Department for Business and Trade

There are currently no plans to undertake such an assessment. The Competition and Markets Authority’s cloud services market investigation examined the state of competition in the market. The Government remains committed to supporting investment in high‑quality, secure and resilient digital infrastructure across the UK.

Hospitality employs many young people - with ONS statistics reporting that around 42% of all hospitality workers are between the ages of 16-24 (2023). That is why, from April 2026, foundation apprenticeships will expand into hospitality, with up to £2,000 available for non‑levy‑paying SMEs hiring apprentices aged 16–24.

The Low Pay Commission reports that 24.6% of hospitality jobs in 2025 were paid at or close to the statutory minimum. This reflects combined statutory minimum‑wage exposure and does not provide NLW‑only estimates.

From 1 April 2026, the NLW will rise by 4.1% to £12.71 for eligible workers aged 21 and over.

The Government recognises that flexible working helps people achieve a better work life balance, which can lead to happier, healthier and more productive employees. Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working, can be particularly valuable for those with health conditions, caring responsibilities or significant travel-to-work requirements.

The post-implementation review of the 2014 flexible working reforms, which can be found on Gov.uk website, considers how access to flexibility has supported labour market participation among groups who face barriers to entering and staying in work. The Government will continue to monitor the impacts of recent and upcoming reforms to the flexible working framework.

The Government believes that strong trade unions are essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination and low pay.

Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, we are simplifying the statutory union recognition process, establishing a formal right of access for unions to enter the workplaces, introducing a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union, simplifying industrial action notices, and strengthening protection from backlisting.

These reforms will make it easier for trade unions to recruit and organise in all sectors of the economy, including the tech and creative sectors.

The Government Car Service provides transport for Ministers and occasionally officials undertaking official duties. Its use is governed by the Ministerial Code and departmental travel policies to ensure journeys are necessary and represent value for money.

Yes. Cabinet Office are collating a cross-government response to the Humble Address related to Lord Mandelson and relevant papers will be provided to the House.

It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss a worker for being a member of a trade union and for dismissing or imposing detriments on a worker for engaging in trade union activity, including activity related to the trade union recognition process.

Previously it was only workers who were classed as employees who were protected from dismissal for industrial action. To ensure all workers are protected, this government has introduced new protection from detriments in s. 236A in the Employment Rights Act, which means other ("limb (b)") workers are now also protected from dismissal for taking industrial action.

Setting the UK’s financial services sector up with the skills and talent it needs is an important pillar of the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy.

The Economic Secretary commissioned the Financial Services Skills Commission (FSSC) to produce a report on how the skills system can drive growth and productivity by supporting more effective adoption and innovation of AI and other disruptive technologies. The FSSC have committed to reporting back by the end of the year.

We work closely with employers, sector bodies and providers to ensure training aligns with labour‑market demand, including through Local Skills Improvement Plans. Our reforms to higher technical education, including the rollout of Higher Technical Qualifications and the expansion of degree apprenticeships and modular learning through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, are improving the quality and flexibility of skills pathways.

The growth of non-bank lenders over the past decade means that over two thirds (68%) of overall SME lending in 2025 came from either challenger and specialist banks or non-bank lenders. Alternative finance options include asset-backed lending, invoice finance and merchant finance. The British Business Bank’s finance hub at https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/business-guidance has comprehensive information on these options.

The government’s Business Growth Service provides start-ups with information on all aspects of growing a business, including access to finance, and can be accessed at https://www.business.gov.uk or by telephone.

At the CreativeUK summit, Government announced the Creative Industries Sector Pan to increase support for designers, including DCMS investment in the British Fashion Council's NEWGEN programme, providing funding and mentoring to emerging talent.

The Department for Business is supporting the Creative Industries, including fashion designers, through expanding the capacity of the British Business Bank.

This new capacity includes £4 billon for fund and direct investments across the eight Industrial Strategy sectors over the next four years. On 17 February the Bank announced a £45 million commitment into Redrice Ventures, which specialises in seed-stage investments across the creative industries sector.

The Government recognises pressures from rising operating costs on small businesses, including private gyms and health facilities. From April 2026, we are introducing permanently lower business‑rate multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, worth nearly £900 million a year and benefiting over 750,000 premises.

We remain committed to supporting businesses across the economy by reducing the administrative burden of regulation by £5.6 billion this Parliament and providing a £4.3 billion package to protect ratepayers from increases in business rates bills.

At the UK Gigafactory Commission’s launch event on 21^st January, Minister McDonald thanked Lord Hutton and the Commissioners for their work and agreed that developing a domestic battery manufacturing base is essential for the UK.

The Government has put batteries and electric vehicles at the heart of the Modern Industrial Strategy, including the UK's largest single commitment to battery R&D of £452 million to 2030 in the new Battery Innovation Programme.

The Government is also engaging at the most senior levels with global manufacturers to attract additional Battery and EV manufacturing to the UK and will continue to do so.

We have set up a dedicated team to coordinate work across Government to search historic paper and electronic files and identify documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role and appointment as Special Representative for Trade and Investment in 2001. This Government is committed to complying as quickly as possible with the Humble Address of 24 February while avoiding publication of information that the Thames Valley police believe could prejudice their live investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct in public office.

I have been clear that Royal Mail’s recent delivery performance has not been good enough. Workforce retention plays an important role in quality of service, as Royal Mail has said itself in the past in response to Ofcom investigations.

I met Ofcom on 11 March and raised concerns about Royal Mail’s quality of service. Ofcom is explicit that Royal Mail must publish and deliver a credible improvement plan that results in significant and continuous progress. Royal Mail has committed to do so as soon as possible after its discussions with the Communication Workers’ Union conclude.

I can confirm that the cross-government working group on the delivery of in-person government services has been established with an introductory meeting held late last year. Departments invited included those involved in the delivery of key in-person services, as well as those with a policy interest in how services are provided. The regularity of future meetings and potential involvement of external organisations are yet to be decided.

The Department for Business and Trade recognises that flexible office spaces can support small and medium sized enterprises by reducing fixed costs, enabling collaboration and allowing businesses to scale as they grow.

While the Department has not made a specific assessment of flexible office spaces, it considers access to a range of workspace options an important part of a strong business environment for SMEs.

Companies House has written to all companies via the registered email address on a precautionary basis to update them and to advise that they check their registered details and contact Companies House if concerned. This guidance has also been placed on their website and other channels. There is currently no confirmed evidence that any records have been changed.

Companies House has investigated the technical issue and confirmed that it was introduced on 11 October 2025 as part of a major WebFiling service update. It was not the result of any malicious attempt to breach its systems from outside or a cyber-attack. The issue has now been fixed and the WebFiling Service reopened at 9am on 16 March after comprehensive testing.

Companies House formally notified the Information Commissioner’s Office on 13 March 2026, as soon as it became aware of a potential data breach and is actively engaging with them as its internal investigation progresses. The issue was fixed and the WebFiling Service reopened at 9am on 16 March after comprehensive testing.

As an executive agency of the Department, Companies House manages its security risks against emerging threats and uses government compliant approaches for security and data protection. Companies House adopts a rigorous, risk management process aligned with government functional standards and its ISO 27001 certification.

Based on information provided to the Department at this time, we are not aware of any other current security breaches.

The WebFiling service was successfully reopened at 9am on Monday 16 March after rigorous testing. The testing was done in accordance with best-practice security methodologies by government-approved testers, including external specialists.

Companies House takes the security of its systems and data extremely seriously. It operates an ISO 27001:2022-certified Information Security Management System, demonstrating its commitment to robust, independently audited security controls. This approach aligns with recognised government and industry standards.

Companies House is investigating this from both a technical and customer perspective. Following the initial report, ongoing investigations have found no subsequent confirmed cases of personal data having been (a) accessed without permission as a result of this issue. There is (b) no confirmed evidence that any records have been changed. The absence of any new confirmed cases is welcome although the investigation continues.

The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment. A small, Director-led team is co-ordinating work to identify relevant records, assisting Ministers to meet their obligations to the House, and supporting the ongoing police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct in office. The team is also working to support the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Peter Mandelson. The team is drawing extensively on support from officials across the Department, particularly staff with expertise on historical records management. The team is also working closely with other Whitehall Departments, particularly teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Cabinet Office. We will update the House on this work as soon as is practicable.

The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment. A small, Director-led team is co-ordinating work to identify relevant records, assisting Ministers to meet their obligations to the House, and supporting the ongoing police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct in office. The team is also working to support the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Peter Mandelson. The team is drawing extensively on support from officials across the Department, particularly staff with expertise on historical records management. The team is also working closely with other Whitehall Departments, particularly teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Cabinet Office. We will update the House on this work as soon as is practicable.

The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment. A small, Director-led team is co-ordinating work to identify relevant records, assisting Ministers to meet their obligations to the House, and supporting the ongoing police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct in office. The team is also working to support the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Peter Mandelson. The team is drawing extensively on support from officials across the Department, particularly staff with expertise on historical records management. The team is also working closely with other Whitehall Departments, particularly teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Cabinet Office. We will update the House on this work as soon as is practicable.

Companies House’s investigation into the issue is ongoing so it is not yet possible to provide a total cost. The initial investigation and technical remediation work was undertaken by Companies House staff supported by specialist contractors. Further work is planned as the investigation progresses.

The issue affecting Companies House’s Web-filing service did not extend to other services, including the identification verification service for company directors and persons of significant control. It has also written to customers confirming that no data used as part of the identity verification process, such as passport information, was accessible.

Companies House is investigating this from both a technical and customer perspective. Following the initial report, ongoing investigations have found no subsequent confirmed cases of personal data having been accessed without permission as a result of this issue. There is no confirmed evidence that any records have been changed. The absence of any new confirmed cases is welcome, although as the investigation continue it is not yet possible to provide an estimate of whether any confirmed cases will be identified.

It is not currently possible to determine the number of unique user accounts affected. However, Companies House is investigating this from both a technical and customer perspective. Following the initial report, ongoing investigations have found no subsequent confirmed cases of personal data having been accessed without permission as a result of the issue. There is no confirmed evidence that any records have been changed. The absence of any new confirmed cases is welcome, although investigations continue.

The Department promotes inward investment in electric appliance manufacturing through targeted support from the Office for Investment and our global investment network. We work closely with devolved administrations and local partners to showcase the UK’s strengths, including world‑class R&D. Investors can access tailored advice, regulatory support, and incentives such as capital allowances and funding for innovation.

The enhanced Office for Investment is actively pursuing and managing major investment projects that support national growth missions and infrastructure strategies, helping to make the UK the best investment destination in the world.

The UK Government is clear that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, states there are clear risks to UK operators related to economic and financial activities in the settlements. We discourage such activity and advise that those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice. Separately, the review of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) is focused on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK. It is an actor agnostic, neutral and objective appraisal of the UK’s current RBC policy approach and alternative options to enhance the UK’s approach as appropriate.

The chemicals sector underpins almost all other manufacturing in the UK and is fundamental to maximising growth. It also helps stimulates productivity across the economy to drive forward the government’s growth mission. This is reflected by the identification of chemicals as a foundational industry within the Industrial Strategy. Our modern Industrial Strategy will implement targeted policy interventions to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth.

Our commitment to the chemicals sector was demonstrated in our recent intervention to safeguard critical chemical production and jobs at INEOS in Grangemouth.

Companies House supports the enforcement of UK sanctions and counter‑terrorism measures and works closely with partners across Government to prevent misuse of the register. UK sanctions law prohibits designated persons from forming, acting as a director of, or being involved in managing a UK company under the Counter‑Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. These financial sanctions also extend to entities owned or controlled by designated persons.

Companies House uses identity verification, enhanced data sharing with government bodies, the UK Sanctions List, and reporting channels operated by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation to help prevent sanctioned individuals from exploiting the register.

Our Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan published last June set out how we are supporting UK manufacturers to grow and thrive. Commitments include up to £4.3 billion funding for frontier manufacturing sectors through programmes such as DRIVE35, Aerospace Technology Institute and the Battery Innovation Programme, as well as £4 billion growth capital available from the British Business Bank and £27.8 billion from the National Wealth Fund to help manufacturing business access the finance they need to invest and expand. We have also expanded our Office for Investment, targeting investors in high growth potential sectors including advanced manufacturing.

Our Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan published last June set out how we are supporting UK manufacturers to grow and thrive. Commitments include up to £4.3 billion funding for frontier manufacturing sectors through programmes such as DRIVE35, Aerospace Technology Institute and the Battery Innovation Programme, as well as £4 billion growth capital available from the British Business Bank and £27.8 billion from the National Wealth Fund to help manufacturing business access the finance they need to invest and expand. We have also expanded our Office for Investment, targeting investors in high growth potential sectors including advanced manufacturing.

The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) is not able to provide an estimated annual cost for the Sustainability Taskforce for 2025/26 before its accounts for the financial year are finalised. Its Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26 will be laid before Parliament in the normal way.

The CMA does not allocate specific multi-year funding to individual workstreams such as the Sustainability Taskforce, which remain subject to wider prioritisation decisions. Budgets for 2026/27 and 2027/28 have not yet been formally delegated by HM Treasury or approved through the Main Estimate process. Estimated costs for these future years are therefore not available.

The Licensing Act 2003 provides only for statutory guidance to be issued under section 182, which is limited to guidance on the exercise of functions within the Act and the promotion of the four licensing objectives. The National Licensing Policy Framework (NLPF) supports wider regeneration and wider economic objectives that sit outside the scope of section 182 guidance and do not override the statutory licensing framework.

The Government is keeping the effectiveness of the NLPF under review and is considering how best to strengthen its impact within the existing legislative framework, should it not have the desired effect.

Exemptions to the duty to offer guaranteed hours may be made by Ministers in regulations and will be subject to a full public consultation on how the measures are implemented. However, we envisage that any exemptions to the duty to offer guaranteed hours will be narrow.

Over the last three years, the Department has spent, on average, the following amounts on the UK Trade Envoy Programme, including DBT staff costs. We intend the overall cost of the programme to reduce during the next financial year.

* The figure in column two is lower than other years because the election resulted in the programme being paused for several months.

UK Trade Envoys must adhere to the seven principles of public life as set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and can be removed should they not meet such standards.

The Government is committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt digital technologies and boost productivity.

We are implementing the recommendations of the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce, including running local digital adoption pilots to test what support works best, bringing industry together at roundtables with No.10 to collaboratively deliver SME support, as well as linking up with the Business Growth Service to improve SME access to existing support.

We will be publishing an update on progress against the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce recommendations in the Spring.

The Department of Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days, but in some instances it can take longer. The Department apologises for the delay and confirms that the response has now been issued.

The Government is committed to supporting small and medium sized businesses through the Small Business Plan - the most comprehensive package of support for SMEs in a generation.

This includes the new Business Growth Service, accessed through business.gov.uk and the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlocking billions of pounds in finance to support start-ups; removing unnecessary red tape; revitalising High Streets, and boosting Digital and AI Adoption among small businesses.

Business Wales provides free expert advice, including 1 to 1 support with a regional hub in Caerphilly supporting local entrepreneurship.

I have been clear that Royal Mail’s recent delivery performance has not been good enough. Workforce retention plays an important role in quality of service, as Royal Mail has said itself in the past in response to Ofcom investigations.

I met Ofcom on 11 March and raised concerns about Royal Mail’s quality of service. Ofcom is explicit that Royal Mail must publish and deliver a credible improvement plan that results in significant and continuous progress. Royal Mail has committed to do so as soon as possible after its discussions with the Communication Workers’ Union conclude.

Ministers and their teams continue to work closely with SMEs and the trade associations that represent them, to ensure information on operating costs and Government’s support offer is clearly communicated through established business engagement channels. This includes providing key messages through our Backing your Business campaign.

We are committed to reducing operating costs for all UK businesses, including reducing the annual administrative burden of regulation by £5.6 billion by the end of the Parliament. The government has also introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect businesses seeing their business rates bills increase.