Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what alternative non-digital methods of identity verification are available to company directors other than smartphone applications and digital identity services.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
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: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Companies House identity verification requirements on company directors who have previously verified their identity through company incorporation and directorship appointments.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Identity verification (IDV) became mandatory on 18 November 2025 for directors, equivalent roles in other registrable legal entities, and People with Significant Control (PSCs). Before the introduction of IDV, there was no requirement for verification on incorporation or appointment.
IDV is generally a one-off process, meaning most individuals will not need to repeat it. However, verification statements must still be submitted for each directorship and PSC notification.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the risk of cyber-security breaches affecting personal data collected through the Companies House identity verification regime.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Companies House has assessed the cyber security risks associated with the identity verification process as part of its wider risk management framework. Any consequences to the agency's exposure to cyber threats and data risks resulting from the introduction of identity verification are actively managed through a robust risk management framework and appropriate security controls including annual assessments as part of the Cabinet Office Departmental Security Health Check (DSHC).
Companies House's digital infrastructure is continually monitored and assessed via a dedicated Security Operations Centre, supplemented by penetration testing of services and infrastructure, suitable supplier assurance, and certification to ISO 27001.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what safeguards are in place to prevent biometric, photographic and identity data collected during Companies House verification processes from being used for other purposes.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Companies House applies strict safeguards to the collection and use of identity data as part of its identity verification processes. Companies House does not receive or store biometric data and only receives and stores photographic data in a small number of exceptional cases.
Any data processed and held is solely for the purposes set out in legislation and in accordance with data protection law. Access to data is restricted to authorised functions only. Robust governance, including compliance with ISO 27001 and alignment with relevant Government Functional Standards ensure the data is protected and not used for unrelated purposes.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has for ministerial attendance from his Department at the Enhanced Games in the US.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
No ministers from the Department for Business and Trade attended the Enhanced Games in the United States, and there are no plans for ministerial attendance at future editions.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with hospitality businesses on the potential impact of employment costs on closures, opening hours and jobs.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to the UK, supporting local employment, sustaining high streets and communities, and playing an important role in our cultural and social fabric.
We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance, through thematic working groups, which includes business resilience, innovation, jobs and skills and sustainability.
The Government is undertaking an extensive programme of engagement around implementation of the Employment Rights Act and broader Plan to Make Work Pay. This has been underpinned by a strong commitment to working in partnership with businesses and trade unions to ensure policy is firmly fair and practical for the economy.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of trends in consumer satisfaction with customer service provision across key regulated sectors.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Access to customer service channels is not something that has been raised recently by my Department or the consumer groups and representative bodies we regularly meet.
My Department regularly reviews research, and notes that the most recent UK Customer Satisfaction Index found 83.2% of customer experiences were right first time, the highest recorded since the UKCSI has been running (2008).
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what engagement his Department has undertaken with consumer groups regarding access to customer service channels.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Access to customer service channels is not something that has been raised recently by my Department or the consumer groups and representative bodies we regularly meet.
My Department regularly reviews research, and notes that the most recent UK Customer Satisfaction Index found 83.2% of customer experiences were right first time, the highest recorded since the UKCSI has been running (2008).
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has considered introducing minimum accessibility standards for customer service functions to ensure consumers can access a human representative where necessary.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.
Businesses have a legal obligation under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (CCRs), when trading with consumers, to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address to allow consumers to make contact quickly and efficiently if there is a problem. Failure of a trader to provide the information required under the CCRs is a breach of contract and can result in a claim being brought by the consumer.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of existing consumer protection legislation in the context of companies that provide customer support solely through automated systems.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily. But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.
Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.
However, we encourage key private sector services important to people’s daily lives – like banking, utilities and online shopping – to prioritise inclusive digital services and government remains committed to working with industry and the voluntary sector to explore opportunities to align.