Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wera Hobhouse this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–13 of 13 · Department for Business and Trade
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.
In its consultation, the government has expressed a preference for an hours threshold for the right to guaranteed hours of between 8 and 20 hours per week, on the basis that this is likely to offer the best balance of costs and benefits. The consultation ...
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 he
The government has published impact assessments for the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act.The government has assessed that extending the right to guaranteed hours to workers who already have some hours guaranteed could improve inco...
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 reta
The Department has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures and will publish further analysis in due course. This includes an assessment of the impact of different hours thresholds and the impacts o...
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.
The Department has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures and will publish further analysis in due course.The government has also now published its consultation. The government has stated a prefer...
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.
The Department has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures and will publish further analysis in due course as we implement these measures.The consultation includes specific questions on the potenti...
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.
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.
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 Pl
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 f...
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 Twentiet
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 ...
What the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
Under the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, eligible Ministers who leave office are entitled to a one-off payment equivalent to one quarter of their annual salary at the point at which they leave Government. Details of such payments are published in the departmental annual reports and accounts, and ministerial salaries are published on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-salary-data
How he plans to encourage investment in (a) chemical recycling and (b) other green technologies.
The UK is committed to a circular economy which will keep resources in use as long as possible, extracting maximum value, minimizing waste and promoting resource efficiency. Policies such as the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax help support innovation, growth and jobs in the waste management and the recycling sectors, including within chemical recycling. The UK supports investment into green technologies through competitive research and innovation-based incentives such as R&D tax credits, innovation funding and incentives.DBT will use its investment services to support Great British Energy to seek investment into new technologies to speed up and scale their deployment.
Whether intellectual property provisions on plant genetic resources are being negotiated under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
Boosting trade abroad is essential to deliver a strong economy at home. That is why we are committed to negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with India, which is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2027.It is the department’s established practice to not comment on the details of live negotiations. We will commence negotiations as soon as possible to secure an agreement that creates new opportunities for businesses, supports jobs across the United Kingdom, and delivers growth.