Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 help support small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality sector.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the vital role hospitality businesses in our communities and economy, including those in South Basildon and East Thurrock and that’s why we’re taking targeted action to support them with the pressures they face. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector, like the Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects such as Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment.
In April, we launched a Taskforce to consider ways to create a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025). These reforms are part of the Small Business Strategy, which also tackles late payments, improves access to finance, and cuts red tape. We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents.
Additionally, we’re creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council to address the challenges facing businesses.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of energy costs on the number of hospitality business closures in each year since 2021.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Whilst no specific assessment has been made on these trends, as Government we understand the importance to businesses of reducing their energy bills and reaching net zero and recognise the increased burdens and barriers businesses, particularly SMEs, face when trying to overcome these challenges.
The Government has announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality Trial, which aims to provides pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels with free energy and carbon-cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. This initiative is designed to help businesses reduce costs and support the transition to net zero.
The Government continues to work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council, which brings together industry leaders to address strategic challenges and co-create solutions.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in numbers of pubs on the vitality of high streets.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We recognise the value of Pubs in all communities across in the UK. They’re social anchors that support local economies and footfall and are a key part in a high street’s vitality. We’re also aware of the pressures that they face.
We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents and so we are creating a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025).
Additionally, we have cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products, covering about 60% of pub sales saving pubs over £85m annually. We are also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and through the English Devolution Bill, we have introduced a strong new ‘right to buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets, empowering local communities to reclaim and revitalise empty shops, pubs, and community spaces, helping to revamp our high streets and eliminate the blight of vacant premises. We continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council, working together to address the challenges facing all hospitality businesses.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the barriers faced by small businesses in using the tribunal system to recover late payments.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We have not made an assessment of the barriers faced by small business using the courts and tribunal system to recover late payment.
DBT has launched a consultation on late payment which includes proposals to provide the Small Business Commissioner with powers to arbitrate disputes between small and large businesses with the intention of reducing financial and procedural burdens to resolve payment disputes. A final impact assessment will be published before these proposed measures are taken forward in primary legislation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many small businesses have used the tribunal system to pursue late payments in each of the last five years.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The information requested is not collated centrally and judgments produced by the courts and tribunal system do not actively include information on whether the parties are small businesses.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 (a) monitor and (b) help prevent the online sale of products containing asbestos; and whether the Health and Safety Executive has issued recent (i) enforcement actions and (ii) guidance to online marketplaces on this matter.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Product safety regulations require consumer products to be safe when placed on the market, whether sold online or offline. The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published three recalls for products containing asbestos in the last three years.
In the last 12 months, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not received any concerns related to the supply of asbestos containing articles that were part of its workplace safety remit; should any be received, they would be investigated.
HSE regularly engages with online platforms on their restricted items policies and provides advice to Local Authorities on asbestos related products.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency proposed safety code for small vessels on microbusinesses.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on their new proposed safety code for small commercial vessels.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 small commercial vessels.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of provisions in the Employment Rights Bill on (a) statutory sick pay and (b) dismissal procedures on small businesses.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Government has published a robust set of Impact Assessments on all aspects of the Employment Rights Bill, available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK. These include assessments on the impacts to small and micro businesses in line with the Better Regulation Framework.
New dismissal procedures and statutory sick pay measures will apply to all businesses regardless of size. Whilst it is recognised that smaller businesses could potentially face disproportionate challenges due to their limited resources, the broader societal benefits of increased job security, productivity and fairness in the labour market justify the policies scope.