Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy of 12 December 2017, Official Report, column 166, what guidance has been issued on tipping; and what the evidential basis is for the statement there has been a significant improvement since his Department commissioned the review of tipping, gratuities and hospitality.
Answered by Andrew Griffiths
The Government has been clear that employers should not make unreasonable deductions from the tips their staff receive. Furthermore, guidance on the National Minimum Wage explains that income from tips can not be used to top up a worker’s pay to the National Minimum Wage. The Government consultation on tipping practices published in 2016 also explained the law on how income from tips should be handled.
Since the publication of that consultation, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and Unite the Union have established a joint Code of Practice for good practice in handling tips. The Government supports these efforts, and will respond to that consultation in due course.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to respond to the recommendations of his Department's consultation on tips, gratuities, service and other charges; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Margot James
The Government is currently considering next steps in light of responses to the consultation.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish his response to the results of his Department's consultation on tips, gratuities, service and other charges that closed in June 2016.
Answered by Margot James
The government is currently considering next steps in light of responses to the consultation.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who the diversity champion is on his departmental board.
Answered by Margot James
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has two diversity and inclusion champions on the departmental board - Angie Ridgwell (Director General, Finance and Corporate Services) and Gareth Davies (Director General, Business and Science).
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to respond to the evidence received by his Department's inquiry into tips, gratuities and service charges by the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Margot James
The Government launched its consultation on tips, gratuities, service and cover charges to receive views on a range of actions to address issues associated with tipping practices. The Government’s objective is to ensure workers receive all discretionary payments for service, except those deductions required under tax law. The consultation is now closed and the responses are being considered. The Government Response will be published in due course.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish his response to the results of his Department's consultation on tips, gratuities, service and cover charges that closed in June 2016.
Answered by Margot James
The Government launched its consultation on tips, gratuities, service and cover charges to gain views on proposed actions towards tipping abuse. We are analysing submissions to this exercise and will announce further action in due course.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether coal is being stockpiled in any location in the UK.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
DECC publishes data on coal stocks held in the UK. The latest data show, that at the end of February 2016, 11,981 thousand tonnes were held in stocks. This includes stocks held at electricity generators, ports and undistributed stocks held at coal mines. The data is not available split by region.
Source: Energy Trends Table 2.6, March 2016, available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solid-fuels-and-derived-gases-section-2-energy-trends
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2016 to Question 25985, whether he plans to publish his response to his Department's consultation on tips, gratuities, service and cover charges before the period of purdah for the EU membership referendum begins.
Answered by Nick Boles
The Government is analysing the responses to the Call for Evidence on tips, gratuities, service and cover charges and will publish a response in due course.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to publish his response to the results of his Department's consultation on tips, gratuities, service and cover charges; and whether he plans that that response will include proposals for reform of those payments.
Answered by Nick Boles
The Government received 183 responses to the investigation into tipping. We are looking closely at the evidence that was submitted and considering the available options. We will consider whether any further action is required and publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Paula Sherriff (Labour - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans she has to share Government data with (a) Ofgem and (b) energy companies in relation to fuel poverty and energy efficiency.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
Government data is currently shared with Ofgem and the licenced electricity suppliers for the purposes of delivering automatic energy bill rebates to customers in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit under the Warm Home Discount scheme. We intend to consult on the future design of the scheme, including the use of Government data, and are considering how good use of data can help us more widely to address fuel poverty.