Government inquiries and consultations

Low Pay Commission

Low Pay Commission consultation 2019

For the NLW, the Low Pay Commission is seeking evidence in order to advise on the viability of the stated target - 60 per cent of median earnings by 2020. The NLW has been introduced by the Government to raise pay and productivity, and - unlike for the other minimum wage rates - there is some tolerance of job loss. They are particularly interested in:

• Views on the affordability and effects of an increase to the ‘on target’ rate for April 2020 – currently around £8.67.
• Evidence of the impact of increases in the NLW since its introduction – including the April 2019 uprating – on workers, employers, the labour market and the economy.
• Evidence of how employers are seeking to improve productivity.
• Evidence on how the economic outlook is affected by the process of leaving the European Union.

For the other rates – affecting workers under 25 and apprentices – they are seeking evidence to make recommendations on our traditional basis of ‘helping raise the pay for as many low-paid workers as possible without damaging their employment prospects’.

The consultation has concluded.

Department of Health and Social Care

Further advertising restrictions for products high in fat, salt and sugar

The aim is to gather views on how the government can reduce children’s exposure to HFSS advertising, to reduce children’s overconsumption of these products.

The Department of Health & Social Care want any future advertising restrictions to be focused on HFSS products that are linked to childhood obesity. We also want to encourage brands to make their products healthier.

The consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.

Home Office

Violence and abuse toward shop staff: call for evidence

The Home Office is seeking the views of organisations and individuals who wish to contribute to our understanding of the problem of violence and abuse toward shop staff in England and Wales.

The consultation has concluded.

An initial consultation response was published on 7 July 2020. The response sets out a plan to improve support for victims and ensure perpetrators face justice.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Online Harms White Paper

The White Paper proposes establishing in law a new duty of care towards users, which will be overseen by an independent regulator. Companies will be held to account for tackling a comprehensive set of online harms, ranging from illegal activity and content to behaviours which are harmful but not necessarily illegal.

This consultation aims to gather views on various aspects of the government’s plans for regulation and tackling online harms, including:

• the online services in scope of the regulatory framework;
• options for appointing an independent regulatory body to implement, oversee and enforce the new regulatory framework;
• the enforcement powers of an independent regulatory body;
• potential redress mechanisms for online users; and
• measures to ensure regulation is targeted and proportionate for industry.

The consultation has concluded. An initial consultation response was published on 12 February 2020.

This initial government response to the Online Harms White Paper provides an overview of the consultation responses and wider engagement on the proposals. It includes an in-depth breakdown of the responses to each of the 18 consultation questions asked in relation to the White Paper proposals, and an overview of the feedback in response to the government's engagement with stakeholders.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Committee sought evidence on: 

• The nature, prevalence and scale of online harms during the Covid-19 period; 
• Steps that could be taken to mitigate these concerns; 
• The adequacy of the Government’s Online Harms proposals to address issues arising from the pandemic, as well as issues previously identified.

That consultation has concluded. The Government published its full response to the consultation on 15 December 2020.

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Corporate transparency and register reform

The consultation will look at new proposals to enhance the role of Companies House, increase the transparency of UK corporate entities and help combat economic crime. Consideration will be given to reform to the information we require companies to disclose, increasing the checks on this information and measures to improve the exchange of intelligence between Companies House and UK Law Enforcement bodies.

The consultation has concluded.

A Government response was published on 18 September 2020.

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Smart data: putting consumers in control of their data and enabling innovation

Following a green paper in 2018, the consultation is looking at how to better utilise Smart Data to support better consumer outcomes across consumer markets. This includes:

• enabling data driven innovation in consumer markets
• using data and technology to help vulnerable consumers
• ensuring consumers and their data are protected

The consultation has concluded.

A Government response was published on 9 September 2020.

HM Revenue & Customs

Draft legislation: Employment Allowance eligibility reforms

The technical consultation seeks views on the draft regulations and related documents that will reform the eligibility rules for the Employment Allowance by targeting it at smaller businesses.

The consultation has concluded. The government has addressed the comments in the responses by amending the statuary notice to reflect a change to the data being requested: employers will no longer have to provide information about other de minimis state aid they have received or been allocated.

Department of Health and Social Care

Adding folic acid to flour

The consultation is seeking businesses' views on our proposal to make it mandatory for flour millers to add folic acid to flour (a process known as ‘fortification’).

The consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Groceries Code Adjudicator: statutory review, 2016 to 2019

The consultation is seeking views and evidence which will allow the government to assess the performance of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) against the measures set out in the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013.

A statutory review was published on 16 July 2020.

Home Office

Transparency in supply chains

The consultation is gathering views on the proposed changes to the Modern Slavery Act 2015, following the independent review of the Modern Slavery Act.

The UK government has committed to strengthening section 54 (transparency in supply chains requirements) of the Modern Slavery Act, and is proposing measures intended to:

• Increase transparency and compliance
• Improve reporting quality
• Extend the scope of the legislation.

A Government response was published on 22 September 2020.

Government Equalities Office

Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The consultation aims to gather evidence about whether the current laws on protecting people from sexual harassment in the workplace are effective.

The consultation wants to understand people’s experiences, and focus on the following set of issues:

• How best to make sure employers take all the steps they can to prevent harassment from happening
• Strengthening and clarifying the law so it’s clear employers should protect their staff from being harassed by clients, customers, or other people from outside their organisation
• Whether interns and volunteers are adequately protected by current laws and
• Whether people should be given longer to take a harassment, discrimination or victimisation claim to an Employment Tribunal

Consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.  

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Good work plan: establishing a new single enforcement body for employment rights

The consultation is seeking views on options for establishing a single enforcement body to improve the enforcement of employment rights for workers and businesses, and whether establishing a new single enforcement body for employment rights could:

• improve enforcement for vulnerable workers
• create a level playing field for the majority of businesses who are complying with the law

Consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed. 

Low Pay Commission

Good Work Plan: one-sided flexibility - addressing unfair flexible working practices

The consultation is seeking views on the proposals made by the Low Pay Commission, to address the issue of ‘one-sided flexibility’.

In particular it is seeking views on:

• providing a right to reasonable notice of working hours
• providing workers with compensation for shifts cancelled without reasonable notice

It also seeks views on what guidance government can provide to support employers and encourage best practice to be shared across industries.

Consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed. 

Good Work Plan: Proposals to support families

This section sets out high level options for reforming existing entitlements which could help parents to balance the gender division of parental leave.

The consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.

However, an initial consultation response was published on 16 March 2020. The Government has committed to (i) introduce leave for parents of babies in neonatal care, (ii) introduce statutory pay for parents of babies in neonatal care and (iii) legislate to implement the entitlement and the relevant commitments in the forthcoming Employment Bill.

Single use plastic: banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England

The government wanted to know what you think about banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England. These single use plastics are associated with negative effects on the environment if they are littered or discarded incorrectly after their use. Not only do they damage terrestrial and marine life, there are costs associated with their clean-up and consequences for the tourism and fishing industries.

Consultation has concluded, and the Government's response published.

February 2020 catch limit consultation

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) sets monthly catch limits for quota species to ensure the UK stays within the overall limit set by the EU. These limits apply to all under 10-meter vessels and the over 10-meter vessels that are not in a co-operative (Producer Organisation).

Consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.

Fishing quotas: English reserve quota policy for 2020

The consultation wants to know what you think about Defra’s policy on the use of reserve quota in England for 2020. Reserve quota - formerly known as uplift – is the additional quota used for fish that must be landed under the landing obligation. 

They are also seeking views on updating the reserve quota policy section of the English Quota Management Rules.

The consultation has concluded.

The UK Global Tariff

The Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff will enter into force on 1 January 2021.

The tariffs will apply to all goods imported into the UK, unless an exception such as a preferential arrangement or tariff suspension applies. In particular, this tariff will not apply to goods coming from developing countries that benefit under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, or to goods originating from countries with which the UK has negotiated a free trade agreement (FTA).

The consultation has concluded.

A summary of public responses along with Government Guidance was published on 19 May 2020. 

Food origin labelling: enforcement

This consultation regards plans to introduce laws that will allow UK governments to enforce food labelling rules. This applies to labelling the Country of Origin or Place of Provenance of Primary Ingredients of Food where it’s different to the food itself. For example, a cheese labelled as British needs to make clear on the label if the milk used to make the cheese is from elsewhere. The proposed approach matches the enforcement provisions already in place for most non-safety related food labelling offences.  This consultation is aimed at food enforcement officials, food manufacturers, food retailers, food producers, importers and consumers. It does not propose new policies on food labelling.

This consultation has concluded. The new rules will be enforced in the same way as existing non-safety food labelling rules. These changes will be made through amendment to ‘The Food Information Regulations 2014’ and will come into force in England on 18 June 2020.

Plastic Packaging Tax: policy design

This consultation seeks views on areas of the Plastic Packaging Tax which have been further refined as we move closer to the implementation date of April 2022.

This consultation has concluded.

A Government response was published on 12 November 2020.

Low Pay Commission consultation 2020

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is the independent body that advises the Government on the level of the minimum wage. We have been asked to recommend in October this year the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates to apply from April 2021. All interested parties are invited to submit evidence to our consultation by Thursday 4 June 2020.

This consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.

Pregnancy and maternity discrimination: extending redundancy protection for women and new parents

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy sought views on extending redundancy protection for pregnant women and new parents. 

This consultation has concluded. The government response published in 2019 proposed to (i) extend the redundancy protection period for 6 months once a new mother has returned to work (ii) to afford the same protection to those taking adoption leave and (iii) to extend redundancy protection for those returning from shared parental leave.  Legislative updates are awaited. 

CMA to publish final report on the market study into platforms and digital advertising

The Digital Markets Taskforce launched and is seeking views and evidence from a wide range of stakeholders to inform its work advising Government on a new pro-competition approach for digital markets. 

The consultation has concluded.

The Taskforce published a host of guidance on 8 December 2020.

Consultation on the Reform to Retail Prices Index (RPI) Methodology

The UK Statistics Authority (the Authority) and HM Treasury are jointly consulting on reforming the methodology of the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The RPI is the oldest measure of inflation in the UK and is used widely across the economy and in financial contracts. However, it has a number of shortcomings meaning that it has at times greatly overestimated, and at other times underestimated the rate of inflation.

The consultation has concluded.

A Government response was published on 2 February 2021.

Notification of uncertain tax treatment by large businesses  

A consultation on the Government’s intention to require large businesses to notify HMRC where they have adopted an uncertain tax treatment. The proposal is designed to improve HM Revenue and Customs’ ability to identify issues where businesses have adopted a different legal interpretation to the view of HM Revenue and Customs.

The consultation has concluded. Feedback being analysed.

Online advertising - call for evidence

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) announced it will consider how online advertising is regulated. Its aim is to foster fair, accountable and ethical online advertising that works for citizens, businesses and society as a whole.

This call for evidence is focussed on the first pillar of this work - ensuring standards about the placement and content of advertising can be effectively applied and enforced online so that consumers have limited exposure to harmful or misleading advertising.

The deadline for submissions was 4 May 2020.

Contractual relationships in the UK dairy industry

This consultation is in response to concerns raised that primary producers, including dairy farmers, tend to occupy positions of relative market weakness in the food supply chain. Consensus among agricultural producers in the UK is that unequal bargaining power with processors and retailers can expose farmers to unfair treatment, with the potential to undermine equitable price transmission along the chain.

This consultation has concluded.

A summary of responses was published on 3 February 2021.

Proposals for regulating consumer smart product cyber security

This consultation seeks views on whether to change the law to make ‘smart’ products - like televisions, cameras and household appliances which connect to the internet - safer and more secure for people to use. The proposal details the government’s plans to raise the security standard for all consumer smart products sold in the UK.

This consultation has concluded.

Modern slavery inquiry

The Home Affairs Committee has agreed to undertake an inquiry looking at what progress has been made in the three years since the Modern Slavery Act came into force and what more remains to be done.

Due to the general election on 12 December 2019 the Committee closed this inquiry.

Work and Pensions Committee

Pension costs and transparency inquiry

The Committee’s recently completed inquiry into Pension freedom and choice examined ways to ensure that people saving for their pensions are equipped to make well-informed choices and are well served by the pensions marketplace.

The inquiry has been concluded.

Environmental Audit Committee

Sustainability of the fashion industry inquiry

Examines carbon, resource use and water footprint of clothing throughout its lifecycle.

The inquiry has been concluded and Government response published.

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

Automation and the Future of Work inquiry

BEIS Committee hold inquiry into automation and the future of work, looking at its likely impact on UK businesses and the potential it has for productivity, growth and reindustrialisation.

The inquiry has been concluded and Government response published

Science and Technology Committee (Commons)

Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK inquiry

This inquiry will look at the ethical and safety implications of the growing use of civilian drones, of all sizes, across the UK. Following two previous consultations on drone safety and security and incursions at Gatwick and Heathrow airports the Government brought forward a ‘Drones Bill’ in 2019.

The inquiry has concluded and Government response published. 

Public Accounts Committee

Consumer protection inquiry

The Public Accounts Committee will question the Chief Executives of the four main regulators on the work they are doing to protect consumers. They will also investigate how regulators define the overall outcomes they want for consumers, as well as the action they take to assess their own performance.

The inquiry has concluded, the reports and Government response have been published. 

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Brand Britain: Promoting and Marketing British food and drink inquiry

The inquiry will focus on the current success of the Food is GREAT campaign, how the UK Government is working with industry partners to help build global recognition of UK excellence in food and drink, and identifying and opening new markets to UK products.

The inquiry has concluded and Government response published. 

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

Corporate governance: delivering on fair pay inquiry

The Committee is conducting a short inquiry into aspects of pay in the private sector.

The Committee will investigate:

• To examine the compliance by business with reporting requirements on the gender pay gap and to consider what steps they are taking to address the gap;
• To consider the implementation of the recommendations on executive pay by the previous Committee in its 2017 report on Corporate Governance and recent developments on executive pay;
• To examine the effectiveness of Remuneration Committees and institutional investors in combatting excessive executive pay

The inquiry has concluded and Government response published.

Treasury Committee

VAT inquiry

The Treasury Committee will be investigating the following areas:

• VAT and the tax gap
• VAT and Brexit
• VAT and business
• VAT and good tax policy

Due to the general election on 12 December 2019 the Committee has now closed this inquiry. 

The use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination cases inquiry

The Committee launches an inquiry to look at the wider use of NDAs in cases where any form of harassment or other discrimination is alleged. 

This might include, for example:

• pregnancy or maternity discrimination; or 
• racist abuse.

The inquiry has been concluded, the reports and Government response have been published.

The impact of Business Rates on business inquiry

The inquiry into Business Rates will scrutinise how Government policy has impacted business. The Committee will examine how Business Rates policy has changed, including Business Rates retention, alternatives to property-based taxes, such as the proposed digital services tax, and how changes to Business Rates could impact businesses.

The inquiry has concluded.

A Government response was published on 27 February 2020. 

Work of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy inquiry

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee will examine the Government's new Industrial Strategy, the impact of Brexit and the gig economy.

The inquiry has concluded.

A Government response was published on 27 February 2020.

Agriculture Bill: Trade Standards

The Government has frequently stated that the UK will not compromise on high standards of food safety and animal welfare in future trade agreements.

As new international agreements are negotiated, the production standards for imported food are to come under Parliamentary scrutiny. The EFRA Select Committee is to take evidence from senior representatives from the agriculture, animal welfare and trade sectors. Areas likely to be considered include consideration of production standards under the WTO and GATT, the extent to which international standards currently compare to the UK's, the efficacy of tariffs, the impact on food security, and the impact of policy changes on both farmers and consumers.  

The last oral evidence session took place on 11 March 2020.

Changing the perfect picture: an inquiry into body image

Awareness of the impact of advertising and media consumption on people’s body image has increased in recent years. Negative body image is widely perceived as solely a young women’s problem. But more recently, research has shown that this is a wider issue.

The last oral evidence session took place on 27 January 2021.

Labour in the food supply chain inquiry

There is a high demand for non-UK workers in agriculture and in the wider food supply chain. Veterinarians, who provide certification for the import and export of animals to third countries and provide official controls at food exporting premises, abattoirs and border inspection posts, are currently on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).

The last oral evidence session took place on 17 November 2020.

The impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers inquiry 

The inquiry will keep a close eye on Government policy and its impact on businesses and workers, including the following key areas: 

• How different sectors and those in different forms of employment are affected by coronavirus; 
• The impact of support schemes and policies announced by the Government, including the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Job Retention Scheme;
• The likely needs of different sectors over the coming weeks and months, and at each alert level of the pandemic.

The last oral evidence session took place on2 February 2020

COVID-19 and food supply inquiry

The Committee is enquiring into food supply during the Coronavirus pandemic, including access to healthy food during periods of self-isolation, and how disruptions in the food supply chain should be managed. The Committee will initially identify current problems and strategies for mitigating potential risks.

The last formal meeting took place on 30 June 2020.

Online platforms and digital advertising market study inquiry

As part of its Digital Markets Strategy, the CMA launched a market study into online platforms and digital advertising. 

The market study final report was published on 1 July 2020. The report found that competition is not working well in these markets, leading to substantial harm for consumers and society as a whole and recommends that the government passes legislation to establish a new pro-competition regulatory regime.

Revitalisation of the high street inquiry

On 26 March 2020, the Government published its response to the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly report on the revitalisation of the high street.