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, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of school holiday scheduling on consumer prices in the travel and tourism sector.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Businesses in the travel sector consider many factors when setting prices including demand at peak times such as during the school holiday period. However, during periods of lower demand, the travel industry often offer early booking discounts or free chid places, for example. Some will offer late booking deals by reducing prices.
While no specific assessment has been made by the department, the government recognises that this can be a cost to families. We continue to engage with the industry, encouraging competitiveness, price transparency and innovation to promote growth and to ensure that consumers cans choose the best deals.
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, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department will conduct a facility by facility review of the savings proposed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council before any final decisions are taken.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
UK Research and Innovation and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) have already undertaken an evidence-based prioritisation exercise across STFC's portfolio, and the resulting decisions have been published. The process considered a range of funding scenarios and was informed by extensive engagement with the research community, expert advisory bodies and facilities’ leadership teams. The recommendations were subsequently reviewed by the UKRI Executive Committee and approved by the UKRI Board. These decisions were reached through UKRI's established prioritisation and governance processes, drawing on expert advice. The Government therefore has no plans to undertake a separate review. The Science and Technology Facilities Council's core budget has been maintained over the Spending Review period, from £835 million in 2025/26 to £842 million in 2029/30.
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, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed funding reductions at Jodrell Bank Observatory on scientific research, national security capabilities and regional economic growth.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, and have engaged with the UKRI Chief Executive, Sir Ian Chapman on several occasions to discuss the council’s strategic programmes and infrastructure investments. UK Research and Innovation and the STFC undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio; considering factors including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities. To maintain the UK's long-term capability in radio astronomy, the Government continues to prioritise investment in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, with £327 million committed between 2021 and 2030. Government investment in SKAO is bringing high-value jobs, international investment and long-term economic benefits to the Northwest and the UK.
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).