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
Sarah Olney (LD - Richmond Park)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
Lord Fox (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Business)

Conservative
Kevin Hollinrake (Con - Thirsk and Malton)
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
Mike Wood (Con - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Jerome Mayhew (Con - Broadland and Fakenham)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Business and Trade)
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)
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
Debates
Wednesday 11th September 2024
Select Committee Docs
None available
Select Committee Inquiry
None available
Written Answers
Thursday 12th September 2024
Industrial Strategy Council
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to convene the Industrial Strategy Council announced in the King's Speech on …
Secondary Legislation
Wednesday 31st July 2024
Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Parental Orders and Prospective Adopters) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
These Regulations correct drafting errors in the amendments that were made to the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay …
Bills
Wednesday 4th September 2024
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL] 2024-26
A Bill to make provision about the marketing or use of products in the United Kingdom; about units of measurement …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 12th September 2024
13:40

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
Sep. 05
Oral Questions
Sep. 05
Urgent Questions
Sep. 11
Written Statements
Jul. 22
Adjournment Debate
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 make amendments to the Water Mergers (Modification of Enactments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3202) (“the 2004 Regulations”) that are consequential on amendments made by Schedule 6 to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13) (“the DMCCA”). Schedule 6 to the DMCCA makes amendments to Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40) in relation to mergers involving energy network enterprises.
These Regulations correct drafting errors in the amendments that were made to the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Parental Orders and Prospective Adopters) Regulations 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”) by the Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
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).

Trending Petitions
Petitions with most signatures
Department for Business and Trade has not participated in any petition debates
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

2nd Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to convene the Industrial Strategy Council announced in the King's Speech on 17 July; and what will be the process of appointing members to the council.

The Industrial Strategy Council will be an independent body which is responsible for monitoring and advising the government on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy, through wide engagement with stakeholders and the development of a strong evidence base. The government will legislate to make this a statutory body. In the meantime, it will form an advisory council made up of leading figures with wide ranging experience, the membership of which will be announced in due course.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to have representatives from the creative industries on the Industrial Strategy Council.

The Industrial Strategy Council will be an independent body which is responsible for monitoring and advising the government on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy, through wide engagement with stakeholders and the development of a strong evidence base. The government will legislate to make this a statutory body. In the meantime, it will form an advisory council made up of leading figures with wide ranging experience, the membership of which will be announced in due course.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what capacity his Department has for monitoring the end-user destination of arms exported under the Open General license regime; and what assessment he has made of the compatibility of those licenses with the end-use monitoring obligations of the Export Control Joint Unit.

The scope and terms of Open General Licences (OGLs) are chosen so they are consistent with the SELC. OGLs are typically offered for low risk destinations and low risk items. If our assessment of the risks relating to an OGL changes, then the OGL is amended or revoked. We would expect exporters to apply for a Standard Individual Export Licence where OGLs are not available and we would then be able to make a detailed assessment taking into account the specifics of the application before deciding whether or not to issue a licence.

The UK’s approach is designed to enable a rigorous risk assessment to be carried out before a licence is issued to consider whether goods might be used in a way which is inconsistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC). The UK does not carry out end-use verification checks overseas after a licence is issued.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with businesses that trade with the EU on the potential impact of inconsistent application of border controls on the (a) time taken for goods to clear EU customs and (b) cost of exporting goods.

The Government is committed to tackling barriers to trade, including reducing frictions at the UK Border.

To do this we need effective dialogue with businesses. Minister Thomas and I recently hosted a roundtable to gather businesses’ views on how to improve the UK-EU trading relationship. My officials are also engaging with businesses to understand the barriers they face and how we can support them to grow and export to the EU.

DBT is also working across government to understand how initiatives like the UK Single Trade Window and the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) can improve the passage of goods.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether it is possible to introduce restrictions under the Open General export licensing regime to prevent export of arms to countries deemed at risk of using them for purposes that would violate international humanitarian law without disrupting export to approved recipients.

Open General Licences (OGLs) are pre-published licences that permit the export of specified items to specified destinations, following an online registration. These licences do not have any approved named recipients, however what they permit and to which destinations must be consistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC). If this assessment changes for either, then the OGL is amended, typically by removing the destination of concern. Removal of a destination from an OGL does not prevent an exporter from applying for a Standard Individual Export Licence – which would be assessed on its own merits against the SELC.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase inward investment in Northern Ireland.

My department is working in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland through DBT’s Trade and Investment hub in Belfast and its wider global network to showcase NI as a location for investment.

We are focused on driving investment into all parts of the UK, including through our forthcoming International Investment Summit in October 2024.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase exports to European countries from (a) Colne Valley constituency and (b) West Yorkshire.

The Department for Business and Trade is committed to boosting UK exports to the EU. UK businesses, including those in Colne Valley & West Yorkshire, can access our export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a digital self-serve offer and our wider network of support, including Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network, and UK Export Finance. Alongside this, our international trade advisers provide one-to-one tailored support to businesses across the UK.

We will also continue work with the EU to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship and reduce unnecessary barriers to trade, in order to help British and EU businesses thrive.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what trade deals his Department is (a) negotiating and (b) not currently negotiating.

We are resuming delivery of the UK’s programme negotiating new and updated FTAs, starting with the Gulf Co-operation Council, India, Israel, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey. This is the extent of the current bilateral FTA programme. The Secretary of State has written to these international partners, and we expect the first discussions in the resumed programme to start this Autumn. We are also committed to ensuring UK businesses can take full advantage of CPTPP when it enters into force in December.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the report by the Financial Reporting Council entitled Annual Review of Audit Quality 2024, published on 30 July 2024, whether he plans to take steps to improve audit (a) regulation, (b) quality and (c) accountability.

As set out in the King's Speech, the Government intends to publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill, which will contain measures to tackle bad financial reporting through a strengthened regulator. The draft Bill will uphold standards and independent scrutiny of companies' accounts, supporting investment and economic security.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he taking to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the national minimum wage in Colne Valley constituency.

The Government is determined to deliver a genuine living wage for working people and has asked the Low Pay Commission to make progress on extending the National Living Wage to all adults.

HMRC enforces the minimum wage, and they investigate where they believe an employer is not paying the minimum wage. This includes considering all complaints from workers, conducting proactive enforcement activities and delivering educational activity to support employer compliance.

The National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme sends a clear message to businesses that they must pay their workers at least the National Minimum Wage where required, or we will publicly name them for having failed to meet their legal obligations.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support small businesses in Colne Valley constituency.

The Government is investing £1.14 billion over 30 years (£38 million annually) towards West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s local economic priorities, including business support. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund also provides £83 million for West Yorkshire, including support to businesses in Colne Valley.

For small businesses across the country, we will deliver on commitments to boost exports, improve access to finance, stamp out late payment practices and open up competition for public procurement contracts. The department also provides support through Help to Grow Management, the Business Support Service and a network of Growth Hubs – including the West Yorkshire Business Support Service.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to (a) meet the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce to discuss further cooperation and (b) visit businesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

DBT is committed to driving long-term, inclusive and secure economic growth in all parts of the country, and engagement with Mayors, businesses and communities in all regions, including the West Midlands, is therefore a priority.

DBT officials are in regular contact with Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce colleagues, helping to support their local businesses. The Ministerial team's plans for engagement, including regional and local visits, are revisited regularly.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department supports rural businesses.

Businesses across the country, including those in rural areas, can access support through their local Growth Hubs. DBT is committed to helping rural businesses to boost exports, improve access to finance, stamp out late payment practices and compete for public procurement contracts.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Government response to the consultation entitled Health is everyone’s business, published on 4 October 2021, whether he plans to incorporate proposals within that consultation on tackling ill health-related job losses into the Employment Rights Bill.

This Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full and updating Britain's employment protections, so they are fit for our modern economy and the future of work. As set out in the Plan to Make to Work Pay we are committed to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so it provides a safety net for those who need it most. We will remove the Lower Earnings Limit to make it available to all workers and remove the waiting period so that SSP is paid from the first day of sickness absence. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how his proposed review into the implementation of unpaid carers' leave is to be conducted; and whether the review will be published.

The Government made a commitment to review carer’s leave in the Plan to Make Work Pay. We will provide an update on progress in this area in due course.

The Plan to Make Work Pay also includes a number of measures which will help unpaid carers workers to enter, remain and progress in work - including making flexible working the default and introducing a right to switch off.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the purpose of the UK’s arms export licensing criteria, and whether these criteria apply the precautionary principle over arms sales to prevent UK arms from being used in atrocities.

The purpose of the UK’s arms export licensing criteria is to ensure that the Government’s decisions on export licences are informed by a set of criteria which promote global security and facilitate responsible exports. The Criteria enable the Government to operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. We consider all new licence applications against the Criteria and will refuse any which are inconsistent with them. Specifically, Criteria 2c states that the Government will not issue or maintain export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
4th Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to carry out a monitoring report of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, including its environmental impact and impact on deforestation; whether they will include opportunities for expert stakeholders to provide their views and evidence; and how often they plan to carry out such a report.

The Department for Business and Trade intends to cover the UK’s accession to the CPTPP Agreement in a Free Trade Agreement monitoring report. The Department will consider a range of areas for inclusion in this report, including the environment, and it will take account of stakeholder views. The timing of the report will be provided in due course.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to take steps to prevent UK consumers from purchasing goods produced by forced labour; and what assessment they have made of (1) the decision by the government of the United States to add aluminium to its list of priority sectors for the enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act, and (2) European Commission plans to publish an online database of regions and sectors where forced labour is a risk.

The Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses. No UK company should have forced labour in its supply chains.

This Government is reviewing the details of the EU Forced Labour Regulation and US Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act and will continue to engage with our European and US partners to understand the impact on UK businesses as we consider how we best tackle forced labour in supply chains.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Post Office on opening a banking hub in Broxbourne constituency.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all.

We have committed to work closely with banks to roll out at least 350 banking hubs. That rollout is overseen by Cash Access UK (CAUK). LINK (the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network) assesses a community’s needs for access to cash in the event of the closure of a core cash service or if LINK receives a request directly from a community.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of strengthening the right to Disability Leave for disabled workers.

The Department for Business has not made an assessment of the merits of creating a new employment right for Disability Leave.

The Government has set out its immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay. The Plan includes a number of measures which will help disabled workers to enter, remain and progress in work - including making flexible working the default and introducing a right to switch off.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much funding the Marches Growth Hub received (a) when the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) was in place and (b) after the LEP was removed.

DBT Funding for the Marches Growth Hub for each FY since it was established is set out in the table below:

Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funded to deliver the Growth Hub

Marches Growth Hub delivered by Shropshire LA

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

The Marches annual allocations (£'000)

250

205

205

205

205

462

462

231

261

261

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small businesses in York Outer constituency.

The Government is investing £540 million over 30 years in the York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s local economic priorities, including business support. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is also providing support to York businesses.

For small businesses across the country, we will deliver on commitments to boost exports, improve access to finance, stamp out late payment practices and open up competition for public procurement contracts. The department also provides extensive support through Help to Grow Management, the Business Support Service and network of Growth Hubs.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Department for the Economy on protecting small businesses in Northern Ireland.

DBT Ministers have engaged with the Northern Ireland Executive since assuming office, including productive meetings and correspondence at SoS and Minister of State level as well as detailed and ongoing official level dialogue regarding the interests of Northern Ireland Executive and businesses in Northern Ireland in the UK Government growth agenda.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the Post Office to (a) recruit postmasters and (b) maintain existing post offices.

While Government recognises the important role postmasters play in our communities and for small businesses across the UK, issues surrounding staffing are an operational matter for the Post Office.

Government protects the branch network by setting minimum access criteria, and protects services by setting minimum services to be provided at post offices across the country. The Post Office network meets the access criteria at a national level.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many individuals have (a) been offered and (b) accepted compensation under the Group Litigation Order Scheme.

As of 30 August, 253 offers had been made to claimants under the GLO scheme; 207 postmasters had accepted their offer. Data on all Horizon redress schemes are published monthly on gov.uk.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to maintain zero-hours contracts for people who prefer these to other employment options.

As outlined in our Plan to Make Work Pay, we will end exploitative zero hours contracts by giving workers the right to a contract that reflects the number of hours they regularly work. We will also introduce a new right to reasonable notice of shifts, with compensation for shifts cancelled or curtailed at short notice.

We appreciate that zero hours contracts work well for some people. Those who are offered guaranteed hours will be able to remain on zero hours contracts if they wish. However we are committed to ending one-sided flexibility, and ensuring that if workers are not benefitting from the flexibility these contracts offer, they have a right to an alternative.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department spent on communications in the latest year for which data is available.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT), including spend by predecessor Department for International Trade (DIT), spent £24,299,000 on communications in financial year 2022-2023 as reported in the Department’s annual report and accounts, available on GOV.UK.

This spend has supported DBT’s strategic efforts to promote the UK’s international trade agenda and achievements, position it as a destination for inward investment, and boost export promotion.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on (a) SMEs and (b) other employment.

The Department is producing an impact assessment of the Employment Rights Bill, in line with the HMT Green Book and the Better Regulation Framework, consideration will be given to the potential impact on SMEs and other employment effects.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU General Product Safety Regulations on the ability of GB firms to trade with customers in the EU.

The updated GPSR largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. However, where businesses do require some support, we are exploring ways in which the Government can help. We are providing more guidance in this area, will keep this under review and continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely with the EU.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to include in the Product Safety and Metrology Bill (a) changes to safety standards for and (b) measures to help prevent ingestion of button batteries.

UK product safety law requires that all products must be safe before being placed on the market and enforcement authorities have powers to take appropriate action where unsafe or non-compliant products are identified. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) works with stakeholders to ensure the safety of products on the UK Market regardless of their origins.

This Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will ensure the UK is better placed to address product safety issues we face today and in the future. It will allow for agile and robust regulatory measures for products, including lithium-ion and button batteries, placed on the UK market.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with (a) Citizens Advice and (b) other stakeholders on the safety of battery-operated products imported from China.

UK product safety law requires that all products must be safe before being placed on the market and enforcement authorities have powers to take appropriate action where unsafe or non-compliant products are identified. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) works with stakeholders to ensure the safety of products on the UK Market regardless of their origins.

This Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will ensure the UK is better placed to address product safety issues we face today and in the future. It will allow for agile and robust regulatory measures for products, including lithium-ion and button batteries, placed on the UK market.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.

Under the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, eligible Ministers who leave office are entitled to a one-off payment equivalent to one quarter of their annual salary at the point at which they leave Government.

Details of such payments are published in the departmental annual reports and accounts, and ministerial salaries are published on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-salary-data

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership benefits all parts of the UK equally.

The United Kingdom as a whole will accede to the CPTPP, and every nation and region of the UK is expected to benefit from the agreement, which is expected to increase GDP by £2 billion a year in the long run as published in the Department’s Impact Assessment (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cptpp-impact-assessment). Northern Ireland’s gross value added (GVA) is estimated to increase by around £70 million from UK accession to the CPTPP (relative to 2019 values).

The Department has started hosting a series of events leading up to entry into force to ensure businesses are aware of, and know how to take advantage of, the opportunities CPTPP will present. This activity is spread across the UK, including events across the Nations and Regions of the UK, and will increase in the run-up to and beyond entry into force of CPTPP.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether there is an embargo on spare parts for foreign cars.

The UK has not placed a blanket embargo on spare parts for foreign cars.

All information on trade sanctions, embargoes and restrictions, including trade controls and transit controls can be found on GOV.UK [here].

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 to introduce new metrics on retentions; and whether he plans to bring into force new metrics on the value of invoices paid and disputed invoices from 1 January 2025.

Legislation is expected to be laid before Parliament in 2024 to amend the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 to require new retention reporting requirements.

Amendments were made to the Payment Practices and Performance Regulations which introduced two new reporting metrics which will cover the value of payments, and the level of invoices not paid because of disputes. Businesses will be required to collect data and report on these new metrics from January 2025 as planned.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether intellectual property provisions on plant genetic resources are being negotiated under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

Boosting trade abroad is essential to deliver a strong economy at home. That is why we are committed to negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with India, which is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2027.

It is the department’s established practice to not comment on the details of live negotiations. We will commence negotiations as soon as possible to secure an agreement that creates new opportunities for businesses, supports jobs across the United Kingdom, and delivers growth.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory direct ministerial appointments excluding special advisers he has made; and (i) who the appointee was and (ii) what the (A) remuneration, (B) title and (C) terms of reference was for each appointment.

All Business and Trade direct ministerial appointments are currently under review and no direct Ministerial appointments have been finalised.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to support high street retailers.

This Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets. Our plans include tackling retail crime, ensuring a level playing field between online and high street businesses, stamping out late payments and ending the blight of empty spaces. This work will ensure that our high streets are great places for our businesses, supporting economic growth across the UK.

The British Business Bank supports SMEs to grow by improving their access to finance. The Growth Guarantee Scheme offers a 70% government guarantee on loans to SMEs of up to £2 million in Great Britain, and £1 million in Northern Ireland and is available until the end of March 2026.

The industry-led Retail Sector Council has identified High Street Regeneration and Investment as one if its key area of work and has been considering a sector vision for the high street.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how he plans to encourage investment in (a) chemical recycling and (b) other green technologies.

The UK is committed to a circular economy which will keep resources in use as long as possible, extracting maximum value, minimizing waste and promoting resource efficiency. Policies such as the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax help support innovation, growth and jobs in the waste management and the recycling sectors, including within chemical recycling.

The UK supports investment into green technologies through competitive research and innovation-based incentives such as R&D tax credits, innovation funding and incentives.

DBT will use its investment services to support Great British Energy to seek investment into new technologies to speed up and scale their deployment.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to bring forward the Employment Rights Bill.

We are committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
27th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to remove barriers to trade with the EU.

The Department is working with the European Union and Members States to break down trade barriers. As part of this agenda, we need effective ongoing dialogue with both British businesses and the European Union. As part of this, later today, Minister Thomas and I are hosting a roundtable to gather views from businesses on how the UK-EU trading relationship can be improved. My officials are also engaging with businesses to understand the barriers they face and how this Government can support then to grow and export to the European Union.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
27th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to remove barriers to trade with the EU.

The Department is working with the European Union and Members States to break down trade barriers. As part of this agenda, we need effective ongoing dialogue with both British businesses and the European Union. As part of this, later today, Minister Thomas and I are hosting a roundtable to gather views from businesses on how the UK-EU trading relationship can be improved. My officials are also engaging with businesses to understand the barriers they face and how this Government can support then to grow and export to the European Union.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the human rights situation in Bangladesh in respect of that country's participation in the Developing Countries Trading Scheme.

The UK has been deeply saddened by the violence and loss of life in Bangladesh. The interim government has the UK’s full support as it works to restore peace and order. The Secretary State for Business and Trade and the Foreign Secretary speak regularly on a range of issues. The UK monitors all countries on the Developing Countries Trading Scheme for serious and systemic violations of human rights, labour rights and environmental obligations. We are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh closely and raising matters regularly with the Government of Bangladesh in London and via our High Commission in Dhaka.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department takes steps to (a) monitor and (b) assess the extent to which countries participating in the Developing Countries Trading Scheme comply with their international (i) human rights, (ii) labour rights, (iii) gender rights and (iv) environmental obligations.

The Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses. The UK monitors all countries on the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) on an ongoing basis for serious and systemic violations of human rights (including gender rights), labour rights and environmental obligations based on international conventions.

The tools to monitor compliance may include reports from international convention bodies, reports produced by international organisations and reporting from the Government’s diplomatic network. The criteria the Government may consider include the nature, scale, impact, frequency and pattern of violations.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department (a) monitors and (b) assesses the extent to which countries participating in the Developing Countries Trading Scheme comply with international (i) human rights, (ii) labour rights, (iii) gender rights and (iv) environmental obligations.

The Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses. The UK monitors all countries on the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) on an ongoing basis for serious and systemic violations of human rights (including gender rights), labour rights and environmental obligations based on international conventions.

The tools to monitor compliance may include reports from international convention bodies, reports produced by international organisations and reporting from the Government’s diplomatic network. The criteria the Government may consider include the nature, scale, impact, frequency and pattern of violations.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
27th Aug 2024
What discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on removing barriers to trade.

The Government is committed to improving the UK's trade and investment relationship with the European Union (EU). Only a few days ago I met the German Ambassador, and I recently has the pleasure of meeting with my Italian counterpart. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has had a range of positive discussions with his counterparts, including the EU Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis and other European ministers. As a Government, we are committed to restarting the UK-EU relationship, so from the Prime Minister down, we have established ongoing and productive engagement with the European Union and Member States.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he expects to bring forward the Product Safety and Metrology Bill.

The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill was introduced into the House of Lords on 4 September 2024.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to review the list of critical minerals; what criteria he plans to use to assess which materials will be included; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including copper.

The Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC), sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade, is currently undertaking an updated criticality assessment, with the results to be released later this year. The methodology for this assessment can be found on the CMIC website and the process involves assessing over 80 candidate materials, including copper.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made a comparative assessment of the (a) effectiveness and (b) extent of the UK's list of critical minerals and the list used by (a) the European Union and (ii) other jurisdictions.

The Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC), sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade, will publish an updated assessment of the criticality of over 80 candidate materials, later this year. This assessment is focused on the UK's circumstances, needs and priorities, and no comparative assessment of other jurisdictions has been undertaken to date.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)