Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sorcha Eastwood this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–17 of 17 · Department for Business and Trade
What discussions he has had with Royal Mail on its planned timeline for publishing the improvement plan requested by Ofcom.
Royal Mail has publicly committed to publishing a detailed deployment and quality of service improvement plan as soon as possible after its discussions with the Communication Workers Union conclude.
What assessment his Department has made of whether the current ownership structure of Royal Mail is compatible with the effective delivery of the Universal Service Obligation.
The universal service obligation is a statutory requirement placed on the designated universal service provider and applies irrespective of the company’s ownership structure.Royal Mail has been a fully independent business since its privatisation was completed in 2015.It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to determine whether regulatory or enforcement action is required to ensure the effective delivery of the universal service.
What discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on whether additional regulatory powers are required to enforce Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation.
Ministers have regular discussions with Ofcom. The government does not have a role in Ofcom’s individual regulatory decisions. I met Ofcom on 11 March. They confirmed that they are monitoring Quality of Service data closely and will take regulatory action, if required, to hold Royal Mail to account for improving Quality of Service standards once agreement has been reached between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union on implementation of Universal Service Obligation reforms.
If his Department will review the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 to help prevent the antisocial use of fireworks.
There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on preventing anti-social use of fireworks or the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets or vulnerable adults.I recognise that people hold a range of views on this issue. On 19th January, MPs debated two e-petitions relating to the sale and noise of fireworks respectively. As the Minister responsible, I will ensure that all evidence gathered, including views from the debate, and experiences shared by members of the public, are fully considered. I can assure you that public safety, the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this work.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of (a) pets and (b) vulnerable adults.
There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on preventing anti-social use of fireworks or the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets or vulnerable adults.I recognise that people hold a range of views on this issue. On 19th January, MPs debated two e-petitions relating to the sale and noise of fireworks respectively. As the Minister responsible, I will ensure that all evidence gathered, including views from the debate, and experiences shared by members of the public, are fully considered. I can assure you that public safety, the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this work.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of postal deliveries across Northern Ireland.
Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. Earlier this month, I met the CEO of Royal Mail, Alistair Cochrane, to press him on Royal Mail’s progress in improving quality of service. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has powers to set and enforce Royal Mail’s quality of service targets. Royal Mail is required by Ofcom to publish its quality of service results on a quarterly basis.
If he will have discussions with Royal Mail to encourage timely deliveries in Lagan Valley.
Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. Earlier this month, I met the CEO of Royal Mail, Alistair Cochrane, to press him on Royal Mail’s progress in improving quality of service. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has powers to set and enforce Royal Mail’s quality of service targets. Royal Mail is required by Ofcom to publish its quality of service results on a quarterly basis.
Whether he has discussed with Royal Mail updating international addressing systems so that Northern Ireland can be selected as a distinct region.
International addressing systems are operational tools, owned and maintained by Royal Mail, with their primary purpose being to ensure the accurate sorting, routing and delivery of customers’ mail. Royal Mail keeps this under review for its purposes. Royal Mail is an independent business and therefore the government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial or technical decisions.
Whether he has discussed with Royal Mail updating the international addressing systems so that Northern Ireland can be selected as a distinct region.
International addressing systems are operational tools, owned and maintained by Royal Mail, with their primary purpose being to ensure the accurate sorting, routing and delivery of customers’ mail. Royal Mail keeps this under review for its purposes. Royal Mail is an independent business and therefore the government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial or technical decisions.
Whether trade negotiations with the US on (a) digital trade provisions and (b) non-tariff barriers will include online safety regulation.
On 8 May the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump. We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, increasing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains. Protecting people online has never been up for negotiation in these talks. The Online Safety Act is already law and being implemented.
With reference to the Post Office Transformation Plan published on 13 November 2024; whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the recommendation to provide additional payments to postmasters in the 2025-26 financial year; and when he expects to conclude his assessment of the plan.
On 13 November, the Post Office Chair Nigel Railton announced a Transformation Plan, which aims to create a long-term sustainable future for Post Offices in communities all across the UK. Through the Transformation Plan, Post Office aims to deliver a "New Deal" for Postmasters, which includes increases to renumeration. The government welcomes both the ambition to put postmasters at the centre of the business, and in particular recent announcements about increases to remuneration, which historically have not kept up with inflation. We will continue to work with the Post Office on their plans including further payments to postmasters.
What his expected timeline is for (a) receiving and (b) responding to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry.
Sir Wyn Williams is committed to progressing matters as swiftly as he can. Now that the final Phase of gathering oral evidence is complete, Sir Wyn will look to deliver his report on what happened, what went wrong and why. He said in December 2024 that publication would take “many months”. Once the report is published, the Government will respond in due course.
What steps he is taking to support British-based businesses to appoint a responsible person under the General Product Safety Regulations to access to Northern Ireland and EU markets.
The Government is supporting small businesses to understand and comply with the new General Product Safety Regulation. We have published guidance on the new Regulation in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses, including through regular drop-in sessions. Firms exporting to the EU should note that EU guidance is now available and may also wish to contact the Government’s Export Support Service.
Whether his Department plans to monitor the application of the guidance entitled General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland: Guidance for businesses on Regulation 2023/988, published on 5 December 2024.
The Department will be monitoring the application of the new General Product Safety Regulation in Northern Ireland and will keep the guidance on the Regulation under review to ensure we are supporting businesses to trade freely across the UK.
Whether he is taking steps to ensure that small businesses in Great Britain are aware of his Department's guidance entitled General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland: Guidance for businesses on Regulation 2023/988, published on 5 December 2024.
My officials have been engaging regularly with businesses on the new General Product Safety Regulations in Northern Ireland. The guidance for businesses has been shared with the business community in Great Britain and Northern Ireland through existing channels. My officials are also engaging with businesses through drop-in sessions, both before and after the Regulation takes effect in Northern Ireland.
If he will meet with online consumers in Northern Ireland experiencing difficulties buying goods from Great Britain.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and are constructively working with all stakeholders, including consumer groups, to protect the UK Internal Market. HM Government continues to support businesses in ensuring a smooth flow of goods between Northern Ireland (NI) and the rest of the UK. This includes through the provision of guidance and advice, as offered through the Trader Support Service and published online.It is important that we consider consumer views when developing policy. As such, DBT meets consumer representatives from across the UK, and works with the NI Department for the Economy to support people in Northern Ireland.
With reference to the press release entitled Record-breaking International Investment Summit secures £63 billion and nearly 38,000 jobs for the UK, published on 14 October 2024, whether she has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the proportion of (a) that investment that will be disbursed in and (b) those jobs that will be created in Northern Ireland.
The International Investment Summit on the 14th October sought to drive investment across the entirety of the UK. The announcement on 8th of October by bus operator Go Ahead, saw £500 million investment, supporting up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs, to decarbonise its fleet, including creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with Northern Ireland based bus manufacturer Wrightbus. Furthermore, this investment will accelerate the transition to greener buses across the country including in Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.