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, if he will make it his policy to include (a) a youth mobility scheme and (b) measures to support the English Language Training sector in the UK in future trade deals with non-EU countries.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
It is not Government policy to make commitments on youth mobility as a routine part of any trade deal. The UK generally seeks provisions in trade agreements that focus on business mobility, these help to expand opportunities and enhance certainty for UK businesses seeking to export services. The UK English Language Training sector is considered and consulted where necessary to ensure that their interests are supported.
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 steps his Department is taking to review the (a) accreditation and (b) certification processes for renewable energy installers to ensure that they are accessible for small and medium enterprises.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) sponsors the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as the national accreditation body. UKAS is independent of government, however DBT is working with UKAS to seek out and assess opportunities for supporting SMEs' participation in and use of accreditation. Certification processes are based on international standards and UKAS accredits to these standards to ensure certification bodies are fit for purpose. Where certification schemes exist, these are initially assessed by UKAS and reviewed on a regular basis by UKAS with the scheme provider.
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 Chancellor of the Exchequer on making localised funding available to support businesses working together to help local economies.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government’s forthcoming Small Business Strategy will set out how national and local business-support schemes can align to increase growth and productivity. Existing offers available include the Business Support Service, local Growth Hubs across England and The Help to Grow scheme.
Financial support is available to businesses through the Government-backed British Business Bank (BBB) to improve access to finance for investment and growth. In Bournemouth East, businesses can access resources such as the South-West Investment Fund, offering loans to SMEs through the BBB, and the joint Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council/UK Shared Prosperity Fund economic development programme
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 his Department has made of the number of English Language Teaching centres that have closed permanently since the pandemic began.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This Department has not made an estimate of the number of English Language Teaching (ELT) centres that have closed permanently since the pandemic began, but is aware of data published by English UK which states that one in six of the UK's 415 language schools, 69 in total, closed in the first year of the pandemic.
This Department works closely with English UK and have provided support for their English with Confidence campaign, including through the production of promotional material and hosting ELT agents during familiarisation visits. We will continue to ensure that the ELT sector’s recovery and ambition is captured in the Government’s International Education Strategy and via the English Language Teaching Action Group. DBT will be supporting English UK’s Study World event in the UK and in China and will support the sector at ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) Berlin, alongside considering ELT mission destinations for the next 12 months.
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 steps his Department is taking to support the English Language Teaching industry.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This Department has not made an estimate of the number of English Language Teaching (ELT) centres that have closed permanently since the pandemic began, but is aware of data published by English UK which states that one in six of the UK's 415 language schools, 69 in total, closed in the first year of the pandemic.
This Department works closely with English UK and have provided support for their English with Confidence campaign, including through the production of promotional material and hosting ELT agents during familiarisation visits. We will continue to ensure that the ELT sector’s recovery and ambition is captured in the Government’s International Education Strategy and via the English Language Teaching Action Group. DBT will be supporting English UK’s Study World event in the UK and in China and will support the sector at ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) Berlin, alongside considering ELT mission destinations for the next 12 months.
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, if he will introduce statutory paid leave for survivors of domestic abuse.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government does not have any plans to introduce a specific paid leave entitlement at this time. However, depending on the nature of the individual’s employment, survivors may be able to access a range of leave entitlements allowing them to take time off from work when they need it.
Being at work is often important for victims, and there is practical support employers can offer which can make a real difference, such as signposting, financial assistance and supporting safety in and around the workplace.