The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jessica Morden on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit expiry dates on gift cards.
Nick Boles
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has no current plans to introduce legislation to prohibit the use of expiry dates on gift cards.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to UK-based renewable energy companies seeking to invest in developing country markets; how many companies in that sector have received such support; and what steps he is taking to increase such support (a) in general and (b) through export guarantees.
Anna Soubry
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) supports UK companies who want to grow their business overseas. We provide tailored support packages for companies from first time exporters to medium sized businesses, whilst also providing digital and online support to all businesses. We continue to proactively support UK renewable companies and recognise the huge potential in developing country markets. Support from UK Export Finance (principally in the form of insurance to exporters, guarantees to banks and loans to overseas buyers) is also available for UK exporters in all sectors including the renewable energy sector.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals on increasing penalties for online copyright infringement.
Mr Edward Vaizey
A consultation was held during summer 2015 on proposals to increase the maximum custodial sentence for online copyright infringement from two to ten years, to harmonise it with the penalty available for physical infringement. The responses to that consultation have been analysed and officials at the IPO are now giving consideration to future direction and timing and will advise Ministers accordingly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if his Department will collect data on the prior qualification level of new apprentices.
Nick Boles
The prior qualification survey is the current method for collecting robust information on the prior qualification levels of apprentices. The most recent publication is based on the 2012/13 survey data. We plan to publish a similar report based on the 2013/14 prior qualifications survey data in 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Holly Lynch on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the timetable is for developing the business case for the Inspiring Science Capital Fund.
Joseph Johnson
The business case for the Inspiring Science Capital Fund is currently being developed with science stakeholders, and is expected to go through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Investment Gateway process within the next two months. No funding can be confirmed until the business case is agreed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress he has made on making the Post Office a front office for Government; and if he will make a statement.
George Freeman
The Post Office is the largest provider of counter-based Government services in the UK. In 2013 it won a cross-Government framework contract which allows all Government Departments and their Executive Agencies to contract with the Post Office easily and cheaply. Key contracts with the DVLA and the Passport Office have been moved onto this new framework, as has the Post Office Card Account contract which has been extended to at least 2021.
The Post Office is well-placed to bid for and win important contracts, with its extensive geographic reach and key role in the heart of communities. Government cannot simply award contracts to the Post Office; services must be procured competitively to ensure value for taxpayers’ money.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which countries have not had an official visit by a Minister in his Department since May 2010.
Joseph Johnson
The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However details of Ministers’ overseas travel are published quarterly on the Gov.uk website:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether his Department has had discussions with the London Legacy Development Corporation about EU state aid rules and West Ham United Football Club’s occupancy of the Olympic Stadium.
Anna Soubry
My Department has had discussions with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) about papers, prepared by the LLDC, for the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission. These papers explained the contractual arrangements relating to West Ham United Football Club’s use of the Olympic Stadium.
I can confirm that the Commission considered these papers and reached a preliminary assessment that the contractual arrangements did not involve state aid and decided not to pursue their investigation any further.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Helen Goodman on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the Government has taken to follow up the recommendations in the Kay Review of UK equity markets and long-term decision making, published in July 2012.
Anna Soubry
The Department published a detailed progress report on the implementation of the Kay Review in October 2014.
The Government’s Productivity Plan, “Fixing the Foundations”, published in July 2015, emphasised the central importance of encouraging long-term business investment as part of an ambitious vision to boost productivity in the UK economy. In particular, the Plan welcomed an initiative by several of the largest institutional investors to develop an Action Plan to support and challenge companies to invest for long-term productivity and growth. The Government is engaging with the Investment Association as it takes forward this work, and is also considering what further steps may be appropriate to encourage a culture of long-term investment on the part of UK companies and their shareholders.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Field on 2016-01-04.
To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2015 to Question 19543, how many of those prosecutions for human trafficking resulted in a conviction.
Robert Buckland
During 2014-2015 the CPS prosecuted 187 defendants for offences connected with human trafficking. 130 of these defendants were convicted at a conviction rate of 69.5%.