Roger Mullin

As apprenticeships are a devolved matter, this answer refers to England only.

Currently apprenticeships which meet the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) require qualifications that confirm competency in the occupational area and provide underpinning knowledge. Different qualifications may be used, for example NVQs, certificates or diplomas including BTEC HNCs or Ds. Apprenticeships also require English and maths qualifications, usually Functional Skills or GCSEs (at a minimum level 1 for an Intermediate apprenticeship; or level 2 for an Advanced apprenticeship). Other qualifications, for example in ICT may also be required where relevant to the job. The apprentice is deemed to have completed their apprenticeship when they have met these individual qualification requirements.

The developer of the framework (usually a Sector Skills Council) will specify the particular qualification titles.

In future every apprentice will train towards the achievement of an employer-designed apprenticeship standard which sets out what the apprentice will know and be able to do by the end of their apprenticeship. The policy on mandatory requirements is currently being revised.

A list of the approved standards designed by employers is at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/apprenticeship-standards

We continue to work hard to maintain the UK as the best place in Europe for people to set up and grow their own business.

Over 30,000 people have benefitted from over £155 million worth of Start-Up Loans and expert business advice provided by the Start Up Loans Company. Around 70,000 unemployed people have set up their own businesses with the help of the New Enterprise Allowance scheme. And the Business Support Helpline provides free expert advice to help people to start and grow their own business.

We are increasing the annual Employment Allowance from £2,000 to £3,000 from April 2016 which will make it easier for people setting up a new business to take on their first employee. And we are committed to cutting a further £10 billion of red tape which will make life easier for all businesses.

The Devolved Administrations provide their own tailored business support schemes. We work closely with them to share experiences and make sure start-up businesses get the support they need.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are regulated qualifications. Skills policy is a devolved matter. In England, Ofqual recognises awarding organisations which offer regulated qualifications (including NVQs). Ofqual requires recognised awarding organisations to comply with its General Conditions of Recognition. These Conditions require that qualifications must be fit for purpose and accurately and reliably assessed. Ofqual reviews the extent to which awarding organisations comply with the Conditions and it has a range of powers it may use if an organisation is not complying.

Companies House does not require the Trust and Company Service Provider supervisor’s identifier of the firm or sole practitioner who provides registered places of business for Scottish Limited Partnerships.

Companies House does not require the Trust and Company Service Provider supervisor’s identifier of the firm or sole practitioner who provides registered places of business for Scottish Limited Partnerships.

Over the past few months the Government has engaged with businesses and key stakeholders up and down the country including those with interests in the UK’s insolvency and restructuring regime, and will continue to do so going forward. We are listening to their concerns and aiming to limit uncertainty in the transition to ensure our new relationship with the EU works for business.

It is vital now, more than ever, that we have open and honest conversations about both the challenges that leaving the EU poses, but crucially also the opportunities that will become open to us.

Departments are undertaking a comprehensive analysis, including engagement with as many organisations, companies and institutions as possible, including those connected with the UK’s insolvency and restructuring regime. This will allow the Government to understand the impact that withdrawal from the EU will have on businesses and consumers, and to seize the opportunities of leaving the EU.

Companies House has the initial responsibility for ensuring Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) comply with their responsibilities under section 18 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2009. Companies House will consider what action to take on receipt of a public complaint that an LLP has failed to meet its obligations under section 162(6) of the Companies Act 2006, as applied by section 18 of the 2009 Regulations. Companies House's primary aim will be to try to achieve compliance. If the LLP does not comply, the case will be referred to prosecutors and a prosecution will be brought if it is deemed to be in the public interest.

No sanctions have been applied to Limited Liability Partnership designated members that are offshore corporate members and did not supply the details specified in section 18 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2009 in each of the last three years, the latest period for which information is available. Companies House has not received any public complaints related to this. Were it to do so it would consider what action to take. Companies House's primary aim would be to try to achieve compliance. If the LLP did not comply, the case would be referred to prosecutors and a prosecution would be brought if it were deemed to be in the public interest. In the event of a conviction the Court would impose the appropriate penalty.

All liability partnerships (LLPs) have a legal requirement to file annual accounts and Confirmation Statements with the Registrar each and every year. Failure to do so is a criminal offence and Companies House has a proactive system in place. This includes reminders being issued prior the deadline dates and, if they are not filed, there is a compliance process that reminds them of their obligations and the consequences of failing to file. If it is deemed to be in the public interest Companies House will take prosecution action against the LLP and its designated members.

For all other information legally required to be filed, on receipt of a public complaint, Companies House will consider what action to take. Companies House’s primary aim will be to try to achieve compliance. If the company does not comply, the case will be referred to prosecutors and a prosecution will be brought if it is deemed to be in the public interest. In the event of a conviction the Court would impose the appropriate penalty.

Departments are equipping themselves with the resources they need to get the best deal as we exit the European Union. This whole exercise is an all-government operation. The government is preparing for the UK to make an orderly and successful exit, including in the important area of research.

There have been no director disqualifications in relation to convictions abroad under section 104 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015

The total value of fines collected since 31^st January 2015 for companies’ officers’ offences under the sections referred to is nil.

Enforcement of Section 21, 22 and 23 of the Company Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations is undertaken in response to information being brought to the attention of Companies House or another enforcement agencies attention, rather than through pro-active enforcement visits. Companies House's primary aim will be to try to achieve compliance. If the company does not comply, the case will be referred to prosecutors and a prosecution will be bought if it is deemed to be in the public interest. In the event of a conviction the Court would impose the appropriate penalty. Companies House has received two complaints under these sections. Of these two complied when contacted by Companies House and one company was on a dissolution path and so no further action was taken as it would not have been in the public interest as defined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

There are 4,086,190 registered offices and inspection locations in relation to sections 21, 22, and 23 of the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006.

No companies have been fined for offences under the sections referred to since 31^st January 2015.

Companies House received three public complaints surrounding sections 21, 22, and 23 of the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015. Of these complaints two complied when contacted by Companies House and one company was on a dissolution path and so no further action was taken as it would not have been in the public interest as defined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

No companies have been found guilty of offences under the sections referred to since 31^st January 2015

Companies House’s Breaches Team does not monitor for breaches of sections 21, 22, and 23 of the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015. It acts on receipt of a public complaint and during the period Companies House received three complaints.

The total value of fines collected since 31^st January 2015 for companies’ officers’ offences under the sections referred to is nil.

No company officers or Limited Liability Partnership designated members have been fined under the sections referred to since 31^st January 2015.

Six people (equating to six full-time equivalents) work for the Breaches Team at Companies House.

Since 1^st January 2015, no financial penalties have been awarded in relation to the section referred to.

There have been no convictions for general false statement offences under the section referred to since 1^st January 2015.

Since 1^st January 2015, no financial penalties have been awarded in relation to the section referred to.

Since 1^st January 2015 no financial penalties have been awarded in relation to the register of directors under the section referred to.

When a company that is actively trading does not have a natural director (a director who is an individual rather than a corporate body), Companies House will (on behalf of the Secretary of State) issue a direction requiring the company to appoint one. Companies House's primary aim will be to try to achieve compliance. If the company does not comply, the case will be referred to prosecutors and a prosecution will be bought if it is deemed to be in the public interest. In the event of a conviction the Court would impose the appropriate penalty. However, to date, all companies have either complied with the direction issued by Companies House or prosecution action has not been in the public interest as defined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

No financial penalties have been awarded in relation to the section referred to since 1^st January 2015

During the period the Court imposed 4,701 fines on companies in relation to failure deliver annual returns under section 858(1) of the Companies Act 2006. The total value of the fines levied was £671,906

The UK will maintain its status as a global centre for research and innovation. The Government has already committed to protect science funding with a total investment of £26.3 billion over the period FY 2016/17 – FY 2020/21. In addition, the Autumn Statement announced an extra £2 billion a year in research and development by the end of this Parliament. The Treasury decision to underwrite the grants of competitively bid for EU research funding while we remain a member of the EU will give British participants and their EU partners the assurance and certainty needed to plan ahead for collaborative projects that can run over many years. We are committed to ensure that the UK continues to be a world leader in international science, including medical research.

The Department’s assessment as to whether the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon can be considered to be value for money is currently underway. No assessment has been provided to the Hendry Review team.

The Government has no plans to intervene in the National Agreements used in the engineering construction industry. These agreements are voluntary between employer trade associations and trade unions.

In 2012, the previous Government asked Graeme Nuttall to advise on what more could be done to increase the number of businesses with employee ownership. The Nuttall Review identified 28 recommendations to address three main constraints: lack of awareness of the concept; lack of resources to support the model; and actual or perceived legal, tax and other regulatory barriers. The action taken to address the recommendations is explained in the ‘The Nuttall Review of Employee Ownership - One Year On’ report published in November 2013 and available on the gov.uk website.

The Government now expects the private sector to make the business case for this model through organisations such as the Employee Ownership Association – the representative body for employee-owned businesses.

Ongoing encouragement for employee ownership is provided through four approved share schemes which have tax-advantages for both employees and employers. These are the Company Share Option Plan (CSOP), Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI), Save As You Earn (SAYE) and Share Incentive Plan (SIP) which are administered by HMRC. In 2013-14 the total value of shares and options awarded under these schemes was around £3.45bn with over £1bn of income tax and national insurance relief given.