Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring delivery companies to obtain a licence to operate which is conditional on (a) performance, (b) workforce practices and (c) complaint handling.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Postal Services Act 2011 introduced a general authorisation regime to provide postal services, removing the requirement for postal operators to hold a licence. However, the provision of those services by postal operators may be subject to regulatory conditions imposed by Ofcom, as the independent regulator for the sector.
Ofcom requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of introducing minimum service levels for (a) lost parcels, (b) missed deliveries and (c) proof of delivery for delivery companies enforced by (i) fines and (ii) licence restrictions.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding Ofcom’s remit to delivery companies, including mandatory reporting of complaints and delivery metrics.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment they have made of the potential merits of setting standards for proof of delivery by delivery companies.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) Bournemouth University, (b) Health Sciences University and (c) other higher education institutions on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK has some of the best universities in the world - four in the top ten – and according to research by Global University Venturing, in 2022 was second only to the US in total investment into university spin-outs. The Government recognises the contribution that Bournemouth University, Health Sciences University and other institutions make to higher education and their unique and critical role as engines for innovation and for meeting the skills needs of our growth-driving sectors and places where they concentrate. We will continue to support our universities including through Higher Education Innovation Funding, worth £280 million in 2024-2025, and as part of our broader record public investment in R&D of more than £86 billion over the Spending Review period.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to take steps to help support domestic manufacturing of playground equipment.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Industrial Strategy launched in June 2025 sets out this government's plans to kickstart an era of economic prosperity. A new approach, it will create a more connected, high-skilled and resilient economy where every person, place and business can flourish.
The accompanying Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan sets out specific support for manufacturers, outlining how government will work with industry to build resilience, champion innovation, support businesses to scale up and develop a skilled future workforce.
The Plan features interventions focused on six frontier industries – batteries, automotive, aerospace, space, agri-tech, advanced materials as well as cross-sector measures supporting the wider manufacturing ecosystem.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the length of paid parental leave.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Government is committed to making life better for families. In the Plan to Make Work Pay we promised to review the parental leave system. We are delivering on this commitment and launched this review on 1st July.
The review presents a much-needed opportunity to consider our approach to the system of parental leave and pay. All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements will be in scope.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of the play industry on the economy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises that play is vital for children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development, while also strengthening community bonds and promoting inclusive, healthy environments. The Department for Business and Trade has not published a specific estimate of the economic impact of the play industry.
However, the Department continues to engage with retailers and manufacturers of sporting goods, to understand the sector’s potential and to support growth and export opportunities.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of English as a Foreign Language schools on (a) the UK and (b) Bournemouth economy.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
English UK have just released an assessment of the value of English Language Teaching (ELT) to the UK economy. The report assessed that the sector contributed almost £2 billion of GVA to the UK economy in 2024. Bournemouth, as one of the main centres for ELT in the UK, was used as a case study in the report.
We continue to work with providers of English Language teaching to help them increase their growth and therefore in turn contribute to the UK economy.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on visa applications for students attending English as a Foreign Language (EFL) schools.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
As the Minister for Exports, I regularly meet with ministerial counterparts to discuss DBT's interests with regards to International Education. I am due to have a meeting with the Minister for Migration shortly to discuss these interests, including that of English Language Teaching (ELT) schools.