Department for Business and Trade

The UK has introduced extensive trade sanctions to prevent Russia acquiring dual‑use items used in its military operations. Since March 2022, we have banned the export of all dual‑use goods and other high‑risk technologies, including products identified on the battlefield and items critical to Russia’s military‑industrial complex.

Our comprehensive export sanctions have led Russia to pursue convoluted and costly routes to circumvent our measures via third-country intermediaries. Alongside extensive guidance and outreach to UK exporters on appropriate due diligence, we plan to bring forward secondary legislation to introduce new sanctions end-use controls. These new powers would require exporters to apply for a licence for specific exports identified to be at a high risk of diversion to a sanctioned destination.

We recognise the impact that late payment has on small and medium-sized businesses including those within the construction industry. This Government will legislate to end the scourge of late payments and will give the UK the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7. We outlined a set of proposed measures in our Late Payments Consultation, which concluded in October 2025. We will publish our response to the consultation shortly and intend to legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows.

It is not appropriate to publish individual-level personal data in a Parliamentary Question response.

No.

The government wants to see more use of UK-made steel in public projects, whilst respecting our national and international legal obligations. The latest steel public procurement data shows that in the financial year 2024-2025, where all the steel required could be produced in the UK, 95% of the steel procured by central government buyers was UK produced.

That said, we continue to strengthen mechanisms to enable the public procurement of UK-made steel. Updated steel procurement guidance (Public Procurement Policy Notice 022) was introduced in June 2025 and requires all in-scope organisations for all new relevant steel procurements to consult UK Steel’s digital catalogue before making procurement decisions and encourages them to consider if the national security exemption under the Procurement Act applies.

The government wants to see more use of UK-made steel in public projects, whilst respecting our national and international legal obligations. The latest steel public procurement data shows that in the financial year 2024-2025, where all the steel required could be produced in the UK, 95% of the steel procured by central government buyers was UK produced.

That said, we continue to strengthen mechanisms to enable the public procurement of UK-made steel. Updated steel procurement guidance (Public Procurement Policy Notice 022) was introduced in June 2025 and requires all in-scope organisations for all new relevant steel procurements to consult UK Steel’s digital catalogue before making procurement decisions and encourages them to consider if the national security exemption under the Procurement Act applies.

The UK has introduced extensive trade sanctions to prevent Russia acquiring dual‑use items used in its military operations. Since March 2022, we have banned the export of all dual‑use goods and other high‑risk technologies, including products identified on the battlefield and items critical to Russia’s military‑industrial complex.

Our comprehensive export sanctions have led Russia to pursue convoluted and costly routes to circumvent our measures. Alongside extensive guidance and outreach to UK exporters, we plan to bring forward secondary legislation to introduce new sanctions end-use controls. These new powers will help to tackle circumvention of UK goods sanctions via third countries. We work closely with international partners to close those circumvention routes and further restrict Russia’s access to sensitive technologies.

Any reports of alleged wrongdoing in public office are taken seriously by the Government. The Government remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations on records management, disclosure, and cooperation with competent authorities, and any requests will be handled in accordance with established procedures.

The Government is committed to tackling forced labour in UK and global supply chains and ensuring that UK businesses are not complicit in human rights abuses. Import bans are one of a range of tools that could be used to tackle forced labour in global supply chains. The review launched in the Trade Strategy 2025 into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct will consider policy options to complement responsible business practices; this includes import bans. The Government continues to engage with international partners, including the US, to support our shared goal of combatting forced labour in supply chains.

I refer the Member to the answer I gave on 2 March 2026 to question 115644.

I refer the Member to the answer I gave on 2 March 2026 to question 115644.

A consultation will be launched in the Spring on the amendments to legislation that will be required to deliver the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. This will include details on how the scheme will be funded.

My officials have considered the Adam Smith Institute’s report, alongside other relevant evidence, as part of the policy development process. Our consultation, Make Work Pay: trade union right of access, proposed an exemption for employers with fewer than 21 employees, with the aim of ensuring access is directed toward workplaces where recognition is most likely to be viable, while taking account of the practical implications for smaller employers.

We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will set out the Government’s final approach in our formal response, which will be published in due course.

The Government is committed to rooting out human rights, labour and environmental abuses from global supply chains. To this end, the Government is progressing the Responsible Business Conduct Review at pace, while ensuring that we harness the insights of a range of stakeholders.

The review is considering the effectiveness of the UK's current approach and assessing the merits of alternative policy options to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. We shall notify Parliament when the Review is complete.

Neither the Secretary of State nor I have held discussions with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth about anything.

Growth is this Government’s central economic mission. We have set out a long-term Industrial Strategy and Infrastructure Strategy to give investors the certainty they need to commit capital to the UK. A stable policy environment, competitive tax system and clear long-term planning underpin that confidence.

The enhanced Office for Investment works across Government to secure high-value investment, offering tailored support, removing barriers and fast-tracking investment decisions, including through the concierge and triage services. We have also mobilised the Global Talent Taskforce to attract world-class expertise to the UK. Together, these measures are driving inward investment and growth across the whole of the United Kingdom.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has no plans to introduce universal income-based pricing for all regulated utilities or merit goods.

Across both regulated utilities and merit goods, the Government aims to enhance fairness, reduce inequality, and improve affordability while maintaining service quality, financial sustainability, and investor confidence.

We remain committed to removing the discriminatory adult age band. The latest increase to the NMW of 8.5% continues to close the gap between the minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds and the NLW rate, moving towards a single adult rate.

The Department has published an Impact Assessment providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 National Minimum Wage rates.

We remain committed to removing the discriminatory adult age band. The latest increase to the NMW of 8.5% continues to close the gap between the minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds and the NLW rate, moving towards a single adult rate.

The Department has published an Impact Assessment providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 National Minimum Wage rates.

We remain committed to removing discriminatory adult age band. From 1 April, the National Minimum Wage rate for 18 to 20 year olds will increase by 8.5 per cent, continuing to narrow the gap with the National Living Wage and moving towards a single adult rate.

The Department has published an Impact Assessment providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 National Minimum Wage rates.

The steel strategy, to be published in early 2026, will set out a long-term vision for a competitive, decarbonised sector, with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure UK steelmaking and increasing overall levels of UK based production.

We’re providing up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector, delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. This is in addition to the £500m we have invested in the transformation of Port Talbot. We have also taken direct action to protect steel production at British Steel and provided a £400 million increase to the investment at Sheffield Forgemasters.

The Department for Business of Trade did not make a direct financial contribution to FGS Global in respect of the reception held at their premises on 23 June 2025. The total cost to DBT for the event, standing at £10,074.14 and comprising third-party costs (lease of disability equipment, audio visual equipment, lectern, and stage), agency time, and a crown commercial service fee, will be reflected in DBT's annual accounts, specifically the department's overall spend on events.

My department has published a robust set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

The Employment Rights Act is intended to improve security of income and work, while maintaining flexibility. Workers will be able to decline an offer of guaranteed hours if they wish. Employers with seasonal working patterns will continue to have a range of options, including the use of fixed term contracts where appropriate. The government will consult further before making regulations, including on how the right could apply in relation to annualised hours arrangements.

Nika Clarke OBE declared political activity for the Labour Party. This was declared at the time of announcement in line with Appointments guidance.

The following six Direct Ministerial Appointees declared political activity:

1. Nita Clarke - Departmental Board - (Labour Party)

2. Paul Lindley OBE - Board of Trade Advisers (Labour Party)

3. Mike Soutar - Board of Trade Advisers (Labour Party)

4. Kate Bell - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Labour Party)

5. Greg Clark - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Conservative Party)

6. Roy Rickhuss - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Labour Party)

The Government has published a comprehensive assessment on the impact of the Act. As per our Better Regulation requirements, each Impact Assessment includes a small, medium and micro business assessment.

The Small Business Plan also outlines how we will support small and medium sized businesses to grow and thrive across the UK through the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlock billions of pounds in finance to support start-ups and scale ups; remove unnecessary red tape; revitalise the High Street as a place to do business; and deliver growth boosting support for Digital and AI Adoption.

The Government has published a comprehensive assessment on the impact of the Act, which includes analysis of the potential sectoral impacts.

The Government recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to the UK, supporting local employment, sustaining high streets and communities, and playing an important role in our cultural and social fabric.

We are delivering long overdue reform to rebalance business rates system. Over 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties will benefit from permanently lower tax rates. This is a permanent tax cut worth nearly £900 million with no cash cap, benefitting all qualifying properties on high streets across England.

In our consultation, Make Work Pay: trade union right of access, we sought views on the operational details of the new statutory access framework, including any further matters the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) must have regard to when making determinations on access.

Officials are carefully reviewing all responses and the government will publish a response, which will include next steps on safeguarding considerations, before finalising these details in secondary legislation.

Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review in June 2025, the Secretary of State for Business has regularly met with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a variety of measures/policies.

Disclosure of such meetings is restricted to protect the principle of collective responsibility, allowing ministers to debate policies freely in private.

The Department for Business and Trade is committed in its support for the Strategic Defence Review through a robust economic security programme, trade remedies and other defence and security aligned policy areas.

The Government recognises the significant role rural pubs play in driving economic growth, employment and community cohesion across the UK. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector.

Following the Budget, we recently announced an additional 15% reduction in the business rates bill for pubs, alongside the permanent reduction in the business rates multiplier for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties.

We recognise that pubs are at the beating heart of communities, providing not just a place to socialise but essential services and local jobs. That's why we're investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services.

We have announced a new Hospitality Support Fund, with £10 million of funding over three years. This fund will aim to help over 1000 pubs to diversify their business models, improve efficiency and productivity in the sector; and support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality.

The Government recognises the vital contribution that breweries and local supply chains make to pubs and remains committed to supporting a sector that is diverse, competitive, and rooted in local communities.

Small Producer Relief (SPR) supports smaller producers by allowing those producing up to 4,500 hectolitres of pure alcohol per year to pay reduced duty on products below 8.5% ABV. At Budget 2025, the Government increased the cash discount for small producers, maintaining the value of SPR relative to main duty rates.

The Government works closely with industry and across departments to monitor risks to food and drink supply chain resilience, supported by regular engagement to prepare for and respond to potential disruptions

Additionally, we have reviewed the beer market to assess whether structural barriers are preventing small breweries from accessing pubs. The findings are being considered, and I will announce the outcome in due course.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in January 2026 CPI food price inflation stood at 3.6%, down from 4.5% in December. Overall CPI inflation was 3% in January 2026, compared with 3.4% in December 2025, and remains 1 percentage point above the Bank of England's 2% target.

We are committed to ensuring that regulation works better for food businesses. The new Food Inflation Gateway will assess the impact of proposed Government regulations on food businesses and food prices; while also giving firms a single, clearer line of sight on upcoming regulatory changes so they can plan with greater confidence.

In addition, the Government has introduced a series of measures to help ease cost pressures across the sector, including permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. We will continue to work closely with the sector and across Government to support resilience and help hospitality businesses navigate ongoing cost challenges.

The government is cooperating fully with the Met investigation and providing any assistance required.

The government is committed to protecting consumers who enter into subscription contracts. We consulted on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act and have engaged closely with stakeholders. We are carefully considering the points raised and a government response will be published in due course.

The Government recognises the specific challenges Shared Parental Leave can present for schools. The application of Shared Parental Leave in schools is covered by the Burgundy Book, which is negotiated between employers and teachers’ organisations. The Government has no authority over the Burgundy Book. The Department is currently undertaking a review of the parental leave and pay system, including Shared Parental Leave, to explore how the system can work best for families and employers.

We recognise the valuable contributions of independent publicans in the pubs consultation process.

Ministers and officials from my Department regularly meet with independent publicans and their trade association representatives at the British Institute of Innkeeping and are represented on the Hospitality Sector Council. Last month, I met with pub landlords at a roundtable organised by the British Institute for Innkeeping, attended by several of their members.

We always encourage them to engage with all consultations such as the recent ones on licensing reforms, market access for local beers, the Pubs Code Adjudicator and on the forthcoming review of the rateable valuation methodology for pubs.

The Government will undertake proportionate monitoring and evaluation of reforms implemented through the Employment Rights Act. To determine whether the policy has met its objectives, we will be monitoring its impacts and will undertake a proportionate review of this policy within 5 years following the policy taking effect.

The Government will work to raise awareness among businesses and employers so that they can modify their dismissal practices before implementation. We will also be working closely with delivery partners such as Acas to ensure that employer guidance and support is adequately updated ahead of January 2027.

The Government does not collect data on the level of ordinary unfair dismissals made by employers. The Government does publish data on the number of unfair dismissal claims awarded compensation at Employment Tribunal:

• 2020/21: 421
• 2021/22: 633
• 2022/23: 787
• 2023/24: 646

Tribunals statistics quarterly: April to June 2024 - GOV.UK

Note that from September 2022, the Employment Tribunal has moved to a new case management system (Reform ECM). Cases in the new system are not included in these statistics.

There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on preventing anti-social use of fireworks or the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets or vulnerable adults.

I recognise that people hold a range of views on this issue. On 19th January, MPs debated two e-petitions relating to the sale and noise of fireworks respectively. As the Minister responsible, I will ensure that all evidence gathered, including views from the debate, and experiences shared by members of the public, are fully considered. I can assure you that public safety, the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this work.

There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on preventing anti-social use of fireworks or the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets or vulnerable adults.

I recognise that people hold a range of views on this issue. On 19th January, MPs debated two e-petitions relating to the sale and noise of fireworks respectively. As the Minister responsible, I will ensure that all evidence gathered, including views from the debate, and experiences shared by members of the public, are fully considered. I can assure you that public safety, the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this work.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 will ensure people can have the security they need by giving eligible workers the right to guaranteed hours.

The next stage in implementation is a full public consultation on how the measures are implemented. Consultation will be key to ensure that the regulations deliver the benefits envisaged.

Ahead of implementation, the government will publish clear guidance for employers and workers on the new right to guaranteed hours, ensuring that everyone understands their responsibilities and entitlements.

We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel. Upon the end of Government intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, a compensation scheme will be available to Jingye, which would provide for an independent assessment to determine what amount of compensation, if any, is appropriate.

We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel. Upon the end of Government intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, a compensation scheme will be available to Jingye, which would provide for an independent assessment to determine what amount of compensation, if any, is appropriate.

We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel. Upon the end of Government intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, a compensation scheme will be available to Jingye, which would provide for an independent assessment to determine what amount of compensation, if any, is appropriate.