Roger Godsiff Portrait

Roger Godsiff

Labour - Former Member for Birmingham, Hall Green

First elected: 9th April 1992

Left House: 6th November 2019 (Defeated)



Division Voting information

Roger Godsiff has voted in 1680 divisions, and 73 times against the majority of their Party.

27 Mar 2019 - Exiting the European Union (Animals) - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour No votes vs 3 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 15
29 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 14 Labour No votes vs 232 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 321
29 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 14 Labour No votes vs 226 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 298 Noes - 321
29 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 13 Labour No votes vs 224 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 322
29 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 239 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 301
11 Dec 2018 - Cannabis (Legalisation and Regulation) - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour Aye votes vs 9 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 52 Noes - 66
12 Sep 2018 - EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) And Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 21 Labour Aye votes vs 143 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 331 Noes - 145
18 Jul 2018 - 1. European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 535 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 2. European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 3. European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 213 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 4. European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 213 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 5. European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 6. European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 536 Noes - 3
27 Jun 2018 - Healthcare and Associated Professions - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour No votes vs 164 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 465 Noes - 2
25 Jun 2018 - National Policy Statement: Airports - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Labour No votes vs 119 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 119
18 Jul 2016 - UK's Nuclear Deterrent - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 48 Labour No votes vs 140 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 472 Noes - 117
24 Nov 2015 - Trident - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Labour Aye votes vs 13 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 64 Noes - 330
11 Sep 2015 - Assisted Dying (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 73 Labour Aye votes vs 91 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 330
7 Sep 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill (Programme) (No. 2) - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Labour No votes vs 204 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 517 Noes - 59
20 Jan 2015 - Trident Renewal - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 101 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 35 Noes - 364
13 Jan 2015 - Charter for Budget Responsibility - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Labour No votes vs 197 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 515 Noes - 18
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill (Business of the House) - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Labour No votes vs 181 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 436 Noes - 49
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Labour No votes vs 197 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 498 Noes - 31
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour Aye votes vs 185 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 56 Noes - 454
18 Jun 2014 - European Semester - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 193 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 269 Noes - 217
31 Oct 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour No votes vs 74 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 350 Noes - 34
5 Jul 2013 - European Union (Referendum) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 30 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 30
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Labour Aye votes vs 82 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 325
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour No votes vs 84 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 330 Noes - 27
21 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Labour No votes vs 194 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 161
15 May 2013 - Economic Growth - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour Aye votes vs 219 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 130 Noes - 277
23 Nov 2011 - Schengen Governance - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 171 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 461 Noes - 23
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 214 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 483
22 Jun 2011 - Smoking in Private Vehicles - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Labour No votes vs 43 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 78 Noes - 66
21 Mar 2011 - United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 211 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 557 Noes - 13
16 Mar 2010 - Equitable Life - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 283 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 291
1 Mar 2010 - Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 198 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 85
13 Oct 2009 - Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Labour Aye votes vs 251 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 208 Noes - 260
12 Oct 2009 - Health Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Labour Aye votes vs 269 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 193 Noes - 279
12 Oct 2009 - Health Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Labour Aye votes vs 270 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 180 Noes - 288
8 Jul 2009 - Finance Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Labour Aye votes vs 269 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 83 Noes - 283
6 Jul 2009 - Identity Cards - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 282 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 293
6 Jul 2009 - Identity Cards - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 274 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 283 Noes - 203
24 Jun 2009 - Iraq Inquiry - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 288 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 260 Noes - 299
24 Jun 2009 - Iraq Inquiry - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Labour No votes vs 294 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 251
13 May 2009 - Finance Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Labour Aye votes vs 267 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 278
25 Mar 2009 - Iraq War Inquiry - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Labour Aye votes vs 287 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 265 Noes - 303
25 Mar 2009 - Iraq War Inquiry - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour No votes vs 285 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 265
17 Mar 2009 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 29 Labour Aye votes vs 251 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 85 Noes - 408
4 Nov 2008 - Employment Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 43 Labour Aye votes vs 212 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 53 Noes - 408
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
11 Jun 2008 - New Clause 22 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 37 Labour No votes vs 292 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 306
11 Jun 2008 - New Clause 22 - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Labour No votes vs 292 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 294
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 292
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 48 Labour Aye votes vs 227 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 222 Noes - 290
11 Mar 2008 - European Union (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Labour No votes vs 288 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 346 Noes - 206
5 Mar 2008 - European Union (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 299 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 248 Noes - 311
5 Mar 2008 - European Union (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour Aye votes vs 299 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 247 Noes - 311
28 Jan 2008 - Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 295 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 303
21 Jan 2008 - European Union (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Labour No votes vs 298 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 224
15 Jan 2008 - European Communities (Finance) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 291 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 216 Noes - 301
15 Jan 2008 - European Communities (Finance) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 294 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 208
9 Jan 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour Aye votes vs 271 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 169 Noes - 338
19 Nov 2007 - European Communities (Finance) Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Labour No votes vs 295 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 312 Noes - 215
14 Mar 2007 - Trident - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 167 Noes - 413
14 Mar 2007 - Trident - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Labour No votes vs 222 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 409 Noes - 161
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 152 Labour No votes vs 162 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 416 Noes - 163
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 111 Labour Aye votes vs 197 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
6 Nov 2006 - Police and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 288 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 298 Noes - 204
31 Oct 2006 - Iraq - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour Aye votes vs 288 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 273 Noes - 298
31 Oct 2006 - Iraq - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Labour No votes vs 284 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 264
24 Oct 2006 - Police and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour No votes vs 311 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 263
24 Oct 2006 - Police and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Roger Godsiff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Labour No votes vs 304 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 313 Noes - 272
View All Roger Godsiff Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Julian Lewis (Conservative)
(3 debate interactions)
Hugh Bayley (Labour)
(3 debate interactions)
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(19 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(17 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(16 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(14 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Roger Godsiff has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Roger Godsiff's debates

Birmingham, Hall Green Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

Safe Standing offers a much safer alternative to fans who wish to stand, rather than sit at football matches. After the highly successful introduction to rail seating at Celtic Park, as well as numerous Bundesliga clubs, many football fans feel that laws preventing standing areas should be relaxed.


Latest EDMs signed by Roger Godsiff

31st October 2019
Roger Godsiff signed this EDM on Tuesday 5th November 2019

Theft of tools from tradespeople

Tabled by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
That this House is concerned that tool theft is ruining the livelihoods of honest and hard-working UK tradespeople and that it is a growing problem with one in three affected at an average cost of £3000; notes that in West Yorkshire alone £836,053 worth of tools were stolen in the …
8 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Dec 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Conservative: 1
31st October 2019
Roger Godsiff signed this EDM on Tuesday 5th November 2019

Children's playgrounds

Tabled by: John Grogan (Labour - Keighley)
That this House expresses concern about the decline in the number of children's playgrounds; notes that the latest figures suggest that around 450 playgrounds have been closed in England alone since 2015; believes that outdoor playtime for children is essential to their development and is important in promoting social cohesion …
9 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Dec 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Independent: 1
View All Roger Godsiff's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Roger Godsiff, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Roger Godsiff has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Roger Godsiff

Thursday 25th October 2012

Roger Godsiff has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Roger Godsiff has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
50 Other Department Questions
16th May 2018
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to make a decision on the future of the Access to Elected Office Fund; what assessment she has been made of the potential merits of reinstating this fund; and what information the Government holds on the (a) number of disabled candidates who have stood for office in each of the past five years and (b) the proportion of candidates who have stood for office in each of the last five years who have disabilities.

Representation of disabled people in our Parliaments, Assemblies and councils remains far too low. Data collected by the Electoral Commission in 2017 suggests that people with a disability or health problem are also under-represented in standing for office, although the data in the form requested in the question is not held centrally.

We believe it is primarily political parties’ responsibility to support their candidates properly, just as they must also support disabled employees, but within this, there will be ways the government can help too.

That is why the Minister for Women and Equalities has recently announced that over the next 12 months the Government Equalities Office will, with others, undertake a programme of work to help political parties to best support their disabled candidates and to consider how independent candidates can be supported, too.

While that work is under way, we will provide up to a quarter of a million pounds to support disabled candidates for elections in the forthcoming year.

These arrangements replace the Access to Elected Office pilot fund, which closed after the 2015 general election: further announcements will be made about them in due course.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
19th Apr 2017
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the Government's policy is on whether organisations which lobby against a woman's right to choose whether to continue with a pregnancy should be permitted to receive public funds.

All grants are made in accordance with the Government’s Grants Standards (www.gov.uk/government/publications/grants-standards) which are designed to ensure taxpayers’ money, awarded through government grants, is properly agreed and spent. The standards provide a transparent and robust way to manage the government grants process.

21st Mar 2017
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2017 to Question 67623, whether she plans to make representations to the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the dismissal of those 10 employees or take any other steps in relation to those dismissals.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is an independent body that makes its own decisions about staff deployment and redundancies, and I have no plans to make representations to it on this matter. I understand that the Commission will continue to provide support to those who are redundant, including through its redeployment networks and use of the Civil Service Jobs website and related contacts.

13th Mar 2017
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what information she holds on who made the decision at the Equality and Human Rights Commission to dismiss 10 employees at short notice in February 2017; what representations she has received on those dismissals; and whether she has discussed the reasons for the selection of those so dismissed with that Commission.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent body and makes its own decisions about staff deployment and redundancies.

I have received representations from several honourable members about the redundancies mentioned in the question, but have not discussed these or the EHRC’s reasons for the selection of particular staff with the Commission.

13th Jul 2016
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has carried out of the effect of proposed changes to the size of the budget for the Equality and Human Rights Commission on (a) the service it is able to support and (b) access to justice for (i) people who do not qualify for legal aid, (ii) people who cannot afford tribunal fees and (iii) people who do not have a local law centre or whose local Citizens Advice Bureau has closed.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has and will continue to receive sufficient funds to enable it to fulfil its statutory functions. These functions include duties to promote and encourage equality and diversity and human rights, and powers for implementing inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions for equality and diversity. As now, the EHRC will continue to support people in individual cases where these are of strategic significance, for example in clarifying the relevant law.

Advice for individuals more generally is available from the Equality Advisory and Support Service, which is also funded by the Government.

11th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment the Government has made of whether the TTIP trade deal will make the UK more vulnerable to lawsuits; if the Government will insist that TTIP does not contain provisions which would allow similar lawsuits to be brought in the UK; and if the Government will reconsider its support for TTIP in response to that lawsuit.


The Government does not comment on cases in which it has no involvement. Under UK laws a foreign investor can already sue the Government over allegedly unfair or unlawful treatment. UK domestic courts and our legal system will continue to be the main route for resolving the vast majority of disputes between foreign investors and the Government regardless of any investment protection provisions included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). This is because our domestic courts typically offer a quicker and cheaper method of resolving disputes.


The European Commission has published its proposal for investment protections in TTIP. This includes various possible measures to ensure these provisions are fair and transparent, including prohibiting claims from being pursued simultaneously under investor-state dispute settlement provisions and in domestic courts.


The UK will continue to work with the Commission on the details of these latest proposals. We need investment protections that ensure UK investors are treated fairly overseas by foreign governments. But the UK will make sure that governments can continue to regulate lawfully in the public interest.

6th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of HM Revenue and Customs' strategy to enforce the national minimum wage.


The Low Pay Commission publish an annual report on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) which includes a full assessment of the Government’s NMW compliance and enforcement strategy. The 2015 report is available here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-low-pay-commission-report-2015 - the next report is due to be published in February 2016.



4th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing penalties levied on employers who do not pay staff at least the national minimum wage.


From April 2016, we are increasing the calculation of penalties from 100% to 200% of the arrears owed. The penalty is reduced by half if employers pay within 14 days.


By increasing the penalties for underpayment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) we intend to deter employers from breaking the law so that working people receive the money they are legally due.


This new calculation ensures a tougher penalty for employers found to have underpaid the NMW.


The fast track Impact Assessment for increasing the penalties has been validated by the Regulatory Policy Committee and published here - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2015/324

11th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when his Department plans to publish the results of its consultation on UK Export Finance's anti-bribery and corruption policy.


The Government’s Response to the consultation relating to UK Export Finance’s anti-bribery and corruption policy is expected to be published early in the New Year.

7th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what targets the Government has set for improving the energy efficiency of low-income homes.

The Government is committed to meeting its legally binding target to help as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable reach energy efficiency Band C by 2030, with interim targets on Band E by 2020 and Band D by 2025.

This Government has also set a specific goal of insulating 1 million homes by the end of this Parliament, in line with our commitments on fuel poverty.

A reformed domestic supplier obligation (ECO) from April 2017 will upgrade the energy efficiency of well over 200,000 homes per year. This will help to tackle the root cause of fuel poverty and continue to deliver on our commitment to help 1 million more homes this Parliament. We are providing support for households to improve their energy efficiency through the new supplier obligation, which will run for 5 years.

Our extension of the Warm Home Discount to 2020/21 at current levels of £320m pa will alsohelp households who are at most risk of fuel poverty with their energy bills.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether it is her policy to replace the Green Deal with other measures to help improve home energy efficiency.

The Government is committed to meeting its legally binding target to help as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable reach energy efficiency Band C by 2030, with interim targets on Band E by 2020 and Band D by 2025.

This Government has also set a specific goal of insulating 1 million homes by the end of this Parliament, in line with our commitments on fuel poverty.

A reformed domestic supplier obligation (ECO) from April 2017 will upgrade the energy efficiency of well over 200,000 homes per year. This will help to tackle the root cause of fuel poverty and continue to deliver on our commitment to help 1 million more homes this Parliament. We are providing support for households to improve their energy efficiency through the new supplier obligation, which will run for 5 years.

Our extension of the Warm Home Discount to 2020/21 at current levels of £320m pa will alsohelp households who are at most risk of fuel poverty with their energy bills.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she plans to take to improve home energy efficiency.

The Government is committed to meeting its legally binding target to help as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable reach energy efficiency Band C by 2030, with interim targets on Band E by 2020 and Band D by 2025.

This Government has also set a specific goal of insulating 1 million homes by the end of this Parliament, in line with our commitments on fuel poverty.

A reformed domestic supplier obligation (ECO) from April 2017 will upgrade the energy efficiency of well over 200,000 homes per year. This will help to tackle the root cause of fuel poverty and continue to deliver on our commitment to help 1 million more homes this Parliament. We are providing support for households to improve their energy efficiency through the new supplier obligation, which will run for 5 years.

Our extension of the Warm Home Discount to 2020/21 at current levels of £320m pa will alsohelp households who are at most risk of fuel poverty with their energy bills.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
16th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to improve the energy efficiency of homes; and whether any of the National Infrastructure Committee's funding will be available for use to increase home energy efficiency.

Since 2013 the Government has supported industry in delivering over 1.6 million measures which were installed in over 1.3 million households through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) alone. We are now working with the industry and consumer groups on a new value-for-money approach.


We’ve also commissioned an independent review led by Peter Bonfield to investigate quality, standards and consumer protection to ensure that the system properly supports and protects consumers.


The National Infrastructure Commission will be resourced to carry out its task of advising Government on the UK’s infrastructure needs and priorities. It will not have adirectrole in funding infrastructure delivery.


We are clear that support should be focussed on those with the greatest need.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the (a) Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and (b) Trade in Services Agreement will be subject to a vote in the House following Parliamentary scrutiny.


We expect the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) will be mixed agreements covering areas of both EU and Member State competence. In that case, they will be subject to agreement by each EU Member State, the EU Council and the European Parliament. As part of this process the agreements will be laid before Parliament for scrutiny before they are ratified by the UK. After political agreement is reached on the text of TTIP and TiSA and it has been established that these will be mixed agreements, we will confirm the procedures for Parliamentary approval.

6th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether it is Government policy to phase out coal.

Coal accounted for 39% of total UK electricity generation in 2012, falling to 30% in 2014. This trend is expected to continue and the Department’s published forecasts suggest that, in our central scenario, the last unabated UK coal fired power station will close in 2026.


However, if market conditions are right, there is a possibility that coal could continue to produce electricity until the late 2020s.


Source: DECC Updated energy and emissions projections 2014 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368021/Updated_energy_and_emissions_projections2014.pdf

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th Nov 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he plans to attend the COP21 climate talks in Paris.

I will attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Paris.


I will meet world leaders to help lay the groundwork for an ambitious new global deal to address climate change. A global deal is the only way we can deliver the scale of action required to keep limiting the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees within reach. An ambitious agreement will help drive a global, irreversible, transformational shift to a low carbon economy which will promote innovation and drive down the costs of low carbon technology, further enabling cost effective climate action and mitigation ambition in the future. It will also help to create a more competitive, stable and transparent framework and opportunity for business and investors.

5th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he has received on the Open University's plans to close regional centres across England.

The Open University is an autonomous institution and it is for them to make decisions about how best to structure their workforce and meet the needs of their students.

2nd Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what consideration his Department has given to suspending the UK's arms export licences to Saudi Arabia in the light of the conflict in Yemen.

All export licence applications are carefully assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. A licence will not be issued for any country if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the Criteria.


We keep all licences under review in the light of changing circumstances in countries of destination for UK arms exports, including Saudi Arabia.


A political solution is the best way to bring long term stability to Yemen and to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe. The UK is fully and actively supporting the UN’s efforts to achieve this.

14th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will announce the timetable for the publication of a new Energy White Paper.

Energy policy is constantly kept under review, but government departments do not publish White Papers as a matter of routine. The Government is focused on delivering its priorities to ensure security of supply, to keep bills as low as possible and decarbonise the economy cost effectively and does not have any plans to publish a new White Paper at the current time.



Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Jun 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, (a) how many people are being paid from the public purse for their work on the Chilcot inquiry, (b) whether such people are paid by the day, month or year or by the amount of work that they have done and (c) at what rate such people are paid.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport West (Mr Flynn) on 3 February 2015, UIN 222484.

10th Jun 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, what information he holds on work undertaken or progress made by the Chilcot Inquiry since January 2015; whether that inquiry (a) has received or (b) will receive public funds in respect of the period from January to June 2015; and when he next plans to next update the House on progress with that inquiry.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave it him on 9 June 2015, UIN 1272.

8th Jun 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, if the Government will send a representative to the (a) European Council meeting on 25-26 June 2015 and (b) Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 16 June 2015 to discuss the situation of refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

It is my normal practice to attend Head of Government European Council meetings, and for the relevant Minister to attend relevant Council meetings.

4th Jun 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2015 to Question 556 on the Chilcot inquiry, whether he has received any information or updates (a) regarding the inquiry since his statements at Prime Minister's Questions on 21 January 2015 and (b) on the work the inquiry has conducted since February 2015.

I have nothing further to add.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, if he will provide an update on the progress of the Chilcot inquiry; and when he expects the Maxwellisation process to be completed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the former Member for Louth and Horncastle (Sir Peter Tapsell) and the former Member for Croydon South (Sir Richard Ottaway) at Prime Minister’s Questions on 21 January 2015, Official Report, columns 210-212.

20th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, for what reasons community energy schemes are not permitted to supply to local markets; and if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on such schemes' ability to reduce energy bills of them being permitted to supply to such markets.

Community energy schemes can already supply local markets provided they hold a supply licence (or exemption) or have a partnership with a licensed supplier.

In recognition that existing routes may not meet the needs of every community scheme, the Government has established a Local Supply Working Group to identify key regulatory barriers and suggest solutions. An update on the Local Supply Working Group will be included in the Community Energy Strategy update that will be published in March 2014.

20th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the total value of contracts his Department has with private sector providers was in each of the last five years for which records are available.

The total value of contracts the core Department has with private sector providers is set out in the table below. Records prior to April 2011 are not available.

2011-12

£144.2M

2012-13

£137.0M

2013-14

£216.4M

2014-15 (YTD)

£239.8M

20th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment his Department has made of the ability of community energy co-operatives to deliver reduced energy prices in the UK and in comparable countries.

This Government is committed to community energy and launched the first Community Energy Strategy in January 2014. A key commitment of that Strategy is to undertaken a sector survey in 2016 which will investigate a wide range of community energy benefits.

20th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that families with children which fall behind with their energy bills receive the Warm Home Discount.

The Government recently responded to the consultation on extending the Warm Home Discount to 2015/16. In addition to extending the scheme to 2015/16, all participating suppliers will have to adopt standard criteria for their Broader Group schemes. This will make the Warm Home Discount more accessible to families with children and make it simpler to switch between the participating suppliers. The rebate for customers in 2015/16 has been maintained at £140 which means that an additional 71,000 Broader Group rebates will be paid to customers, potentially benefitting for the first time.

For setting a repayment plan for customers who fall behind on payments, all energy suppliers are required to take ability to pay into account. Some suppliers also provide special grants and other services to help families. Further information is available free from the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99.

20th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the total value of contracts his Department has with private sector providers was in each of the last five years for which records are available.

The information requested is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Contracts of the Department are published on the Cabinet Office Website which can be found at:

www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk.

The Department would be able to provide further contract information by narrowing the scope, if specific procurement projects were identified.

As an indication of departmental spend our financial records show that the following payments have been made to 3rd party suppliers:

  • April 2013 to March 2014: £184,784,757.64;

  • April 2014 to January 2015: £147,863,946.28.

28th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many families with children in (a) Birmingham, Hall Green constituency, (b) Birmingham and (c) the UK are currently in debt to their energy supplier.

The Department does not hold information on how many families are in debt with their energy companies.

Ofgem closely monitors domestic energy suppliers’ performance and publishes information in relation to debt owed by domestic electricity and gas accounts holders in Great Britain, but they do not publish data relating to families with children or constituency areas. At the end of 2013, latest data available, 1.5 million domestic electricity account holders and 1.4 million domestic gas account holders were in debt to their energy supplier:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/92186/annualreport2013finalforpublication.pdf.

Ofgem’s Domestic Suppliers’ Social Obligations: 2013 Annual Report

9th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he takes to ensure that equipment for which arms export licences to Saudi Arabia have been granted is not used for internal repression.

The UK aims to operate one of the most rigorous and transparent export control systems in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account all prevailing circumstances at the time of application. Exports to Saudi Arabia continue to be subject to close scrutiny, in particular under Criterion Two which concerns the ‘respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law’. The Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.

Export licences are kept under review in the light of changing international circumstances. A cross-government mechanism can suspend or revoke extant licences when a changing situation, such as an outbreak of conflict or acts of internal repression, means the licence would no longer be consistent with the Consolidated Criteria.

27th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reasons the cap on the number of dental and medical students has not been extended to cover pharmacy students.

Pharmacy students are funded in the same way as chemistry, biology and other science subjects which will not be subject to a student number control at HEFCE funded institutions in 2015/16. Medicine and dentistry attract a much larger amount of Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) grant funding than science subjects like pharmacy. Therefore it would not be appropriate to cap pharmacy student numbers.

17th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, on what date the UK-Colombia bilateral investment treaty will be ratified; and on what date that treaty will come into force.

The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Agreement completed its parliamentary scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act on 14 July 2014. The Agreement entered into force on 10 October 2014 which was sixty days after the date of receipt of the last notification by which the Parties notify each other in writing that their respective internal requirements for entry into force of the Agreement have been fulfilled.

10th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which companies have received licences for the export of tear gas to Hong Kong since January 2010.

Seven licences have been granted to four companies for the export of tear gas for Hong Kong since 2010.

The names of the companies who were granted these licences are exempt from disclosure because this information was provided in confidence and such information is commercially sensitive.

The Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.

3rd Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether licences grated to companies to export dual-use chemicals that could be used as precursors to the production of chemical weapons to Syria remain in place.

No licences granted to companies to export dual-use chemicals that could be used as precursors to the production of chemical weapons to Syria remain in place.

3rd Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make public the names of the companies which had licences approved to export dual-use chemicals that could be used as precursors to the production of chemical weapons to Syria.

The names of the companies which had licences approved to export dual-use chemicals that could be used as precursors to the production of chemical weapons to Syria cannot be disclosed. Following an assessment under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act the public interest, in the maintenance of the confidentiality and overall integrity of the export licensing system, on this occasion outweighs the public interest in the disclosure of the name of the exporter.

3rd Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he took to ensure that the export licences approved to export to Syria dual-use chemicals that could be used as precursors to the production of chemical weapons would not be used for this purpose.

Applications to export dual use chemicals to Syria were assessed thoroughly against strict licensing criteria, drawing on open source and classified information. However, the licences were revoked following a revision to the sanctions regime which came into force on 17 June 2012. No goods were exported to Syria under these licences before they were revoked.

20th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his Department's policy is on reviewing export licences to a country where defence equipment supplied by UK firms has previously been used for internal repression.

The UK aims to operate one of the most rigorous and transparent export control systems in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account all prevailing circumstances at the time of application. In particular, Criterion Two concerns the ‘respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law’. The Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.

Export licences are kept under review in the light of changing international circumstances. A cross-government mechanism can suspend or revoke extant licences when a changing situation, such as an outbreak of conflict or acts of internal repression, means the licence would no longer be consistent with the Consolidated Criteria.

16th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that companies are held responsible for labour conditions throughout their supply chains.

Companies are held accountable by investors, consumers and civil society as well as governments for the way in which they conduct their operations, including labour conditions, and how they report on their actions in this regard.

Since October 2013, quoted companies have been required to provide information in their Annual Report about social, community and human rights issues, including information about any policies of the company in relation to those matters and the effectiveness of those policies.

The Department has negotiated at the European level to strengthen current human rights disclosure requirements and make them more specific. Provisions have now been agreed that will apply across all EU Member States from 2017 to large quoted companies and Public Interest Entities. My Department will shortly be consulting on the transposition of these measures into UK law.

Additional disclosure requirements will be introduced in the Modern Slavery Bill. Big businesses will have to publicly state each year what action they have taken to ensure their supply chains are slavery free. This requirement goes further than any similar legislation in the world by applying to businesses regardless of the nature of a company or what it supplies, whether goods or services.

In September 2013, the UK was the first country to publish a National Action Plan implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Action Plan underlines the duty of businesses to respect the human rights of their employees and those in their supply chains. My Department is taking action to develop guidance for businesses reporting on this obligation, beginning with the retail sector.

In order to toughen up our enforcement of the National Minimum Wage my Department has made it simpler to name and shame employers that break the law on the National Minimum Wage and has increased the financial penalty that employers pay for breaking the law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid wages owed to workers. The maximum penalty has also increased from £5,000 to £20,000 and will be applied per worker not per firm.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much tear gas was exported from the UK last year.

Information on the total value of exports of tear gas from the UK in 2013 is not available from published trade statistics.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, under what circumstances of internal repression or violation of international humanitarian law an export licence for tear gas would be suspended or withdrawn.

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and the prevailing circumstances at the time of each application. Criterion 2 concerns the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination, as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law. An export licence would not be granted if there was a clear risk that the goods to be exported might be used for internal repression.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts overseas have a standing requirement to monitor developments in human rights and conflicts in their respective countries and to report back if there are any developments that might affect licensing policy. In addition, open source material such as NGO reporting is used to make such assessments.

Licences are revoked on a case-by-case basis if the proposed export is judged to be no longer compatible with the Consolidated Criteria. Existing licences, and the processing of new export licences, may be suspended, again on a case-by-case basis, where the security conditions in the export destination deteriorate to the point that it is not possible to make a judgement as to whether a particular licence remains consistent with the Consolidated Criteria.

10th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment is carried out of the risk of tear gas being used for internal repression before an export licence is granted.

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and the prevailing circumstances at the time of each application. Criterion 2 concerns the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination, as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law. An export licence would not be granted if there was a clear risk that the goods to be exported might be used for internal repression.

26th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2014 to Question 206108, whether UK law and export control regulations place any restrictions on allowing companies which have previously been ejected from the DSEI arms fair for selling equipment which could be used for torture to exhibit at future DSEI events in London, or whether that decision is entirely a matter for Clarion Events.

Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) is a commercial exhibition run by Clarion Events. Any decision as to whether to allow a company that may have been ejected from a previous DSEI to exhibit at a future one is a matter for Clarion.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BIS and Clarion was set in place in 2013 to give Clarion the authority they need to control the activities of their exhibitors at DSEI. It sets out Clarion’s role and responsibilities, and those of the exhibitor companies, regarding UK export and trade control legislation.

26th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 207177, who is responsible for drafting the text of the prudential carve-out in the Trade in Services Agreement.

The European Commission negotiates on behalf of the Member States in the EU. The negotiating teams of the EU and the other negotiating states are led by chief negotiators, and contain officials with expertise in the areas under negotiation. It is the mutual responsibility of these negotiating teams and their officials to draft the agreements, including in the case of the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), the prudential carve-out, which forms part of the Financial Services chapter.

26th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 207177, whether the text of the prudential carve-out will be published before the Trade in Services Agreement is finalised.

The text will be released as part of a whole package when negotiations are complete.

26th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 207177, how the text of the prudential carve-out in the Trade in Services Agreement will be agreed.

The European Commission negotiates on behalf of the EU according to instructions from its members. Member States are consulted for their views on the content of each negotiating paper.

The European Commission’s negotiators have the opportunity to discuss and amend texts through rounds of talks until a consensus is reached by all TiSA members.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information his Department holds on whether the proposed Trade in Services Agreement treaty is likely to contain provisions to allow or promote the increased privatisation of public services.

The European Commission has made it clear that safeguards are in place in all EU wide trade agreements to ensure that Member State governments remain free to manage public services as they wish.

http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1115

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information his Department holds on whether the proposed Trade in Services Agreement treaty is likely to contain provisions to prevent increased regulation of the financial services sector.

The UK Government is a strong supporter of the Trade in Services Agreement, which provides an opportunity to address barriers to trade in services through seeking to deepen services trade rules and regulatory disciplines and to address market access objectives. Given the crucial role of financial stability to overall economic stability, governments and regulators need to have the ability to closely monitor and regulate banks, insurance companies and other financial services providers. The TiSA text will contain a prudential carve-out which will fully protect the ability of UK and international financial regulators to regulate and take any prudential actions for the sake of financial stability or to protect investors, depositors, policy holders or persons to whom a fiduciary duty is owed by a financial service supplier.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what information his Department holds on whether the proposed Trade in Services Agreement treaty is likely to contain provisions that would deny governments the right to require that data is held onshore.

As with other trade agreements currently in place, such as the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services, we expect agreements under negotiation, such as the Trade in Services Agreement, to contain provisions regarding data transfer and provisions regarding data protection. As with other agreements, we will want to see these provisions provide robust safeguards for the protection of EU citizens’ data while at the same time allowing for legitimate data transfers to third countries.