Nov. 21 2025
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Source Page: Research into data standards for Smart DataNov. 21 2025
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Source Page: CPTPP: joint ministerial statement in Melbourne, 21 November 2025Asked by: Joe Morris (Labour - Hexham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department plans to take to monitor participation in trade promotion programmes by SMEs in Northumberland.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I refer my hon. friend to the answer I provided to UIN 89172 on 18th November: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Asked by: Joe Morris (Labour - Hexham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Department plans to take to monitor participation in trade promotion programmes by SMEs in the North East.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I refer my hon. friend to the answer I provided to UIN 89172 on 18th November: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of export-focused civil service posts are vacant.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Export-focused civil servants are primarily employed in the Exports Directorate within the Domestic and International Markets and Exports Group (DIME) of DBT. The relevant units are currently going through a restructuring and therefore this vacancy rate is likely to change significantly by the next financial year. As of September 2025, the vacancy rate was 32% among the civil service posts in the Exports Directorate. In the Department for Business and Trade, there are other civil servants whose work relates to exports as part of their wider roles, but not the majority of their responsibilities.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) Section 232 tariffs, (b) digital tax negotiations and (c) IP reforms have been discussed with USA trade officials in the context of a future UK–USA trade agreement.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK has continued to engage across the range of issues outlined in the General Terms for the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal agreed in May.
We're continuing talks on a wider deal which will look at addressing specific tariff and non-tariff barriers, increasing digital and services trade, and unlocking new commercial opportunities that benefit both nations. We cannot comment on the specifics of live negotiations.
Intensive discussions also continue on other sectors under Section 232 investigation towards the significantly preferential outcome provided for under the General Terms.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the year-on-year spending has been for export-focused civil service teams since 2020.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The year-on-year spending is as follows:
Year | Total spend (£m) |
2020/21 | 52.6 |
2021/22 | 54 |
2022/23 | 63.7 |
2023/24 | 58.9 |
2024/25 | 45.4 |
All data has been taken from DBT's Financial Forecasting Tool (FFT). The current financial year has not been finalised, therefore response to end of 2024-25 provided.