Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October to Question 33553, what evidence his Department would consider in determining whether to introduce mandatory registration for hairdressers and barbers; which Minister has responsibility for this policy area; and whether he plans to meet representatives of the Hair and Barber Council to discuss evidence relating to consumer safety, unlawful business practices and trends in apprenticeships.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
We have no current plans for additional regulation for hairdressers and barbers but remain open to evidence. The Hairdressers Registration Act 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and barbers, through voluntary registration. Businesses are subject to a range of existing requirements, including health and safety and consumer protection legislation. As the Minister responsible for this industry, my officials and I regularly engage the Hair and Barber Council to discuss these matters, including through the Personal Care Services roundtables which I chair.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to support sectors that do not qualify for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
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)
We understand the challenge that high industrial electricity prices present to businesses, and we are standing firm alongside industry to provide robust support.
Those ineligible for BICS may be eligible for the British Industry Supercharger which supports around 600 of the most electricity-intensive businesses by exempting them from paying the indirect costs of the Contracts for Difference, Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market, and compensates them for network charges.
The Government's clean power mission aims to achieve a zero-carbon power system by 2030 to secure domestic energy supplies, lower household and business bills, and drive economic growth.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration has been given to implementing regulations addressing the use of fireworks during heatwaves or periods of drought.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises the increased risk of wildfires during periods of hot, dry weather and continues to keep these risks under review. During periods of elevated risk, those organising firework displays should follow advice from Government and local fire and rescue services, take account of local conditions, and undertake appropriate risk assessments. The Government will continue to monitor wildfire risks and consider whether any further action relating to the supply or use of fireworks is required.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
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 the potential merits of introducing mandatory registration for hairdressers; and whether he plans to review the Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
We have no current plans for additional regulation for hairdressers and barbers, but we remain open to evidence. The Hairdressers Registration Act 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and barbers, although registration remains voluntary. Hairdressing salons and barbers are subject to a range of existing requirements, including health and safety and consumer protection legislation. It is important to take an evidence-based approach when making decisions, and the introduction of additional regulation would need to be carefully considered.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of Google’s proposed Android developer verification requirements on independent and small-scale application developers in the UK.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the potential impact of Google’s proposed Android developer verification requirements on independent and small-scale application developers in the UK. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK’s independent competition authority, is examining competition in Google’s mobile ecosystem and will consider relevant evidence as part of its ongoing work.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of Google’s proposed Android developer verification requirements on competition and consumer choice in the distribution of Android applications in the UK.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of Google's proposed Android developer verification requirements. The Government supports competitive digital markets that promote innovation and consumer choice. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK's independent competition authority, is examining competition in Google's mobile ecosystem, including Android and the Play Store and will consider relevant evidence as part of its ongoing work.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
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 the potential impact of proposed STFC funding reductions on the long-term scientific capabilities of Jodrell Bank Observatory, including its contribution to international research collaborations and STEM outreach activities.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I met with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, in August to discuss the council’s strategic programmes and infrastructure investments, and have engaged with the UKRI Chief Executive, Sir Ian Chapman, on several occasions. UK Research and Innovation and the STFC undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio. Jodrell Bank will continue to host world-leading scientific research led by the University of Manchester, alongside serving as the headquarters for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory. Jodrell Bank also remains an important centre for science engagement and outreach, with no impact on the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, which welcomes thousands of visitors, including school pupils, each year, helping to inspire the next generation.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had discussions with Electronic Arts on the potential impact of its proposed acquisition by PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners on the level of jobs and investment in the UK.
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)
Under competition law, responsibility for investigating the impact of mergers and acquisitions on competition falls to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK’s independent competition authority. The government has ensured that the CMA has significant powers and expertise to investigate the benefits and risks of mergers in relation to competition.
In some cases Ministers can intervene on public interest grounds, but these are limited to matters relating to financial stability, media plurality and public health emergencies.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review evidence on chemical exposure from plastic baby products, including feeding bottles, dummies and teethers; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the regulatory framework for those products.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government takes the safety of baby products seriously and has robust regulations in place requiring that all products placed on the UK market are safe. Specific rules exist under product safety and chemicals regulations, to address chemical exposure from plastic baby products, and these are kept under review.
More generally, the Government's consultation on reforming the core Product Safety Framework closed on 23 June 2026, and we will be considering all feedback received as part of that process, including any evidence presented on the regulation of these products.
Asked by: Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to introduce legislation to prohibit the automatic addition of service charges to customer bills.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCCA) Act 2024 requires traders to display prices inclusive of all taxes and unavoidable charges before payment is made. Prices must be accurate and not misleading. Failure to do this may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.
It should always be clear on the bill, or in communication with staff, whether any tip automatically added to the bill is optional or mandatory for the consumer to pay. If it is an optional payment, there should be no pressure to agree it.
Customers can be assured that all tips, gratuities and service charges must be passed on the workers who have earned them, rather than being retained by employers.
The department does not have any plans to introduce further legislation on this matter.