Written questions by Opher.

What steps his Department is taking to support (a) small and (b) start-up businesses.

The Government is committed to supporting small and start-up businesses through the Small Business Plan - the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium size businesses in a generation.Start-ups play a crucial role in fostering competition and innovation, and we are improving access to finance for start-ups through Start Up Loans provided by the British Business Bank.Last year, we launched a new Business Growth Service to make it easier for small businesses to access the right advice and support and we are boosting SME growth through new digital and AI Adoption initiatives.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of amending Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to ensure company directors’ align the interests of (a) people and (b) planet with profit.

Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard to the interests of the company’s employees and the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment. Since 2019, directors of large companies have been required to report annually on how they have met this duty.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that company directors align the interests of (a) workers, (b) the environment and (c) wider society with shareholder returns.

Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard to the interests of the company’s employees and the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment. Since 2019, directors of large companies have been required to report annually on how they have met this duty.

What his planned timetable is for consulting on the long term future of the Post Office.

We will publish a Green Paper later this year which will set out proposals for discussion on the future direction of the Post Office.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for the Government's environmental policies of Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanisms.

The UK is party to 80 Bilateral Investment Treaties and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership that contain Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). ISDS provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. ISDS does not remove the government’s right to regulate in the public interest, including with respect to the environment.

What steps his Department is taking to help encourage (a) large companies and (b) investment funds to adopt sustainable net zero practices.

Under current rules, certain large companies and investment funds are required to disclose information about the ways they are responding to the risks posed by climate change and seizing the economic opportunities that it presents. Going forward, the Government is considering whether to require companies to report comparable information in line with international corporate sustainability reporting standards. In addition, the Government's manifesto committed to mandate listed companies and financial institutions to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. The Government will consult on how to take this forward later this year.

Whether he plans to review firework legislation.

The Government's intention is to minimise the negative impact of fireworks and to support their considerate use, reducing the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals, and property. To inform any future decisions I have and will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks. The regulation of fireworks is complex, and we want to build a robust understanding of how the public use fireworks and how fireworks impact them, to determine whether the current system, as people experience it, is working effectively.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing new customer protections for individuals that purchase static caravans, in the context of alleged reporting of mis-selling.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that all terms of written contracts must be fair and transparent. Additionally, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibit unfair and misleading marketing tactics towards consumers. These rules normally apply to static caravans which are often significant purchases and it is crucial that consumers seek appropriate legal advice to clearly understand the terms and conditions of the sale so that they can make a fully informed decision.We are further strengthening the enforcement of this framework following implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

What steps his Department is taking to stop the mis-selling of static caravans via the holiday park industry.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that all terms of written contracts must be fair and transparent. Additionally, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibit unfair and misleading marketing tactics towards consumers. These rules normally apply to static caravans which are often significant purchases and it is crucial that consumers seek appropriate legal advice to clearly understand the terms and conditions of the sale so that they can make a fully informed decision.We are further strengthening the enforcement of this framework following implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure sufficient recycling facilities are available to process end-of-life electric vehicle batteries.

The UK has the opportunity to boost its midstream processing and recycling of critical minerals, building on world-leading innovation and technical expertise in our chemicals and metals sectors. We continue to work with industry via the Automotive Transformation Fund to support the creation of an internationally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK including battery recycling. We will ensure continuity in HMG support, building on the announcement in the Budget of £2bn for zero emission vehicles manufacturing and their supply chains.

If he will make it his policy to strengthen employee rights for those who were employed by an employer that has become insolvent.

When an employer enters insolvency, the Government’s Redundancy Payments Service (RPS) can pay statutory amounts owed to employees from the National Insurance Fund. These include redundancy pay, holiday pay, arrears of pay, compensatory notice pay and pension contributions. In 2023-24 RPS paid out more than £490 million in redundancy and related payments, with claims processed in an average of 10 days. It is important to ensure that employees are not left in vulnerable situations where their employer has become insolvent. It is also important to ensure that the framework provides good value for taxpayers.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to increase the time limit for access to the Employment Tribunal from three months to six months after an incident of workplace discrimination.

The Government is committed to increasing employment tribunal time limits from 3-6 months, which is in line with the Law Commission recommendation from 2020. Measures to extend the time limit for bringing claims to Employment Tribunals will be added via amendment during the passage of the Employment Rights Bill.