Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
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 commission a review of the Pubs Code.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
As required by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State will review the operation of the Pubs Code for the period of 21 July 2016 to 31 March 2019. The Government is currently considering the format of the review and will ensure all those with an interest, including tenants and pub companies, have an opportunity to contribute.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will review trends in the level of pub closures in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) Midlothian.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government does not hold information the information requested.
The Government recognises the important role pubs play in local communities. My Rt Hon Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at Autumn Budget 2018 that the Government was freezing beer duties for the second consecutive year as beer makes up close to 50% of pub sales. Many pubs are also benefitting from the business rates retail discount, announced at Budget 2018, which cuts bills by one third for retail properties with a rateable value below £51,000 from April 2019, as well as wider reforms and reductions to business rates.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to implement a pubs strategy to tackle the closure of pubs.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government does not hold information the information requested.
The Government recognises the important role pubs play in local communities. My Rt Hon Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at Autumn Budget 2018 that the Government was freezing beer duties for the second consecutive year as beer makes up close to 50% of pub sales. Many pubs are also benefitting from the business rates retail discount, announced at Budget 2018, which cuts bills by one third for retail properties with a rateable value below £51,000 from April 2019, as well as wider reforms and reductions to business rates.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the variations in (a) shift and (b) holiday patterns of (i) directly employed and (ii) contractor staff working on offshore oil and gas installations on the UK Continental Shelf.
Answered by Claire Perry
Variations in shift and holiday patterns of directly employed or contracted staff working on offshore oil and gas installations on the UK Continental Shelf is a matter for the companies concerned and not for Government.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps are being taken to protect animals from the effects of fireworks.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Government encourages users of fireworks to follow safety guidance, including keeping pets safe. We also advise users to be considerate of neighbours by giving plenty of notice.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards’ recent firework safety campaign, delivered with partners including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reached over a million consumers.
Further guidance on how to avoid or reduce stress to animals from fireworks has been published by animal charities, including Blue Cross, and can be accessed from gov.uk.