Iain Wright

Labour - Former Member for Hartlepool

First elected: 30th September 2004

Left House: 3rd May 2017 (General Election)


Iain Wright is not a member of any APPGs
4 Former APPG memberships
Business, Finance and Accountancy, Park Homes, Publishing, Space
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls
10th Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee
1st Dec 2015 - 3rd May 2017
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
30th Nov 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Liaison Committee (Commons)
10th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Business and Trade Committee
17th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
18th Jun 2015 - 17th Oct 2016
Shadow Minister (Business, Innovation and Skills)
7th Oct 2011 - 18th Sep 2015
Finance and Services Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow Minister (Education)
8th Oct 2010 - 7th Oct 2011
Shadow Minister (14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships)
12th May 2010 - 8th Oct 2010
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Children, Schools and Families) (14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships)
9th Jun 2009 - 6th May 2010
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Communities and Local Government)
29th Jun 2007 - 9th Jun 2009
Public Accounts Committee
15th Jan 2007 - 6th Nov 2007
Public Administration Committee
19th Jan 2005 - 12th Jul 2005


Division Voting information

Iain Wright has voted in 2095 divisions, and 11 times against the majority of their Party.

20 Apr 2016 - Record Copies of Acts - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Labour Aye votes vs 23 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 117 Noes - 38
24 Feb 2016 - Estimates - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 3 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 60
11 Sep 2015 - Assisted Dying (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 73 Labour Aye votes vs 91 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 330
2 Mar 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Labour No votes vs 155 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 235 Noes - 176
2 Mar 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Labour No votes vs 157 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 158
2 Mar 2009 - Political Parties and Elections Bill - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Labour No votes vs 156 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 213 Noes - 153
12 Nov 2008 - MODERNISATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS (STANDING ORDERS) - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 33 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 87
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 56 Labour Aye votes vs 231 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 304
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 126 Labour Aye votes vs 184 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 418
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 132 Labour Aye votes vs 177 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 392
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Iain Wright voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 156 Labour Aye votes vs 157 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
View All Iain Wright Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Greg Clark (Conservative)
(28 debate interactions)
Nick Gibb (Conservative)
(24 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(209 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(75 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(69 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Finance Act 2017
(1,514 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Iain Wright's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Iain Wright

22nd February 2017
Iain Wright signed this EDM on Wednesday 22nd February 2017

SCHOOL FUNDING IN THE NORTH EAST

Tabled by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
That this House regrets that local authorities across the North East of England are set to lose more than an estimated £119 million in school funding in real terms by 2020, equivalent to the loss of 3,203 teachers; notes that this reduction is due to a failure to increase funding …
14 signatures
(Most recent: 15 Mar 2017)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 13
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
2nd February 2017
Iain Wright signed this EDM on Wednesday 22nd February 2017

NUCLEAR WORKERS' PENSIONS

Tabled by: Albert Owen (Labour - Ynys Môn)
That this House is greatly concerned about the proposed pension reforms to civil nuclear workers on Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) estates; notes that during the course of the Enterprise Act 2016, these workers were also marked for a cap to be imposed on their exit payments, and were assured at …
127 signatures
(Most recent: 9 Mar 2017)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 87
Scottish National Party: 26
Independent: 6
Crossbench: 2
Liberal Democrat: 2
Conservative: 1
The Independent Group for Change: 1
Non-affiliated: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Iain Wright's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Iain Wright, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Iain Wright

Thursday 16th October 2014

4 Adjournment Debates led by Iain Wright

Tuesday 16th December 2014
Thursday 8th November 2012
Thursday 8th September 2011
Friday 11th February 2011

Iain Wright has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
50 Other Department Questions
15th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the budget for the Trade Show Access Programme will be in financial year (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19; and if he will make a statement.

For 2016/17 and beyond, UKTI will be reviewing how the Tradeshow Access Programme is aligned with other Export Services as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement. It is therefore not possible to confirm the budget at this stage

8th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the costs of implementing the Teaching Excellence Framework.

We recently published the Green Paper: “Fulfilling our potential: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice,” which sets out our proposals for delivering the Teaching Excellence Framework.


Once we have considered the consultation responses, and are in a position to publish our final proposals, we will publish a Regulatory Impact Assessment which will set out the costs of implementation.

18th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many times the working groups on (a) public procurement, (b) international comparisons and (c) competitiveness and productivity have met since the Steel Summit on 16 October 2015; and what the actions and outcomes of each of those groups has been since their formation.

There have been three meetings of the International Comparisons Working Group, which has been examining the application of EU state aid rules in other EU member states and the issue of dumping of steel into the EU. A review of how other EU countries support their steel sectors showed that the UK was not missing an opportunity to provide assistance within the existing rules. It has also helped strengthen the partnership between industry and government, including on the evidence base on dumping of steel.


The Competitiveness and Productivity Working Group, which has met twice under the chairmanship of my Noble Friend Lord O’Neill of Gatley, has held discussions with steel industry representatives on the regulatory regime, energy costs and business taxation issues, as well as looking at broader issues around the future competitiveness of the steel industry. My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has already announced on 28th October during Prime Ministers Questions that we are, subject to state aid clearance, bringing forward compensation for the costs of Renewables Obligation for Energy Intensive Industries and have confirmed the steel industry will be able to take advantage of the available flexibilities under the Industrial Emissions Directive.


The Steel Procurement Working Group, chaired by my Rt Hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, has met twice, looking at how better to take account of socio-economic considerations in procurement, at achieving better transparency of the pipeline of steel needs in future infrastructure projects, and at steel standards. Following the first meeting, the Government published on 30 October new guidelines for departments to apply on major projects when sourcing and buying steel. The new instructions will help steel suppliers compete on a level playing field with international suppliers for major government projects.


9th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to publish the Government response to the Industry Training Boards review, announced on 23 September 2013; and if he will make a statement.

The Triennial Review of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and Film Industry Training Board (FITB) took place under the Coalition Government. However it was not possible to publish the report before the May 2015 general election.

In the Budget on 8 July 2015, the new Government announced that it will introduce a levy on large UK employers to fund post-16 apprenticeships. The Government is now consulting on how the levy should be implemented, including its interaction with the existing sector levies.

“Given these skills funding policy changes, there have been delays in publication as we consider how the sector levies interact with the apprenticeship levy.”

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has for private ownership of the British Business Bank; and if he will make a statement.

There are currently no plans for private ownership of the British Business Bank.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54 on the Green Investment Bank, whether existing staff and directors at the bank will be (a) gifted and (b) permitted to purchase shares in that Bank.

Our expectation is that interest in acquiring a stake in the Green Investment Bank will come from sophisticated, large scale institutional investors such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. Detailed matters like employee share schemes will need to be considered as part of the transaction and will depend in part on the views of investors.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54 on the Green Investment Bank, whether shares in the bank will be offered directly to the public.

Our expectation is that interest in acquiring a stake in the Green Investment Bank will come from sophisticated, large scale institutional investors such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. We do not currently anticipate shares in the company being offered to individuals.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54, whether the sale of the bank into private ownership will be undertaken using priority investors.

We will explore all options for a sale. Decisions will reflect the outcome we believe maximises value for the UK taxpayer. Our expectation is that interest in acquiring a stake in the Green Investment Bank will come from sophisticated, large scale institutional investors such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54 on the Green Investment Bank, what the intended timescale is for moving the bank into private ownership.

Timing of a sale is dependent on the outcome of discussions with potential investors. We are keen to make progress but would not want to commit to a particular timetable at this stage. We need the flexibility to do a deal when we are satisfied the time and the terms are right. We will only proceed once satisfied we are able to achieve best value for money for the taxpayer.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54 on the Green Investment Bank, what percentage stake in the bank he will seek to maintain following a move into private ownership.

Decisions on this will depend on the outcome of discussions with potential investors and will be driven by what best achieves value for money for the UK taxpayer. Our aim is that a majority of shares in UK Green Investment Bank plc would come to be held by private investors.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54 on the Green Investment Bank, what discussions he plans to have with (a) business organisations, (b) green investors and (c) environmental groups before making a final decision to move that Bank into private ownership.

I appreciate there is widespread interest in the future of UK Green Investment Bank plc. Both the Government and the company will continue to be as transparent as possible about plans for the company’s future.

25th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to his statement on 25 June 2015, HCWS54 on the Green Investment Bank, what control the Government will retain over the (i) appointment of the Chair of the Bank and (ii) strategic direction of the bank's activities following its move into private ownership.

Our aim is that bringing private ownership in to UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) should free the company from Government control with decisions about operational and strategic matters being a matter for the company, its board and its shareholders. As we move towards introducing private investors, we will be exploring how to ensure GIB continues to invest in accordance with its green principles.

8th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on future government support for the UK space sector.

The UK has a thriving space sector worth £11.3b to the economy and satellites have been acknowledged as one of the UK’s Eight Great technologies, fundamental to our future economy. The UK’s Civil Space Strategy, 2012 to 2016, will continue to guide policy in line with the goal of space contributing £40 billion a year to the UK economy by 2030.

As part of the Deregulation Bill, reforms to the existing Outer Space Act will come into force in October - reducing the burden on satellite operators, making the UK more competitive globally, particularly building on our expertise in small satellites. This continued growth is enabled by balanced investment in national and European space programmes.

At the European Space Agency’s Council of Ministers in December 2014, we committed additional investment of more than £200 million in Europe’s space programme, enabling the UK to further collaborate with Europe and develop world leading technologies, services and science missions. While individual opportunities will continue to be evaluated on their own merit, our broad policy goals remain: economic growth, scientific excellence and maximum benefit to citizens.

Working across government is central to achieving these aims. For example, the UK Space Agency jointly published the National Space Security Policy in April 2014 with the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office, to set out a coherent approach to the UK’s space security interests, and the publication of a National Space Policy later this year will spell out the principles which underpin the UK approach to space.

8th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on future government support for the Office for Life Sciences.

Our manifesto committed to support the long-term economic plan by fostering research, innovation and jobs in the life science industry. We will therefore continue to invest in growing the life sciences sector, to help people compete and win in the intense global race for high value, high knowledge jobs, to unleash the potential of innovation, and to drive investment and growth in the UK economy. The Office of Life Sciences will continue to be an important part of that.

8th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on future government support for the Construction Industry Council.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will work closely with industry and businesses to understand their needs and what more the Government can do to retain the UK’s competitive position within the global economy. The biggest challenge facing the economy is improving productivity and it is important to recognise that the productivity challenge is different sector by sector. Regular dialogue and working with business, including through the sector councils, as part of our wider industrial approach, is a vital part of that.

8th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on future government support for the Automotive Council.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will work closely with industry and businesses to understand their needs and what more the Government can do to retain the UK’s competitive position within the global economy. The biggest challenge facing the economy is improving productivity and it is important to recognise that the productivity challenge is different sector by sector. Regular dialogue and working with business, including through the sector councils, as part of our wider industrial approach, is a vital part of that.

8th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on future government support for the Aerospace Growth Partnership.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will work closely with industry and businesses to understand their needs and what more the Government can do to retain the UK’s competitive position within the global economy. The biggest challenge facing the economy is improving productivity and it is important to recognise that the productivity challenge is different sector by sector. Regular dialogue and working with business, including through the sector councils, as part of our wider industrial approach, is a vital part of that.

5th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reason the public will not be able to buy shares in Royal Mail during the sale of the Government's holding; and if he will make a statement.

The public can currently buy Royal Mail shares as they are freely traded on the stock market.

As set out in the Secretary of State’s report to Parliament laid under section 2(2) of the Postal Services Act 2011 on 8 June, the sale of shares will be subject to market conditions and sensitivities and the Government will retain flexibility over the number of shares that are sold at any given time and the exact timing and structure of each sale.

5th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether Royal Mail staff will be able to buy shares during the sale of the Government's holding.

As set out in the Secretary of State’s report to Parliament laid under section 2(2) of the Postal Services Act 2011 on 8 June, the sale of shares will be subject to market conditions and sensitivities and the Government will retain flexibility over the number of shares that are sold at any given time and the exact timing and structure of each sale.

5th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the (a) nature and (b) proportion of changes to (i) further and (ii) higher education spending will be as a result of reductions of £450 million in his Department's budget.

The majority of BIS’ £450m savings will be delivered through known underspends and releasing unallocated funding.

Officials in my department are working with the appropriate funding bodies to determine how other savings can best be achieved in line with ministers’ priorities.

Funding for apprenticeships and student maintenance will not be affected.

The underlying principles ensuring that students and young people continue to benefit from one of the best education systems in the world will continue.

5th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether he has a target valuation for the sale of the Government's holding in Royal Mail.

Our intention is to sell the Government’s remaining stake in Royal Mail during this Parliament. As set out in the Secretary of State’s report to Parliament laid under section 2(2) of the Postal Services Act 2011 on 8 June, the sale of shares will be subject to market conditions and sensitivities and the Government will retain flexibility over the number of shares that are sold at any given time and the exact timing and structure of each sale.

One of the primary objectives of the sale will be a financial outcome that represents overall value for money.

2nd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reasons publication of the final report on the review of enforcement of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in respect of copycat packaging has been delayed; and when he plans to publish that report.

I regret that it has not yet proved possible to publish the report. The detailed and full responses we received have led to officials making further inquiries into a number of issues. It is important that the views of interested parties are properly considered, and that we take the necessary time to do this. We will issue the report as soon as possible.

2nd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which organisations the Minister for (a) Intellectual Property and (b) Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs has met to discuss the review of enforcement of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in respect of copycat packaging.

Neither my noble Friend the Minister for Intellectual Property nor I have met with any organisations to discuss this review. However, officials have met with a number of organisations which responded to our Call for Evidence on this issue including at a stakeholder event organised last year.

2nd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which (a) film, (b) television, (c) music and (d) publishing companies his Department consulted on the contents of the Government's policy paper, UK vision for EU's digital economy, before it was published.

The Government has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in the creative and other interested sectors in developing the UK’s vision for the Digital Economy, including representatives of film, television, music and publishing companies. The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders on the digital single market agenda to promote a single market which supports growth and enables businesses, creators and consumers to enjoy the opportunities presented by the digital economy.

2nd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what timetable the Government has in place to provide civil injunctive powers to businesses, in respect of copycat packaging, under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

No timetable has been set as no decision has been taken to provide civil injunctive powers for businesses, in respect of copycat packaging, under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. We will issue a report on this subject as soon as possible.

2nd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what analysis he has undertaken of the reasons for the fall of drug manufacturing output in the UK since 2010; what steps he plans to take to ensure that the UK pharmaceutical industry is globally competitive; and if he will make a statement.

The global pharmaceutical sector along with other industries has faced challenges in coping with the economic downturn and global squeeze on prices. Pharmaceutical global restructuring has resulted in a significant number of plant closures in Europe including in the UK due to industry-wide overcapacity in manufacturing, expiry of patents on some of the medicines manufactured in the UK and slow growth of the European pharmaceutical market over the last few years, due to budget constraints. The figures are also partly due to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry moving from a focus on small molecules to biological products, which require different manufacturing plants and capabilities.

We are working with the sector, in particular through the Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership, to respond to the opportunities and challenges it has identified. For example, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s Innovation office published four case studies that exemplify why the UK is a leading place to introduce new manufacturing processes. We have invested significantly in national centres such as the cell therapy and precision medicine catapults. We have also invested £55m in a Cell Therapy Manufacturing Centre, £38m in the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and £28m in a National Formulation Centre. In addition, £13 million has been invested in 7 medicines manufacturing projects under the Regional Growth Fund, leveraging an £108m in private sector investment.

These initiatives will help us to develop advanced medicines manufacturing, which should enable us to build new industries in areas such as cell and gene therapies. The Life Sciences Strategy launched in December 2011 set the foundations for this renewal. We estimate that since then at least £3.5 billion inward investment into the UK has been secured, creating over 11,000 new jobs.

Recently, Glaxo SmithKline and Astra Zeneca have both made significant commitments to invest in manufacturing in the UK. In addition, non UK domiciled companies have recognised the opportunity of manufacturing in the UK, with Fujifilm Diosynth, opening a new manufacturing facility in October 2013 and Eisai opening its new packaging facility in November 2014.

2nd Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to UK vision for the EU's digital economy, published in January 2015, what steps the Government is taking to implement the recommendation that the European Commission should act to ensure access to digital media content across EU borders; and if he will make a statement.

As set out in the UK’s vision for the Digital Economy, the Government believes that the digital single market should make it easier for people to access and use content on fair and reasonable terms across borders. The Government will be engaging with the European Commission and stakeholders to promote targeted changes based on the best available evidence. We must ensure we have a copyright framework that supports economic growth, protects our creators, rewards creativity and responds to consumer needs.

20th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent fall in the price of oil on (a) projects, (b) employment prospects and (c) long-term competitiveness and capacity in the offshore sector supply chain in the North East of England; and if he will make a statement.

We recognise the important role that businesses in the North East of England play in the oil and gas offshore sector supply chain. No specific assessment has been made of the effect of the recent fall in the price of oil on business in the North East of England, but the Department continues to work with its local offices to monitor the situation. I am planning to visit Newcastle shortly to gain first-hand knowledge of the issues.

28th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 8 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what the outcome was of the repeat of the regional outreach consultations, planned to take place in the latter part of 2013; and what steps his Department took in response to that consultation.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 23 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what progress has been made towards achieving the stated aim of linking professional and business service businesses with the education sector, including through the National Careers Service; and if he will make a statement.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 21 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what progress has been made towards achieving 10,000 higher apprenticeship starts; and if he will make a statement.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 21 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what steps he has taken to increase the diversity of entry to the professional and business services sector; and what effect those steps have had.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 21 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what estimate he has made of changes in the number of higher apprenticeships in the professional and business services sector since the launch of that strategy.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 21 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what estimate he has made of changes in the number of higher apprenticeships offered in the professional and business services sector.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 15 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published, in July 2013, what the outcome was of the report to Government, planned for the third quarter of 2014, on the role of professional bodies and how public confidence can be ensured by demonstrating adherence to the highest professional standards; and if he will publish the actions arising from the report.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 15 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, how many Growth Vouchers have been (a) issued and (b) used since the launch of that scheme.

Since the programme was launched on 27th January 2014, 12,864 small businesses have been given advice on what support they should be seeking. Of those, (a) 9,610 have been issued with a voucher to help subsidise the cost of obtaining that advice from suppliers in the private sector and as of 28th January 2015, (b) 1,600 vouchers have been redeemed. There are currently 4,300 vouchers still in circulation with up to three months for businesses to use them.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 15 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what barriers to both the adoption of flexible business models and the development of stronger partnerships between specialist firms have been identified; and what steps have been taken to remove such barriers by the stated deadline of the second quarter of 2014.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 21 of Growth is our Business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services, published in July 2013, what estimate he has made of changes in the number of applications to higher apprenticeships in the professional and business services sector.

These questions ask about progress in implementation of some actions from “Growth is our business: a strategy for professional and business services”, published in July 2013 as part of this Government’s industrial strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with the professional and business services sector, addressing the industry’s agenda for long term growth. The Professional and Business Services Council has oversight of the development and now the implementation of the strategy.

A business-led Skills Taskforce for professional and business services is providing leadership on the sector’s key priorities in skills development. It will report shortly on progress.

The strategy aims to expand recruitment routes into the professional and business services sector, in particular through higher apprenticeships. There is a target to increase higher apprenticeship starts across the sector to 10,000 per annum by 2018. The Skills Taskforce is encouraging the development of new, employer-led apprenticeship standards in professional and business services. Standards are being developed for ten major occupations across the sector. These standards will help the sector move towards the 2018 target.

The latest published annual figures show that there were around 4,500 higher level apprenticeship starts in occupations across the professional and business services sector in England in the 2013-14 academic year compared to zero in 2009/10. New apprenticeship entry routes are intended as a means for the professional and business services sector to access a wider, more diverse recruitment pool in the years to come. The Skills Taskforce has supported the London Professional Apprenticeship, an innovative regional scheme to open up apprenticeships in these occupations to a wider set of young people in London, and also Access to Accountancy, which aims to increase opportunities in the profession to young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Half of those starting higher apprenticeships in professional and business services during the 2013-14 academic year were aged 25 or over. Leading businesses in the sector report that recruiting apprentices has indeed enabled them to access a more diverse talent pool from a wider range of socio-economic backgrounds.

The sector strategy also aims to help professional and business services firms interact with the education system to raise aspirations and promote work readiness. The Skills Taskforce has been mapping current activity of this kind to identify good practice. Professional and Business Services Council member firms engaged with schools in 32 of the 39 English Local Enterprise Partnerships during 2014.

The Professional and Business Services Council now has a rolling programme of regional outreach to business communities to communicate about the sector strategy and its implementation. During the last year, the Department has participated in six events around the country to help build this engagement. An additional workshop specifically for small firms was held in London and UK Trade & Investment delivered a seminar to help professional and business services exporters as part of the Liverpool International Festival of Business. Further regional outreach events are being planned.

The Professional and Business Services Council has been developing its views on the regulation of the sector, the associated role of adherence to high professional standards, and where there may be barriers to new business models. It is pursuing consultation with the wider sector on these issues.

27th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the amount of Government support received by the creative industries through fiscal relief on investment and grant programmes; and what proportion such support is of the support given to other sectors included in his Department's industrial strategy.

The Government have an excellent record of supporting UK creative industries, for example through fiscal relief, spending and programmes for the arts and culture, education and skills, digital and communications infrastructure, research and innovation, access to finance and international trade and investment.

Following the success of UK film tax credits, which have generated billions in investment since 2010, we have introduced new corporation tax reliefs for high-end TV production, video games, animation and theatre. These targeted incentives are in addition to schemes such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Voluntary Capital Trusts (VCTs).

Information on support for UK creative industries through specific reliefs and programmes is available from the responsible departments and public bodies.

Through industrial strategy, the whole of Government is working in partnership with industry in a range of sectors to set the long-term direction needed to give businesses the confidence to invest.

8th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received on the changes to the budget of the Tradeshow Access Programme by UK Trade & Investment in November 2014.

There have been representations received on the budget changes to the Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) from trade associations and businesses largely in the textiles and footwear industry; and from the Sponsors Alliance, a grouping of organisations who receive payment to help UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) deliver TAP support. UKTI expenditure in 2014/15 on TAP is expected to be 35% higher than 2009/10.

8th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what forecast he has made of the value of export sales for UK companies generated by attendance at overseas exhibitions through the use of the Tradeshow Access Programme during the life of that programme; and if he will make a statement.

Records of the value of export sales generated by companies attending overseas exhibitions through the use of the Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) throughout the life of the programme are not available.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to allow the British Business Bank to provide bonds for companies in the offshore wind supply chain for the purpose of enabling those companies to take on additional orders.

Since 1st November 2014 the Business Bank has been an operationally independent public limited company, which is wholly owned by Her Majesty’s Government.

It is conducting research, working alongside Department for Business, Innovation and Skills officials, to better understand the market for performance bonds and its impact on smaller companies.

Bonds and guarantees have been supported by the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which is delivered by the Business Bank via participating lenders, since April 2014.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish any recent assessment he has made of compliance with the Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter.

The Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter was published in April and publicly supported by members of the Construction Leadership Council.

Signing up to the Payment Charter is a voluntary commitment. We are currently consulting on a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which construction businesses signing the Charter will report on, via the Institute of Credit Management. The KPIs are being developed in order to have a framework in place to monitor the effect of the Charter.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the ability of the Aerospace Growth Partnership to help companies in the UK aerospace supply chain to bring products to market (a) faster and (b) more efficiently; and if he will make a statement.

The Aerospace Growth Partnership is helping companies to bring products to market faster and more efficiently through a range of action and support initiatives. These include the £2billion joint funding from industry and Government, supported by the Aerospace Technology Institute, for research into new product technology and manufacturing processes. Over £400m of projects have already been announced.

In addition, the £40m National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) is supporting small and medium sized businesses, through high calibre technical and management resource, to help them accelerate technology efficiently and bring products to market faster. NATEP is already supporting 68 companies.

We are also investing £120m, jointly with industry, in the Sharing in Growth initiative. This is an intensive intervention aimed at ensuring that UK supply chain companies build and maintain world class levels of competitiveness.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which local enterprise partnerships (a) his Department and (b) the Offshore Wind Industry Council are working with to develop clusters of business formation for the offshore industry supply chain.

In 2011 we established the Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE) network, and through this network my department and other members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council are working with six local enterprise partnerships to support the offshore industry supply chain.

The six local enterprise partnerships in the CORE network are North East, Humber, New Anglia, Liverpool City Region, South East and your own local enterprise partnership area, Tees Valley. These areas are recognised as having existing port infrastructure, skills, supply chain and local government support to enable rapid growth within the offshore wind sector.

My Department also works with other local enterprise partnerships where growth opportunities are identified in other areas. The CORE network is working successfully with the Offshore Wind Investment Organisation, in UK Trade and Investment, to raise the profile of CORE areas as investment locations for major offshore wind companies and to realise the supply chain opportunities linked to these investments. The most recent CORE brochure was an excellent example of Local Enterprise Partnerships working with Government to grow local economies.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress has been made by the Aerospace Growth Partnership Manufacturing Working Group on introducing a Manufacturing Accelerator Programme; and if he will make a statement.

The Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) update published in July 2014 set out some of the steps being taken to maintain the UK’s competitive position through enhancements in supply chain competitiveness and manufacturing capability.

The Manufacturing Accelerator Programme (MAP) is one element of the work in the AGP to support this. The MAP proposal is being developed as part of the engagement between Government, industry and academia who are all represented at the AGP Manufacturing Working Group. As part of this effort we have already announced significant investments in expanding the capacity for aerospace projects within the High Value Manufacturing Catapult as well as further funding within the ATI programme for extensions to the SAMULET programme (Strategic Affordable Manufacturing in the UK through Leading Environmental Technologies) and other projects focussing on manufacturing.

These activities link with the work being carried out to support supply chain companies in the Sharing in Growth Programme as well as the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme. As these programmes develop we are jointly reviewing the next steps within the Manufacturing Working Group and will be looking at the MAP as part of this.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) co-ordination, (b) efficiency and (c) improvements to productivity within the construction industry.

The Industrial Strategy for Construction, Construction 2025, was published in July 2013; it sets out a vision of where the industry will be in 2025 and the steps that are needed to get there. This is being taken forward in partnership with the industry through the Construction Leadership Council.

Achieving the four key ambitions of the strategy - reducing initial cost of construction and the whole-life cost of assets; reducing overall time from inception to completion; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and reducing the trade gap between total exports and total imports - will improve the efficiency and the productivity of the industry.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking in conjunction with (a) the Offshore Wind Industry Council and (b) individual companies within the supply chain of the offshore industry to devise standardisation; and if he will make a statement.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult is pursuing work on developing standardisation across the offshore wind industry.

Following the recommendation in Matthew Chinn’s report into opportunities and barriers facing the UK offshore wind supply chain in November 2014 to the co-chairs of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, the Offshore Wind Programme Board sub-group on Supply Chain is now investigating this topic, including best practice in other sectors. Reducing costs through standardisation needs to be balanced with the value of bringing in new innovations.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make it his policy that there should be a widening of eligiblity for UK Export Finance support to include companies in the offshore wind supply chain.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) can support exports by UK companies in the offshore wind sector.

In addition, to allow as many exporters and potential exporters as possible to be able to benefit directly from UKEF support, the Government is taking forward proposals in the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill to widen UKEF’s powers so it is able to provide support to companies in the supply chains of UK exporters, as well as UK exporters themselves.