Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help increase business investment in Suffolk.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Department for Business and Trade works with local stakeholders to promote investment opportunities in the region to potential overseas investors and provide support for foreign investors wishing to set up in the area. The Government works closely with clients to understand their requirements and to reduce any barriers which may inform the client’s decision to locate in the region.

The Government is also backing the Freeport East to create new jobs and attract new businesses in high growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and engineering.

The Government supports a range of programmes dedicated to supporting small and medium businesses to grow. This includes free access to the Business Support Helpline, Help to Grow, Growth Hubs, UK Export Academy, International Trade Advisors, and the Export Digital Enquiry Service. Government funded support is also available through the British Business Bank.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the economic impact of the free trade agreements with (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand since they came into force.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department’s impact assessments of the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreements were published on 17 December 2021 and 28 February 2022 respectively. These impact assessments set out the potential long-run incremental economic impact of these FTAs and are available on gov.uk.

The agreements entered in force on the 31 May 2023, and we continue to monitor the economic impact of the two Governments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of restrictions on equity dilution on the capacity of fast growing companies to recruit.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Share awards can provide an important recruitment incentive and help align employee interests with those of the company. UK company law permits the allotment of shares for employee share schemes without applying the pre-emption provisions that otherwise require newly issued shares to be offered to existing shareholders first to avoid equity dilution. The Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules require shareholder approval of employee share schemes while allowing companies in unusual circumstances to allot shares to retain or recruit a director without such prior approval.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of calling on the Investment Association to amend its principles of remuneration to provide greater flexibility for the dilution of equity in favour of employees in fast growing businesses.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government welcomes the Investment Association’s commitment to review and update its Principles of Remuneration later this year, and its stated objectives to simplify the Principles and ensure that they help support a competitive UK listing environment alongside promoting the right outcomes for shareholders.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to promote businesses owned by women.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government promotes women-led businesses through partnerships with the private sector. With the Council for Investing in Female Entrepreneurs we have created the Invest in Women Hub (iiwhub.com) which provides information and free access to expert mentors.

We are working with the Invest in Women Taskforce towards their goal of making the UK the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur, including by raising private sector capital to invest in women-led businesses.

The Women’s International Networking Programme aims to increase the participation of women-led businesses in international trade through access to networks, role models and DBT intelligence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meet the buyer events were held by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2019

1

2020

0

2021

1

2022

2

2023

3

2024 (to date)

1

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many UK-based companies produce batteries for electric vehicles; and what is their collective capacity.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

AESC currently has a 1.9GWh facility operational in Sunderland. The UK has a further 52GWh per annum battery capacity committed – 12GWh from the AESC Gigafactory under construction in Sunderland and a further 40GWh from the planned Agratas Gigafactory. This is over half the capacity needed to meet industry demand forecasts of around 90GWh by 2030.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many international trade shows UK Defence and Security Exports officials (a) supported and (b) attended in each year since 2010.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

A) Supported by a UKDSE exhibition stand presence:

Information prior to 2014-2015 unavailable.

2014-2015

19

2015-2016

24

2016-2017

17

2017-2018

24

2018-2019

22

2019-2020

21

2020-2021

3

2021-2022

7

2022-2023

8

2023-2024

14

B) Attended

UK Defence and Security Exports has not consistently recorded this information centrally. Individual attendance records are not held in the format requested.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she last met with representatives from Ofcom to discuss plans for reforming the Universal Service Obligation.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure that the universal postal service meets the reasonable needs of customers as well as being financially sustainable and efficient.

The Government will consider any recommendations that Ofcom puts forward, but Ministers are not currently minded to introduce new legislation to change the obligations on postal deliveries.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the key priorities of UK Defence and Security Exports are over the next (a) 12 months and (b) five years.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Government has created an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on Defence and Security Exports to coordinate support for defence and security exports. In December 2023 the IMG agreed that Government should prioritise support for exports which deliver four HMG priorities: geopolitical impact; support for sovereign capabilities; benefits to HMG defence and security; and contribution to UK prosperity.

On 16 April 2024, the IMG agreed to focus its effort on priority markets. These will be reviewed annually. Each IMG will identify and discuss markets requiring specific Ministerial interventions in support of long-term strategic objectives.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many military advisors have worked for UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The total military advisors working for UK Defence and Security Exports as of 1^st April each year between 2019 and 2024 was as follows:

• 1st April 2024 13
• 1st April 2023 12
• 1st April 2022 12
• 1st April 2021 15
• 1st April 2020 6
• 1st April 2019 9

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many companies UK Defence and Security Exports has engaged with in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) strategic industry relationship management programme has 15 companies in it, while UKDSE also engages with many other companies individually and collectively through the relevant Trade Associations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on how many occasions officials in her Department attended (a) domestic and (b) overseas trade shows which were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

This information is not recorded with respect to the whole Department for Business and Trade.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much her Department has spent on UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Please see below the full year outturn for UK Defence and Security Exports for the period 2019/20 - 2022/23.

Please note that the 2023/24 outturn will be available once DBT’s accounts are finalised.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people were employed in total in Defence Equipment and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The number of civil servants employed were

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Birmingham.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Business Growth West Midlands is a regional business support function and is funded by both the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). DBT supports small and medium enterprises with national programmes such as the Growth Hub network and through schemes such as Help to Grow. The new Help to Grow Campaign includes a dedicated website, acting as a resourcing hub for business support and advice, as well as SME leadership training schemes, Help to Grow Management and Help to Grow: Management Essentials.

UK businesses, including those in Birmingham, can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a digital self-serve offer and our wider network of support, including trade advisers, Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network and UK Export Finance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms attended a trade mission that was supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has supported a number of trade missions since 2019. However, it has not consistently recorded this information because trade missions are not part of the main published UKDSE events programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what trade missions UK Defence and Security Exports has supported in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has supported a number of trade missions since 2019. However, it has not consistently recorded this information because trade missions are not part of the main published UKDSE events programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many trade missions UK Defence and Security Exports has supported each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has supported a number of trade missions since 2019. However, it has not consistently recorded this information because trade missions are not part of the main published UKDSE events programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many ‘meet the buyer’ events did UK Defence and Security Exports host in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) 2021

1

b) 2022

2

c) 2023

3

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much it costs for a business to purchase a space at the Larkhill UK capability showcase.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Pricing is dependent on the area which the company product covers within the showcase per year. Please see below current pricing:

• Standard item (1m x 1m) £750
• Large item (greater than 1m x 1m) £1000
• ISO (20ft by 8ft) size £1,500 + £500 thereafter for larger ISO and upwards sized items

All prices exclusive of VAT.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to help (a) support the growth and (b) increase the number of high-value tech companies based in the UK.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Science and Technology framework (updated February 2024) outlines the Government’s actions to ensure the UK becomes a Science and Technology Superpower by 2030, including addressing access to finance and skills.

The Department supports access to talent through programmes such as the Global Talent Network attracting overseas skills, and via the British Business Bank (100% Government owned) running multiple programmes e.g. Future Fund Breakthrough a £425 million direct equity investment programme.

The Department also provides support for attracting tech companies to the UK, including the Global Entrepreneurs programme (which supports tech companies to bring their global HQs to the UK).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what overseas events UK Defence and Security Exports has supported in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2019 (22 overseas events)

1. Intersec
2. IDEX
3. Aero India
4. RSA Conference
5. LIMA
6. GISEC
7. LAAD
8. IDEF
9. UDT
10. IMDEX
11. SOFIC
12. GovWare
13. MSPO
14. PACIFIC
15. MADEX
16. IACP
17. BIDEC
18. Dubai Airshow
19. DSEI Japan
20. Defense & Security
21. Milipol Paris
22. Expodefensa

2020 (5 overseas events attended others cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic)

1. Intersec
2. DefExpo
3. Singapore Airshow
4. RSA Conference
5. MSPO

2021 (6 overseas events attended, others cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic and Hurricane in USA)

1. Aero India
2. IDEX
3. MADEX
4. IDEF
5. MSPO
6. Dubai Airshow

2022 (9 overseas events supported, others cancelled for Covid-19 and Ukraine-related issues)

1. Intersec
2. World Defense Show
3. DIMDEX
4. Indo Pacific
5. SOFIC
6. MSPO
7. IACP
8. Indo Defence
9. ExpoNaval

2023 (12 overseas events)

1. Intersec
2. IDEX
3. SeaAsia
4. IDEF
5. SOF Week
6. NorShipping
7. MPSO
8. IACP
9. Kormarine
10. Defense & Security
11. Indo Pacific
12. Dubai Airshow

2024 (16 events planned, 4 delivered to date)

1. Intersec
2. World Defense Show
3. DIMDEX
4. APM
5. SOF Week – currently planned
6. Posidonia – currently planned
7. MSPO – currently planned
8. SMM – currently planned
9. ADAS – currently planned
10. Intersec KSA – currently planned
11. IACP – currently planned
12. SAHA Expo – currently planned
13. DefExpo – currently planned
14. IndoDefence – currently planned
15. Metstrade – currently planned
16. ExpoNaval – currently planned

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps UK Defence and Security Exports is taking to help encourage SMEs to attend UK Defence and Security Exports supported (a) domestic and (b) overseas events.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) encourages SME’s to attend UKDSE supported events, domestic and overseas, by:

• Advertising events on the UK Export Faculty Website and newsletters
• Creating webinars on event participation
• Informing International Trade Advisors of events for promotion to their contacts
• Hosting networking events and activities prior to major domestic exhibitions
• 1-2-1 communication with Industry
• Promotion on the UKDSE gov.uk page
• Promotion through Desk Officers, Embassy colleagues, other relevant Civil Servants and UKDSE Capability Advisors
• Promotion through Trade Associations

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to paragraph 102 of her Department's response to the Regulating for Growth Consultation, published in February 2024, what her planned timetable is for laying secondary legislation to extend the Growth Duty to (a) Ofcom, (b) Ofwat and (c) Ofgem.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2024 and Guidance Issued under Section 110 Deregulation Act 2015 were laid before Parliament on 6 March 2024.

The House of Lords debate took place 15 April 2024, and the House of Commons debate is scheduled to take place 23 April 2024. Subject to the legislation being approved, it will come into force 21 days after the day on which it is made (signed by the Minister). We currently expect it to come into force before the end of May 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the average fee charged by UK Defence and Security Exports was to host a foreign delegation in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports does not charge to host foreign delegations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Defence and Security Industry Days were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

No record has been kept of this and there was significant disruption to plans during the COVID period.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of her Department’s (a) advertising and (b) marketing expenditure was on (i) local newspapers in print and online, (ii) national newspapers in print and online, (iii) social media, (iv) search engines, (v) broadcast and on-demand television and (vi) other channels in the most recent year for which data is available.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Department buys marketing media, including advertising, through its retained media buying agency.

2022/23 is the most recent year for which the data is available.

The proportion of this marketing media expenditure by major marketing channel was as follows:

• Local newspapers in print and online: 5%

• National newspapers in print and online: 25%

• Paid social media: 27%

• Search engine marketing: 2 %

• Broadcast and on-demand television: N/A

• Other channels: 41%

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which domestic events UK Defence and Security Exports have provided support for in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has provided active support to the following UK domestic events:

2019

Security & Policing 2019 (March 2019)

DPRTE 2019 (March 2019)

DSEI 2019 (September 2019)

International Security Expo 2019 (December 2019)

2020

Security & Policing 2020 (March 2020)

Farnborough International Airshow 2020 (July 2020) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

DPRTE 2020 (September 2020) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

International Security Expo 2020 (November 2020) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

2021

Security & Policing 2021 (March 2021) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

DSEI 2021 (September 2021)

International Security Expo 2021 (September 2021)

DPRTE 2021 (October 2021)

2022

Security & Policing 2022 (March 2022)

DPRTE 2022 (May 2022)

Seawork 2022 (June 2022)

Farnborough International Airshow 2022 (July 2022)

International Security Expo 2022 (September 2022)

DVD 2022 (September 2022)

3CDSE (November 2022)

2023

Security & Policing 2023 (March 2023)

DPRTE 2023 (March 2023)

Seawork 2023 (June 2023)

DSEI 2023 (September 2023)

London International Shipping Week (September 2023)

International Security Expo 2022 (September 2023)

2024

Security & Policing 2024 (March 2024)

DPRTE 2024 (March 2024)

Planning for events scheduled to take place later in 2024 is also in progress.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Competition and Markets Authority staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Competition and Markets Authority, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2024 to Question 20567 on Food: Japan, which two products were included in the second tranche submitted to the Japanese authorities other than Armagh Bramley Apples, Ayrshire New Potatoes, Beacon Fell Lancashire Cheese, Bonchester Cheese, Buxton Blue, Carmarthen Ham, Cornish Sardines, Darnibole Wine, Dorset Blue Cheese, Dovedale Cheese, Exmoor Blue Cheese, Fal Oyster, Fenland Celery, Gloucestershire Cider, Gloucestershire Perry, Lakeland Herdwick, Native Shetland Wool, New Season Comber Potatoes, Newmarket Sausage, Orkney Beef, Orkney Lamb, Rutland Bitter, Scottish Wild Salmon, Shetland Lamb, Swaledale Cheese, Swaledale Ewes Cheese, Teviotdale Cheese, Traditional Welsh Cider, Traditional Welsh Perry, Vale of Clwyd Denbigh Plum, Vale of Evesham Asparagus, West Wales Coracle Caught Salmon, West Wales Coracle Caught Sewin, Whitstable Oysters, Worcestershire Cider, Worcestershire Perry and Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

I refer the Honourable Member to response UIN 20567, tabled on 26 March 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many prosecutions Companies House has launched for giving false information in registration of a company in each year since 2019.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Companies House does not bring prosecutions under section 1112 of the Companies Act 2006 for a false statement offence but refer such potential cases to the Insolvency Service for investigation and prosecution.

The number of prosecutions commenced by the Insolvency Service for a false statement offence contrary to s1112 of the Companies Act 2006 in each year since 2019 is:

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Companies House staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for Companies House, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to provide information to domestic defence firms on the services provided by her Department's regional international trade advisers.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade’s ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ export promotion campaign showcases the support available to businesses, including our International Trade Adviser service. In addition, support is provided through the Export Support Service (ESS), a first point of contact service for any businesses seeking to trade internationally. Through the ESS, businesses can access support from DBT’s overseas network, UK Export Finance, UK Export Academy and our international events programme. Businesses can access digital support via great.gov.uk. We work with partners across all sectors, including Defence, to raise awareness of the support available.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many The Insolvency Service staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested. In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Insolvency Service, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2024 to Question 12549, whether the proposed £200 million guaranteed loan facility for Harland & Wolff under the Export Development Guarantee Scheme is compliant with the Subsidy Control Act 2022; and whether legal advice has been sought on this matter.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

For reasons of commercial sensitivity, UK Export Finance does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 18 April 2024 to Question 21358 on INEOS: Belgium, if he will provide a breakdown of the €200 million of UK content by the (a) sectors and (b) nature of (i) goods and (ii) services.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The largest share of the UK content goes to supporting jobs where a UK company is responsible for construction and project management of associated facilities for the INEOS Project One site, including design and engineering services. Additionally, UK content support has been provided for a company to provide equipment for furnaces, as well as for companies providing legal and procurement services from the UK.

The Department for Business and Trade are unable to provide further details about contracts already awarded for reasons of commercial sensitivity.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what channels SMEs can use to feed into export policy.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Export Digital Enquiry Service is the first point of contact for businesses seeking to trade internationally and the route to the Department for Business and Trade’s wider network of support. SMEs can feed into export policy via numerous channels, including our International Trade Advisers and the Export Champions Advisory Group. The department’s Ministers interact with SMEs regularly and at the recent Business Connect conference, SMEs could put their concerns directly to the Prime Minister.

Trade Associations regularly engage with the department to represent the interests of SMEs.

The department regularly invites businesses, including SMEs, to contribute to Calls for Input ahead of Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many British Hallmarking Council staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with her counterpart in the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK and Taiwan already share a deep, £11bn trade and investment relationship.

Trade Talks with Taiwan are longstanding and held annually to boost trade and support economic growth. To build on this the UK and Taiwan are developing an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) to further increase trade and investment. This will promote co-operation and support British businesses to take advantage of opportunities, initially in investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero.

Minister Huddleston hosted the 26^th UK Taiwan Trade Talks in London on 8 November 2023, and I met with Taiwan’s Minister Deng in February at the WTO’s 13^th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to improve trade links with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK and Taiwan already share a deep, £11bn trade and investment relationship.

Trade Talks with Taiwan are longstanding and held annually to boost trade and support economic growth. To build on this the UK and Taiwan are developing an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) to further increase trade and investment. This will promote co-operation and support British businesses to take advantage of opportunities, initially in investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero.

Minister Huddleston hosted the 26^th UK Taiwan Trade Talks in London on 8 November 2023, and I met with Taiwan’s Minister Deng in February at the WTO’s 13^th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she will publish a response to her Department’s consultation entitled Smarter regulation: strengthening the economic regulation of the energy, water and telecoms sectors, which closed on 28th January 2024.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The response to the consultation is expected to be published shortly as part of the Department’s Smarter Regulation programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate she has made of the number of new businesses that have been established since 2010.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There were some 4.4 million registered business ‘births’ between 2010 and 2022 (the latest year for which data is available).

Source: ONS: Business Demography

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating additional bank holidays in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland for their respective saints' days.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We recognise the importance of celebrating the respective saints’ days across the UK. While an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable. The latest analysis estimates the cost to the UK economy for a one-off bank holiday to be around £2bn. The Government fully considers the effects of any additional bank holidays, which is why we rarely create them.

The Government has no plans to change the well-established and accepted arrangements for bank holidays.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what purchases her Department made of international carbon credits in the most recent five years for which figures are available; and what the average cost per tonne of CO2 was.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Department has not purchased any carbon credits since its inception in February 2023.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 30 March 2024 from the hon. Member for Cardiff Central.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The correspondence from the hon. Member for Cardiff Central was responded to on 26th April 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses that have employees there were in (a) 2010, (b) 2015, (c) 2020 and (d) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Estimated number of employing businesses in the private sector at the start of 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2023 (the latest year for which data is available) are provided in the table below.

Table: Estimated number of employing businesses in the private sector by year

Source: Business Population Estimates

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2024 to Question 22087 on Elbit Systems UK: Exports, whether she holds information on the type of items approved for export under the temporary Standard Individual Export Licence granted to Elbit Systems Limited in Israel; and whether those items were used in Gaza since 7 October 2023.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The items licensed for export under the temporary Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) were intended for flight trials and testing. Items exported under a temporary SIEL must be returned to the UK within 12 months of the date on which the licence was granted.

We are monitoring the situation in Israel and Gaza very closely. All licences are kept under careful and continual review, and we are able to amend, suspend, refuse or revoke licences as circumstances require.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the long-term impact of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 on the provision of (a) healthcare, (b) transport and (c) other public services.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Strikes Act ensures there is a balance between the ability to strike and ensuring the public can continue to access essential services during strike action. Impact assessments have been published for the Act, as well as subsequent regulations, including for passenger rail, ambulance services, fire and rescue services and border security.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help protect workers from (a) dismissal and (b) other disciplinary action arising from their participation in legal strikes.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Under existing legislation employees taking part in official protected industrial action lasting up to 12 weeks are protected from dismissal. The question of what other disciplinary action an employer can take in these circumstances was recently considered by the Supreme Court in the case of Mercer v Alternative Futures Group Ltd. The Government is carefully looking at the judgment in that case and will respond in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the nuanced sessions listed on the UK Defence and Security Experts Faculty website, how many nuanced sessions UK Defence and Security Exports has delivered in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The number of people registered to a tailored event run by UKDSE Export Faculty since July 2022 (due to staff changes, unable to retrieve number of companies at other tailored faculty before this time): 834 people

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she plans to review the terms of the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with Israel to update the current partnership agreement. The existing agreement guarantees tariff free trade on 99% of goods by value but contains no provisions to facilitate trade in services.

Services comprise around 80% of both the UK and Israel’s economies but they only make up about 44% of total trade between us (in the 12 months ending September 2023). The trading relationship between the UK and Israel is valued at £6.4 billion (as of September 2023) and there is significant room for growth – given the UK is the world’s second largest exporter of services. An upgraded trade deal will play to British strengths and unlock trade for our world-leading services and digital sectors.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19719 on INEOS: Belgium, whether the Ineos project will be capable of processing sustainable aviation fuel.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The INEOS Olefins project is a petrochemical plant being built to produce a range of petrochemicals products rather than burnable fuels. Therefore it neither processes nor produces any form of aviation fuel.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many allegations of bullying have been made against Ministers by staff in her Department in each of the last 12 months.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

None.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff from its advisory non-departmental public bodies have left those bodies in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Trade Remedies Authority staff have left that organisation in each year since its creation.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Small Business Commissioner staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Regulatory Policy Committee staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Central Arbitration Committee staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Competition Appeal Tribunal staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Low Pay Commission staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff left the British Business Bank in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many firms have attended a tailored event run by the UK Defence and Security Exports export faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The number of people registered to a tailored event run by UKDSE Export Faculty since July 2022 (due to staff changes, unable to retrieve number of companies at other tailored faculty before this time): 834 people across 17 sessions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff have left the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff left the Groceries Code Adjudicator in each year since its creation.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff have left the Certification Officer's office in each year since 2015.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff have left the Pubs Code Adjudicator since its creation.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for The Department for Business and Trade, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she expects his Department to conclude negotiations with Harland and Wolff on a loan under the Export Development Guarantee Scheme.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

HM Government does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms UK Defence and Security Exports supported to attend Secours Expo from 31 January to 3 February 2024 in France.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many sessions on (a) export licencing, (b) doing business with prime contractors, (c) working with the media, (d) preparing for events, (e) finance for export, (f) support from other government departments and bodies, (g) developing export strategies, (h) global market focus sessions, (i) business culture and know how across the world and (j) pitching for international contracts have been held by the UK Defence and Security Exports Export Faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Export Faculty was created in September 2021. The number of sessions as requested was:

(a) export licencing – 1 session 2022

(b) doing business with prime contractors – 1 session 2023

(c) working with the media – No session held to date

(d) preparing for events – 1 session 2023

(e) finance for export – 1 session 2023

(f) support from other government departments and bodies – No session held to date

(g) developing export strategies – No session held to date

(h) global market focus – No session held to date

(i) business culture and know how across the world – No session held to date

(j) pitching for international contracts sessions – 1 session 2022

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses on average attended a meet the buyer event that was organised by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

On average the following number of businesses attended a meet the buyer event that was organised by UKDSE each year.

2019

Data not available.

2020

0 (no Meet the Buyer sessions ran due to COVID).

2021

Data not available.

2022

21

2023

67

2024 (to date)

38

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment her Department has made of the viability of the universal service obligation; and if she will hold discussions with the Leader of the House on making parliamentary time to debate the universal service obligation.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s objective continues to be ensuring the provision of a sustainable, accessible, and affordable universal postal service. It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service.

Ofcom recently published a discussion document setting out potential options to reform the service, to ensure it remains affordable and sustainable in the future as well as meeting consumers’ needs. The Government will consider any recommendations that Ofcom puts forward, but Ministers are not currently minded to introduce new legislation to change the obligations on postal deliveries.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on how many occasions ministers in her Department attended (a) domestic and (b) overseas trade shows which were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Ministers support domestic and overseas trade shows to further the UK national interest. Further information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any UK-based artificial intelligence companies have export licenses to Israel.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

We continue to monitor the situation in Israel and Gaza closely. The UK has not granted any export licences to UK-based AI companies to export to Israel.

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. The UK operates one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK Defence and Security Exports in building strong relationships with overseas governments.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports within the Department for Business and Trade uses an analytical assessment tool to build a picture of how the UK is perceived by overseas governments. This analysis is combined with information received from overseas networks and industry groups to build a holistic understanding of how effective UK efforts are in terms of building international relationships and influencing customers. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is updated regularly on perceptions of the UK offer.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason her Department allowed UK Export Finance to negotiate a 100% guarantee on lending with Harland and Wolff.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

HM Government does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress has been made in negotiations between UK Export Finance and Harland and Wolff.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

HM Government does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Soldier on stand requests UK Defence and Security Exports (a) received and (b) fulfilled in (i) 2021, (ii) 2022, and (iii) 2023.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2021

Requested – 3

Fulfilled – 3

2022

Requested - 5

Fulfilled – 5

2023

Requested – 16

Fulfilled – 12

2024 (to date)

Requested – 6

Fulfilled - 4

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK Defence and Security Exports in raising awareness of UK industry capabilities in (a) established and (b) developing markets.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) runs a comprehensive programme of overseas trade events and missions where UK industry capabilities are promoted in established and developing markets. UKDSE also works with Embassies and High Commissions, His Majesty's Trade Commissioners (HMTCs) and the Global Defence Network to promote UK capabilities and build industrial partnerships. Events and trade missions are assessed against objectives set to ensure that continuous improvement is embedded within the UK offer. This includes feedback from UK industry, and the UK's global networks also report regularly on perceptions of the UK at overseas events. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is updated regularly on progress.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many sector advisors have been based in UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The total sector advisors working for UK Defence and Security Exports (formerly Defence and Security Organisation) as of 1^st April each year between 2020 and 2024 was as follows:

• 1st April 2024 19
• 1st April 2023 18
• 1st April 2022 16
• 1st April 2021 22
• 1st April 2020 12

The department no longer holds the data for 2019, as this data was held on a previous position management system.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether there are any extant export licenses for the supply of (a) R902W engines and (b) related components for use on (i) Hermes 450, (ii) Hermes 900 and (iii) IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles by (A) the Israeli military and (B) other entitles controlled by the Israeli government.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

There are no extant licences which meet these criteria.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether export control licensing requirements for AI weapons systems include checks on the (a) accuracy and (b) reliability of those systems.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

HM Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. This is an important lever for promoting both UK prosperity and national and global security.

We rigorously assess every application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (the SELC).

The SELC provide a thorough risk assessment framework for export licence applications and require us to think hard about the impact of providing equipment and its capabilities. We will not license the export of equipment where to do so would be inconsistent with the SELC. These are not decisions we take lightly.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is making to promote (a) international trade and (b) investment opportunities for businesses based in Birmingham.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade’s export promotion campaign ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ is tailored regionally, and in March 2024 Lord Offord, Minister for Exports held the ‘Made in the Midlands’ Roadshow in the region

The International Trade Advisory Service has staff in Birmingham supporting businesses to export. The Export Academy provides online educational support and the Export Digital Enquiry Service answers specific international trade queries

The Government has provided £160M for the creation of a West Midlands Investment Zone. The West Midlands Combined Authority estimate that this may bring up to £5.5B investment and 30,000 new jobs by 2034.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February 2024 to Question 13545, whether legal advice has been sought on providing a 100% guarantee on lending to a company under the Export Development Guarantee.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

HM Government does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when (a) she, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in her Department last met Harland and Wolff.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Ministers at DBT met Harland and Wolff in January and September 2023.

Officials remain in close contact and last met Harland and Wolff in April 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the impact of the relative increase in the cost of stamps on the ability of customers to send (a) letters and (b) greeting cards.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail's commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services.  In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, 'safeguard caps', on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices.

Ofcom reviewed the safeguard caps in 2023, including the impact of price rises on consumers and small and medium sized enterprises, and on 24 January 2024 announced its decision on the retail price caps that would apply to Royal Mail's universal postal services from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the impact of the relative increase in the cost of stamps on small businesses that (a) design and (b) sell greeting cards.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail's commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services.  In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, 'safeguard caps', on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices.

Ofcom reviewed the safeguard caps in 2023, including the impact of price rises on consumers and small and medium sized enterprises, and on 24 January 2024 announced its decision on the retail price caps that would apply to Royal Mail's universal postal services from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of the cost of stamps on small businesses.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail's commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services.  In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, 'safeguard caps', on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices.

Ofcom reviewed the safeguard caps in 2023, including the impact of price rises on consumers and small and medium sized enterprises, and on 24 January 2024 announced its decision on the retail price caps that would apply to Royal Mail's universal postal services from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the model numbers were of drone engines that were authorised for export in the last 12 months; what the end (a) uses and (b) users were of each drone (i) aero-engine and (ii) other component; and what (A) Export Control Joint Unit and (B) other criteria were used to assess those applications.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

We do not release confidential or commercially sensitive information provided by exporters as part of their export licence application. However, we do publish data on export licensing decisions on a quarterly basis in the Official Statistics, including data on outcome, end user destination, overall value, type (e.g. military, other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences.

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff at UK Defence and Security Exports were based overseas in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports do not have any employed staff based overseas.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many SME defence firms have used the showcase pod at events supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) estimate that a total of 171 UK SME defence firms have used the showcase pod at events supported by UKDSE, from 01 January 2019 to present (22 April 2024)

2019
66

2020 (Reduced activity due to Covid-19 pandemic)
5

2021 (Reduced activity due to Covid-19 pandemic)
3

2022
42

2023
41

2024 - to date
14

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses completed the (a) land, (b) maritime, (c) air, (d) security and (e) cyber security modules delivered by the UK Defence and Security Exports export faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Information is not recorded per year, below is the total number of businesses that have completed the listed modules:
(a) land - 236
(b) maritime - 236
(c) air - 236
(d) security - 206
(e) cyber security - 206

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend (a) Oceanology International and (b) Defence Procurement Research, Technology and Exportability (DPRTE) in 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) Oceanology International
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

b) DPRTE
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend (a) Intersec and (b) the World Police Summit in 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) Intersec

0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this security focussed event.

b) World Police Summit
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this security focussed event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff at UK Defence and Security Exports work in the regional team that covers the Americas, Pacific and East Asia.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports have 16 members of staff working in the regional team that covers Americas, Pacific and East Asia.

Found: Product safety issues would be in the remit of the Department for Business and Trade, primarily handled

Found: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have been considering how Government can best support SMEs

Found: Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Levelling Up funding (i.e., UKSPF)  Any future relevant Department

Found: capability in question will be assessed and, where there is potential, shared at an early stage with the Department

Found: Officials in the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Found: October 2020.7 This legislation is enforced by HMRC National Minimum Wage Enforcement, based in the Department

Found: We are working closely with the Department for Business and Trade and hope to be live with this shortly

Found: President of the Board of Trade Minister for Women and Equalities Department

Found: Kevin Hollinrake MP Minister of State Department for Business and Trade Old Admiralty Building

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Found: the UK, worth approximately £563 million.2 3 Most of the fuel imported, 4.6 million barrels, 1 UK Department

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Found: for Business and Trade 7 S.I. 2024/153 7 Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Register of Overseas Entities

Found: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) leads on self-employment.

Found: These include the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Found: is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department

Found: Minister for Courts and Legal services, Ministry of Justice, Rt Hon Greg Hands, Minister of State, Department

Found: This might include more joined up working with other government departments like the Department

Found: Johnson of Lainston CBE Minister for Investment and Minister for Regulatory Reform Department

Found: Minister for Courts and Legal services, Ministry of Justice, Rt Hon Greg Hands, Minister of State, Department

Found: President of the Board of Trade Minister for Women and Equalities Department

Found: Officials in the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Found: President of the Board of Trade Minister for Women and Equalities Department

Found: Is your Department aware of that and are you in discussions with the Department for Business and Trade

Found: In all cases officials in the Department for Business and Trade will have to decide whether a n individual

Found: employees should not be subject to harassment as a result of whistleblowing.33 In March 2023, the Department

Found: for Business and Trade, and arms export licensing is part of the DBT’s policy area.

Found: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Business and Trade, and Department

Found: Is there not an argument to be made that either DBT should be merged into the Foreign Office or the

Found: We have noticed that the Department for Business and Trade is reviewing its whistleblowing framework

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, how many members of staff from the (a) Department for Business and Trade and (b) devolved Administrations are co-located in UK embassies and high commissions in (i) Europe and (ii) North America; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures by location.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The FCDO does not hold the responsibility for reporting on the numbers and location of other government department staff or those from devolved administrations co-located in UK embassies and high commissions. Each government department and devolved administration holds the responsibility to report on their own staff numbers.

Overseas, DBT (Department for Business and Trade) provide expert advice in support of UK exports and investment and the implementation of free trade agreements. DBT play an important role in delivery of HMG international priorities including promoting trade and investment and furthering economic and trade ties.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential financial impact of trends in the level of enrolments of international students on universities.

Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)

The government seeks to ensure that there is a fair and robust migration policy, whilst maintaining the UK’s place as a top destination for the best and brightest students from around the world. The department remains committed to the ambitions set out in the government’s International Education Strategy to host 600,000 international students per year and to increase the value of education exports to £35 billion per year, both by 2030.

The department expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination. The UK has four universities in the top ten, and 17 in the top 100, worldwide. The UK has a highly sought after higher education (HE) experience, which is respected by students across the globe. The department is hugely proud to have met its international student recruitment ambition two years running.

However, the level of legal migration remains too high. As a result, on 4 December 2023, the government announced a new package of measures to reduce net migration and curb abuse and exploitation of the country’s immigration system.

The Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator of the HE sector in England, continues to work closely with the Home Office, Department for Business and Trade, and other governmental departments to assess the impact of these changes on HE providers.

Universities are autonomous institutions responsible for managing their own budgets. The department also works closely with the OfS to understand the evolving landscape, including on risks relating to international students.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled People at the Heart of Care, published by her Department in December 2021, CP 560, what steps her Department has taken to raise awareness of Carer's Leave amongst unpaid carers.

Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to supporting unpaid carers to balance their caring alongside work, and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing.

As indicated in People at the Heart of Care in 2021, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are the lead department for carer’s leave. DBT has carried out a range of activities to raise awareness of Carer’s Leave, including producing associated guidance available through GOV.UK, working closely stakeholders such as carer and business representative organisations and promoting Carers Leave through the ‘Help to Grow’ website.

The Department for Health and Social Care continues to seek and use opportunities to raise awareness of support services and relevant legislation, including carer’s leave, amongst unpaid carers. This includes through our ongoing engagement with carer representative organisations, the use of GOV.UK and engagement in events such as during Carers Week, which this year takes place in June 2024.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department are taking to encourage businesses to invest in skills training.

Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)

This government is committed to delivering a world-leading skills system which is employer-focused, high-quality, and fit for the future. The department’s reforms are backed with an investment of £3.8 billion over the course of this Parliament to strengthen higher and further education to help more people get good jobs, upskill and retrain throughout their lives and to improve national productivity.

Over 5,000 employers have been involved in the development of nearly 700 high-quality apprenticeships to meet their industry skills needs. To support employers of all sizes offer apprenticeships, the government has increased investment in apprenticeships to over £2.7 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. This includes investing a further £60 million to meet overall increased employer demand for apprenticeships and encourage small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to take on young apprentices.

From April, the department pays 100% of training costs when SMEs take on new apprentices aged 16-21. Additionally, larger employers can now transfer more of their levy funds (50% increased from 25%) to support businesses of all sizes, which will help more employers to invest in apprenticeship training.

Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the chance to build sector-specific skills with an offer of a job interview on completion. Training providers work with employers to ensure training is designed to teach the skills employers need. To date, over 1000 employers have been involved in Skills Bootcamps. Employers play a range of roles from supporting the design and delivery of the training, to recruiting learners that complete training into a job, or an apprenticeship. Employers can also use Skills Bootcamps to upskill their existing employees, subject to a 10% contribution for SMEs and 30% contribution for large employers.

Institutes of Technology bring education and business closer together, creating unique collaborations between colleges, universities and industry which deliver higher-level technical education with a clear route to high skilled employment. The department has provided £300 million of capital funding for infrastructure and industry standard equipment to increase capacity to deliver level 4/5 technical skills. In addition, employer partners were encouraged to provide additional support (monetary and in kind) which for the wave 2 competition was set at 35% of value of capital expenditure.

In October 2023, the department launched a new website called Skills for Careers that provides a single digital front door to information about skills training options and careers. A link to Skills for Careers can be found here: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/skills-for-life. From Skills for Careers, users are guided through government’s skills offer from apprenticeships to Skills Bootcamps, A levels to Multiply. The website provides an overview of each option along with information about writing job applications and CVs.

Across all areas of England, employer-led Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have helped engage thousands of local businesses and have brought them together with local providers and stakeholders to collaboratively agree and deliver actions to address local skills needs. By giving employers a more strategic role in the skills system, LSIPs are helping to drive greater employer investment in skills and ensure businesses are more actively involved in the planning, design and delivery of skills provision.

Departmental officials are also working with the Office for Investment and Department for Business and Trade to provide support for investors to navigate the skills system at a national and local level and encourage take-up of government funded skills programmes and employer investment in skills, as well as build strategic partnerships with local education and training providers. Whilst it is not a core part of their role, some of the designated employer representative bodies leading the LSIPs have engaged with inward investors as part of developing and implementing their LSIPs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment HMRC has made of the prevalence of underpayment of the National Living Wage for domiciliary care workers as a result of unpaid travel time.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs enforces the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) in line with the law and policy set out by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). This involves a wide-ranging programme of education and risk led enforcement activity across the whole of the UK labour market and the associated risks including travel time. All businesses, irrespective of their size or business sector are responsible for paying the correct NMW rates to their staff.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times HMRC has taken enforcement action against employers for the underpayment of national living wage for domiciliary care workers as a result of unpaid travel time in the last three years.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the NMW receives it.

HM Revenue and Customs enforces the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) in line with the law and policy set out by the Department for Business and Trade. This involves a wide-ranging programme of education and risk led enforcement activity across the whole of UK labour market including social care

HMRC consider all of the risks that might be relevant, when carrying out a review and record whether an employer is compliant or non-compliant.

HMRC does not hold information on how many times HMRC has taken enforcement action against employers for the underpayment of national living wage for domiciliary care workers as a result of unpaid travel time.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Lord Advocate on the Scottish Government's proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.

Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland

Discussions with Scottish Ministers on the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill have principally been led by the Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, Minister Hollinrake. I have not had discussions with the Lord Advocate regarding the Scottish Government’s proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.

Noting Scotland’s historically separate legal jurisdiction and the unique role of the Lord Advocate and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in respect of prosecutions in Scotland, it is the UK Government’s view that it is appropriate for the Scottish Government to bring forward proposals to address prosecutions on this matter in Scotland, and for those to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the Scottish Government in bringing forward its own proposals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the estimated 33 per cent fall in overseas students on the financial viability of UK universities.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government seeks to ensure that there is a fair and robust migration policy, whilst maintaining the UK’s place as a top destination for the best and brightest students from around the world. The department remains committed to the ambitions set out in the government’s International Education Strategy to host 600,000 international students per year and to increase the value of its education exports to £35 billion per year, both by 2030.

The department expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination. The UK has four universities in the top ten, and 17 in the top 100. The UK has a highly sought after higher education (HE) experience, which is respected by students across the globe. The department is hugely proud to have met its international student recruitment ambition two years running.

However, the level of legal migration remains too high. As a result, on 4 December 2023, the government announced a new package of measures to reduce net migration and curb abuse and exploitation of the country’s immigration system.

Our universities are autonomous institutions responsible for managing their own budgets. The department works closely with the Office for Students, the independent regulator of the HE sector in England, to understand the evolving landscape including on risks relating to international students.

It also continues to work closely with the Home Office, the Department for Business and Trade, and other governmental departments to assess the impact of these changes on HE providers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to reply to the letter of 12 February 2024 from the Rt hon. Member for Warley.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

The letter was transferred to the Home Office from the Department for Business and Trade on 18 April. We are considering the matters raised and will respond shortly.

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Found: for Business and Trade and Scotland Office), said the Bill as a whole would drive innovation, grow

Found: • These Explanatory Notes have been prepared by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) with

Found: Leave (Bereavement) Bill EXPLANA TORY NOTES Explanatory notes to the Bill, prepared by the Department

Found: for Business and Trade 234 213 0 21 1 Department for Culture, Media and Sport 147 125 0 22 0 Department

Found: - - - - - 29 27 4 2 1 10 2 3 2 1 0 2 50 0 25 16 7 1 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 5 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 2023 Department

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Found: , and the Caribbean), British Embassy 2023 to present FCDO, Chevening Board Member 2017 to 2019 Department

Found: Also, in attendance included Alan Mak MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State jointly in the Department

Found: We launched a multi -year research programme alongside the Department for Business and Trade and the

Found: these announcements to discuss the investments. 20Intergovernmental Relations Annual Report for 2023The Department

Found: Martin Whalley, Director of Trade and Investment for Brazil, Department for Business and Trade, said:

Found: Supported by collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade, British Business Bank and local

Found: The new hub will house Civil Service staff from His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT), the Department for Business

Found: Under WTO rules, the Department for Business and Trade allows international parties to comment on the

Found: geographies, including middle-income countries seeking to strengthen their health systems, working with the Department

Found: he DMCC Bill is expected to make this even clearer, by specifically prohibiting the practice: s ee Department

Found: From: Department for Business and Trade and Export Control Joint Unit Published 25 April 2024

Found: From: Export Control Joint Unit and Department for Business and Trade Published 25 April 2024

Found: To implement the Review’s recommendations, government is backing the Office for Investment and Department