Written questions by Ballinger.

What steps he is taking to improve enforcement laws relating to the (a) setting off of fireworks (i) in public places and (ii) outside permitted hours and (b) misuse of fireworks in general.

Enforcement powers exist for local authorities to act when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally or misused. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks, including setting off outside permitted hours. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers and there are no current plans to change them.I have launched a public campaign for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign includes social media materials with information on current legislation and the penalties for illegal use, as well as the risks from the misuse of fireworks.

What measures he is taking to ensure small businesses deliver (a) prompt, (b) competent and (c) honest services to consumers.

All businesses are required to comply with consumer law, which aims to protect consumers from poor conduct by traders. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods sold by traders must be as described, of a satisfactory quality, and fit for a particular purpose. Traders are required to carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, and where the timeframe is not specified in the contract, within a reasonable time.DBT has strengthened consumer protections through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.DBT also funds Business Companion, who publish free guidance for businesses on complying with consumer law.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) consumers are protected from consumer fraud by small businesses and (b) victims are (i) promptly and (ii) sufficiently compensated for their losses.

DBT funds Citizens Advice to provide consumer advice in England and Wales. Citizens Advice run an annual Scams Awareness campaign on behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership to raise awareness about scams: how to spot a scam, prevent becoming a victim and report scams.The next campaign will run from 20 October-2 November. The Citizens Advice website has detailed advice on that how to report a scam to the Citizens Advice consumer service and additionally to Action Fraud. There is also advice to consumers about checking to see whether they can get their money back if they have been scammed.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that companies are legally obliged to prevent (a) human rights abuses and (b) environmental harms in their supply chains.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote RBC across the economy. In the Trade Strategy, the Government also launched a review into the UK's approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains.The review will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK's current regime and alternative means of supporting responsible business practices. To complement the review, the FCDO is conducting a National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Whether his Department plans to consult tea producers for the review of Responsible Business Conduct.

In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK's approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains. Throughout the review, we will harness the insights and expertise of businesses and investors from across the economy, as well as trade unions, academia and civil society.Stakeholders will also be given the opportunity to feed into the National Baseline Assessment on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which will run in parallel and inform the review.

What estimate his Department has made of the amount of goods originating from Israeli settlements within the Occupied Palestinian Territories that are being labelled as originating from within Israel’s pre-1967 borders.

HMRC are responsible for the conduct of origin verification checks on imported goods. Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify the origin of those goods to ensure fiscal compliance. Data on imports from Israel is available on uktradeinfo.com/trade-data.

What investigations his Department is conducting into goods originating from Israeli settlements within the Occupied Palestinian Territories being labelled as originating from within Israel’s pre-1967 borders; and what enforcement measures are available.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel.The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, provides information for UK operators on how goods from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories should be labelled.Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify the origin of those goods to ensure compliance.

Whether his Department has plans to review the processes for recording tracking histories at Royal Mail's Heathrow distribution centre.

Royal Mail is an independent business and therefore concerns about operational matters should be directed to its management.The government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial or operational decisions, including its processes for recording tracking histories at its Heathrow distribution centre.

If he will take steps to increase statutory parental leave.

The Government is aware that the parental leave system requires improvement and action to deliver this has already begun. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing the flexibility of parental leave and helping parents to better balance work and family responsibilities. The Government has also committed to conduct a review of the parental leave system. This will focus on ensuring that parental leave offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.