Contributions
741 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSmall Business SupportI thank my hon. Friend for his question, and he is quite right. Tackling late payments will indeed do just as he says. It is true that late payments can be extremely damaging for…19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall Business SupportI thank my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity to welcome this cut in business rates. He will also be pleased to hear that, because of the updated forecasts from local…19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall Business SupportThe hon. Gentleman raises a very important point. It is true that we are making sure, as this Department is charged to do, that small businesses are absolutely aware of their…19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall Business SupportThe point that the hon. Lady raises is really important, especially for her constituents. I will be more than happy to meet with her to discuss those issues.19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall Business SupportThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point. Tax is a responsibility of the Treasury, but as he will know, including after our conversations yesterday—this was also alluded to…19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall Business SupportLate payments and the way that some large businesses have behaved in the past have been an issue for decades, and it is this Government who are prepared to make changes and bring…19 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is a passionate campaigner in this area and for his constituents, and he knows that I would particularly like to tackle this matter. Insolvency practitioners must…19 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeThe research programme into the workplace and gender equality will invest £1.1 million in academic research over two years. So far that programme has commissioned an…14 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeIn reality, we are looking for a wider culture change. Other countries that implemented such schemes decades ago are still working to increase take-up of shared parental leave. We…14 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeNo. We want to encourage further take-up. Currently, the take-up is between 2% and 8%, which is in line with our prediction. A figure of 80% is a good start, but I want to see…14 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeAbsolutely. I agree with my hon. Friend that it is important that both parents are able to spend quality time with their children, particularly in their first year. I would like…14 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeIn 2018, we ran a successful £1.5 million campaign to promote awareness and take-up of shared parental leave. Last month, we launched a further campaign to maintain the high level…14 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeI quite agree, and this Government are committed to delivering the take-up of shared parental leave. We know that it is good for employers, for the family and for employees. The…14 Mar 2019HANSARDShared Parental Leave UptakeI would point out to the hon. Gentleman that, as I outlined in my last response, we are currently evaluating the scheme, which we are committed to delivering, as I have already…14 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have launched a consultation on the use of NDAs and have proposed to make it explicit that NDAs should not prevent individuals from reporting any kind of harassment, sexual or…14 Mar 2019HANSARDDraft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I understand the hon. Lady’s concerns, but the majority of the changes in this SI are fixes. I take her point; she is an experienced parliamentarian who has been a Minister in the…12 Mar 2019HANSARDDraft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, and I can answer her questions. We consulted with more than 6,000 business, which are quite important in this legislation as they have…12 Mar 2019HANSARDDraft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I thank Committee members for their contributions. I will correct a statement I made to the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood. I said that over 6,000 businesses had been part…12 Mar 2019HANSARDDraft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention, particularly regarding CE marks, which I shall go on to discuss. I want to reassure her that part of developing this UK framework and…12 Mar 2019HANSARDDraft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. It is a pleasure to serve under your…12 Mar 2019