{"id":67244,"date":"2016-02-03T16:25:30","date_gmt":"2016-02-03T16:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=a865fdec04b1d658fe32893d8dac4127"},"modified":"2016-02-03T16:25:30","modified_gmt":"2016-02-03T16:25:30","slug":"statement-to-parliament-enterprise-bill-second-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=67244","title":{"rendered":"Statement to Parliament: Enterprise Bill: second reading"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

I beg to move that the Bill<\/a> be now read a second time.<\/p>\n

[Political content removed] <\/p>\n

Economic growth comes from one thing and one thing alone.<\/p>\n

Successful private businesses.<\/p>\n

The role of government is to create an environment in which private business can thrive.<\/p>\n

[Political content removed]<\/p>\n

\u2026 this government is taking real action to back British business.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve cut corporation tax and red tape.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re devolving the power to cut business rates and have doubled small business rate relief.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve lifted nearly half a million employers out of National Insurance contributions. <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve supported more than 30,000 companies with Start-Up Loans. <\/p>\n

And we\u2019ve just launched a 5-year programme to help British businesses make the most of export opportunities around the world.<\/p>\n

All this work is paying off. <\/p>\n

In 2016, Britain is home to more private businesses than at any point in history.<\/p>\n

Almost 5 and a half million of them.<\/p>\n

Over the past 8 years more than 600,000 people have made the courageous decision to become self-employed, many in highly skilled professions. <\/p>\n

But I want to do more.<\/p>\n

Because, for my sins, I am obsessed with economic growth\u2026<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to have introduced the Bill that\u2019s before the House today.<\/p>\n

The Enterprise Bill will strengthen the UK\u2019s position as one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.<\/p>\n

It will cut the red tape that too often strangles growth.<\/p>\n

It will support investment in the skills that British businesses need to be competitive now and in the future.<\/p>\n

And it will help deliver the economic growth and security that benefits every single one of us in this country. <\/p>\n

Deregulation and Sunday trading<\/h2>\n

Let me turn to deregulation.<\/p>\n

[Political content removed] <\/p>\n

When you\u2019re running your own company you don\u2019t just have one job.<\/p>\n

You have to be a manager, you have to be an accountant.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re in charge of HR<\/abbr> and procurement.<\/p>\n

You have to issue and chase invoices, source new suppliers, arrange marketing and advertising. <\/p>\n

All that on top of the day job.<\/p>\n

There are not enough hours in the day as it is.<\/p>\n

And the last thing you need is the government on your back, weighing you down with petty rules and regulations. <\/p>\n

[Political content removed] <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already committed to scrapping another \u00a310 billion (of red tape) between now and 2020. <\/p>\n

But business owners have told us that the actions of regulators are just as important as the content of regulations.<\/p>\n

So this Bill will extend the deregulation target to include statutory regulators.<\/p>\n

And it will increase transparency, with a new annual reporting requirement for regulators subject to the growth duty and regulators\u2019 code.<\/p>\n

It will also extend the hugely successful Primary Authority scheme to give more businesses access to reliable, consistent regulatory advice. <\/p>\n

This will save them money, and give them the confidence they need to invest and to grow.<\/p>\n

The Enterprise Bill will also end the \u201cWhitehall knows best\u201d approach to the regulation of Sunday trading. <\/p>\n

We are a One Nation government and we want to see the benefits of economic growth being felt in every corner of our country.<\/p>\n

But no 2 parts of our great nation are identical.<\/p>\n

The needs and wants of a small rural community in the South West may be very different to those of a bustling city in the North East.<\/p>\n

And the people living and working in those communities understand them far better than any MP or civil servant sitting in a comfy London office.<\/p>\n

So we will introduce amendments in this Bill to allow local authorities to decide whether to extend hours in their areas.<\/p>\n

Central government will not be dictating how to use this power.<\/p>\n

The decision will be entirely local, reflecting local preferences, shopping habits and economic conditions.<\/p>\n

If the people of Bromsgrove or Barking say they want to see longer Sunday opening hours, who are we here in Westminster to stand in their way?<\/p>\n

Small Business Commissioner<\/h2>\n

Any of our friends in the press gallery who have spent time freelancing will be all too aware of the problem of late payment.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard of one writer who has said he hasn\u2019t been paid for copy he filed 2 years ago.<\/p>\n

But the most shocking aspect is just how common this is.<\/p>\n

In my 6 years as MP for Bromsgrove I have been contacted by many dozens of local business owners who have been pushed to the brink by one thing\u2026<\/p>\n

The failure of larger corporations to pay up on time. <\/p>\n

When it comes to late payment my department is leading by example.<\/p>\n

We pay more than 95% of invoices within 5 days, and more than 99% within 30 days.<\/p>\n

But many organisations are less scrupulous, including some in the public sector.<\/p>\n

The average British small business is owed almost \u00a332,000 in overdue invoices.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a huge sum.<\/p>\n

For many, it can be the difference between success and failure. <\/p>\n

Between keeping going for another year and throwing in the towel. <\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not easy for a small business or sole trader to challenge a larger firm.<\/p>\n

You might not be happy, but you need the contract.<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t afford to bite the hand that feeds. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not right, it\u2019s not fair, and this Bill will do something about it.<\/p>\n

We are establishing a Small Business Commissioner<\/a> with a remit to handle complaints by small businesses about payment-related issues with larger businesses.<\/p>\n

The commissioner will also have the resources to give general advice and information to assist small businesses with supply relationships and direct them to mediation services. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just late payment of invoices that\u2019s a problem.<\/p>\n

As we\u2019ve seen all too graphically with the recent flooding, it\u2019s absolutely vital that insurance companies also pay out quickly.<\/p>\n

Doing so helps small businesses to help themselves, getting them back on their feet.<\/p>\n

Yet this doesn\u2019t always happen.<\/p>\n

Unnecessary delays by insurers can spell the end for vulnerable small businesses, hitting employees, suppliers, and the wider community and economy. <\/p>\n

So this Bill will create a legal obligation on insurers to pay up within a reasonable timeframe.<\/p>\n

Apprenticeships<\/h2>\n

Insurance can protect many of a business\u2019s assets from floods, theft, or fire.<\/p>\n

But at any company, the most precious asset isn\u2019t its bricks and mortar. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not stock in the warehouse.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not even money in the bank.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the skilled, dedicated workforce without which no business can succeed. <\/p>\n

Developing and growing our skills base is the key to unlocking increased productivity.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the key to raising living standards, and driving that all-important economic growth. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s why the government has committed to 3 million new apprenticeships by 2020.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also introduced a new apprenticeship levy<\/a> on the very largest employers to help pay for them.<\/p>\n

The Enterprise Bill will build on this success.<\/p>\n

It will introduce apprenticeship targets for public sector bodies in England.<\/p>\n

It will protect the \u2018apprenticeship\u2019 brand.<\/p>\n

Unscrupulous providers will not be allowed to offer shoddy training, undermining businesses and letting down apprentices. <\/p>\n

And I am proud to say that the Bill will create an Institute for Apprenticeships.<\/p>\n

An independent employer-led body, the institute will regulate the quality of apprenticeships, and see that standards are driven by the needs of employers. <\/p>\n

As well as quality assurance and approval functions, the institute will also have an advisory role on funding allocations for each apprenticeship standard.<\/p>\n

And we will be introducing amendments to give employers genuine control of apprenticeship funding through digital accounts as part of the digital apprenticeship service. <\/p>\n

Together, these measures will make it easier than ever for young people to access vocational training.<\/p>\n

And, just as importantly, for businesses of all sizes to develop the skilled workforce they need to innovate, to compete and to grow in the years ahead.<\/p>\n

Business rates<\/h2>\n

Of course it\u2019s much easier to achieve that growth if the taxman isn\u2019t hovering over you at every turn.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve already talked about how we\u2019ve slashed corporation tax, ending years of punishing entrepreneurs for their success.<\/p>\n

But this isn\u2019t the only tax issue facing Britain\u2019s high streets.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s often said that small business owners are \u2018working for themselves\u2019.<\/p>\n

But because of flaws in the business rates system, entrepreneurs can sometimes feel like they are working for their local authority.<\/p>\n

We have started to tackle this by capping business rate rises. <\/p>\n

And we know the appeals system also needs reform. <\/p>\n

So we are working with ratepayers to develop a modern business-focused approach to local taxation. <\/p>\n

This Bill will further reduce the burden on businesses by applying the government\u2019s \u2018tell us once\u2019 policy to business rates.<\/p>\n

And it will put in place legislation to pave the way for better information-sharing between local government and the Valuation Office.<\/p>\n

Pubs<\/h2>\n

Now, allow me to turn to pubs. I\u2019m sure we all agree that local businesses are the heart of the communities they serve.<\/p>\n

And that nowhere is this truer than in the great British pub.<\/p>\n

I assume that\u2019s one type of business that Hon and Rt Hon members of all parties will be familiar with!<\/p>\n

The Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act<\/a>, passed in the previous Parliament, required the creation of a Pubs Code<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When enacted, the Pubs Code regulations will make life a little fairer for more than 12,000 tied pub tenants across England and Wales. <\/p>\n

We have just completed a consultation on these regulations and will publish the final version in time for the code to be in place from the end of May.<\/p>\n

Many responses to the consultation raised an issue concerning the market rent-only option, or the so-called \u2018MRO<\/abbr>\u2019.<\/p>\n

Specifically, they said that the eligibility of a tenant to choose MRO<\/abbr> at the point of rent assessment should not be contingent on the rent being increased.<\/p>\n

Now, good government is all about listening and responding positively. <\/p>\n

Clearly this proposal would have had an effect we did not intend.<\/p>\n

So I\u2019m happy to announce that we will be accepting the argument regarding MRO<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

Members in the \u2018other place\u2019 tabled amendments to the Enterprise Bill on this issue.<\/p>\n

Obviously we now accept their intent, and we will be tidying them up during the committee stage.<\/p>\n

Government-owned businesses and spending<\/h2>\n

[Political content removed] <\/p>\n

We are committed to delivering the best possible value for money from those assets where the taxpayer retains an interest.<\/p>\n

Last May the Chancellor announced plans for a new company, UK Government Investments Limited (UKGI<\/abbr>)<\/a>, to better manage taxpayer stakes in businesses across the economy.<\/p>\n

This Bill contains a provision on UKGI<\/abbr>, ensuring the necessary funding powers are in place so it can carry out its vital work. <\/p>\n

That will include overseeing the sale of government assets in a way that will benefit the taxpayer. <\/p>\n

And that will include the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB<\/abbr>). <\/p>\n

Established in the last Parliament to address a failure in the market, the GIB<\/abbr> has demonstrated to the wider world that investment in green projects makes good business sense. <\/p>\n

In fact that bank has proved so successful that it has outgrown the need to be financed by the taxpayer.<\/p>\n

Moving the bank into private ownership will give it access to much greater volume of capital, mobilising more investment and getting more green projects financed. <\/p>\n

The Enterprise Bill contains provisions that will ensure this move to the private sector can take place effectively and transparently.<\/p>\n

This will mean the GIB<\/abbr> can continue to go from strength to strength delivering the ambitious green business plan it has. <\/p>\n

It is that expertise and that business plan that private investors will be buying into.<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, green investment is what the Green Investment Bank does.<\/p>\n

It is what has made the bank such a success.<\/p>\n

No sensible investor would look to change that. <\/p>\n

To address concerns raised in the \u2018other place\u2019, GIB<\/abbr> will create a special share.<\/p>\n

This will ensure that its green mission is guarded by an independent party once the bank is sold.<\/p>\n

And the share will be put in place without legislation, to ensure we can move the bank to the private sector. <\/p>\n

Mandating this in legislation is entirely unnecessary, and unlikely to work.<\/p>\n

Finally, this Bill will bring the public sector into line with private sector best practice on exit payments.<\/p>\n

Too many public sector fat-cats are currently handed 6-figure pay-offs when they leave a job, often little more than a reward for failure. <\/p>\n

This is an insult to the hardworking taxpayers and business owners who finance them.<\/p>\n

The Enterprise Bill will end this practice.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Mr Speaker, when Napoleon called Britain a nation of shopkeepers he meant it as an insult.<\/p>\n

I see it as a badge of honour.<\/p>\n

I grew up above the family shop.<\/p>\n

I saw for myself how hard my parents worked, day and night, 7 days a week, to make their business a success.<\/p>\n

It takes a special kind of dedication to build something like that from scratch and keep it going for 30 years or more.<\/p>\n

And before becoming an MP I spent 2 decades at the other end of the business spectrum, working for some of the world\u2019s biggest companies. <\/p>\n

So for as long as I can remember I\u2019ve been surrounded by people who have created, they\u2019ve managed and grown successful private businesses.<\/p>\n

And when they create businesses they create jobs.<\/p>\n

They create prosperity.<\/p>\n

They create opportunity. <\/p>\n

Businessmen and women are the heroes of Britain\u2019s economic recovery.<\/p>\n

And whether they\u2019re running an international corporation from Canary Wharf\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026or running a one-woman start-up from a kitchen table\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026they deserve our respect and they deserve our support. <\/p>\n

This Enterprise Bill gives them all that and more, and I commend it to the House. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Oral statement on the Enterprise Bill by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67244"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=67244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67244\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=67244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=67244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=67244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}