Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on businesses in Hampshire of the industrial strategy.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government’s Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It focuses on the five foundations of productivity: Ideas, People, Infrastructure, Business Environment and Places.
Central to achieving these ambitions is ensuring that places across the UK are a global draw for innovators. Key policies to secure this ambition include the launch and roll-out of Sector Deals, driving investment in innovative and high potential businesses, and launching a review of the actions that could be most effective in improving the productivity and growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the country. We will also continue to ensure that all businesses have access to a local Growth Hub. I have been delighted at the positive reception the Industrial Strategy has received from business leaders across Hampshire.
The Industrial Strategy also builds on previous reforms to empower local leaders to address local barriers to growth. This includes working in partnership with places to develop long-term Local Industrial Strategies. These will identify local strengths and challenges, future opportunities and the action needed to boost productivity, earning power and competitiveness.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
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 effectiveness of regulations for small diesel power plants.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
In December 2016, Defra consulted on proposals to introduce Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions controls on generators alongside its consultation on proposals for the implementation of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD), aimed at improving air quality. The definition of generators used in the proposal captures those with a rated input of between 1MW thermal and 50MW thermal, although site aggregation means that some plants below this amount may also be affected if the total input on the same site falls within the proposed range. Insufficient controls on diesel generator emissions risk distorting electricity markets by encouraging new diesel at the expense of cleaner gas generation. Following the consultation on tightening controls, the 2016/17 capacity market auctions resulted in significantly fewer new diesel projects. While the proposed regulations relate to air quality, actions which reduce the use of diesel generators would limit carbon emissions.
The Defra consultation closed on 18 February and a response will be issued in due course.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much the Post Office has paid in compensation to sub post masters as part of the Initial Complaint Review and Mediation scheme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Margot James
The Initial Complaint Review and Mediation Scheme was independent of Government, and an operational matter for Post Office Limited.
I have asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon Member on this matter to provide the information requested. A copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the level of business growth since 2010.
Answered by Nick Hurd
This Government is committed to ensuring the UK has a business environment that supports growth.
There are now a record 5.5 million businesses in the UK. Since 2010, there have been an additional 1 million businesses in the UK and we have set out a range of measures to help those businesses to thrive including reducing corporation tax and business rates and saving businesses £10 billion of red tape.