Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Royal Mail on ensuring that NHS correspondence is given a guaranteed next day delivery status.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The NHS has a Digital First strategy and most urgent appointments are already communicated by other means.
The Government does not have a role in the operational decisions of Royal Mail as it is an independent business. However, in November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe and discussed the importance of a reliable universal postal service for delivering NHS correspondence. I understand Royal Mail is working with NHS bodies to ensure they have a choice of speed and price, including protecting the option of a First-Class service six days a week for more urgent NHS letters.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to meet representatives of the hair and beauty industry to discuss the potential impact of the Budget on their sector.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Chancellor has been clear that the government must take difficult choices. This was a budget to fix the foundations of the economy, and these tough decisions are intended to provide a platform for growth.
I met with representatives from the sector at a Personal Care Roundtable on 19 November 2024. Representatives from the hospitality and personal care sector attended a Budget Broadcast call with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on 4 November 2024. There is ongoing engagement with the sector both at Ministerial and official level to understand the challenges facing the sector, including the impact of measures announced at Budget.
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on gov.uk in line with transparency data releases and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbt-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmith industry in upholding standards of practice.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, whilst ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. While the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating expert trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry.
The Department for Business and Trade currently has no plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmithing industry’s upholding of standards of practice.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will produce guidance for employers on how to support unpaid carers in the workplace.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We are committed to ensuring that carers are supported to balance work and caring responsibilities and that guidance around policies which benefit unpaid carers in the workplace is readily available to employers and employees.
Gov.uk guidance is already available covering flexible working, time off for family and dependents and unpaid carer’s leave. This will be of particular benefit to unpaid carers in employment and those who employ them.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to paragraph 5.99 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, if he will publish a list of organisations that will be consulted over guest beers; and whether the Campaign for Pubs will be consulted.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government will consult a range of organisations across the brewing and hospitality sectors on market access for local brewers and will give all those with an interest an opportunity to give their views.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making locksmithing a regulated profession to tackle rogue traders.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry. The government keeps the occupational regulatory regime under review to respond to industry and public needs.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) restricting the sale of fireworks to licensed retails and (b) lowering the noise limit of fireworks to 90 decibels.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Most people use fireworks in a responsible, safe, and appropriate manner and there are laws in place to address situations where fireworks are misused. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. The Government has recently launched an awareness campaign on the Gov.uk website to provide guidance on minimising the impacts of fireworks on people and animals.
To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities shortly after the fireworks season to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks. Officials regularly meet and correspond with charities to listen to and understand their views.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 to protect (a) people and (b) animals from the negative impact of fireworks.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Most people use fireworks in a responsible, safe, and appropriate manner and there are laws in place to address situations where fireworks are misused. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. The Government has recently launched an awareness campaign on the Gov.uk website to provide guidance on minimising the impacts of fireworks on people and animals.
To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities shortly after the fireworks season to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks. Officials regularly meet and correspond with charities to listen to and understand their views.