Department for Business and Trade

We are the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Jonathan Reynolds
Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Lord Fox (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Business)
Clive Jones (LD - Wokingham)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Trade)
Sarah Gibson (LD - Chippenham)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Business)

Conservative
Andrew Griffith (Con - Arundel and South Downs)
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Labour
Chi Onwurah (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
Shadow Minister (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

Conservative
Harriett Baldwin (Con - West Worcestershire)
Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
Lord Hunt of Wirral (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Greg Smith (Con - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Business and Trade)
Ministers of State
Douglas Alexander (LAB - Lothian East)
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Sarah Jones (Lab - Croydon West)
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Justin Madders (Lab - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Baroness Gustafsson (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Jonathan Reynolds (LAB - Stalybridge and Hyde)
President of the Board of Trade
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Gareth Thomas (LAB - Harrow West)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Justin Madders (Lab - Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
There are no upcoming events identified
Select Committee Docs
None available
Select Committee Inquiry
None available
Written Answers
Wednesday 29th January 2025
Consumer Goods: Regulation
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an impact assessment for the …
Bills
Thursday 10th October 2024
Employment Rights Bill 2024-26
A Bill to make provision to amend the law relating to employment rights; to make provision about procedure for handling …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 30th January 2025
11:05

Department for Business and Trade Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Dec. 12
Oral Questions
Jan. 28
Written Statements
Jan. 28
Westminster Hall
View All Department for Business and Trade Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Business and Trade does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Department for Business and Trade has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament

Department for Business and Trade - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations exercise powers in Part 8 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (c. 18) (“the Act”). Parts 1 – 4 exercise powers in Chapter 5, which was inserted by the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (c. 20) to provide a new entitlement to neonatal care leave for employees with responsibility for children receiving neonatal care in that Part.
View All Department for Business and Trade Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

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85,309 Signatures
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Petition Debates Contributed
85,309
c. 928 added daily
89,464
(Estimated)
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closes in 3 months

Fireworks killed our mum, Josephine Smith.
Her home was attacked using fireworks. We believe the use of fireworks after sale to the public cannot be policed.
We think all displays should be licensed and sales limited to licence holders only.

View All Department for Business and Trade Petitions

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much time staff in his Department have spent dealing with enquiries on the EU Regulation on General Product Safety in each month between June 2024 and January 2025.

The Department has received more than 500 queries on the new GPSR since June 2024, with the majority coming in December 2024. Officials have responded to these queries in a timely manner.

Government has been raising awareness of the regulation through its own channels as well as through trusted stakeholders, which falls under standard operating costs for the Department. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and continue to engage directly with businesses.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many enquiries his Department has received on the EU Regulation on General Product Safety in each month between June 2024 and January 2025.

The Department has received more than 500 queries on the new GPSR since June 2024, with the majority coming in December 2024. Officials have responded to these queries in a timely manner.

Government has been raising awareness of the regulation through its own channels as well as through trusted stakeholders, which falls under standard operating costs for the Department. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and continue to engage directly with businesses.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department has spent on increasing awareness of the EU Regulation on General Product Safety.

The Department has received more than 500 queries on the new GPSR since June 2024, with the majority coming in December 2024. Officials have responded to these queries in a timely manner.

Government has been raising awareness of the regulation through its own channels as well as through trusted stakeholders, which falls under standard operating costs for the Department. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and continue to engage directly with businesses.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an impact assessment for the EU Regulation on General Product Safety.

Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they are already adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. We have provided guidance, which we will keep under review, and are engaging businesses directly to ensure they are supported to trade freely across the UK and with the EU.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of the statutory two week paternity leave on the economy.

Paternity Leave supports working people. Access to family-friendly rights means that working people can enjoy a better work-life balance that benefits wellbeing, morale, productivity and retention.

The Government has committed to conduct a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will focus on ensuring that parental leave, including Paternity Leave, offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the length of parental leave in other OECD countries.

Paternity Leave supports working people. Access to family-friendly rights means that working people can enjoy a better work-life balance that benefits wellbeing, morale, productivity and retention.

The Government has committed to conduct a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will focus on ensuring that parental leave, including Paternity Leave, offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help tackle class pay gaps in the private sector.

We are committed to delivering better life chances for all - breaking the link between background and success.

The National Minimum Wage has been one of the most successful economic policy interventions over the last quarter of a century. In 2024, the percentage of employees in low-hourly paid jobs was 3.4% - a record low, and compared to 21.9% in 1999, when the National Minimum Wage was introduced.

In April 2025, over 3 million workers are expected to receive a pay rise due to the increase to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the statutory minimum level of paternity leave on the economy.

The government is committed to supporting working families and is already delivering on this commitment. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing flexibility for families and helping them to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The government has also committed to a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will assess the effectiveness of the current system across a range of metrics, ensuring it offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the potential impact of extending the statutory minimum paternity leave on (a) early childhood development and (b) reliance on formal childcare in a child's first year.

The government is committed to supporting working families and is already delivering on this commitment. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing flexibility for families and helping them to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The government has also committed to a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will assess the effectiveness of the current system across a range of metrics, ensuring it offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the potential lessons learned from the parental leave policies of other countries in the OECD.

The government is committed to supporting working families and is already delivering on this commitment. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing flexibility for families and helping them to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The government has also committed to a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will assess the effectiveness of the current system across a range of metrics, ensuring it offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of uptake of Shared Parental Leave.

The government is committed to supporting working families and is already delivering on this commitment. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing flexibility for families and helping them to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The government has also committed to a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will assess the effectiveness of the current system across a range of metrics, ensuring it offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of improving paternity leave provisions on health disparities in lower-income families.

The government is committed to supporting working families and is already delivering on this commitment. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing flexibility for families and helping them to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The government has also committed to a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will assess the effectiveness of the current system across a range of metrics, ensuring it offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce mandatory obligations on businesses and financial institutions to respect human rights and the environment in a similar way to the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

The Government keeps under review best ways to prevent environmental harms, modern slavery and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains including effective due diligence rules.

Noting the EU’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses, and has been in regular contact with the European Commission on this issue through the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
14th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to open a public consultation on introducing requirements on businesses and financial institutions to incentivise them to respect human rights, including those of indigenous peoples and human rights defenders.

The Government is committed to tackling environmental harms, modern slavery and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains and will take an evidence-based approach as we assess the best ways to achieve this. The Department for Business and Trade regularly engages with stakeholders in business, financial institutions and civil society on these issues, as do other Government departments, and we will consult thoroughly with interested stakeholders as we consider any further action.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to tackle financial scams committed by online firms.

Supporting law enforcement in combatting online fraud and other economic crimes, my Department, through its sponsored bodies, plays a critical role in supplying data on UK registered commercial entities to assist investigations and prosecutions.

Companies House and the Insolvency Service work closely with the National Economic Crime Centre and similar agencies to identify threats and trends to facilitate UK law enforcement in preventing and closing down such scams at the earliest opportunity.

Through the Consumer Protection Partnership, we raise awareness about how to spot, avoid and report scams. The Scams Awareness Campaign recently run by Citizens Advice had particular focus on the top financial scams: fake debt advice; friend in need scams; investment scams; pension scams; and parking QR code scams

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the application of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The consumer rights framework is kept under review to ensure it continues to provide effective consumer protection.

For example, the department is implementing the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 which strengthens enforcement of this framework by giving the CMA new direct enforcement powers and the CMA and court enforcers the ability to impose significant monetary penalties where necessary.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

In November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe, and stressed the importance of a reliable postal service.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meetings Ministers in his Department had on the EU Regulation on General Product Safety before those regulations came into force.

Ministerial colleagues and I regularly engage with businesses and business representative organisations. Further, officials in my Department have been in contact with businesses and trade bodies in anticipation of the EU GPSR's entry into force and continue to engage with them. This allows businesses to raise questions directly with the Government.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meetings Ministers in his Department had with trade bodies on the EU Regulation on General Product Safety before those regulations came into force.

Ministerial colleagues and I regularly engage with businesses and business representative organisations. Further, officials in my Department have been in contact with businesses and trade bodies in anticipation of the EU GPSR's entry into force and continue to engage with them. This allows businesses to raise questions directly with the Government.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the responsiveness of Royal Mail to enquiries made by Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents.

As Royal Mail is an independent business, the government does not have a role in its operational decisions including its responsiveness to enquiries from Members of Parliament.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the Competition and Markets Authority's SMS investigation into Google's general search and search advertising services, published on 14 January 2025.

The CMA has been given bespoke tools to increase competition in digital markets through the Digital Markets, Competition, Consumers Act 2024. Strategic Market Status investigations are the gateway into the regime and interested stakeholders can engage with the process, including firms under investigation, relevant third parties and the wider public.

Decisions on which SMS investigations to start are for the CMA as the UK’s independent competition authority.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with representatives of the engineering sector on the impact of the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.

The Department for Business and Trade works closely with businesses in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and automotive sectors, and will continue to.

Each Government department engages with relevant sectors where appropriate.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of investing in industrial sites in Luton North constituency.

DBT works with all regions in the UK to understand in detail the areas sector by sector potential for investors. In Luton, DBT has a strong working relationship with Luton Borough Council and the South Midlands Growth Hub, where we have a shared understanding of Luton’s strengths in areas such as manufacturing, automotive, creative & digital and the green economy.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken to ensure (a) unsafe and (b) non-compliant children's toys are not being sold.

Government is committed to ensuring that only safe products can be sold in the UK. Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, all toys placed on the market must meet essential safety requirements.

Where products are identified that do not meet these requirements, the Office for Product Safety and Standards works with local Trading Standards to bring these into compliance with the regulation, or to remove them from sale.

The growth in e-commerce has brought significant challenges to the product safety legal framework. The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will enable regulations to be updated to better reflect modern online supply chains.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with (a) OpenAI, (b) Google, (c) Anthropic and (d) Meta on workers’ rights.

The Plan to Make Work Pay sets out an ambitious agenda to ensure employment rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people and contribute to economic growth.

Its reforms will strengthen the rights of workers, address the fragmented labour market enforcement framework, and support workers in balancing responsibilities outside work.

The Government is committed to working in partnership with businesses, trade unions and other stakeholders to deliver the Plan to Make Work Pay.

We have not had any engagement with OpenAI, Google, Anthropic or Meta on workers' rights.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) funding and (b) staffing capacity for the UK International Consumer Centre.

The government funds the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) to deliver the UK International Consumer Centre. The funding agreement for the current financial year is £456,000. This figure is reviewed annually and agreed with the CTSI each year alongside an agreement over what is to be delivered. The Centre provides information, advice and
assistance to consumers in the UK who are experiencing difficulties resolving disputes with traders based outside the UK.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of anti-competition regulation on the growth of UK businesses.

The Government views effective competition regulation as a key driver for growth of UK businesses. As outlined in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper, effective competition drives innovation and boosts productivity, enabling businesses to thrive. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK’s primary consumer and competition authority. The CMA has returned over £23 in savings to consumers for every £1 spent by UK taxpayers over the last 3 years.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
13th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure a sufficient supply of minerals vital to the (1) manufacturing, and (2) technology, industries.

A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK's economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. The government is developing a new Critical Minerals Strategy which will be more targeted towards the delivery of our industrial strategy and its eight core growth sectors. This new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure our supply chains for the long term and drive forward the green industries of the future.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the sale of Royal Mail on the protection of historic post boxes.

Royal Mail is an iconic part of the UK’s infrastructure, and the government has ensured that the takeover has been properly scrutinised. The government has secured a commitment from EP Group, the potential buyers, to ensure that Royal Mail retains control of assets necessary to deliver the universal service obligation and an additional commitment to ensure that Royal Mail continues to use the Royal Cypher in accordance with existing arrangements.

Specific operational arrangements and agreements for historic post boxes continue to be a matter for Royal Mail as an independent business.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of seeking fertility treatment on women in the workplace.

Data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) states that around 52,500 patients had in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and 3,000 had donor insemination (DI) treatment, at HFEA licensed fertility centres in the UK in 2022. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not hold any additional data on how many of those individuals were working, either nationally or by region.

DBT has not specifically assessed the potential impacts on women in the workplace of seeking fertility treatment, however, the Government recognises how important that treatment is to individuals and couples undertaking it. We have set out our immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay, and while the Plan does not include any specific measures on fertility treatment, our plan aims to deliver change so that people are more able to balance working life with their personal circumstances.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the transition from SPIRE to LITE in relation to licence applications made to the Export Control Joint Unit.

The ‘apply for a SIEL’ service (Single Individual Export Licence) was launched on gov.uk on 17 September 2024, the first licence type introduced on our new export control platform, LITE.

To ease the transition for exporters, a suite of training videos, webinars, and frequently asked questions are available online. Live demonstrations are provided, supported by regular engagement with trade associations.

A dedicated helpline offers practical support, and users can flag technical issues.

Approximately 70% of SIEL applications are submitted via LITE, up from 33% in June, 2024. Reducing processing times for all applications remains a priority of ECJU.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his policy is on the export of police crowd control equipment to the US.

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.

A range of crowd control equipment is subject to UK export controls and exporters are required to apply for an export licence to export such equipment from the UK. We rigorously assess every export licence application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, as outlined in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, and this assessment will consider the ultimate destination of the equipment.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) implications for his policies and (b) impact on bilateral trade relations of the International Monetary Fund's loan deal with the Republic of El Salvador.

The UK Government is aware of the agreement reached between the International Monetary Fund and the Government of El Salvador for a new arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility, which aims to support economic reforms in the country. The UK will continue to use the UK-Central America Association Agreement to strengthen our trade relationship with El Salvador, which was worth £66m in the 12 months to June 2024.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of first class post in Frome and East Somerset constituency is delivered on time.

Ofcom are the independent regulator of postal services, and the Government do not collect or hold this type of information. Ofcom has a duty to ensure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service. It monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of second class post in Frome and East Somerset constituency is delivered on time.

Ofcom are the independent regulator of postal services, and the Government do not collect or hold this type of information. Ofcom has a duty to ensure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service. It monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to tackle barriers to implementing suicide prevention training in the workplace.

I refer the Hon Members to the answer given by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 January 2025, Official Report, PQ 24604.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of anti-dumping measures on (a) electric and (b) pedal bikes from China on bicycle manufacturers in the UK.

The UK currently applies an anti-dumping measure on imports of Chinese bicycles and certain bicycle parts, and an anti-dumping and a countervailing measure on imports of Chinese e-bikes. All three measures are currently subject to review by the UK’s independent Trade Remedies Authority who will assess the impact of amending the measure on UK producers, importers and consumers. The Secretary of State will have the final decision on the measures, and he will weigh up all the evidence provided. Whilst these reviews remain an ongoing process I cannot comment further.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he is having with employers on ensuring that frontline workers receive adequate (a) debriefing, (b) peer support spaces, (c) training for team leaders and (d) other appropriate workplace emotional support.

Despite the challenging fiscal environment, the government has committed to the importance of protecting funding on mental health. The Department of Health and Social Care have chosen to prioritise funding to deliver expansions of NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement & Support, demonstrating our commitment to addressing the root cause of mental health issues and providing support for people to contribute to the economy by remaining in or returning to work.

Furthermore, the digital service for Employers, Support with employee health and disability – GOV.UK, offers advice on managing health and disability-related needs at work. There is also the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers practical, independent, and impartial help to employers, employees and their representatives about a wide range of employment relations matters (www.acas.org.uk).

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) his Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies offers employees who are foster carers (i) flexible working, (ii) paid time off for (A) training and (B) settling a new child into their home and (iii) other support.

The Department for Business and Trade allows foster carers to take paid special leave for both training and to settle a new foster child into their home. Employees also have the statutory right to request flexible working which applies from the first day of employment.

DBT has an Employee Assistance Programme which provides impartial and confidential advice, counselling and online resources for all employees. The department also has dedicated parents’ network who provide advice and support to working parents.

Arms length bodies have their own individual policies and procedures relating to foster carers.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports showing a decline in recruitment, what steps they are taking to encourage firms to continue hiring.

Economic growth is the number one mission of this Government. In November we published our Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which set out that Sector Plans will be designed in partnership with business, devolved governments, regions and other stakeholders. Sector Plans will identify key barriers to growth and describe how Government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth and create more good jobs in every part of the country.

In addition, the Government will continue to monitor carefully the impacts of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage on the economy. The Government's remit to the Low Pay Commission's (LPC) asked the LPC to take into account the impact on business, competitiveness, the labour market, and the wider economy when recommending rates.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
9th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department has spent on measures to achieve net zero targets in the last five years.

The department does not maintain records of expenditure on measures to achieve net zero.

The department’s estate is managed and maintained by the Government Property Agency (GPA). The GPA is responsible for investment in energy efficiency measures that relate to the department’s office estate.

Details of the department’s sustainability performance can be found in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published.

This Government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones - across the missions - for this Parliament. As the House would expect, Government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer. Public reviews and consultations will be available on GOV.UK as they are published.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what purposes (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have used AI in the last 12 months.

The Department for Business and Trade is committed to improving its productivity, including through AI and effective use of data. A range of AI tools are available for use by Ministers and officials across various roles the department, including: Microsoft Copilot, Open AI models and other models for specific uses. There are teams focussed on enabling use of AI by building necessary infrastructure and developing specific AI use cases.

Ministers and officials also have access to a range of data services which allow them to deploy AI and data tools.

We report against the Algorithmic Transparency Reporting Standard on GOV.UK.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is having discussions with Royal Mail on (a) instances of repeat error charges and (b) the effectiveness of its complaints processes, in the context of the universal service obligation.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. However operational issues such as error charges and complaints procedures are a matter for Royal Mail as an independent business, with the delivery of the universal service obligation overseen by Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Following its 2022 review of the regulatory framework for post, Ofcom issued new guidance which took effect from 1 April 2023 on improving complaints handling processes to ensure postal operators’ compliance with their existing regulatory obligations. Ofcom has committed to ongoing monitoring of the new provisions. Further information on Ofcom’s findings in its review are available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/postal-regulation-review.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of women being able to access paid leave for fertility treatment on the economy.

Data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) states that around 52,500 patients had in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and 3,000 had donor insemination (DI) treatment, at HFEA licensed fertility centres in the UK in 2022. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not hold any additional data on how many of those individuals were working, either nationally or by region.

DBT has not specifically assessed the potential impacts on women in the workplace of seeking fertility treatment, however, the Government recognises how important that treatment is to individuals and couples undertaking it. We have set out our immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay, and while the Plan does not include any specific measures on fertility treatment, our plan aims to deliver change so that people are more able to balance working life with their personal circumstances.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many construction businesses the Minister of State for Industry has visited since 4 July 2024.

Details of the meetings held by Ministers of the Department for Business and Trade are available on transparency pages of gov.uk and are released as part of the Government’s transparency agenda.

However, I have attended events such as AtkinsRealis and Screwfix Live and also met with multiple Trade Associations and companies across the sector through my role as Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, including Build UK, The Civil Engineering Contractors Association, The Builders Merchants Federation and Mace.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of repealing the Trade Union Act 2016 on the use of leverage campaigns in industrial disputes.

The Government published an impact assessment on 21 October 2024, setting out its assessment of the expected impacts of the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 via the Employment Rights Bill.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what data his Department holds on the number of women seeking fertility treatment whilst at work (a) nationally and (b) by region.

Data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) states that around 52,500 patients had in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and 3,000 had donor insemination (DI) treatment, at HFEA licensed fertility centres in the UK in 2022. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not hold any additional data on how many of those individuals were working, either nationally or by region.

DBT has not specifically assessed the potential impacts on women in the workplace of seeking fertility treatment, however, the Government recognises how important that treatment is to individuals and couples undertaking it. We have set out our immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay, and while the Plan does not include any specific measures on fertility treatment, our plan aims to deliver change so that people are more able to balance working life with their personal circumstances.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to tackle (a) cases where first-class mail sent from (i) the Forest of Dean and (ii) other rural constituencies fails to arrive in a timely manner and (b) other delays in the postal system.

The government is committed to a sustainable universal service for users throughout the UK, including those in remote and rural areas.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and to decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)