Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sarah Owen this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–6 of 6 · Department for Business and Trade
What recent progress he has made on consulting with (a) campaign groups and (b) industry on reviewing fireworks legislation.
The Government has continued to engage with various stakeholders in regard to fireworks regulation and the impact of fireworks. This includes charities such as Combat Stress and the RSPCA, other MPs and the British Fireworks Association. I continue to engage with stakeholders in regard to fireworks regulation to listen and understand views.
What discussions his Department has had with (a) OpenAI, (b) Google, (c) Anthropic and (d) Meta on workers’ rights.
The Plan to Make Work Pay sets out an ambitious agenda to ensure employment rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people and contribute to economic growth. Its reforms will strengthen the rights of workers, address the fragmented labour market enforcement framework, and support workers in balancing responsibilities outside work. The Government is committed to working in partnership with businesses, trade unions and other stakeholders to deliver the Plan to Make Work Pay. We have not had any engagement with OpenAI, Google, Anthropic or Meta on workers' rights.
What steps his Department is taking to attract investment to towns historically impacted by de-industrialisation.
The Department works across the UK, including towns impacted by deindustrialisation, to showcase strong commercial investment opportunities to potential investors and support business to grow, and provides extensive support to small businesses through the network of Growth Hubs. The government’s Industrial Strategy will focus on tackling barriers to growth in highest potential growth-driving sectors and places, creating the right conditions for increased investment, high-quality jobs and ensuring tangible impact in communities right across the UK. The National Wealth Fund will support its delivery and mobilise billions of pounds of investment. Through the Government owned British Business Bank, we are also investing over £1billion through their regional Investment Fund programmes.
What representations his Department has made to industry on investment in towns historically impacted by de-industrialisation.
The Department works across the UK, including towns impacted by deindustrialisation, to showcase strong commercial investment opportunities to potential investors and support business to grow, and provides extensive support to small businesses through the network of Growth Hubs. The government’s Industrial Strategy will focus on tackling barriers to growth in highest potential growth-driving sectors and places, creating the right conditions for increased investment, high-quality jobs and ensuring tangible impact in communities right across the UK. The National Wealth Fund will support its delivery and mobilise billions of pounds of investment. Through the Government owned British Business Bank, we are also investing over £1billion through their regional Investment Fund programmes.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of investing in industrial sites in Luton North constituency.
DBT works with all regions in the UK to understand in detail the areas sector by sector potential for investors. In Luton, DBT has a strong working relationship with Luton Borough Council and the South Midlands Growth Hub, where we have a shared understanding of Luton’s strengths in areas such as manufacturing, automotive, creative & digital and the green economy.
What steps his Department is taking to encourage investment from (a) OpenAI, (b) Google, (c) Anthropic and (d) Meta in local communities.
The Department for Business and Trade will continue to work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Office for Investment to support significant overseas companies to invest and expand their footprint in the UK, and ensure that local communities benefit from the digital industrial revolution. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan presented earlier this month, AI Growth Zones will be established across the UK. Government will support these dedicated hotbeds of development to build the infrastructure needed to power and train cutting-edge AI. By partnering with the private sector, we will create vibrant hubs that attract investment, support new jobs, and rejuvenate communities.