The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Ainsworth on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many small and medium-sized enterprises have premises in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry and (c) the West Midlands.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jonathan Edwards on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether his Department had discussions with the Welsh Government regarding the use of public funds by the Cabinet Office to produce and send an anti-Scottish Independence pamphlet to every house in Scotland.
Greg Clark
There are regular discussions between UK Government and Welsh Government Ministers on matters of mutual interest.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom regarding the postal service standards provided by TNT.
Jenny Willott
Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) meet with officials from Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services, on a regular basis to discuss a broad range of market issues. There have not been any specific discussions about TNT Post’s service standards.
All postal operators are subject to regulatory conditions set by Ofcom. These regulatory conditions cover such things as the security and confidentiality of the mail that operators handle and ensure that effective complaints procedures are in place for consumers. More information about Ofcom’s regulatory regime can be found on its website (www.ofcom.org.uk).
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the budget for the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate is for 2014-15.
Jenny Willott
The budget for the Employment Agency Standards inspectorate is no longer devolved below branch level in the Labour Markets Directorate, and we are therefore unable to provide this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions his Department has had with Royal Mail regarding the redirection notices it provides to other postal operators.
Jenny Willott
None. Matters relating to its operations and services, which includes its Redirection Service, are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail’s management.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the target timescale is for resolving complaints regarding non-payment of the National Minimum Wage.
Jenny Willott
The Government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) enforces the National Minimum Wage (NMW) on behalf of BIS.
HMRC investigates every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights helpline and deals with each NMW complaint on a case-by-case basis. The timescale for each case is dependent on a number of factors:
In 2013/14, HMRC investigated 1631 cases. Of these, 1084 cases were closed; 565 cases were closed within 120 days; 519 cases were closed outside of 120 days and 547 cases are still open and yet to be concluded.
Please note that investigations may not commence and be completed in the same financial year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many complaints about payment of the National Minimum Wage (a) were made, (b) were resolved within the required Departmental timescales and (c) were not resolved within the required Departmental timescales in 2013-14.
Jenny Willott
The Government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) enforces the National Minimum Wage (NMW) on behalf of BIS.
HMRC investigates every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights helpline and deals with each NMW complaint on a case-by-case basis. The timescale for each case is dependent on a number of factors:
In 2013/14, HMRC investigated 1631 cases. Of these, 1084 cases were closed; 565 cases were closed within 120 days; 519 cases were closed outside of 120 days and 547 cases are still open and yet to be concluded.
Please note that investigations may not commence and be completed in the same financial year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2014, Official Report, column 213W, on apprenticeships, if he will make it his policy to collect information centrally on how many individuals who started an apprenticeship in the 2012-13 academic year were existing employees or new employees.
Matthew Hancock
Information will be collected via the Individualised Learner Record for the 2013/14 academic year onwards on the length of time a learner has been with their employer prior to starting their apprenticeship.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Answer of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 599W, on apprenticeships; what steps he has taken to introduce grading into new apprenticeships; and whether such grading will be mandatory.
Matthew Hancock
Grading is being introduced into new Apprenticeships through the Trailblazer process. Groups of employers are coming together to design Apprenticeship standards and assessments. All new Apprenticeships must be graded, and we have made grading of the end-point assessment a minimum requirement of the new Apprenticeship programme.
Having had their standards approved and published in March, the first phase of Trailblazer projects are now working on their assessment plans, including implementation of the grading requirement.
Grading is important to ensure qualifications are aspirational for all – including those on track to pass who could benefit from being challenged to aim higher.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of 16 to 24 year olds declared themselves self-employed in each year between 2008 and 2013.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.