Written questions by Cleverly.

What assessment has been made of the effect of the Employment Rights Act on the (a) costs of providing adult social care and (b) associated effect on local authority finances and council tax.

The impacts of the Employment Rights Act have been assessed through a comprehensive package of published analysis, including the Impact Assessment ‘Establish a Fair Pay Agreements process in the Adult Social Care sector’. This is available here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments. The government has taken a major step in boosting the wages and working conditions of adult social care workers across England, having announced a £500 million investment into the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in the sector. This £500m forms part of an increase of over £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028-29, compared to 2025-26.

Further to the National Licensing Policy Framework published on November 2025, for what reason the guidance is non-statutory, and what consideration was given to issuing it as supplementary guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 to give it the same weight as the current Section 182 licensing guidance.

The Licensing Act 2003 provides only for statutory guidance to be issued under section 182, which is limited to guidance on the exercise of functions within the Act and the promotion of the four licensing objectives. The National Licensing Policy Framework (NLPF) supports wider regeneration and wider economic objectives that sit outside the scope of section 182 guidance and do not override the statutory licensing framework.The Government is keeping the effectiveness of the NLPF under review and is considering how best to strengthen its impact within the existing legislative framework, should it not have the desired effect.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 on (a) the instances and duration of industrial action in local authorities and (b) disorder on municipal picket lines.

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the relevant trade union-related measures now in the Employment Rights Act 2025. The impact assessment covering the Act’s repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 included an assessment of the expected impact on industrial action. Local Authorities are independent employers responsible for managing industrial relations and industrial action risks.

When he plans to reply to the correspondence from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 13 August 2025.

The Department for Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days but in some instances it can take longer. The response to this case has now been issued and the department apologises for the length of time this has taken and are reviewing our processes to support better transfers between departments.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question 64084 on Night Time Industries Association, if he will publish (a) the letter from the Association and (b) his Department's response.

Responses are issued directly to the original correspondent in line with the Cabinet Office guidance for correspondence - Guide to Handling Correspondence - September 2024 A letter has been issued directly to the original correspondent.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 84634 on Personal Care Services: Fraud, on what statutory basis Companies House undertakes enhanced check; and how many fake barber shops have been identified.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 provided Companies House with enhanced powers to query, reject and share information proactively with law enforcement partners. These powers support the promotion of statutory objectives to ensure that required information is delivered, is accurate, is complete, is not false or misleading. Companies House aims to prevent companies and others from carrying out or facilitating unlawful activities.The National Crime Agency’s National Economic Crime Centre supported action in October 2025 visited 2734 business. 376 were barbershops. 251 other businesses visited were designated as ‘beauty related businesses’ which may include barbershop type services.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 78201 on Cement: Production, which cement producers are supported by the Energy Intensive Industries compensation scheme; and what representations he has received from the minerals and construction industry on inclusion in that scheme.

Cement production is not classified as an eligible sector under the Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) compensation scheme, so there are no cement producers supported through the scheme. The sector, however, benefits from the Supercharger. I regret the drafting error in 78201, this has now been corrected.My officials are in regular contact with the Mineral Products Association (MPA) and individual cement businesses to discuss issues affecting the sector. The Government will review the eligibility criteria for compensation in 2026 to ensure any support provided is for those sectors deemed most at risk of carbon leakage due to indirect carbon costs.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of pubs adding service charges for the sale of alcohol without table service on consumers.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCCA) Act 2024 requires traders, including pubs, to display prices inclusive of all taxes and unavoidable charges before payment is made. Prices must be accurate and not misleading. Failure to do this may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.  Pubs can offer consumers a tipping facility to use should they wish to support the local pub and staff.The department has no plans to assess the impact of any voluntary arrangements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37801 on Conditions of Employment, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of allowing local authority employers that adopt a four day week to contact employees by (a) email, (b) text and (c) phone on their fallow working day in the proposed draft Statutory Code of Practice under the right to switch off on those employers.

The government believes in the importance of a good work life balance, which is why we are improving access to flexible working through the Employment Rights Bill.If employees have different working patterns, it is important to agree an approach that works to meet business needs and support employees.As we develop the right to switch off we will consult with local authorities, employers and trade unions to ensure it strikes the right balance, to support both businesses and the workforce.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of cement production in the UK.

We routinely, for internal purposes, consider production levels of cement and other foundational industries products. We also maintain close contact with the Mineral Products Association, the industry trade body and individual businesses to consider and address the issues facing the sector.The cement sector has been included in the Government's future Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and some cement firms are supported by the British Industry Supercharger but not the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) Compensation Scheme.

When he plans to reply to the correspondence from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 18 June 2025.

The Rt.hon Member’s correspondence has been transferred to the Department of Health and Social Care as the department responsible for the topic of enquiry.

With reference to the press release entitled Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars, published on 26 July 2025, who will decide (a) where the new dedicated hospitality zones will be introduced and (b) what their boundaries will be; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of these proposals on the (i) licensing hours and (ii) wider operation of (A) new and (B) existing (1) pubs, (2) clubs and (3) restaurants that are not in designated hospitality zones.

The Government wants to ensure we have a licensing system that not only addresses crime and protects communities but supports businesses and promotes growth. Councils already use designated zones to preserve hospitality, leisure, and cultural areas, and we are keen to work collaboratively to understand how these approaches are working and explore whether Councils have the tools they need to create and maintain designated zones effectively. Businesses within and outside designated zones will benefit from a more balanced licensing regime. We will issue a Call for Evidence to gather insights and inform policy discussions shortly.

With reference to the press release entitled Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars, published on 26 July 2025, whether hospitality zones can be designated in cumulative impact areas.

Designating zones and cumulative impact policies are a matter for local authorities, and the two are not mutually exclusive. The Government’s considers that both designating zones and implementing cumulative impact policies should be fully considered, clearly evidenced, monitored, and subject to review to ensure they remain effective and proportionate.We are committed to working with councils, businesses and local partners to understand how these approaches are being applied and to ensure councils have the tools they need to create and maintain designated zones effectively. We will issue a Call for Evidence to gather insights and inform policy discussions shortly.