no plans to introduce a ban on the import of carbon monoxide alarms that do not comply with the BS EN 50291 safety standard when the UK leaves the EU. However, we continue to consider what measures are likely to be most effective in ensuring protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.