Kelly Tolhurst: Improving access to finance is the mission of the Government-owned British Business Bank, which addresses gaps in the finance market through guarantees, debt and equity finance. The bank is currently supporting around £5.2 billion of finance to almost 75,000 businesses across the United Kingdom, including through British Patient Capital, a £2.5bn fund for long-term equity investment. From...
Kelly Tolhurst: We firmly believe it is in the interests of both the EU and the UK to strike a deal. That remains the goal on both sides and we are confident that this will be achieved. But it is the job of responsible Government to prepare for all scenarios, so we have already carried out very significant ‘no deal’ preparations for the unlikely event that we reach March 2019 without agreeing a deal. ...
Kelly Tolhurst: My rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister commissioned the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices to consider modern working practices and whether they need to change to keep pace with modern business models. In our response to the review, we committed to firm action and future legislation where appropriate. We are currently analysing the responses and will respond in due course. BEIS...
Kelly Tolhurst: Business decisions on investment reflect a range of factors. The department is aware through regular engagement with businesses that they are concerned to ensure that future trade with the European Union remains as frictionless as possible; and that many have contingency arrangements in the unlikely event of no deal, supported by the Technical Notices that the UK Government has published.
Kelly Tolhurst: The consultation closed on 23rd July 2018. We intend to publish the Government’s response in due course.
Kelly Tolhurst: On 1 October 2018, the Government announced its intention to legislate to ban employers from making deductions from tips. This will ensure a better deal for workers, but also for consumers who will have the confidence that their tips go to workers as they intended. These new rules will require primary legislation and will be introduced in due course.
Kelly Tolhurst: We will consult in due course.
Kelly Tolhurst: This Government recognises that local convenience stores are a vital part of both our economy and our society, often serving as so much more than a shop, but as a hub for local people and a voice in our communities. We work closely with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) to understand the specific needs of rural convenience stores. ACS contribute through a number of forums...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government supports the Prompt Payment Code as an industry-led and voluntary set of best-practice principles. We work closely with the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), who administer the Code, in encouraging organisations to sign up to the Code. Furthermore, the Department has now launched a call for evidence seeking views on how we can build on the government’s existing...
Kelly Tolhurst: The updated internship guidance will clarify the checks employers need to take to ensure compliance with the law. The update will be published shortly alongside other regular updates to the guidance entitled “Calculating the National Minimum Wage”. HMRC are continuing to write to employers advertising unpaid internships to help them understand National Minimum Wage law. Similarly, HMRC...
Kelly Tolhurst: This data is available publicly here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwor k/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/septem ber2018
Kelly Tolhurst: This data is available publicly here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwor k/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/septem ber2018
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government is committed to a cohesive society, where everyone – no matter what their background – has the opportunity to enter into and progress at work and achieve on merit. Gender diversity in the workforce and in business leadership is good for company performance and productivity; it benefits investors, the wider economy and society as a whole. A report published by McKinsey in...
Kelly Tolhurst: There are currently 38 Growth Hubs across England, led and governed by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), providing free and impartial advice and support to anyone wishing to start and a grow a business. At March 2018, Local Enterprise Partnerships have self-reported that since 2015 their Growth Hubs have helped over 26,000 entrepreneurs start their own business. There are now 1.1...
Kelly Tolhurst: HM Treasury has already allocated over £2 billion of additional funding to departments and the devolved administrations for EU exit preparations so far. A full breakdown of how this was allocated to departments can be found in my rt. hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS540, made on the 13 March 2018:...
Kelly Tolhurst: This is not information that central government either holds or requests since funding for local Citizens Advice, including those in the Wirral and Merseyside, is provided by local not central government.
Kelly Tolhurst: Nine enquiries of late payment disputes have been processed by the Small Business Commissioner’s complaints scheme. Of these, eight have resulted in the recovery of later payments with the other being resolved by private negotiation. The Commissioner is championing changes to the payment culture in a number of different ways, including raising awareness as well as seeking to resolve...
Kelly Tolhurst: The UK is home to 5.7 million small businesses. These businesses are the backbone of our economy and a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy is ensuring we remain one of the best places in Europe to start and grow a small business. The Department has now launched a call for evidence on how to eliminate unfair payment practices to small businesses. The call for evidence is open for 8...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Chartered Institute of Credit Management administers the Code on behalf of the Department and therefore also manage the complaints process. The Department does not hold figures on the number of complaints received. If a supplier thinks a business is in breach of the Prompt Payment Code, we encourage them to alert the Code Compliance Board who will investigate and take further action as...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Department will, in due course, arrange a round table involving relevant organisations and professionals to discuss and seek their advice and recommendations concerning Sir Ken Knight’s report on his review of electronic balloting for industrial action. We will invite representatives from the range of interested groups including employer and employee representative bodies.