Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps their Department is taking to support the 110 hairdressing and beauty salons in the Eastleigh constituency identified in ONS data for 2025.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises the significant economic and social role that hair and beauty businesses play in high streets and communities across the UK, including those in Eastleigh constituency
Government has provided £4.3 billion to shield ratepayers from business rates bill increases, and we announced a further £1 billion investment into the Youth Guarantee, including a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-olds, and a £3,000 grant for 18–24-year-olds on universal credit for over six months.
We regularly engage with the hair and beauty industry through the Personal Care roundtable which I chair.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to question 14913, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the absence of a timetable for phasing out animal testing does not adversely impact the delivery of the targeted replacements set out in the Replacing Animals in Science strategy.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The absence of an overall timetable for phasing out animal testing does not affect delivery of the targeted replacements set out in the Replacing Animals in Science strategy. The Government’s approach is science-led and focused on delivering specific actions where validated alternatives can be developed and adopted. The strategy includes targeted commitments, supported by defined milestones, timelines and key performance indicators, to reduce reliance on particular animal tests and models where scientifically justified. Progress will be tracked through a publicly available dashboard, delivery updates and key performance indicators, which the Government will publish later in 2026.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of data centre expansion on water shortages.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade works with DEFRA, the Environment Agency and industry to ensure the growth of this critical national infrastructure does not compromise the resilience of public water supplies.
Data centres use just 0.2% of England’s non-household water, equivalent to one-fifth of one per cent, and an even smaller share of total water use.
A 2025 techUK–Environment Agency survey found that 51% of surveyed sites use closed-loop cooling systems, which recirculate water rather than continually drawing fresh supplies. The Government supports the wider adoption of efficient cooling technologies and alternative water sources, including rainwater harvesting.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on introducing legal protections preventing employers from changing (a) bonus and (b) commission schemes at short notice.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Department meets regularly with stakeholders to discuss a range of issues around pay and remuneration.
Entitlement to bonuses and commission will depend on the terms of an individual's employment contract and any workplace pay scheme. There is no general legal entitlement to a discretionary bonus. Depending on the circumstances, where bonus or commission arrangements are contractual, the Employment Rights Act 2025’s new fire and rehire measures will also, once commenced, introduce new legal protection in this area. In the meantime, the Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement sets out employers’ responsibilities when seeking to change contractual terms and conditions of employment.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of employment protections for self-employed parcel delivery drivers; what discussions he has had with parcel delivery companies regarding the transparency of payment structures for delivery drivers; whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which self-employed parcel delivery drivers undertake unpaid work; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms available to parcel delivery drivers; what discussions he has had with the parcel delivery industry regarding working conditions and remuneration models for drivers engaged on a self-employed basis; and whether his Department plans to review employment status, pay practices, and contractor oversight in the parcel delivery sector.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The government expects parcel delivery companies to meet their legal obligations and ensure drivers receive their entitled protections. The Government is also committed to strengthening rights and protections to help the self-employed thrive in good quality self-employment.
We are aware of concerns around payment practices in the parcel delivery sector and are monitoring the emerging practice of dynamic pay generally.
Any individual with a complaint or uncertainty about their rights or employment status can seek advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.
We intend to consult on the employment status framework in due course.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the structure and variability of commission fees charged by ride-hailing platforms to drivers in the UK; and what steps he is taking to ensure transparency and fairness in the relationship between platforms and drivers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Department recognises the importance of ride-hailing platforms to the UK transport industry and continues to monitor published research and correspondence on employment practices in the sector.
Commission arrangements are a contractual arrangement between the driver and employer. Where a driver is classified as a worker or employee, the employer must comply with employment law, ensuring that drivers receive at least the National Minimum Wage and paid holiday.
The Government encourages platforms to operate fairly and is taking steps through its Plan to Make Work Pay, including a consultation on employment status and the establishment of the Fair Work Agency.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will take steps to help support private gym and health facilities facing rising operating costs.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises pressures from rising operating costs on small businesses, including private gyms and health facilities. From April 2026, we are introducing permanently lower business‑rate multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, worth nearly £900 million a year and benefiting over 750,000 premises.
We remain committed to supporting businesses across the economy by reducing the administrative burden of regulation by ÂŁ5.6 billion this Parliament and providing a ÂŁ4.3 billion package to protect ratepayers from increases in business rates bills.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support businesses with their operating costs.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We are committed to reducing operating costs for all UK businesses, including those in Eastleigh and across Hampshire.
We are reducing the annual administrative burden of regulation by ÂŁ5.6bn by 2029, enabling UK businesses to unlock growth and boost innovation.
Introducing e-invoicing will also increase efficiency and streamline tax administration.
Tackling late payments will give the UK the strongest legal framework in the G7, intending to legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will publish our response to the late payment consultation setting out the measures we will take forward.
In addition, we are protecting full apprenticeship funding and extending it up to under 25s reducing administrative barriers further.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the World Trade Organisation; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) level of global tariff barriers on the effectiveness of the rules-based international trading system and (b) World Trade Organisation on the (i) enforcement of global trade rules and (ii) enhancement of free, non-discriminatory frameworks for trade between countries.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
World Trade Organization (WTO) membership has resulted in substantial benefits to our, and the global, economy with WTO research showing Members having increased trade by around 171%, between 1980-2016. However, the WTO needs to evolve to address modern challenges. The UK is actively supporting WTO reform efforts, working with international partners towards a reform outcome at March's Ministerial Conference.
The impacts of trade barriers are felt by all countries however the multilateral trading system has shown resilience, with the WTO stating that 72% of global goods trade is conducted under WTO terms as of November 2025.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the creation of memorials to recognise war-time ammunition factory workers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The government recognises the hard work of the Munitions Workers and is extremely grateful for their input and sacrifices made during both World Wars.
Munitions workers are included on the Women's War Memorial in Whitehall. In addition, several trees have been planted at the National Arboretum in Litchfield and many former factories have memorials including, ROF Swynnerton, ROF Rotherwas and Aycliffe Newton.