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

Scottish National Party
Chris Law (SNP - Dundee Central)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Business)
Chris Law (SNP - Dundee Central)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Trade)

Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)
Green Spokesperson (Business and Trade)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
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)
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
Debates
Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Employment Rights Bill
Lords Chamber
Select Committee Docs
None available
Select Committee Inquiry
None available
Written Answers
Monday 28th July 2025
Customs: Digital Technology
To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to The UK's trade strategy (CP1339), published on 26 June, what progress they …
Secondary Legislation
Monday 21st July 2025
Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025
These Regulations amend Annex 6 to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (the Cosmetic Regulation) to amend the conditions on the use …
Bills
Saturday 12th April 2025
Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2024-26
A Bill to make provision about powers to secure the continued and safe use of assets of a steel undertaking.
Dept. Publications
Friday 1st August 2025
00:01

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
Jul. 17
Oral Questions
May. 12
Urgent Questions
Jul. 22
Written Statements
Jul. 22
Westminster Hall
Jul. 16
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


A Bill to make provision about the marketing or use of products in the United Kingdom; about units of measurement and the quantities in which goods are marketed in the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 21st July 2025 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision about powers to secure the continued and safe use of assets of a steel undertaking.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 12th April 2025 and was enacted into law.

Department for Business and Trade - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations amend Annex 6 to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (the Cosmetic Regulation) to amend the conditions on the use of 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone/Oxybenzone (known as benzophenone-3) in cosmetic products, to ensure that different types of cosmetic products contain safe levels of benzophenone-3, in accordance with advice from the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products.
These Regulations make changes to the reporting requirements in the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the “2008 Regulations”) to require large companies to report information about their payment practices and performance within Directors’ Reports. These Regulations extend to the whole of the United Kingdom reflecting the extent of the Companies Act 2006 (the “2006 Act”).
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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Petition Debates Contributed
87,528
Petition Closed
5 May 2025
closed 2 months, 3 weeks ago

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

15th Jul 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to The UK's trade strategy (CP1339), published on 26 June, what progress they have made on delivering a single trade window.

The Trade Strategy sets out a range of cross-Government measures to minimise administrative burdens and frictions experienced by businesses trading internationally. We will remain focused on working across Government to implement the various measures outlined in the strategy that will help businesses across the country to export and import the goods and services that will support growth and jobs.

Baroness Gustafsson
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current level of confidence in the economy among small businesses; and how they plan to support small businesses.

Small businesses are vital to our communities and are essential to our economic success. Whilst we recognise the business environment has been difficult in recent times for many small businesses, according to the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer business confidence rose in June 2025 and is at its highest since 2015.

The upcoming SME Strategy Paper will outline our vision for small businesses to boost scale-ups, revitalise high streets, improve access to finance and markets. We are engaging with small business owners on the development of the Business Growth Service (BGS), to ensure that we deliver on our mission to make it easier for businesses to get the support they need to grow and thrive.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025, published on 23 June 2025, if he will provide a breakdown of where he plans for the 41,000 new homes in the West Midlands to be built; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on this matter.

In setting out how the Government will strengthen connections between and within city regions and clusters, the Industrial Strategy confirmed our commitment to delivering and maximising the growth benefits of HS2. The Industrial Strategy referenced independent research by Arcadis, conducted on behalf of HS2 Ltd, that suggests HS2 could lead to 41,000 new homes in the West Midlands. The source can be found at https://www.arcadis.com/en-gb/projects/europe/united-kingdom/hs2-impact-study.

The department has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government during the development of the Industrial Strategy and will continue to do so.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to encourage business investment in (a) Sutton Coldfield constituency and (b) the West Midlands.

This department is taking significant steps to encourage business investment across the West Midlands, including Sutton Coldfield constituency. For 2025/26, we have committed £490,700 in core funding to Business Growth West Midlands through the West Midlands Combined Authority, providing tailored business support services including access to finance, export opportunities, and innovation support.

In addition, UK businesses, including those in the West Midlands, can also access DBT's export support via Great.gov.uk, including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, International Markets network, and International Trade Advisers, to support their business growth.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban the importation of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods originating in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. UK Government guidance equips individuals and businesses to make their own informed choices regarding such commercial activities.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of designating the bank holiday at the end of August as 'Peace Day' in honour of veterans.

The Government recognises the sacrifices made by so many veterans and the profound debt of gratitude owed to those who have served our country.

Occasionally, the Government may change a bank holiday for a one-off event, such as a changing the date of the early May bank holiday in 2020 to commemorate VE Day.

The current naming conventions of bank holidays are well established, and the Government has no plans to change the name of any future bank holidays at this time.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress he has made on consulting animal welfare organisations on the review of fireworks legislation.

I have met with several animal charities in recent months, including Dogs Trust, the RSPCA and Redwings, through the fireworks working group. I continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. It is important that we ensure the safe, responsible and considerate use of fireworks for business and consumers alike.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will extend (a) workplace protections and (b) formal recognition for (i) Mountain Rescue Team members and (ii) other voluntary emergency service personnel to supported them in their duties without detriment to their employment.

The Plan to Make Work Pay sets out an ambitious agenda to deliver our Plan for Change by ensuring employment rights are fit for a modern economy, empowering working people and contributing to economic growth.

The Government values the vital work carried out by all volunteers particularly those who respond in emergencies and those who volunteer for public duties.

We are currently reviewing the entitlement to time off for public duties under Section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to ensure it remains fit for purpose or if any changes or additions need to be made.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the length of the statute of limitations for medical devices as specified under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

Given the importance, breadth and complexity of this area of law – and as I set out in Committee on the Product Regulation and Metrology Act – the Government has asked the Law Commission to conduct a full review of product liability legislation. This includes considering the time limits for bringing claims. Following a wide consultation that will begin soon, I expect the Law Commission to make recommendations later next year.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of class action lawsuits on levels of (a) inward investment and (b) economic growth.

I engage regularly with both stakeholders and my Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, including how we can prioritise and encourage economic growth.

The department’s remit is limited to collective actions brought in relation to competition issues. In that context, class actions can improve access to justice where bringing a claim would otherwise be impractical or unaffordable.

A robust competition regime, including a route that enables consumers (including businesses) to seek redress through litigation, facilitates consumer protection and encourages investment and growth.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with (a) trade bodies and (c) businesses on the potential impact of class action lawsuits on levels of (a) inward investment and (b) economic growth.

I engage regularly with both stakeholders and my Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, including how we can prioritise and encourage economic growth.

The department’s remit is limited to collective actions brought in relation to competition issues. In that context, class actions can improve access to justice where bringing a claim would otherwise be impractical or unaffordable.

A robust competition regime, including a route that enables consumers (including businesses) to seek redress through litigation, facilitates consumer protection and encourages investment and growth.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the Fair Work Agency has the required resource to enforce (a) the minimum wage, (b) protection from harassment and (c) protection from gender discrimination at work for young women.

The Fair Work Agency will deliver a much-needed upgrade to the enforcement of workers’ rights, including the rights of young women.

The specific legislation the Fair Work Agency will be responsible for enforcing is set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill.

The Government is committed to giving the Fair Work Agency the resources it needs to enforce its remit effectively. More detail around funding will be released in due course.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of moving to (a) single and (b) double summer time on cumulative carbon emissions.

The Government believes the current daylight-saving arrangements represent the optimal use of the available daylight across the UK. Therefore, we have no plans to introduce single summertime, double summertime, or other such changes. Since the Government does not intend to make changes to the existing system, we have not conducted a recent assessment of the impact on cumulative carbon emissions. The Government is fully committed to complying with the statutory duties outlined in the Climate Change Act and reaching net zero by 2050.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on measures to hold parcel delivery companies to account for (a) delayed and (b) failed deliveries in rural areas.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf

Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on the average time taken for parcel deliveries in (a) rural and (b) urban areas.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf

Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on the adequacy of parcel delivery firms in ensuring consistent delivery standards in rural communities.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf

Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on (a) monitoring and (b) reporting on the quality of parcel delivery services in rural areas.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf

Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps his Department has taken to consult with rural community-owned businesses in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire in the development of its planned small business strategy.

This Government is committed to embedding the voice of small business into policy. The Department for Business and Trade has engaged with hundreds of individual SMEs across all sectors and regions as part of co-designing our SME Strategy. This has included roundtables to address topics such as high streets, markets and access to finance.

Engagement with individual SMEs will continue to be a priority up to and after the launch of the SME Strategy to assess the impact of these policies on SMEs across the UK in all rural and urban areas.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support businesses to take up digital technologies in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

The Hertfordshire Growth Hub provides businesses in Harpenden and Berkhamsted with support and advice on adopting digital technology. More widely, the industry-led SME Digital Adoption Taskforce will soon publish its final recommendations on how Government and industry can work together to increase SME uptake of digital technology across the UK. Building these capabilities will form part of our forthcoming SME Strategy.

Our Industrial Strategy also set out ambitions, informed by the Technology Adoption Review, to increase digital adoption in eight growth-driving sectors. This includes up to £99m for the Made Smarter Adoption programme to help manufacturing SMEs adopt digital technologies.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps her Department has taken to support small businesses in the aesthetics industry.

This Government recognises the immense economic and social value of the aesthetics industry. That is why we have committed to reforming business rates from 2026-27 with a permanently lower multiplier for retail, leisure and hospitality properties, including beauty clinics.

The Government will publish an SME Strategy Paper later this year that will set out the Government's vision for all small and medium size businesses. The paper will focus on boosting scale-ups across key policy areas, such as creating thriving high streets, making it easier to access finance, opening up overseas and domestic markets, building business capabilities, and providing a strong business environment. The paper will complement the Government's Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he made of the potential impact of delaying the implementation of the Employment Rights Bill’s provisions on unfair dismissal protections on levels of business confidence.

There is no delay to implementation. On 1 July the Government published “Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap”. It provides clarity for employers and workers on when Government will consult on the implementation of Bill measures, and when measures will take effect. Feedback from businesses is that this clarity has improved confidence. The Roadmap sets out our initial view that day one unfair dismissal protections will take effect in 2027, after regulations have been made and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has considered to what extent , to reflect day one rights in the Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with businesses on the S&P Global Flash UK PMI.

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.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
25th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, published on 23 June 2025, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that investment in advanced manufacturing is allocated to rural communities.

Deeper partnerships with mayors and devolved governments will deliver real change in local communities, ensuring Sector Plan gains across the UK.

As part of this, we will support specific city regions and clusters through a new £600 million Strategic Sites Accelerator, and by investing £160 million in each of the UK's regional Advanced Manufacturing investment zones. This targeted support will have positive spillover effects on surrounding rural and urban communities.

Government has also secured £4 billion from the British Business Bank and £27.8 billion from the National Wealth Fund to support business across the UK access the finance they need to grow.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the four-day week pilot facilitated by the 4 Day Week Foundation.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.

The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.

Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.

As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the productivity outcomes of the latest four-day week pilot facilitated by the 4 Day Week Foundation.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.

The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.

Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.

As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to support a structured forum for businesses to share learning on reduced-hour models.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.

The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.

Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.

As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses transitioning to a four-day working week.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.

The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.

Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.

As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a working time council to explore the wider implementation of a four-day working across the economy.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.

The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.

Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.

As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Jul 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reliability of postal deliveries in rural areas, and what plans they have to further investigate this matter.

The government is committed to a sustainable universal postal service for users throughout the UK, including maintaining the one-price-goes anywhere principle including for 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 decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the contribution of secondary ticketing platforms to the economy.

Earlier this year, the government consulted on the resale of live events tickets to seek views on a range of proposals aimed at improving fairness for consumers – including a price cap that would restrict the price at which tickets could lawfully be resold.

In the consultation document, we set out our assessment of the beneficial role of the secondary ticketing market and ongoing issues relating to how it currently operates.

We are currently reviewing all the evidence that we received in response to the consultation and we intend to publish the government response later this summer.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of departmental procurement contracts were awarded to British companies in the last financial year.

In the financial year 2024-25, the Department awarded 274 contracts, 239 (87.2%) of which were to UK companies.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to tackle bogus self-employment in the digital economy.

The Government is clear that bogus self-employment is unacceptable. Employers should never seek to deny people their employment rights and avoid their own legal obligations by claiming someone is self-employed when in reality they are not. We recognise the complexity of the UK's current employment status framework and are committed to consulting on a simpler framework.

Our priority is ensuring those workers who are most vulnerable know their rights and have the benefit of protection at work, including those working in the digital economy.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many companies with addresses in Northern Ireland have been removed from the Companies House register in the last year by the National Economic Crime Centre.

The National Economic Crime Centre does not remove companies from the Registers of Companies. This is a function of the Registrars of Companies.

During the most recent period for which published figures are available (April 2024 to March 2025), 10,096 companies were struck off the Register of Companies for Northern Ireland and dissolved. These statistics are available from Table A9 of the Companies Register Activities: Statistical Release April 2024 to March 2025. This can be accessed at the address below:

Companies register activities: statistical release April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meetings ministers in his Department have had with secondary ticketing platforms since July 2024.

Details of the Department for Business and Trade’s ministerial meetings can be found at Gov.uk.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
8th Jul 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of artificial intelligence chatbots in toys aimed at children; and what plans they have to introduce regulations governing the use of AI in such products.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards is actively exploring the implications of integrating artificial intelligence into consumer products including toys, particularly the regulatory challenges this poses for ensuring product safety. The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which completed its passage through Parliament on 10 July, grants new powers to help ensure the UK's regulatory framework remains responsive to emerging technologies such as AI.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that SMEs can access funding opportunities under the Drive35 programme.

DRIVE35 will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. It will support the latest R&D in strategic vehicle technologies, accelerate their commercial scale-up, and unlock investment across all aspects of automotive electrification, enabling a holistic transition to next-generation electric vehicle technologies. All DRIVE35 competitions are open to SMEs.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what mechanisms are in place to monitor delivery partners' performance in disbursing Drive35 programme funding.

DRIVE35 is delivered through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK, part of UKRI.

DRIVE35 programme funding dispersed by the programme’s delivery partners is monitored in line with Cabinet Office Grant Functional Standards to ensure compliance with grant conditions and alignment with delivery requirements and the programme’s objectives. This includes undertaking effective assurance of the delivery activities undertaken by delivery partners.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of the Drive35 programme to the UK's domestic supply chain resilience in the automotive sector.

DRIVE35 will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle manufacturing It will support the latest research and development, accelerate commercial scale up, and unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries, and the wider supply chain. This will help in strengthening UK supply chain resilience, and boost competitiveness in the sector.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Industrial strategy partnership: joint statement between the UK and France, published on 11 July 2025, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the implementation of bilateral investment projects.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) tracks UK investment in various ways, including through its global network and central platform, DataHub, which monitors all Office for Investment (OfI) projects. This includes investments announced on 11 July during the UK-France Summit and the UK-France Industrial Strategy Partnership.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce industrial electricity prices.

Government is well aware of the issue of high industrial energy costs, and the challenges that poses for Energy Intensive Industries (EII). That is why we continue to offer support to electro-intensives through the EII compensation scheme and the Supercharger.

We will also soon be consulting on an uplift of the Network Charges Compensation scheme.

The recent Industrial Strategy also committed to consulting on the establishment of a new support scheme, British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) which will exempt up to 7,000 businesses from some of policy costs included within electricity bills.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on energy intensive industries.

Government is well aware of the issue of high industrial energy costs, and the challenges that poses for Energy Intensive Industries (EII). That is why we continue to offer support to electro-intensives through the EII compensation scheme and the Supercharger.

We will also soon be consulting on an uplift of the Network Charges Compensation scheme.

The recent Industrial Strategy also committed to consulting on the establishment of a new support scheme, British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) which will exempt up to 7,000 businesses from some of policy costs included within electricity bills.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to p.30 of The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's timetable is for publishing its consultation on a new British industrial competitiveness scheme.

From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour, which could benefit over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors, like automotive, and foundational manufacturing industries in the supply chains, like chemicals. Eligible businesses will be exempt from paying the costs of the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market. My department is working towards launching a consultation to determine eligibility which will open shortly. The scheme is subject to review in 2030.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in Essex to deliver place-based foreign direct investment strategies in line with the Harrington Review recommendations.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) promotes investment across the UK. At the International Investment Summit, we announced a major overhaul of how DBT will implement the Harrington Review - strengthening the Office for Investment (OfI) and aligning government efforts under a single strategic delivery plan.

We have established an expanded OfI at the heart of government to reduce duplication, offer a clearer 'single door' for investors, and increase our influence on regulation and policy across HMG. We continue working with local partners, including Essex Council, to support and showcase investment opportunities aligned with industrial and infrastructure strategies to global investors.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the UK glass manufacturing sector.

The Government continues to support the glass sector, including with their energy costs.

We recently launched the consultation to increase the Network Charging Compensation component of the British Industry Supercharger from 60% to 90% from 2026, as trailed in the Industrial Strategy. This will save eligible glass manufacturers a further £7-10 per megawatt-hour on their electricity bills, bringing the total reduction to around £78 per megawatt-hour. We will also consult on eligibility for the separate British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme in due course.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to p.12 of The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 published on 23 June 2025, on what evidential basis his Department determined which business sectors have high potential.

Invest 2035 (published on GOV.UK in October 2024) identified 8 high-level 'growth driving' sectors (the IS-8): Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. Pages 18-20 of the Invest 2035 green paper outline the methodology for identifying the IS-8 sectors.

The Technical Annex of the Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 (published on GOV.UK in June 2025) outlines the methodology for identifying the frontier industries within the IS-8 sectors.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the export credit schemes run by UK Export Finance.

The recently-published UK Export Finance (UKEF) Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) for the last financial year show that it provided a record £14.5 billion of support for exports, supported up to 70,000 UK jobs, and contributed up to £5.4 billion to the UK economy. The report is available online, along with those from previous years, at: UK Export Finance annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses have accessed the Help to Grow programme in the latest period for which data is available.

The Department for Business and Trade publishes data on participant enrolments and completions on the Help to Grow: Management course among transparency documents on gov.uk linked here. Up to the end of March 2025, the programme has supported 11,850 business people since its launch in June 2021.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the barriers to business growth in rural areas.

Rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy. Addressing the needs of businesses in rural areas is at the heart of our policymaking and we continue to revisit and improve our support offers. The upcoming Business Growth Service will unify existing core services nationally while delivering locally, collaborating with local and devolved governments and Growth Hubs.

All businesses, including rural enterprises, can access Local Growth Hubs for tailored support throughout their development journey. Growth hubs customise their offerings based on specific community needs, whether in towns or rural locations.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of new packaging regulations on the cost of producing draught and bottled beer; and whether those impacts were taken into account when setting beer duty rates.

The Government has worked closely with industry, including the brewing and hospitality sectors throughout development of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR). In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole.

Decisions on tax policy, including beer duty rates, are made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at fiscal events. The Treasury welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)