Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of provisions in the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill allowing exemptions for companies that invest in the exploration of new fossil fuel resources on fracking operations.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In 2019, the Government confirmed that the pause on the exploration of shale gas reserves in England would remain in place unless and until further evidence was provided that shale gas extraction could be carried out safely. Any exploration or development of shale gas would need to meet rigorous safety and environmental protections both above ground and sub-surface.
In April, the Government commissioned the British Geological Survey to undertake a review of the latest scientific evidence around shale gas extraction. This review has now been completed and the Government is considering their detailed and technical report. This report will be published in due course. The Government’s policy remains unchanged.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to tackle poor working conditions and practices in the garment industry in (a) Leicester and (b) the UK.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government launched Operation Tacit to address allegations of widespread non-compliance in the Leicester garment sector. Since June 2020, HMRC have considered the National Minimum Wage (NMW) risks associated with more than 500 Leicester textiles businesses as part of Operation Tacit.
HMRC have also taken part in more than 360 visits to businesses providing advice and support to employers and workers on NMW obligations and rights, and taking enforcement action where concerns have been identified. Based on HMRC's extensive, on the ground experience, their findings are that the NMW risks in the Leicester textile industry are in line with the rest of the UK manufacturing sector.
We continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of a recent study commissioned by the Garment and Textile Workers Trust that more than half of the Leicester garment workers are paid below the minimum wage and receive no holiday pay.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government launched Operation Tacit to address allegations of widespread non-compliance in the Leicester garment sector. Since June 2020, HMRC have considered the National Minimum Wage (NMW) risks associated with more than 500 Leicester textiles businesses as part of Operation Tacit.
HMRC have also taken part in more than 360 visits to businesses providing advice and support to employers and workers on NMW obligations and rights, and taking enforcement action where concerns have been identified. Based on HMRC's extensive, on the ground experience, their findings are that the NMW risks in the Leicester textile industry are in line with the rest of the UK manufacturing sector.
We continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with fashion brand Missguided on whether UK (a) suppliers and (b) factories will receive payment for products ordered prior to it going into administration.
Answered by Paul Scully
On 1st June 2022 it was announced that Missguided had been bought by the Frasers Group. The company will be supervised by the administrators for a transition period of eight weeks, after which the new owners will take over responsibility for running the business. The Government has no role in the strategic direction or management of private retail companies.
No announcement has yet been made regarding redundancies. However, we recognise that this will be a worrying time for Missguided’s employees and their families and the Government stands ready to support those who may be affected. As a consequence of Missguided’s administration, any employees who have been made redundant can apply to the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service to claim for redundancy, unpaid wages, holiday pay and loss of notice pay. To qualify for a redundancy payment, employees must have at least two years’ continuous employment with their former employer. Employees who do not have two years’ continuous employment can still claim for wages, holidays and loss of notice. Further information regarding how to submit a claim will be provided by the joint administrators.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the clothing retailer Missguided falling into administration, what steps he is taking to support affected UK (a) suppliers and (b) factory workers.
Answered by Paul Scully
On 1st June 2022 it was announced that Missguided had been bought by the Frasers Group. The company will be supervised by the administrators for a transition period of eight weeks, after which the new owners will take over responsibility for running the business. The Government has no role in the strategic direction or management of private retail companies.
No announcement has yet been made regarding redundancies. However, we recognise that this will be a worrying time for Missguided’s employees and their families and the Government stands ready to support those who may be affected. As a consequence of Missguided’s administration, any employees who have been made redundant can apply to the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service to claim for redundancy, unpaid wages, holiday pay and loss of notice pay. To qualify for a redundancy payment, employees must have at least two years’ continuous employment with their former employer. Employees who do not have two years’ continuous employment can still claim for wages, holidays and loss of notice. Further information regarding how to submit a claim will be provided by the joint administrators.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the clothing retailer Missguided falling into administration, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on job security for UK factory workers who supply that company.
Answered by Paul Scully
On 1st June 2022 it was announced that Missguided had been bought by the Frasers Group. The company will be supervised by the administrators for a transition period of eight weeks, after which the new owners will take over responsibility for running the business. The Government has no role in the strategic direction or management of private retail companies.
No announcement has yet been made regarding redundancies. However, we recognise that this will be a worrying time for Missguided’s employees and their families and the Government stands ready to support those who may be affected. As a consequence of Missguided’s administration, any employees who have been made redundant can apply to the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service to claim for redundancy, unpaid wages, holiday pay and loss of notice pay. To qualify for a redundancy payment, employees must have at least two years’ continuous employment with their former employer. Employees who do not have two years’ continuous employment can still claim for wages, holidays and loss of notice. Further information regarding how to submit a claim will be provided by the joint administrators.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with suppliers of the fashion brand Missguided on the potential impact of that company going into administration on employment and on UK consumers.
Answered by Paul Scully
On 1st June 2022 it was announced that Missguided had been bought by the Frasers Group. The company will be supervised by the administrators for a transition period of eight weeks, after which the new owners will take over responsibility for running the business. The Government has no role in the strategic direction or management of private retail companies.
No announcement has yet been made regarding redundancies. However, we recognise that this will be a worrying time for Missguided’s employees and their families and the Government stands ready to support those who may be affected. As a consequence of Missguided’s administration, any employees who have been made redundant can apply to the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service to claim for redundancy, unpaid wages, holiday pay and loss of notice pay. To qualify for a redundancy payment, employees must have at least two years’ continuous employment with their former employer. Employees who do not have two years’ continuous employment can still claim for wages, holidays and loss of notice. Further information regarding how to submit a claim will be provided by the joint administrators.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will conduct a review into the supply chain for fashion businesses in light of evidence of human rights abuses in China.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government has taken steps to help ensure that no British organisations profit from, or contribute to, human rights violations against the Uyghurs or other minorities in China. This includes new guidance for UK businesses on the risks of doing business in Xinjiang and enhanced export controls, as well as the introduction of financial penalties under the Modern Slavery Act. Organisations are expected to report on the action they are taking to tackle and prevent modern slavery risks in their supply chains as part of their annual modern slavery statement. Our overseas business risk guidance makes clear to UK companies the risks of operating in Xinjiang and urges them to consider their corporate responsibilities when making investment decisions.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential extent to which business profits from human rights abuses and forced labour in China are passed through UK companies.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government has taken steps to help ensure that no British organisations profit from, or contribute to, human rights violations against the Uyghurs or other minorities in China. This includes new guidance for UK businesses on the risks of doing business in Xinjiang and enhanced export controls, as well as the introduction of financial penalties under the Modern Slavery Act. Our overseas business risk guidance makes clear to UK companies the risks of operating in Xinjiang and urges them to consider their corporate responsibilities when making investment decisions.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Answer of 5 January 2022 to Question 93062, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to introduce carer's leave.
Answered by Paul Scully
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for North East Fife on 5th January 2022 to Question 93062: legislation to introduce carer’s leave will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.