Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
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 merits of reducing the decibel level of fireworks.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
No current assessment has been made on the merits of reducing decibel levels of fireworks. However, the Government is continuing to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks to inform any future action.
The Government has also launched a public campaign on fireworks safety for the 2025-2026 fireworks season. The campaign highlights the availability of low noise fireworks and includes new guidance for those running community fireworks events and new social media posts that emphasise the risks from the misuse of fireworks.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an estimate of the number of franchises operating in England and Wales between 2015-2024.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade does not hold data on franchise numbers.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
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 adequacy of protections for franchisees from changes to their terms and conditions made by franchisors.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) recognises the challenges franchisees can face and is monitoring this area closely. I understand that you recently met with Minister Bryant to discuss this matter, and we anticipate further meetings to take place in the future involving DBT officials.
The franchising industry currently self-regulates through the British Franchise Association, which has a Code of Ethics, and the Quality Franchise Association provides a Code of Conduct.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the number of people employed in contracts without guaranteed hours who have been refused credit because of their employment.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has published its Impact Assessments for the Bill. Without guaranteed hours, workers are without certainty as to their earnings, making it difficult to apply for credit or a mortgage. The new right to guaranteed hours aims to ensure that all jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability - making it easier for qualifying workers to plan their lives and finances.
Consumer credit firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must follow the FCA’s detailed rules on affordability checks. FCA rules mean that firms should only lend to consumers who can afford repayments and this should be based on a careful assessment of their income, spending, and financial commitments. These rules aim to prevent over-indebtedness, promote responsible lending, and ensure fair treatment of customers.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to protect university workers' terms and conditions when they are transferred to a subsidiary company.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
When a business changes its owner, its employees may be protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). TUPE may also apply when a service transfers to a new provider. If TUPE applies, the employees’ jobs usually transfer over to the new company, and their employment terms and conditions transfer. The new employer cannot change an employee’s terms and conditions if the reason is the transfer itself.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any ministerial redundancy payments have been repaid to her Department since 2019.
Answered by Alan Mak
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made a recent assessment of the use of compensatory uplifts by Employment Tribunals.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Minister without Portfolio
Under section 207A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, Employment Tribunals have the power to increase an employee’s compensation by up to 25% if an employer unreasonably fails to comply with a relevant Code of Practice.
The use of compensatory uplift by Employment Tribunals is a matter of judicial discretion based on the facts of each case.
Data on the use of compensatory uplifts by Employment Tribunals is not collected.