WIXLIB

liquidation. Lenders are contacting customers and, where appropriate, are putting inplace emergency measures, including overdraft extensions, payment holidays andfee waivers to ensure those facing short term issues can be helped to stay on track.Details of these can be found -to-business-customers-impactedby-carillion/.The Department is providing a range of advice and support services for firms,delivered both nationally and locally available to SMEs affected by the insolvency ofCarillion. These include a network of 38 Local Growth Hubs, run in conjunction withthe Local Enterprise Partnership, to help businesses of all sizes and in all sectors toaccess support.Information is published online by the Insolvency Service for employees, creditorsand suppliers affected and seeking advice. In addition to providing currentinformation, they provide a dedicated hotline for enquiries and contact numbers toother relevant organisations such as the Pensions Advisory Service, and the websitePwC have been established to provide information.These can be found at: and-suppliers.CABINET OFFICEBilling: Small BusinessesSir Vince Cable:[123899]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how his Department monitors and enforces thePrompt Payment Code and regulation 113(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations2015.Oliver Dowden:The Prompt Payment Code is administered by the Chartered Institute of CreditManagement. The Code is monitored and enforced by their Prompt Payment CodeCompliance Board.BEIS have recently introduced a payment reporting system, which requires largebusinesses to report on their UK payment practices and performance. Businessesmust report 6 monthly on their payment performance starting with their first fullfinancial year that starts on or after 6 April 2017.Government departments publish their own payment performance data on GOV.UK.We encourage suppliers that have not been paid promptly to report the case to ourMystery Shopper Service, who will investigate on their behalf.

CarillionJon Trickett:[123226]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings (a) Ministers and (b)officials of his Department have had with (i) Carillion representatives and (ii) Carillionsubsidiary representatives since January 2017; who attended those meetings; and whatwas discussed at each such meeting.Oliver Dowden:We regularly meet all strategic suppliers. We cannot provide details on individualmeetings.John McDonnell:[123435]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been paid from the public purseto Carillion in each year for which information is available.Oliver Dowden:Information on Carillion’s public sector revenue can be found in their annual reports,which are publicly available.John McDonnell:[123461]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, If he will (a) publish the Government'scontracts with Carillion and (b) place copies of those contracts in the Library.John McDonnell:[123496]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to each contract that theGovernment currently has with Carillion and its subsidiary companies (a) when each suchcontract was awarded, (b) which Department or agency awarded the contract, (c) howmuch each contract is worth and (d) whether the contract is a joint venture.Oliver Dowden:Since January 2011, details of central government contracts above the value of 10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February2015 can be viewed veThose published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed chSir Vince Cable:[123896]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Government contracts were awarded toCarillion (a) individually and (b) as part of a consortium; what the value of those contractswas; to which region and constituent part of the UK those contracts related; which ofthose contracts were PFI or PF2 contracts; and which such contracts were awardedunder joint and several guarantee.

Oliver Dowden:Since January 2011, details of central government contracts above the value of 10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February2015 can be viewed veThose published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed chSir Vince Cable:[123897]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the(a) number (b) type and (c) value of contracts that the Government holds with Carillionthat will need to be brought in-house following that company's liquidation.Oliver Dowden:We are working with the Insolvency Service and the Official Receiver to ensure thatpublic sector services are maintained, robust plans are in place and the Governmentwill continue to deliver all public sector services.Sir Vince Cable:[123898]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the position of CrownRepresentative for Carillion was vacant between August and November 2017.Oliver Dowden:This Government recognises the importance of managing relationships with StrategicSuppliers and their performance on a cross-Government basis, and has developed arange of strategies to do this, including the use of Crown Representatives.The role of Crown Representative for Carillion was vacant for three months betweenAugust and November 2017 due to normal staff turnover. During this period, theCrown representative responsibilities were covered by the Government’s ChiefCommercial officer and the Cabinet Office Director of Markets and Suppliers.Carillion: InsolvencyBill Esterson:[123868]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potentialmerits of the Government setting up project bank accounts for each public sector projectto protect suppliers in the light of the liquidation of Carillion.Oliver Dowden:Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) are the preferred option by government when it isconsidered best value for money for taxpayers, and we have made a commitment inthe Government Construction Strategy to use PBAs unless there are compellingreasons not to. Over 10bn has been spent in this way on a wide range of projectsbetween 2011 and 2015.

Contracts: BillingMr Clive Betts:[123892]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken (a)generally and (b) in respect of Carillion to monitor and enforce the requirement that primecontractors pay undisputed, valid invoices within 30 days and ensure that such terms areimplemented throughout the supply chain since 26 February 2015; and if he will publishperformance data for each prime contractor for his Department.Oliver Dowden:BEIS have recently introduced a payment reporting system, which requires largebusinesses to report on their UK payment practices and performance. Businessesmust report 6 monthly on their payment performance starting with their first fullfinancial year that starts on or after 6 April 2017.Government departments publish their own payment performance data on GOV.UK.We encourage suppliers that have not been paid promptly to report the case to ourMystery Shopper Service, who will investigate on their behalf.Government Departments: CarillionJohn McDonnell:[123495]To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with otherGovernment Departments on (a) drawing up contingency plans and (b) identifyingalternative suppliers to provide the public services previously provided by Carillion.Oliver Dowden:Our priority is to keep public services running. We have extensive contingency plansand are working hard to minimise any disruption.We have worked closely across government with all affected departments andstakeholders to develop robust contingency plans that enable us to maintain thecontinuity and mitigate impacts to public services where possible.TREASURYBank Services: ClosuresLuke Graham:[123616]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assistance the Government plans to makeavailable to communities which have no local bank on account of recent back closures;and if he will make a statement.John Glen:The Government is committed to improving access to financial services. The decisionto open and close branches remains a commercial judgement for banks. However,the impact of closures on communities must be understood, considered and mitigatedwhere possible.

The industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, commits banks toensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closuresand the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continueto access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who needmore help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by theindependent Lending Standards Board.99% of personal and 95% of banks’ business customers are now able to withdrawcash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Officecounter via its network of 11,600 branches. At Autumn Budget 2017, my predecessorwrote to the Post Office and UK Finance to ask them to raise public awareness of thebanking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs. I look forwardto receiving their proposals later this month.CarillionBill Esterson:[123871]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the EconomicSecretary to the Treasury of 18 January 2018, Official Report, column 1128, what thetimetable is for Lloyds Bank to maintain its support for SMEs affected by the liquidation ofCarillion.John Glen:The Government is aware that the largest UK SME lending banks have set out theirplans to help SMEs exposed to the liquidation of Carillion. While the support offeredis a commercial decision for each bank to take, the Government will continue toengage with the banking industry on how best to support these small businesses.Cash Dispensing: Fees and ChargesMr Roger Godsiff:[123331]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made anassessment of the effect on free access to cash of LINK’s upcoming decision on the ATMinterchange fee on (a) rural areas and (b) inner-city communities.Mr Roger Godsiff:[123332]To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has (a) made to LINKor (b) received from LINK any representations on proposed changes to the ATMinterchange fee in the last six months.Mr Roger Godsiff:[123333]To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department will ask the PaymentSystems Regulator (PSR) to intervene following LINK's proposal on the interchange feeshould changes to that fee have a detrimental effect on the long-term sustainability of theATM network and (b) LINK’s Financial Inclusion Programme fails to protect access toATMs in areas which already face financial exclusion.

John Glen:The Government recognises that widespread free access to cash remains extremelyimportant to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and businesses in the UK.Government has been engaging and will continue to engage with industry, includingLINK, to ensure that this access is maintained.The Government has not made any formal assessment of the potential effect ofLINK’s proposals to change the interchange fee rate. However, the Payment SystemsRegulator (PSR), which Government set up as an independent regulator in 2015 witha statutory objective to ensure that the UK’s payment systems work in the interests oftheir users, is monitoring developments within ATM provision, and is conductingongoing work on the impact that changes may have. The PSR has recently publisheda summary of their work to date, which can be found at The PSR has committed to using its powers to act should any of the firms it regulatesbehave in a way that conflicts with its statutory objectives.LINK has assured us and the PSR that industry is committed to maintaining anextensive network of free-to-use cash machines, and to ensuring that the presentgeographical spread of ATMs is maintained. LINK intends to bolster its FinancialInclusion Programme, which ensures the provision of ATMs in areas of deprivation,where demand would not otherwise make one viable, and has also committed toprotecting all free-to-use ATMs which are a kilometre or more from the next nearestfree-to-use ATM.Children: Day CareTracy Brabin:[123760]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2018 toQuestion 122814, whether it is possible to access 30 hours of childcare without a livechildcare account.Elizabeth Truss:When a parent completes an application for 30 hours free childcare, an onlinechildcare account is created automatically. The majority of parents currentlyaccessing 30 hours free childcare will have a live childcare account.Where a parent becomes ineligible, or chooses not to reconfirm their details, theirchildcare account will no longer be live, but they can still access 30 hours freechildcare for a short period known as a “grace period”.In addition, some parents who have experienced technical difficulties were issued a30 hours code manually. These parents may not have a live childcare account.

European Investment Bank: Environment ProtectionMary Creagh:[123104]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made ofthe effect of European Investment Bank funding on the UK's green industry.Robert Jenrick:The European Investment Bank, and its offshoot, the European Investment Fund,provide financing for infrastructure investment and growth businesses in a range ofsectors including in the UK’s green industry, particularly renewable energy.As set out in the joint report on progress during phase 1 of the negotiations, thegovernment considers that there could be mutual benefit from a continuingarrangement between the UK and the EIB, and wishes to explore these possiblearrangements in the second phase of negotiations.The government is also continuing to take steps to ensure that finance continues tobe available for good infrastructure projects and growth businesses: the UKGuarantees Scheme, which gives government support for private infrastructurefinance, has been broadened to offer construction guarantees, and at Budget theChancellor launched the Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to support thetransition to zero emission vehicles.Financial Services: Disclosure of InformationBill Esterson:[123875]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the EconomicSecretary to the Treasury of 19 January 2018, Official Report, column 1126, what stepshe plans to take to change the culture to enable wrongdoing to be exposed and dealtwith.John Glen:It is important that small businesses have access to the appropriate forum to addresstheir concerns with the financial services that they have received, including wherethey believe wrongdoing has occurred. The Government welcomes the publication ofthe Financial Conduct Authority’s paper on small businesses as customers offinancial services firms, and is carefully considering its findings.Funerals: RegulationJonathan Reynolds:[123395]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to introduce legislativeproposals to strengthen the regulation of the funeral plan market and improve consumerprotection.Jonathan Reynolds:[123396]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received onstrengthening the regulation of the funeral plan market.

JThe provision of a funeral plan is defined as a regulated activity and falls within theFinancial Conduct Authority’s regulatory remit unless specific exemption criteria aremet. This arrangement and these exemption criteria are set out in the FinancialServices and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001.This legislation exempts funeral plan providers from the Financial Conduct Authority’sregulatory remit where the following financial arrangements are conducted, which aredesigned to ensure that the customer’s payments are secure: customer’s money is held in a trust fund, where more than half of the trusteesare unconnected with the funeral plan provider. This trust must be managed by anauthorised fund manager and be overseen by a Fellow of the Institute and Facultyof Actuaries; or the customer’s money is placed in a life insurance policy, issued by an authorisedinsurer. HM Treasury sets the legislative framework for the regulation of financial services,including the provision of funeral plans, and continues to keep such exemptionsunder review to ensure the maintenance of effective prudential and conductstandards. HM Treasury regularly engages with external stakeholders and has heard viewsrelating to the funeral plan market from a range of sources, including consumergroups and funeral plan providers.Global Restructuring Group: CompensationSir Michael Fallon:[123417]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to progress the RBSGlobal Restructuring Group redress scheme.John Glen:In November 2016 the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced, with the agreementof the Financial Conduct Authority, a Global Restructuring Group (GRG) complaintsprocess overseen by an Independent Third Party, and an automatic refund ofcomplex fees paid by relevant customers in GRG between 2008 and 2013. Thisscheme is a commercial matter for RBS, and the Government has played no role inthe establishment or operation of this scheme.The Government’s shareholding in RBS is managed commercially and at arm’slength by UK Financial Investments (UKFI). RBS retains its own board which isresponsible for commercial and operational decisions.

Small Businesses: LoansGed Killen:[123068]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of therelationship between the availability of bank branches and the numbers of loans issued tosmall and medium sized enterprises.Ged Killen:[123070]To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made ofthe relationship b

Daily Report Wednesday, 24 January 2018 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 24 January 2018 and the information is correct at the time of publication (07:36 P.M., 24 January 2018).