Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of costs of (a) energy, (b) water and (c) business rates on the viability of pubs in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the significant pressures facing the hospitality sector, including pubs in West Dorset, due to rising costs and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures.
We aim to permanently reduce business rates for RHL properties with a rateable value of less than 500,000 and we have announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial which aims for Pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels to receive free energy and carbon cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
Additionally, the Department will continue to engage with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council with an aim to co-create solutions to the issues impacting business performance.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the marketing and export of wine produced in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
DBT supports wine producers in West Dorset and across the UK through a wide range of export initiatives and skills development programmes. The Business Academy offers free training and expert guidance to help businesses access international markets, complemented by one-to-one support from International Trade Advisors. The Export Support Service also provides direct assistance with customs, logistics, and regulatory advice. To boost global visibility, DBT facilitates trade missions to key international markets and champions the work of WineGB at major trade shows and Embassy tastings. This helps showcase award-winning wines including from West Dorset– such as Langham Wine Estate – to buyers and distributors around the world.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on measures to hold parcel delivery companies to account for (a) delayed and (b) failed deliveries in rural areas.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on the adequacy of parcel delivery firms in ensuring consistent delivery standards in rural communities.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on the average time taken for parcel deliveries in (a) rural and (b) urban areas.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on (a) monitoring and (b) reporting on the quality of parcel delivery services in rural areas.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to introduce paid carer’s leave for employees with caring responsibilities.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Plan to Make Work Pay set out a commitment to review the implementation of carer’s leave and to look at where any improvements may be needed. This work is underway and will include examining the benefits of paid leave, while being mindful of the impacts on businesses.
To ensure transparency through this programme of work, we will set out a clear timeline for the remainder of the review in autumn this year. We will also run a public consultation in 2026 on employment support for those balancing work with unpaid care.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recruitment of general practitioners trained in India to practise in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.
The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recruitment of pharmacists qualified in India to work in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.
The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recognition of Indian dental qualifications for work in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.
The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.