Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional financial support to education providers who have had their energy contracts terminated on the basis of assessments made by suppliers of the credit worthiness of those providers.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) provides a price reduction to ensure that all education providers are protected from excessively high energy bills over the winter period. EBRS also provides additional support to those on deemed and out of contract tariffs if they meet the definition of the qualifying financially disadvantaged customers as set out in the scheme’s regulations and rules.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will set out the mechanism for receipt of support through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for (a) persons whose energy is supplied as part of a heat network and (b) residents of park homes.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Heat network suppliers and park home site owners who are supported by the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) are required to pass this support on, in a just and reasonable way, to end users.
This is set out in legislation. Full guidance on the mechanism for passing through this support is set out in the scheme guidance.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether energy suppliers are permitted to take funds paid through the Energy Bills Support Scheme to settle domestic energy debts in cases where there is a payment plan in place through the benefits system.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The objective of the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) is to help people with the cost of their energy bills over this winter. Where credit is applied to an account, it will contribute to arrears and any agreed debt repayment plan. As set out in its consultation response, the Government expects and encourages suppliers to make it their priority to work actively to move customers with large arrears balances onto repayment plans wherever possible.
There are comprehensive rules in place to protect energy customers at risk of being in debt.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to (a) limit the impact of disruptive fireworks and (b) update guidance for businesses selling fireworks to the public for private use.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government takes the issues associated with the sale and use of fireworks seriously. That is why there is a comprehensive framework already in place for fireworks which controls their availability and use, as well as setting a curfew and 120 decibel noise limits to reduce disturbance to both people and animals.
The 2021 fireworks public safety information programme is now underway. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is working with animal welfare groups, safety charities, local authorities, and the industry, to promote the safe and considerate use of fireworks to the general public. The messaging also raises awareness of retailers’ responsibilities when selling fireworks, including promoting the range of guidance available through Local Authority Trading Standards and published on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to (a) limit the effect of fireworks on pets and livestock, (b) prohibit the illegal import of unsafe fireworks, (c) make an assessment of the adequacy of existing legislation on the sale of safe fireworks and (d) control the use of fireworks between the hours as set out in the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
Answered by Paul Scully
There is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place for fireworks to reduce the risks to people and disturbance to animals. Existing legislation controls the sale, availability and use of fireworks, as well as setting a curfew and noise limit.
Using fireworks outside the curfew hours is a criminal offence, enforced by the police and can lead to imprisonment and a substantial fine. Local Authority Trading Standards work with retailers to ensure fireworks sold are safe, and they have powers to enforce against those who place non-compliant fireworks on the market, including those imported illegally or via the internet.
It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, including through the misuse of fireworks, and is enforced by authorities including the police and Local Authority Trading Standards.
We remain committed to promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks through the effective legislative framework and through non-legislative measures.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will review the threshold at which statutory bereavement leave is provided for parents that lose a child during the second trimester.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay was introduced earlier this year, in April 2020, and applies to parents who lose a child under the age of 18, including individuals whose child is stillborn from 24 weeks of pregnancy. ‘Parent’ is broadly defined and employees have 56 weeks from the date of their child’s death or stillbirth to take their leave and pay.
Where a mother experiences a miscarriage before 24 weeks, it is often the case that a GP will sign her off work. The duration of this leave will depend on her personal circumstances, and the pay she is entitled to will be dictated by her standard workplace sick leave policy (for which there is a statutory minimum).
A partner will also be entitled to time off for dependents under the Employment Rights Act. Many employers will also have an existing compassionate leave policy or will operate one on a discretionary basis following such loss.
We strongly encourage employers to be sensitive and considerate at such a time.