We are the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
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: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.
Department for Business and Trade does not have Bills currently before Parliament
A Bill to Amend section 8(5) of the Industrial Development Act 1982 and section 6 of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th March 2026 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision to amend the law relating to employment rights; to make provision about procedure for handling redundancies; to make provision about the treatment of workers involved in the supply of services under certain public contracts; to provide for duties to be imposed on employers in relation to equality; to amend the definition of “employment business” in the Employment Agencies Act 1973; to provide for the establishment of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body and the Social Care Negotiating Bodies; to amend the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023; to make provision for the implementation of international agreements relating to maritime employment; to make provision about trade unions, industrial action, employers’ associations and the functions of the Certification Officer; to make provision about the enforcement of legislation relating to the labour market; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th December 2025 and was enacted into law.
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.
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).
Limit the sale of fireworks to those running local council approved events only
Gov Responded - 18 Nov 2025 Debated on - 19 Jan 2026Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public to minimise the harm caused to vulnerable people and animals. Defenceless animals can die from the distress caused by fireworks.
I believe that permitting unregulated use of fireworks is an act of wide-scale cruelty to animals.
Introduce Statutory Menstrual Leave for People with Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
Gov Responded - 20 Aug 2025 Debated on - 13 Apr 2026We call on the UK Government to introduce statutory paid menstrual leave of up to 3 days per month for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis, following the model introduced in Portugal in 2025.
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.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
The Government engages with a wide range of businesses on matters affecting the UK business and investment environment, including the digital markets regime. Such discussions are important for the exchange of views and the development of policy. As the UK’s independent competition authority, the CMA is responsible for all digital markets decisions, including on designations and interventions.
The Government is committed to delivering a competitive and prosperous digital economy. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for assessing and addressing competition in digital markets. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act provides the CMA with powers to ensure the most powerful technology firms treat businesses and consumers fairly.
On 31 March the CMA announced a package of actions on business software and cloud services, in part to enable it to ensure a level playing field as AI is rapidly embedded into everyday business software tools.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Member in the time available before Prorogation.
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Through our Clean Power 2030 mission we are taking action to accelerate the transition to clean, homegrown electricity helping to improve energy security and reduce exposure to the volatility of fossil fuel prices across of the UK economy. Alongside this, the government is considering and intends to consult stakeholders on a range of options to address the relative cost of electricity for non‑domestic users and to support the wider take‑up of low‑carbon heat.
We have introduced permanently lower business‑rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, worth nearly £900 million a year and benefiting over 750,000 premises and introduced a £4.3 billion transitional support package to protect ratepayers from large overnight increases. Later this year, we will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy, to help reinvigorate our communities. These measures will provide meaningful, long-term support to independent retailers at the heart of their communities.
Over this period, the majority of the training has been delivered via the Government Campus’ Learning Framework. The listed training includes e-learning, in-person training, live virtual training, and structured programmes involving various sessions. Some sessions have been run on a closed basis, just for DIT/DBT staff and others have involved an individual member of staff going taking a place on a cross-government course.
The attached document sets out a list of the training programmes undertaken via the framework in this period for DBT staff and for staff in DIT prior to the formal creation of DBT in Feb 2023. We do not have access to pre-DBT data from the former BEIS.
If an application is made to Government Campus and they agree that the specific learning need cannot be met via the Learning Framework, alternative training can be procured, subject to commercial rules. There is no central record of what training has been undertaken by DBT civil servants under this provision as a significant amount of learning is organised and funded at the level of individual teams.
The Government recognises the pressures that high energy costs can place on independent breweries. We engage regularly with colleagues across Government on measures to support businesses, and we keep the impact of energy prices under close review.
The Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, and the interim CEO of Ofgem, Tim Jarvis, have written to business energy suppliers setting clear expectations that customers, particularly small businesses such as independent breweries, must be treated fairly. The letter makes clear that any unfair practices will not be tolerated, and that suppliers should take a fair and supportive approach, offering maximum flexibility and transparency for small business customers.
The Government also plans to legislate on Third Party Intermediaries, including energy brokers, through the forthcoming Energy Independence Bill to strengthen protections for SMEs, including independent breweries, when they engage in the business energy market.
The department currently has no plans to review the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA).
Under the CRA, goods or digital content must be of satisfactory quality, fit for a particular purpose and as described by the seller. A trader can upgrade, fix, enhance and improve the features of, or add new features to, digital content so long as it continues to match any description given by the trader. It must also continue to conform with any pre-contract information as to main characteristics, functionality, and compatibility provided by the trader.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.