Every parliamentary written question tabled by Julian Smith this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–17 of 17 · Department for Business and Trade
When he plans to publish his Department's (a) review of and (b) consultation on the opt-out collective actions regime.
The Government’s call for evidence on the opt-out collective actions regime closed on 14 October 2025. Careful consideration is being given to responses received and a consultation on potential changes to the regime will be published in spring of this year.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on a) the hospitality sector and b) levels of employment.
The Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Act [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Act and our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors, including hospitality, will benefit the most from the Act.Our analysis, supported by independent modelling and international evidence, demonstrates pro-employment effects are more likely, and deems the overall risk to employment to be low.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory mediation in employment disputes.
We continue to work across government to make the dispute resolution system more resilient, so that that the measures in the Employment Rights Act can be effectively enforced. We recognise the benefits of mediation in resolving disputes swiftly.A joint DBT/MoJ Taskforce—working with Acas and representatives from business, unions, and other experts —is considering reforms to strengthen dispute resolution.This includes considering how to maximise use of informal options including meditation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
It is to the benefit of all parties involved in litigation that disputes are managed efficiently. The government, therefore, supports the use, where appropriate, of mediation as a means to resolve disputes without the expense of litigation.The government is conducting a review of the opt-out collective actions regime for competitive claims before the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The review considers all aspects of the regime, including the role of alternative dispute resolution, and a consultation on proposals for change will be published in due course.
If he will take steps to investigate reports of alleged wrongdoing by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the fulfilment of his public duties as a UK Trade Envoy.
It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on the ability of small and medium-sized businesses, including franchises, to re-invest and create jobs.
The Government has published a comprehensive assessment on the impact of the Act. As per our Better Regulation requirements, each Impact Assessment includes a small, medium and micro business assessment.The Small Business Plan also outlines how we will support small and medium sized businesses to grow and thrive across the UK through the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlock billions of pounds in finance to support start-ups and scale ups; remove unnecessary red tape; revitalise the High Street as a place to do business; and deliver growth boosting support for Digital and AI Adoption.
If he will take steps to investigate reports of alleged wrongdoing by UK Trade Envoys.
Any reports of alleged wrongdoing in public office are taken seriously by the Government. The Government remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations on records management, disclosure, and cooperation with competent authorities, and any requests will be handled in accordance with established procedures.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on hospitality franchise businesses; and whether he plans to provide support for employers to manage costs.
The Government has published a comprehensive assessment on the impact of the Act, which includes analysis of the potential sectoral impacts.The Government recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to the UK, supporting local employment, sustaining high streets and communities, and playing an important role in our cultural and social fabric.We are delivering long overdue reform to rebalance business rates system. Over 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties will benefit from permanently lower tax rates. This is a permanent tax cut worth nearly £900 million with no cash cap, benefitting all qualifying properties on high streets across England.
Whether regulations on trade union access under the Employment Rights Act 2025 will include safeguarding provisions for workplaces employing young people; and what guidance will be provided to ensure compatibility with safeguarding duties.
In our consultation, Make Work Pay: trade union right of access, we sought views on the operational details of the new statutory access framework, including any further matters the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) must have regard to when making determinations on access.Officials are carefully reviewing all responses and the government will publish a response, which will include next steps on safeguarding considerations, before finalising these details in secondary legislation.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the guaranteed hours requirements in the Employment Rights Act 2025 on a) employees seeking flexibility, including those seeking to match schools terms, and b) employers with seasonal demand changes.
My department has published a robust set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.The Employment Rights Act is intended to improve security of income and work, while maintaining flexibility. Workers will be able to decline an offer of guaranteed hours if they wish. Employers with seasonal working patterns will continue to have a range of options, including the use of fixed term contracts where appropriate. The government will consult further before making regulations, including on how the right could apply in relation to annualised hours arrangements.
What steps his Department is taking to review the cumulative effect of operating costs, including energy, staffing, compliance, and taxation, on the viability of hospitality businesses; and what consultations he is having with industry representatives on those matters.
My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation.This includes regular engagement with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council which provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.We also maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long-term stability.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of using mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
This government is committed to access to justice, and I share the interest of the Rt. Hon. member’s in reducing the burdens of litigation through Alternative Dispute Resolution. The CAT Rules afford the Tribunal significant powers to encourage and facilitate Alternative Dispute Resolution.
What his Department's planned timetable is for publishing its Review of the Whistleblowing Framework.
The previous Government commissioned a review of the UK’s whistleblowing framework. This report, conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, is currently being reviewed by the Department of Business and Trade and will be published in due course.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the use of mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
The Government supports the use, where appropriate, of mediation as a means to resolve regulatory disputes. However, the decision on whether to use mediation, and whether it is appropriate in a particular case, is primarily a matter for the parties in any dispute.Further, the Competition Appeal Tribunal is an independent specialist tribunal with significant expertise in the hearing and deciding of cases involving competition or economic regulatory issues. Any decisions or directions in relation to case management or party conduct are an independent judicial matter considered on a case-by-case basis.
What discussions he has had with the Small Business Commissioner on the (a) awareness and (b) use of mediation in the small business sector.
The department is working closely with The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) as we develop our proposals for the upcoming late payments consultation.The Small Business Commissioners office continues to engage closely with businesses and stakeholders across the UK to raise awareness of the SBC service, which includes the role that the SBC can play in mediation between small businesses and their larger partners. Alongside mediation the SBC also conducts investigations into formal complaints of non-payments by large businesses and can provide additional support to small business as they try to deal with late payments.
What discussions he has had with (a) the Competition and Market Authority and (b) other sectoral regulators on the use of mediation to resolve regulatory disputes.
The Government supports the use, where appropriate, of mediation as a means to resolve regulatory disputes without the expense of litigation.However, the decision on whether to use mediation, and whether it is appropriate in a particular case, is primarily a matter for the parties in any dispute.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of class actions on (a) businesses and (b) consumers.
Supporting consumers (including businesses) in accessing redress is of the utmost importance to this Government, and how consumer protection could be improved is kept under regular review.So-called ‘class actions’ are just one avenue for consumers to seek redress and can provide a helpful avenue to do so where many individuals have claims substantially similar in nature. My department’s remit is limited to collective actions brought in relation to competition issues, where this tool can improve access to justice where bringing a claim would otherwise be impractical or unaffordable.