Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
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 issues with the identity verification process with Companies House, particularly the impact on charities.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The identity verification requirements introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 apply only to charities that are incorporated as companies limited by guarantee. In these circumstances, trustees are required to verify their identity as company directors.
Companies House provides support to assist individuals in completing the identity verification process, including trustees of charitable companies, and monitor user insight to inform continuous improvement of their guidance and services.
Trustees of Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) are not required to verify their identity for Companies House purposes, as CIOs are not incorporated or registered under the Companies Act framework.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he is taking steps to streamline the identity verification process with Companies House.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Companies House designed its identity verification process to enable individuals to meet the requirements of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 while minimising burdens on business wherever possible.
Identity verification is generally a one-off process, as the unique personal code received can be reused to confirm the verified status across multiple roles and appointments.
Companies House has continued to improve its digital services and customer guidance in response to user feedback and insight. It is working closely with GOV.UK One Login, which is exploring new ways for individuals to prove their identity using a wider range of evidence.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of whether the current ownership structure of Royal Mail is compatible with the effective delivery of the Universal Service Obligation.
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)
The universal service obligation is a statutory requirement placed on the designated universal service provider and applies irrespective of the company’s ownership structure.
Royal Mail has been a fully independent business since its privatisation was completed in 2015.
It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to determine whether regulatory or enforcement action is required to ensure the effective delivery of the universal service.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
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 Royal Mail on its planned timeline for publishing the improvement plan requested by Ofcom.
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)
Royal Mail has publicly committed to publishing a detailed deployment and quality of service improvement plan as soon as possible after its discussions with the Communication Workers Union conclude.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on whether additional regulatory powers are required to enforce Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation.
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)
Ministers have regular discussions with Ofcom. The government does not have a role in Ofcom’s individual regulatory decisions.
I met Ofcom on 11 March. They confirmed that they are monitoring Quality of Service data closely and will take regulatory action, if required, to hold Royal Mail to account for improving Quality of Service standards once agreement has been reached between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union on implementation of Universal Service Obligation reforms.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will review the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 to help prevent the antisocial use of fireworks.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on preventing anti-social use of fireworks or the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets or vulnerable adults.
I recognise that people hold a range of views on this issue. On 19th January, MPs debated two e-petitions relating to the sale and noise of fireworks respectively. As the Minister responsible, I will ensure that all evidence gathered, including views from the debate, and experiences shared by members of the public, are fully considered. I can assure you that public safety, the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this work.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
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 fireworks noise on the welfare of (a) pets and (b) vulnerable adults.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on preventing anti-social use of fireworks or the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets or vulnerable adults.
I recognise that people hold a range of views on this issue. On 19th January, MPs debated two e-petitions relating to the sale and noise of fireworks respectively. As the Minister responsible, I will ensure that all evidence gathered, including views from the debate, and experiences shared by members of the public, are fully considered. I can assure you that public safety, the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this work.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
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 adequacy of postal deliveries across Northern Ireland.
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)
Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. Earlier this month, I met the CEO of Royal Mail, Alistair Cochrane, to press him on Royal Mail’s progress in improving quality of service. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.
Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has powers to set and enforce Royal Mail’s quality of service targets. Royal Mail is required by Ofcom to publish its quality of service results on a quarterly basis.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Royal Mail to encourage timely deliveries in Lagan Valley.
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)
Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. Earlier this month, I met the CEO of Royal Mail, Alistair Cochrane, to press him on Royal Mail’s progress in improving quality of service. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.
Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has powers to set and enforce Royal Mail’s quality of service targets. Royal Mail is required by Ofcom to publish its quality of service results on a quarterly basis.
Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has discussed with Royal Mail updating the international addressing systems so that Northern Ireland can be selected as a distinct region.
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)
International addressing systems are operational tools, owned and maintained by Royal Mail, with their primary purpose being to ensure the accurate sorting, routing and delivery of customers’ mail. Royal Mail keeps this under review for its purposes.
Royal Mail is an independent business and therefore the government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial or technical decisions.