Written questions by Simmonds.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 18963 on Nightclub: closures, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increases in (a) business rates from the reduction in rate relief and (b) National Insurance contributions for employers on the economic viability of nightclubs.

An assessment of the changes to Employers' National Insurance has been published by HMRC in their Tax Information and Impact Note, including impacts on the exchequer, the economy, individuals, households and families, equalities, and businesses including civil society organisations, alongside details on monitoring and evaluation.The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 19680 on High Streets Task Force, what discussions his Department had with retailers on the impact of the reduction in retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief from April 2025.

Across Government, Ministers and officials meet with a range of retailers to understand the challenges they face. I have met with the Retail Sector Council where I heard members’ views about the impact of the Budget. More recently, I attended a roundtable organised by the British Retail Consortium, attended by CEOs and Senior Executives from leading retailers, with discussion points including the impact of the Budget and Business Rates.More broadly, HMT are conducting engagement on future business rate reform and are open to receiving written evidence from stakeholders on the priority areas, prior to March 2025. This will provide retail businesses of any size the opportunity to share their concerns directly with HMT.

What his Department’s policy is on the continued use of imperial measures in retail and hospitality settings.

UK law requires metric units to be used for all trade purposes, including in retail and hospitality settings, with only limited exceptions. While imperial units can be used alongside metric units, the imperial markings must not be larger or more prominent than the metric ones. Imperial units can only be used on their own (without metric units) for certain products, such as the pint for sales of draught beer, cider and milk in returnable containers.We have no plans to change this policy.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of repealing the Trade Union Act 2016 on the use of leverage campaigns in industrial disputes.

The Government published an impact assessment on 21 October 2024, setting out its assessment of the expected impacts of the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 via the Employment Rights Bill.

Whether (a) officials, (b) Ministers and (c) special advisers in her Department have (a) met and (b) corresponded with the Mayor of London's Night Czar on the issue of London's night-time economy since the general election.

Since the General Election, officials, special advisors, or Ministers, in their Ministerial roles, have not as yet met or corresponded with the Mayor of London’s Night Czar, Amy Lamé.