Written questions by Cooper.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen consumer protection in the short term lets market.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, traders must carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, and within reasonable time. Where a trader fails to meet the standards required, this could be a breach of contract and the consumer is entitled to ask for a repeat performance of the service or a price reduction.The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act strengthens consumer law enforcement by giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers, and the CMA and courts the ability to impose significant monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover.DBT also funds Citizens Advice to provide the consumer service which supports consumers to resolve disputes and assert their rights.

What steps he is taking to help small businesses to improve their capacity to deliver workplace health interventions.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) introduced the Employment Rights Bill on 10 October which is currently passing through the House of Lords. We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will result in positive and practical support to small and medium size businesses and employers across the UK.The Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent Keep Britain Working Review as a part of the plan to Get Britain Working, focusing on what employers and government can do to encourage and support people living with ill-health in work.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging cosmetic retailers to highlight allergens in the ingredient list.

The UK Cosmetics Regulation requires manufacturers to provide a full list of ingredients for cosmetics products.In addition, cosmetics that contain fragrance allergens, must identify the presence of these ingredients by referring to them as ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’ to help people identify and avoid those products which they may be allergic to.Fragrance allergens are included as entries in Annex III to the Cosmetics Regulation and can only be used at the permitted thresholds and where required when accompanied by the relevant warnings.