Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wera Hobhouse this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–10 of 10 · Department for Business and Trade
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of extending the guaranteed hours provisions beyond zero‑hours contracts to include low‑hours contracts on workers; and what steps he is taking to help ensure that measures do not unintentionally restrict flexible low‑hours work.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment has been made of how different low hours thresholds and different reference period lengths in respect of guaranteed hours provisions may impact workforce flexibility.
Awaiting answer.
What evidence the Department has used to inform the proposed definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions; and whether an impact assessment will be published for the retail and hospitality sectors.
Awaiting answer.
Whether the Department has considered setting the definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions at 8 hours per week or below.
Awaiting answer.
In respect of guaranteed hours provisions what assessment has been made of the potential impact of a 12 week reference period on employers whose staffing needs vary significantly over the year.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending the guaranteed hours provisions beyond zero‑hours contracts to include low‑hours contracts on affected people; and what steps he is taking to help ensure that measures intended to tackle exploitative zero‑hours arrangements protect genuinely flexible low‑hours work.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What evidence his Department has used to inform the proposed definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions; and whether an impact assessment will be published for the retail and hospitality sectors.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether he has made an assessment of the resilience of the folding e-bike industry in the UK.
The Department engages with the folding e-bike industry as part of its broader support for UK manufacturing and innovation. Through the Government’s Industrial Strategy, targeting key growth levers such as boosting scaleups, revitalising high streets, improving access to finance, unlocking new markets, and strengthening business capabilities, the Department is helping to create a more competitive and resilient business environment. Notably, on 6 February 2025, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a recommendation from the Trade Remedies Authority, the UK’s independent body for investigating trade remedies, to maintain measures on folding e-bikes from China, in place since January 2024, providing continued protection for UK manufacturers.
If he will take steps ensure that the intellectual property chapter in a free trade agreement with India includes commitments to the (a) UN Sustainable Development Goals, (b) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and (c) UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas.
Following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister on 18 November, the Prime Minister announced that UK-India trade talks will relaunch in the new year. While we do not comment on the details of negotiations, work is underway across government to prepare for negotiations with India and to seek a deal that delivers for the UK and supports economic growth. Our trade programme, including talks with India, is driven by stakeholder engagement and seeks to support the high existing standards within our own domestic Intellectual Property Regime and as agreed in international fora.
With reference to the paragraph 52 of the Second Special Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2019 on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life: Government Response to the Committee’s Twentieth Report of Session 2017-19, HC160, published on 30 October 2019, what recent progress his Department has made on developing revised regulations to replace the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the consultation conducted by the Office for Product Safety and Standards entitled, Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture on proposals for a new approach to the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, which closed on 24 October 2023.
Following the formation of the Government in July, the Department for Business and Trade is considering next steps for this important issue, including reviewing the evidence gathered from the 2023 consultation, Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture. The recommendations of the Environmental Audit Committee following the inquiry Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life formed part of the evidence base informing the consultation proposals. The Government will engage with consumer organisations, businesses, and other interested groups and provide updates in due course.