Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the total value of all financial remedies from complaints resolved by the Energy Ombudsman since 2010.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has not assessed the trends in the total value of all financial remedies from complaints resolved by the Energy Ombudsman since 2010. The Energy Ombudsman is an independent, not for profit company appointed by Ofgem as the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body for the energy sector under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes Regulations 2015. Under the Regulations, Ofgem is required to carry out an assessment on the Ombudsman’s performance every two years.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Time and Trouble Awards issued by the Energy Ombudsman.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has not made an assessment of the adequacy of Time and Trouble Awards issued by the Energy Ombudsman. The Energy Ombudsman is an independent, not for profit company appointed by Ofgem as the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body for the energy sector under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes Regulations 2015. Under the Regulations, Ofgem is required to carry out an assessment on the Ombudsman’s performance every two years.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data her Department holds on the number of complaints submitted to but not accepted by the Energy Ombudsman since 2010.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The ombudsman services are an independent body that provides a free service for energy consumers who are not able to reach a settlement about a dispute with their regulated energy provider. Although the Department has close links to the Energy Ombudsman, we do not directly regulate them or hold the data in question.
The Energy Ombudsman Complaints Data is published quarterly and their Alternative Dispute Resolution data annually which you can find here https://www.energyombudsman.org/reports-and-data
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data her Department holds on the extent of energy provider compliance with Energy Ombudsman decisions since 2010.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The ombudsman services are an independent body that provides a free service for energy consumers who are not able to reach a settlement about a dispute with their regulated energy provider. Although the Department has close links to the Energy Ombudsman, we do not directly regulate them or hold the data in question.
The Energy Ombudsman Complaints Data is published quarterly and their Alternative Dispute Resolution data annually which you can find here https://www.energyombudsman.org/reports-and-data
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance her Department provides workers on the legal protections available to them in cases of workplace (a) bullying, (b) harassment and (c) discrimination.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has published guidance on the steps that employees can take if they are experiencing bullying or harassment at work, available at: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment.
Acas provides free and impartial advice for employers and employees and has published guidance on discrimination, bullying and harassment, available at: https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-bullying-and-harassment
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a statutory code of practice covering the law on discrimination and harassment at work, available at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/employment-statutory-code-practice
The Equality Advisory and Support Service, provides free bespoke advice, in-depth support and alternative informal dispute resolution to individuals with discrimination concerns, available at: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com.
Asked by: Mark Garnier (Conservative - Wyre Forest)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to help reduce economic loses caused by rogue builders operating in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The domestic repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) sector is a vital part of the construction industry. It is one where genuine concern exists about consumer protection. The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry and works with the industry and Local Authority trading standards, to improve standards of competence, consumer protection and redress, and to act against rogue builders.
The Department consulted last year on proposals to make alternative dispute resolution mandatory in the home improvements sector as part of a broader attempt to strengthen consumer rights in problematic sectors. We are now working with the Ministry of Justice to help inform and support their policy development on the use of mediation as an integrated part of the justice system.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's news article entitled New plans to boost protections for airline passengers on of 27 June 2023, when his Department plans to begin further work on how to strengthen compensation for passengers facing disruption from cancellations and delays; and whether a proposed date has been set for the completion of that work.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government published the response to the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation on 27 June 2023. The response sets out findings from the consultation and next steps on the proposals.
Responses to the proposals on compensation and refunds illustrated the complexity of the system and a range of competing factors and so the Government concluded further work is required to consider the merits and limitations of any changes in the area. The Government will consult on the compensation and payment framework for all forms of disruption. The Government will set out a timeframe for further consultation in due course.
The legislative reforms to give the Civil Aviation Authority additional powers to enforce consumer rights and mandating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for all airlines will be taken forward when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, the Department will work with the industry and associated stakeholders to drive forward improvements for aviation consumers.
The Government wants everyone to have equal opportunity to travel by air with dignity and respect. The Minister for Aviation chaired an Aviation Accessibility Roundtable on 28 June 2023 with disabled people, organisations representing disabled people, disability experts, members of both Houses of Parliament and the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee. The roundtable considered the key issues and concerns that these passenger groups face and explored possible solutions to amplify their voice and improve the travel experience for disabled and less mobile passengers. The Department for Transport will continue discussions with these stakeholders.
The Government launched the new training package for the Department for Transport’s REAL disability awareness training programme on 27 June 2023, to ensure those handling powered wheelchairs are aware of the impact any damage has for the user, with useful tips on handling this vital equipment.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's news article entitled New plans to boost protections for airline passengers of 27 June 2023, when his Department plans to introduce strengthened (a) enforcement powers for the aviation regulator and (b) dispute resolution measures for passengers on flights operating to and from the UK.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government published the response to the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation on 27 June 2023. The response sets out findings from the consultation and next steps on the proposals.
Responses to the proposals on compensation and refunds illustrated the complexity of the system and a range of competing factors and so the Government concluded further work is required to consider the merits and limitations of any changes in the area. The Government will consult on the compensation and payment framework for all forms of disruption. The Government will set out a timeframe for further consultation in due course.
The legislative reforms to give the Civil Aviation Authority additional powers to enforce consumer rights and mandating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for all airlines will be taken forward when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, the Department will work with the industry and associated stakeholders to drive forward improvements for aviation consumers.
The Government wants everyone to have equal opportunity to travel by air with dignity and respect. The Minister for Aviation chaired an Aviation Accessibility Roundtable on 28 June 2023 with disabled people, organisations representing disabled people, disability experts, members of both Houses of Parliament and the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee. The roundtable considered the key issues and concerns that these passenger groups face and explored possible solutions to amplify their voice and improve the travel experience for disabled and less mobile passengers. The Department for Transport will continue discussions with these stakeholders.
The Government launched the new training package for the Department for Transport’s REAL disability awareness training programme on 27 June 2023, to ensure those handling powered wheelchairs are aware of the impact any damage has for the user, with useful tips on handling this vital equipment.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's news article entitled New plans to boost protections for airline passengers, published on 27 June 2023, whether his Department has had recent discussions with disabled (a) people and (b) people's organisations on its proposed reforms of aviation consumer policy.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government published the response to the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation on 27 June 2023. The response sets out findings from the consultation and next steps on the proposals.
Responses to the proposals on compensation and refunds illustrated the complexity of the system and a range of competing factors and so the Government concluded further work is required to consider the merits and limitations of any changes in the area. The Government will consult on the compensation and payment framework for all forms of disruption. The Government will set out a timeframe for further consultation in due course.
The legislative reforms to give the Civil Aviation Authority additional powers to enforce consumer rights and mandating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for all airlines will be taken forward when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, the Department will work with the industry and associated stakeholders to drive forward improvements for aviation consumers.
The Government wants everyone to have equal opportunity to travel by air with dignity and respect. The Minister for Aviation chaired an Aviation Accessibility Roundtable on 28 June 2023 with disabled people, organisations representing disabled people, disability experts, members of both Houses of Parliament and the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee. The roundtable considered the key issues and concerns that these passenger groups face and explored possible solutions to amplify their voice and improve the travel experience for disabled and less mobile passengers. The Department for Transport will continue discussions with these stakeholders.
The Government launched the new training package for the Department for Transport’s REAL disability awareness training programme on 27 June 2023, to ensure those handling powered wheelchairs are aware of the impact any damage has for the user, with useful tips on handling this vital equipment.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's news article entitled New plans to boost protections for airline passengers, published on 27 June 2023, when his Department plans to roll out training for ground handlers in handling mobility equipment.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government published the response to the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation on 27 June 2023. The response sets out findings from the consultation and next steps on the proposals.
Responses to the proposals on compensation and refunds illustrated the complexity of the system and a range of competing factors and so the Government concluded further work is required to consider the merits and limitations of any changes in the area. The Government will consult on the compensation and payment framework for all forms of disruption. The Government will set out a timeframe for further consultation in due course.
The legislative reforms to give the Civil Aviation Authority additional powers to enforce consumer rights and mandating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for all airlines will be taken forward when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, the Department will work with the industry and associated stakeholders to drive forward improvements for aviation consumers.
The Government wants everyone to have equal opportunity to travel by air with dignity and respect. The Minister for Aviation chaired an Aviation Accessibility Roundtable on 28 June 2023 with disabled people, organisations representing disabled people, disability experts, members of both Houses of Parliament and the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee. The roundtable considered the key issues and concerns that these passenger groups face and explored possible solutions to amplify their voice and improve the travel experience for disabled and less mobile passengers. The Department for Transport will continue discussions with these stakeholders.
The Government launched the new training package for the Department for Transport’s REAL disability awareness training programme on 27 June 2023, to ensure those handling powered wheelchairs are aware of the impact any damage has for the user, with useful tips on handling this vital equipment.