Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the cost of the Employment Rights reforms on local authorities, including the indirect cost through outsourced social care services.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
On Monday 21 October, the Government published 24 Impact Assessments, providing a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill.
This analysis includes consideration of impacts on the public sector, particularly where proposed legislative reforms are expected to affect local authorities. We will engage closely with local authorities as policy develops.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 16140 on Nightclubs: Closures, what steps his Department plans to take to measure the effectiveness of the five point plan for high streets.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Kickstarting economic growth is the number one mission for this government and thriving high streets are essential to supporting this.
We have launched a new package to tackle late payments, backing small businesses and the self-employed, alongside measures to tackle retail crime and address the disproportionate business rates burden faced by high street businesses.
The 100th banking hub has just been opened in Darwen, Lancashire, and High Street Rental Auctions, a new permissive power for local authorities to auction rental rights of commercial high street property that has been vacant for longer than 12 months in a 24-month period, came into effect on 2 December 2024. However, there is more to be done, and we are working across Whitehall to deliver a cross-government approach for revitalising high streets. We will set out more information in due course.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with participants at the UK Investment Summit 2024 on the status of their planned investments in the context of the Autumn Budget 2024.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The International Investment Summit brought together the world’s most important companies and investors to showcase the UK’s strengths and opportunities. Since it took place, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has been working closely with the Chancellor and the Minister for Investment to follow up with participants, unlock new investment commitments, and ensure that planned investments are supported, including through the Office for Investment.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
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 reduce the number of nightclub closures.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We recognise the important role night-time economy business plays in supporting local economies and communities. Healthy night-time economy businesses not only support our creative industries, including musicians, DJs and performance artists, but also support tourism and bolster day economy businesses.
The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. All of these measures have been consistently demanded by the sector.
This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to classify new measures in the Employment Rights Bill as a burden via the New burdens doctrine.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Our Impact Assessments provide an initial, indicative assessment of the impacts that could result from primary legislation. This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts given the current stage of policy development. We intend to refine our analysis and conduct further assessment as the Bill progresses, in line with Better Regulation requirements.
The New Burdens Doctrine does not apply to policies which apply the same rules to local authorities and to private sector bodies, such as employment legislation that applies to all organisations, unless these have a disproportionate effect on local government.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with which businesses the Minister for Industry had meetings on 30 October 2024.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published routinely on Gov.uk as part of the Government’s transparency agenda.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any businesses have (a) withdrawn and (b) reduced their investment commitments following the International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are not aware of any announcements that investment highlighted at the International Investment Summit has subsequently been withdrawn or reduced. The Office for Investment continues to support business on all the investment projects announced at the summit among many others.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many times he has had a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Secretary of State works closely with all his cabinet colleagues, including the Deputy Prime Minister as part of the normal operation of Government. For example, the Secretary of State and the Deputy Prime Minister have jointly met with businesses and trade unions on several occasions.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
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 raise awareness of the impact of mentoring on the business community.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Small businesses are the beating heart of our high streets, our communities, and essential to our economic success.
Professional mentoring can have a positive impact on business growth. Opportunities to access a mentor are actively signposted through the Help to Grow campaign site at https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/.
The Autumn Budget 2024 confirmed continued funding for Help to Grow: Management, which provides dedicated mentoring support, and to local Growth Hubs, many of which provide access to business mentors.
The Government will bring forward a Small Business Strategy Command Paper in 2025, setting out the Government’s detailed vision for supporting small businesses.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meetings he has had with representatives of Santander since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Secretary of State has met once with representatives of Santander since 5 July 2024.