Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of introducing minimum service levels for (a) lost parcels, (b) missed deliveries and (c) proof of delivery for delivery companies enforced by (i) fines and (ii) licence restrictions.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.

Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.

In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support independent pubs in urban areas.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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

We've permanently lowered tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million annually, benefitting over 750,000 properties. The new relief rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap so all qualifying properties will benefit. The government has also introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation.

The Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of debt recovery practices used by private firms in relation to unpaid fuel transactions, including the imposition of administration fees and the use of national databases restricting access to services.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made a specific assessment of the merits of private debt recovery practices for fuel transactions. However, the Government expects all firms to treat individuals in debt fairly and to act in a responsible manner. Under general commercial law, businesses may claim reasonable debt recovery costs and interest on late payments. The specific imposition of administration fees by private firms in fuel recovery is a commercial matter, though such fees must remain transparent and proportionate to the costs incurred.

The Government remains committed to improving debt collection practices across all sectors and will continue to monitor the impact of these practices on consumers and businesses.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding Ofcom’s remit to delivery companies, including mandatory reporting of complaints and delivery metrics.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.

Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.

In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment they have made of the potential merits of setting standards for proof of delivery by delivery companies.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.

Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.

In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will list the companies that will receive 90 per cent discounted network charging costs under the proposed Network Charging Compensation scheme from 1 April 2026.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Network Charging Compensation (NCC) Scheme is one of the three components making up the British Industry Supercharger (the Supercharger). The other two components are the GB Capacity Market Exemption and Energy Intensive Industries Exemption Scheme. The most current list of recipients of Supercharger support, and therefore NCC Scheme support, can be found at the following link: Contracts for Difference (CfD) and renewables obligation (RO): list of companies awarded an exemption - GOV.UK. These recipients, and future Supercharger recipients, will benefit from 90% compensation from network charges from 1 April 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring delivery companies to obtain a licence to operate which is conditional on (a) performance, (b) workforce practices and (c) complaint handling.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Postal Services Act 2011 introduced a general authorisation regime to provide postal services, removing the requirement for postal operators to hold a licence.  However, the provision of those services by postal operators may be subject to regulatory conditions imposed by Ofcom, as the independent regulator for the sector.

Ofcom requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.

Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress has been made in the statutory review into the right to time off work for special constables established under the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government is continuing to progress the review into the right to time off work for public duties. The main evidence-gathering and analysis stages of the review have been completed. I will consider findings of the review, including that of special constables, in the first half of this year and subsequently publish before 18 December 2026. We are grateful to officials from across government for providing evidence in support of this review and we will continue to engage as the review and any subsequent steps progress.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 on (a) the instances and duration of industrial action in local authorities and (b) disorder on municipal picket lines.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the relevant trade union-related measures now in the Employment Rights Act 2025. The impact assessment covering the Act’s repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 included an assessment of the expected impact on industrial action.

Local Authorities are independent employers responsible for managing industrial relations and industrial action risks.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the potential impact of inflationary pressures on the pub industry, including rising energy costs, business rates, supply chain costs, and staffing pressures.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing pubs, including those in Weston‑super‑Mare, and is taking action to support them.

Through the Zero Carbon Hospitality Trial, 615 small and medium‑sized hospitality businesses are receiving free carbon‑footprinting and energy‑saving advice to help reduce costs. We have permanently lowered business rates multipliers for eligible Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties, and have introduced a £4.3 billion support package over the next three years to protect ratepayers from increases following the business rates revaluation, with over half seeing no rise in bills.

In addition, we have raised the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning 865,000 employers will pay no NICs this year, helping small businesses manage staffing costs.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen trading standards enforcement against rogue high street traders.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need. The department continues to engage with Trading Standards and supports their efforts and work in tackling rogue high street traders.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) small and (b) start-up businesses.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is committed to supporting small and start-up businesses through the Small Business Plan - the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium size businesses in a generation.

Start-ups play a crucial role in fostering competition and innovation, and we are improving access to finance for start-ups through Start Up Loans provided by the British Business Bank.

Last year, we launched a new Business Growth Service to make it easier for small businesses to access the right advice and support and we are boosting SME growth through new digital and AI Adoption initiatives.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the Corporate Power Purchase Agreements system as it applies to automotive manufacturing.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) allow businesses to enhance competitiveness by securing stable, competitively priced electricity.

The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy committed to issue a call for evidence on how the British CPPA market can be improved for industry. The call for evidence, run by DBT and DESNZ, was launched on 9 January and closes 6 March. Ideas generated will be carefully reviewed to inform future policy development.

Future policy will complement existing support for the automotive sector including the DRIVE35 initiative, an additional 1.3bn in the Electric Car Grant and increased funding for charging infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to bring high skilled jobs to former coalfield areas.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is committed to revitalising former coalfield areas by driving local growth and creating high-skilled, long-term employment through targeted industrial and regional strategies. In the Industrial Strategy we announced £1.2 billion of additional investment in skills per year by 2028-29.

On 23 June 2025, the Government published the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, which consolidates previous Freeport and Investment Zone programmes. Several Investment Zones are located in or near former coalfield heartlands, including the East Midlands, South Yorkshire, and the North East. These zones receive up to £160 million over 10 years for tax incentives and interventions in skills and infrastructure.

The Government continues to work with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which supported over 7,200 people in 2024/25 to improve their skills and job opportunities. In Wales, the Welsh Government provides specific capital grants to safeguard and improve community facilities in coalfield communities.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress his department has made on the parental leave and pay review.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Parental Leave and Pay Review’s Call for Evidence closed on 25 August 2025 after receiving almost 1500 responses, which are currently being analysed and will go on to inform the review.

We are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including advocacy groups, trade unions and business representatives, including through a series of thematic roundtables to inform our ongoing work. We intend to continue this engagement in 2026.

The Review will be concluded in early 2027 and the Government will outline next steps for taking any reforms forward to implementation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps are being taken to help reduce levels of closures of community pubs and high-street hospitality venues.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the vital role community pubs and high-street hospitality venues play in local economies and social life; we also recognise the pressures they face.

The Government has permanently lowered business rates multipliers for eligible Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties and have introduced a £4.3 billion support package over the next three years to protect ratepayers from increases following the business rates revaluation. Additionally, through the English Devolution Bill, we have introduced a strong new ‘right to buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets, empowering local communities to reclaim and revitalise empty shops, pubs, and community spaces, helping to revamp our high streets and eliminate the blight of vacant premises

We will continue work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the role of pubs in supporting local economies and employment, particularly in rural areas.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We recognise the significant contribution hospitality businesses, including pubs, make in driving economic growth and providing jobs, especially in rural and coastal communities.

No formal assessment has been made of the role pubs play in supporting local economies and employment, particularly in rural areas. In 2024, the hospitality sector contributed £51.3 billion to the UK economy, representing around 2% of total output and supporting 2 million jobs, or 6.1% of total UK employment.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which Horizon Shortfall Scheme payments are 1) exempt from tax and 2) subject to tax, and whether these taxation rules apply to all historical payments already paid out.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) is designed to put postmasters back into the position they would have been in ‘but for’ Horizon, and no one will pay more tax than at the time of the shortfalls. All fully assessed HSS awards are paid gross and taxable in the year in which redress is paid, unlike other schemes where awards are paid after tax deductions. To avoid claimants being unduly affected, HSS provides a tax top-up, so redress is not reduced. Postmasters also receive £1,200 for independent tax advice and help with tax returns. Payments related to the fixed-sum option on HSS, and associated top-ups, are tax exempt.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 104310, on Trade Barriers: Regulation, whether he intends to publish the results of the most recent business questionnaire on domestic regulation.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

On 21 October 2025, the Government launched a business questionnaire, ‘Unlocking Business: reform driven by you’, to gather feedback from UK businesses to identify outdated, duplicative, or disproportionate regulations and regulatory practices that hinder growth and innovation. The questionnaire concluded on 16 December 2025, and the responses are now being analysed by officials in the Department for Business and Trade. These will help to inform our Regulation for Growth programme going forward and we will publish our overall findings in due course

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have considered the potential merits of compulsory training for delivery company workers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade has not considered this. The private sector is responsible for determining any specific training their employees require, although under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers have a duty to ensure their employees receive adequate information, instruction, and training to ensure the health and safety of their employees.

The Act and its relevant statutory provisions only apply to the self-employed where their work activity poses a risk to the health and safety of others. The requirement for delivery drivers to be licensed falls to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Police.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the potential merits of setting sectoral minimum pay levels for delivery companies.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is responsible for setting statutory minimum wage rates which provide consistency and clarity for all employers and workers operating across different locations and different sectors. When it comes to sector-based policy, we are currently working to deliver the first Fair Pay Agreement process for adult social care in England, which will see sector representatives negotiate pay, terms and conditions for the sector.

Based on the lessons learned from this, officials will carefully consider any future sectors where such arrangements may be relevant.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered legislating to (a) require and (b) strongly encourage delivery company workers to join a union.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

This government believes that strong trade unions are essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination, enforcement, and low pay.

Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, we are introducing a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a union and simplifying the statutory recognition trade union process, so that working people have a more meaningful right to organise through trade unions should they choose to do so. These measures affect all those in an employment relationship, including delivery company workers who meet the worker status criteria.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department holds information on delays to postal deliveries in (a) the West Midlands, (b) Birmingham and (c) the Birmingham Northfield constituency.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government does not collect or hold this information. Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Royal Mail to encourage timely deliveries in Birmingham.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

In November, I met the CEOs of Royal Mail and International Distribution Services and raised concerns about Royal Mail's performance. They reported continued targeted action to improve reliability. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and implement a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on implementing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership provisions to facilitate UK-Canada trade; and whether his Department has identified any specific sectors where Canadian exporters continue to face non-tariff barriers when trading with the UK.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Businesses will benefit from better trade terms with Canada once they ratify our CPTPP accession, which should happen later this year. Canada began its ratification legislative process last September, and it is making good progress through their Parliament.

My Department is helping businesses take advantage of the opportunities offered by CPTPP through engagement, guidance, and practical support, and we will share detailed guidance on Canada at entry into force. The Government will continue to work with our Canadian counterparts to reduce barriers and enable businesses in both countries to reap the benefits offered by CPTPP.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help ensure that revised steel safeguard measures applying from June 2026 maintain access to steel feedstock covered by categories 1A, 12A, 12B and 16, in cases where UK steel mills may produce steel within the same HS codes but not to a quality suitable for bright drawing applications.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government continues to closely monitor market trends, including for categories 1A, 12A, 12B and 16, to ensure UK manufacturers retain reliable access to appropriate feedstock. We are exploring a range of options to support the UK steel industry and ensure security of supply beyond the expiry of the Safeguard in June this year. We will share more information in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of imports of bright steel bar on (a) the viability of UK bright drawing businesses and (b) levels of (i) business closures, (ii) administrations, (iii) deactivation of production and (iv) production in the sector since 2021.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In 2021, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) conducted a transition review of the steel safeguard measure which is applied via tariff-rate quotas. The TRA recommended maintaining protections on steel categories only where justified; bright steel bar (category 27) was among the product categories where evidence did not support continuation of the safeguard. The Secretary of State at the time accepted the TRA’s recommendation.

The UK’s trade remedies system is industry led. Where UK industry believe they are being injured, or there is the threat of injury, from unfair foreign trade practices, I encourage UK industry to engage directly with the TRA. I am not aware of any current applications to the TRA from category 27 producers.

The Department continues to closely monitor market trends and engage with the steel industry to identify and address any significant developments affecting producers and supply chains. The sector is facing a challenging and uncertain global landscape due to significant steel overcapacity. We are therefore developing robust new measures in light of the steel safeguard expiring at the end of June 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the removal of tariff rate quota safeguarding measures for bright steel bar (category 27) in 2021 on UK producers; and whether he plans to re-introduce safeguarding measures for that product as part of the current review of steel safeguards before their expiry in June 2026.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In 2021, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) conducted a transition review of the steel safeguard measure which is applied via tariff-rate quotas. The TRA recommended maintaining protections on steel categories only where justified; bright steel bar (category 27) was among the product categories where evidence did not support continuation of the safeguard. The Secretary of State at the time accepted the TRA’s recommendation.

The UK’s trade remedies system is industry led. Where UK industry believe they are being injured, or there is the threat of injury, from unfair foreign trade practices, I encourage UK industry to engage directly with the TRA. I am not aware of any current applications to the TRA from category 27 producers.

The Department continues to closely monitor market trends and engage with the steel industry to identify and address any significant developments affecting producers and supply chains. The sector is facing a challenging and uncertain global landscape due to significant steel overcapacity. We are therefore developing robust new measures in light of the steel safeguard expiring at the end of June 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of import penetration in the UK bright steel bar market since the removal of safeguarding measures in 2021.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In 2021, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) conducted a transition review of the steel safeguard measure which is applied via tariff-rate quotas. The TRA recommended maintaining protections on steel categories only where justified; bright steel bar (category 27) was among the product categories where evidence did not support continuation of the safeguard. The Secretary of State at the time accepted the TRA’s recommendation.

The UK’s trade remedies system is industry led. Where UK industry believe they are being injured, or there is the threat of injury, from unfair foreign trade practices, I encourage UK industry to engage directly with the TRA. I am not aware of any current applications to the TRA from category 27 producers.

The Department continues to closely monitor market trends and engage with the steel industry to identify and address any significant developments affecting producers and supply chains. The sector is facing a challenging and uncertain global landscape due to significant steel overcapacity. We are therefore developing robust new measures in light of the steel safeguard expiring at the end of June 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a work experience scheme for relevant Ministers to shadow small business owners.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

This government is committed to hardwiring the voice of SME owners and entrepreneurs into government policy.

For example, as part of co-designing our Plan for Small Business launched in July 2025, DBT Ministers engaged with hundreds of individual SMEs across all sectors and regions, including through roundtables across key areas, such as High Streets, Markets and Finance, as well as specific policy events such as at Wilton Park.

Ministers and their teams continue to work closely with individual SMEs and the trade associations that represent them on an ongoing basis.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has assessed the potential impact on UK producers of changes announced to EU steel safeguard quotas applying from June 2026..

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Steel is a high priority for this Government. We have worked closely with industry on potential impacts and their needs in terms of EU market access and are now engaging closely with the EU to make the case. We expect the EU to honour the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The UK will always defend its critical steel industry where required, and we want to work with our closest allies to address global challenges. We look forward to saying more soon, including in our forthcoming Steel Strategy.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that importers ensure that their goods are free from forced labour.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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. A range of existing measures already support this, including the Procurement Act 2023, Overseas Business Risk guidance, and the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The review launched in the Trade Strategy into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct focuses on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. It will assess effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and the merits of alternative measures to support responsible business practices.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact the Welsh Government’s proposed UK Internal Market Act exemption to run its own Deposit Return Scheme would have on (a) existing and (b) future UK trade deals.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We have not made such specific assessments, however we are keen to progress a UK Deposit Return Scheme and are currently evaluating the Welsh Government's proposal for an exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act as set out in the UK Internal Market Act Review published in July 2025.

As part of that process we have been engaging with stakeholders to gather evidence and feedback on the impact of the Welsh Government proposal on the UK internal market.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 104305, on Trade: Regulation, what analysis he undertook in order to come to his conclusion.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In order to assess regulations as they affect business, the department employs a number of methodologies and draws on data from a wide variety of internal and external sources. We have not identified any data gaps that limit the Department’s ability to assess regulations. For example, in order to estimate the benefits of removing trade-related barriers facing UK exporters, the Department uses a methodology which is published on Gov.UK and continuously reviewed to ensure that it remains effective and proportionate, including consideration of any data challenges.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Trade Remedies Authority on the treatment of bright steel bar and associated raw material categories; and whether he will ensure that representations from UK bright drawing businesses are included in that process.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department engages regularly with the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), including on matters related to steel product categories. The UK’s trade remedies system is industry led, and we encourage bright steel bar and bright drawing businesses to raise any concerns directly with the TRA. In the 2021 transition review, the TRA determined that category 27 (bright steel bar) did not meet the threshold for serious injury required to justify safeguard continuation; no subsequent evidence has been submitted to support reinstatement.

The Department continues to closely monitor market trends and actively engage with the steel industry to identify and address any significant developments affecting producers and supply chains. The Department will ensure industry views are considered as part of any formal procedure undertaken by the TRA with respect to bright steel bar and associated raw materials

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the press release entitled Joint statement between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister of Canada, published on 15 June 2025, on what date (a) he and (b) the Prime Minister of Canada expect to receive the report from the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June 2025, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group met over the course of last year in order to identify ways in which the UK and Canada can deepen cooperation, tackle market access barriers and grow our bilateral trading relationship, which was worth £30bn in the 12 months to June 2025.

The joint report for Prime Ministers itself is subject to ongoing discussions with the Government of Canada, and will be finalised in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of banning of petrol and diesel car sales after 2030 on the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for investment.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In 2024, the UK exported 77% of the cars it produced, and non zero emissions cars can continue to be sold internationally beyond 2030.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of granting the Welsh Government’s proposed UK Internal Market Act exemption on the Deposit Return Scheme on (a) businesses and (b) consumers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We have not made such specific assessments, however we are keen to progress a UK Deposit Return Scheme and are currently evaluating the Welsh Government's proposal for an exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act as set out in the UK Internal Market Act Review published in July 2025.

As part of that process we have been engaging with stakeholders to gather evidence and feedback on the impact of the Welsh Government proposal on the UK internal market.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of company directors successfully completed their identity verification with Companies House by the deadline of 18 November 2025; and whether feedback is being sought on the difficulties of completing the web-based verification process.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Directors were not required to verify their identities by 18 November 2025. This date marked the start of a 12-month transition period during which existing directors must verify their identities by providing their personal code with the relevant companies' confirmation statement. This could only be done after the start of the transition period. The deadline for filing the confirmation statement determines the deadline for verification for existing directors. No significant decrease in the timeliness of confirmation statement filings has been observed.

Companies House continuously seeks feedback from its customers and is providing focussed support to those required to verify.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the types of trade barriers faced by Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises when exporting to the UK; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce regulatory and customs friction for Canadian exporters following the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My Department is committed to supporting British exporters, including by ensuring they can trade under CPTPP terms with Canada as soon as possible.

UK businesses will benefit from the CPTPP Customs Chapter, which promotes efficient, consistent, transparent, and predictable customs procedures, while also allowing Parties to maintain effective customs control. CPTPP members have also committed to updating and enhancing the customs Chapter, as set out within the General Review Report in the CPTPP Ministerial Joint Statement, November 2025.

These enhancements will apply to the UK-Canada relationship once CPTPP enters into force between our countries, which should be later this year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps will be taken to implement the recommendations of the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June 2025, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group met over the course of last year in order to identify ways in which the UK and Canada can deepen cooperation, tackle market access barriers and grow our bilateral trading relationship, which was worth £30bn in the 12 months to June 2025.

The Working Group has identified a number of priority bilateral workstreams for 2026, including updating the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin, and deepening cooperation on critical minerals, carbon border measures, economic security, and defence procurement and trade.

The joint report for Prime Ministers itself is subject to ongoing discussions with the Government of Canada, and will be finalised in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he will publish the findings of the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June 2025, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group met over the course of last year in order to identify ways in which the UK and Canada can deepen cooperation, tackle market access barriers and grow our bilateral trading relationship, which was worth £30bn in the 12 months to June 2025.

The Working Group has identified a number of priority bilateral workstreams for 2026, including updating the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin, and deepening cooperation on critical minerals, carbon border measures, economic security, and defence procurement and trade.

The joint report for Prime Ministers itself is subject to ongoing discussions with the Government of Canada, and will be finalised in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Department for Business and Trade welcomes the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations but has no wider plans to commemorate this.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the current status is of the report of the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June 2025, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group met over the course of last year in order to identify ways in which the UK and Canada can deepen cooperation, tackle market access barriers and grow our bilateral trading relationship, which was worth £30bn in the 12 months to June 2025 .

The Working Group has identified a number of priority bilateral workstreams for 2026, including updating the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin, and deepening cooperation on critical minerals, carbon border measures, economic security, and defence procurement and trade.

The joint report for Prime Ministers itself is subject to ongoing discussions with the Government of Canada, and will be finalised in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether provisions of the UK-India trade deal address the freedom and human rights of minority groups in India.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The landmark UK-India trade deal includes chapters on labour, gender, environment and anti-corruption. In common with most free trade agreements it enables the two partners to discuss important matters including human rights on a regular basis. It is not our only means of advancing concerns.

The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India track human rights across the country. We engage Indian stakeholders on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support pubs with operating costs in Eastleigh constituency.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation.

This includes regular engagement with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council which provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.

We also maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long-term stability.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that imported electrical products meet British safety standards.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

UK product safety regulations require that all consumer products placed on the market must be safe. The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 place responsibilities on importers of electrical products to ensure their safety and compliance with the law. The Office for Product Safety and Standards and Local Authority Trading Standards enforce these laws and can require the removal of non-compliant or unsafe products from supply. While standards can be designated by Government as a voluntary route for businesses to demonstrate compliance with the law, businesses remain responsible for ensuring products comply with the full regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to regulate pub-owning companies and breweries with fewer than 500 tied tenants.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government currently has no plans to consider regulating pub owning companies with less than 500 tied tenants, or to regulate breweries. Pub owning businesses that don’t meet the qualifying threshold for the Pubs Code can, however, join a voluntary scheme administered by the Pub Governing Body. This scheme, also known as the Voluntary Pubs Code, provides signatories with a dispute resolution service and fair methods of determining rent by an independent expert.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will meet with fireworks industry stakeholders, such as Fireworks Impact Coalition, to discuss calls for a comprehensive review of fireworks legislation.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

I will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on fireworks-related issues. I also recently met with the Scottish Government, and a number of MPs to discuss fireworks policy and hope to meet with the Fireworks Impact coalition in the near future.

The insights from these discussions, as well as other evidence gathered on the impact of fireworks will guide future action.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department has made on assessing the beer market to determine potential structural barriers preventing small brewers from accessing pubs.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries, the findings from which are currently being considered by ministers.

We’ve introduced a Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects aligned with Department for Business & Trade and Hospitality Sector Council priorities, such as supporting initiatives like investing £440,000 to help rural pubs diversify as community hubs, delivered with Pub is The Hub to unlock over 40 stalled projects.

We also maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as Society of Independent Brewers, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long-term stability.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help promote the growth of independent brewers in Eastleigh constituency.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries, the findings from which are currently being considered by ministers.

We’ve introduced a Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects aligned with Department for Business & Trade and Hospitality Sector Council priorities, such as supporting initiatives like investing £440,000 to help rural pubs diversify as community hubs, delivered with Pub is The Hub to unlock over 40 stalled projects.

We also maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as Society of Independent Brewers, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long-term stability.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to adopt a UK-wide model similar to the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Act (Scotland) 2022.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There are currently no plans to adopt a model similar to the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Act (Scotland) 2022 on a UK-wide basis.

I recently met with Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety in the Scottish Government to understand the impact of changes made in Scotland. In addition to this meeting, I will engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. The safety of the public and the impact on people, animals and property will be central in decisions on how the Government proceeds in relation to the regulation of fireworks.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made to determine whether the 120 dB noise limit for consumer fireworks is sufficient to protect animals and vulnerable people from harm.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

No recent formal assessment of the fireworks legislation has been made including whether further restrictions on sales and use would fuel illegal trade or whether the 120 dB noise limit for consumer firework is sufficient.

I launched a public campaign on fireworks safety in October, just ahead of the fireworks season. Ensuring that these materials were shared widely helped to increase their impact. The campaign featured new guidance for those running community fireworks events, as well as social media materials that emphasised the risks associated with the misuse of fireworks.

To inform any future decisions in relation to the regulation of fireworks, I will engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. The safety of the public and the impact on people, animals and property will be central in decisions on how the Government proceeds in relation to the regulation of fireworks.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment of the fireworks black market his Department has made to determine whether further restrictions on sales and use of fireworks would fuel illegal trade.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

No recent formal assessment of the fireworks legislation has been made including whether further restrictions on sales and use would fuel illegal trade or whether the 120 dB noise limit for consumer firework is sufficient.

I launched a public campaign on fireworks safety in October, just ahead of the fireworks season. Ensuring that these materials were shared widely helped to increase their impact. The campaign featured new guidance for those running community fireworks events, as well as social media materials that emphasised the risks associated with the misuse of fireworks.

To inform any future decisions in relation to the regulation of fireworks, I will engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. The safety of the public and the impact on people, animals and property will be central in decisions on how the Government proceeds in relation to the regulation of fireworks.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will conduct a review into fireworks legislation.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

No recent formal assessment of the fireworks legislation has been made including whether further restrictions on sales and use would fuel illegal trade or whether the 120 dB noise limit for consumer firework is sufficient.

I launched a public campaign on fireworks safety in October, just ahead of the fireworks season. Ensuring that these materials were shared widely helped to increase their impact. The campaign featured new guidance for those running community fireworks events, as well as social media materials that emphasised the risks associated with the misuse of fireworks.

To inform any future decisions in relation to the regulation of fireworks, I will engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. The safety of the public and the impact on people, animals and property will be central in decisions on how the Government proceeds in relation to the regulation of fireworks.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish a response to the Statutory review of Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator 2022 to 2025.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The third statutory review covering the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2025 is in progress and the government’s report will be published as soon as practicable. My officials are currently analysing the evidence collected from last year’s call for evidence and from other publicly available sources. Stakeholder responses to the call for evidence have greatly assisted my officials in identifying emerging themes and are further informing the review’s content. I am grateful for the helpful input provided by stakeholders and will continue to engage with them in taking forward the conclusions to the review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing licensing requirements for the establishment of (a) hairdressers and (b) barbers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the significant economic and social role that the hairdressing and barbering industry plays in high streets and communities across the UK.

The Hairdressers Registration Act of 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers, although registration remains voluntary. Hairdressing salons and barbers, like other employers, are subject to normal business regulations such as health and safety requirements, employer and public liability insurance.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have set up a forum with the industry on informing the hair and beauty sector on good compliance. However, the government has no current plans to introduce further regulation of the industry, but we will always remain open to evidence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to require delivery companies to (a) employ drivers on a contractual basis and (b) prohibit the use of temporary and self-employed workers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Employment status is not a choice: it depends on the reality of the relationship between an individual and their employer. Individuals working for delivery companies may be employees, limb (b) workers, or self-employed. As private sector businesses, delivery companies are responsible for determining the engagement models that best suit their operations, provided they comply with the law.

While the Government recognises temporary or self-employed arrangements can provide valued flexibility, we also recognise concerns regarding exploitation of the current employment status framework and will consult on addressing these as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of making couriers jointly liable with retailers for (a) losses, (b) delays and (c) mis-deliveries.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The department has not made any such assessment as we believe current liability provisions are clear. When a consumer purchases a product, the contract is with the seller, not the delivery company. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the seller is responsible for delivery of goods bought online until they are in the consumer’s possession.

In addition, under the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Act 2024, an invitation to purchase is between the trader and consumer, and traders must not mislead consumers about delivery arrangements.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, by how much they plan to reduce their Department's budget to help fund the digital ID scheme.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Cabinet Office are inviting the public to have their say in the upcoming consultation as we develop a safe, secure, and inclusive system for the UK. No final decisions will be made until after the consultation, including the level of any contribution from the Department for Business and Trade’s budgets towards the scheme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the banning of petrol and diesel car sales after 2030 on the British automobile manufacturing industry.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government remains committed to the transition to Zero Emission Vehicles, and to making sure the transition works for industry. That is why we introduced significant changes to the ZEV Mandate last year, allowing for greater flexibility in meeting the targets. We have also committed £4 billion in funding for DRIVE35, which is the biggest government investment in our automotive sector in decades. In addition, we are investing an additional £1.3 billion in the Electric Car Grant.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that locksmiths meet (a) legal, (b) professional and (c) security standards.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members.

The government keeps the occupational regulation regime under review and continues to monitor any concerns raised by the public or the industry, including those related to locksmithing.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of a UK–EU youth mobility scheme on labour supply in sectors reliant on temporary or seasonal workers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Under a Youth Experience Scheme, young Brits and EU citizens will be given the opportunity to travel and work abroad, providing a highly valuable form of cultural exchange. My Department is committed towards the inclusion of as many sectors as possible to provide the widest possible set of opportunities for our young people. The exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation, and I therefore cannot comment on potential impact, but it is in the UK and EU’s interests to stand up the scheme quickly so that young UK and EU nationals can take up these opportunities as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the EU on employment levels in regulated professions.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We remain committed to improving the recognition of professional qualifications with the EU. Highly skilled professionals from the EU make a valuable contribution to the UK’s regulated sectors and vice versa. We continually assess the benefits that mutual recognition would bring, including the impact on employment levels in regulated professions in the UK and the opportunities for UK businesses in the EU. Improvements would reduce market access barriers, address skills gaps, increase service exports and promote growth across regulated professions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the role a youth mobility scheme could play in supporting UK–EU trade in services.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We have not made such a precise assessment but since we are still working towards concluding negotiations on the Youth Experience Scheme by the next EU-UK summit, I cannot provide a running commentary on ongoing negotiations. We will update the House in the usual way as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of improving market access for UK legal services in the European Union through the 2026 review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We recognise the merits of improving market access across the board, which is why we remain committed to improving market access for UK service providers, including legal services. The EU is the most economically significant destination for UK legal services exports, at £3.3bn in 2024.

We continue to explore opportunities to reduce market access barriers, address skills gaps, and promote growth for the legal sector with our European partners, including through the Trade Specialised Committee on Services, Investment and Digital Trade, the dedicated dialogues on recognition of professional qualifications and business mobility and future UK-EU summits.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions are they taking to support pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government recognises the vital contribution pubs, restaurants and cafés make to local communities and the wider economy. We are supporting the sector through a range of measures to ease cost pressures and promote long term resilience.

This includes permanently lowering business rates multipliers for eligible Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties and we have also introduced a £4.3 billion business rates support package to protect ratepayers from increases following the revaluation. In addition, raising the Employment Allowance to £10,500 means around 865,000 employers will pay no National Insurance Contributions this year.

Furthermore, The Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the consultation on rights of trade unions to access workplaces, how many responses did the consultation receive, and what percentage of those responses were from a) SMEs, b) other sized businesses, c) trade unions, and d) any other organisations.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government is carefully reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish its formal response in due course. This will include a breakdown of respondents.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they plan to publish the revised implementation timetable for the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As set out in the Implementation Roadmap, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will be delivered in phases to give employees and employers time to prepare.

Following Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 was repealed. In February further trade union measures will commence, including repealing the majority of the Trade Union Act 2016.

Further measures will take effect in April 2026, including day one rights to statutory sick pay and paternity leave, and launch of the Fair Work Agency.

The Government remains committed to the Implementation Roadmap timelines and will provide further updates and support for employers and workers in early 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to address rogue builders in (a) Gloucester and (b) England.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We continue to engage with stakeholders as to whether a wider licencing scheme would improve standards of consumer protection. This work is progressing alongside our broader initiatives to improve consumer redress routes and to enhance competency across the construction sector through the Industry Competence Committee, ensuring a comprehensive approach to raising standards throughout the industry.

Furthermore, the Government is fully committed to implementing the Grenfell Inquiry recommendation that principal contractors working on higher-risk buildings should be licenced through a scheme managed by the Building Safety Regulator. We have accepted this recommendation as an important step in enhancing building safety standards.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support local pubs.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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

We have permanently lowered tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a ratable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million annually, benefitting over 750,000 properties. The new relief rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap so all qualifying properties will benefit. To support with any bill increases due to rateable value changes, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years.

The Chancellor also announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of the budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of jobs lost in the retail sector as a result of high street store closures; and what proportion of those losses they attribute to recent increases in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Department recognises the pressures facing high streets and the implications for employment in the retail sector. Our Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses places high streets at the centre of economic renewal, supporting SMEs through improved finance access, reduced regulatory burdens and enhanced business support through the Business Growth Service.

The Government has not undertaken any modelling to evaluate the relationship between retail job losses and recent adjustments to employer National Insurance contributions or increases in the National Living Wage.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they expect the rate of high street store closures and retail job losses to increase or decrease over the next two years; and on what evidence or modelling that assessment is based.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has not undertaken any assessment or modelling on this subject.

Our Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses, published in July, places high streets at the centre of economic renewal, recognising them as vital centres of growth and employment. SMEs on the high street will also benefit from new tools to unlock access to finance, action on late payments and regulatory costs, greater digital adoption and easier pathways to business support through the Business Growth Service.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cumulative impact of business rates, employer National Insurance contributions, and wage regulation on the competitiveness of bricks-and-mortar retailers compared with online-only retailers.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Government works closely with the Retail Sector Council and industry bodies to help inform support for bricks and mortar businesses and ensuring a level playing field with online only retailers, including targeted reliefs and measures.

The government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth nearly £900 million per year, benefiting over 750,000 properties. To protect businesses from bill increases following the 2026 revaluation, a £4.3 billion support package is being implemented over three years.

Additionally, the retail sector will benefit from a rebalanced business rates system, with large distribution warehouses paying around £100 million more in 2026/27, with this funding directly lowering bills for in-person retail. The government has also launched a Small Business Plan aimed at removing barriers holding back businesses and breathing new life into high streets.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support high street retailers facing rising cost pressures, including increases in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage; and what assessment they have made of the adequacy of existing support measures for preventing further store closures.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth nearly £900 million per year, benefiting over 750,000 properties. We are also implementing a £4.3 billion support package over three years to protect businesses from bill increases following the 2026 revaluation.

The Employment Allowance has more than doubled to £10,500, ensuring that over half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities will either gain or see no change this financial year. We also launched a Small Business Plan aimed at removing barriers holding back businesses and breathing new life into high streets.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Make Work Pay: Right of Trade Unions to Access Workplaces, published on 23 October 2025, what discussions he has had with business organisations about the raising of the threshold to exempt SMEs with a headcount less than 250 employees.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

As part of the consultation process, we engaged with business organisations and unions on proposals put forward in the public consultation, including the proposed exemption from statutory access provisions for employers of a certain size. We are carefully reviewing all responses to this consultation and will publish a formal response in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review company insolvency rules that permit company directors to retain significant personal assets following corporate bankruptcy.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Companies are separate legal entities and directors only become liable for company debts under limited circumstances. This protection encourages entrepreneurship and is central to the health of the UK economy.

Most companies do not become insolvent due to any wrongdoing by the company directors. However, when there is evidence of misconduct, the Insolvency Service may take action to disqualify a director, and where the disqualified director’s conduct has caused a quantifiable loss, can apply to the court for a compensation order to recover personal assets for the benefit of creditors.

There are no plans to review this legislation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the adequacy of delivery services (a) in Rushcliffe constituency and (b) nationally.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

In November, I met the CEOs of Royal Mail and International Distribution Services and raised concerns about Royal Mail’s performance. They reported continued targeted action to improve reliability. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and implement a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the American ambassador on tariffs.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on 18 January. DBT Ministers and officials are in regular contact with all levels of the US Administration. Although I attended an event with the American Ambassador celebrating our shared trade, when we talked about a variety of subjects, including rugby, I have not specifically spoken to him about tariffs.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the increase in UK GDP will be from the upgraded UK-Republic of Korea agreement.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The upgraded UK-Republic of Korea (RoK) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) guarantees permanent tariff-free access to 98% of RoK’s lines, ensuring £2 billion of UK goods exports at risk of additional duties can continue to benefit from reduced tariffs. New services provisions could also help increase UK services exports by £400 million annually in the long term.

Once the upgraded agreement is signed we will publish detailed analytical information, including trade impacts. As this is an upgraded FTA, we intend to use a New Quantitative Trade Model (NQTM) which will provide a more accurate overview of the upgraded FTA’s economic impact.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the East of England APPG and Local Government East's report entitled Opportunity East One Year On, published on 19 November 2025.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Opportunity East: One Year On makes a strong case for the role of the East of England in driving growth and prosperity. We welcome the efforts of the APPG and Local Government East in raising the profile of the region and highlighting its great potential. Within the last year, the Department for Business and Trade has considered the report's recommendations in the development of the Industrial Strategy, sector plans and infrastructure priorities.

The Department will continue to work with regional partners to address barriers to investment, including housing delivery, infrastructure capacity and skills, to unlock the region's economic opportunities.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Northern Growth Envoy on engaging with hon. Members representing constituencies in the North of England.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has set out a Northern Growth Strategy, which will unlock the potential of the Northern Growth Corridor across the Pennines and catalyse growth in key sectors across the whole of the North, in partnership with local leaders and businesses. The Government’s announcement follows a programme of engagement with interested parties across the Corridor, including local leaders, businesses, trade unions, and Northern MPs, by Ministers across government, in consultation and collaboration with Tom Riordan, the Government’s Northern Growth Envoy.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of moving the BVRLA guidelines on Fair Wear and Tear onto a statutory basis for people hiring cars.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of moving the BVRLA guidelines on Fair Wear and Tear onto a statutory basis for people hiring cars.

BVLRA members are bound by the BVLRA's Code of Conduct which ensures fair treatment in assessing vehicle condition upon return. Failure to do so could represent a breach of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring car hire companies to capture and store digitally timestamped (a) photographic and (b) video evidence of a vehicle’s condition both at check-out and check-in for people hiring cars.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Competition and Markets Authority published guidance in 2018 to support car rental companies to comply with consumer law. The department does not intend to impose specific obligations on car rental companies regarding how they monitor the vehicle's condition. Consumers are advised to keep their own records regarding the state of the vehicle before and after the hire, so that they can dispute any damage claims if required.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to carry out further consultations on section 68 of the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Before section 68 is brought into force, the Employment Rights Act 2025 requires the Government to consider the impact of non-postal balloting on participation in industrial action ballots and lay a statement before Parliament setting out how regard has been given to any impact. The Government will undertake this requirement once electronic balloting has been established.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much their Department has spent on (a) advertising and (b) marketing in each of the last three years.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Government marketing supports the effective communication of operational and policy objectives by effectively understanding and meeting the needs of citizens and businesses, changing behaviours for personal, societal and economic benefit.

Total advertising and marketing spend with the Department for Business and Trade’s media buying agency for the last three financial years is as follows:

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 10% tariff announced by the USA and the 25% tariff proposed from June on British businesses.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Having retained our cool-headed approach and robustly defended the rights of the people of Greenland and the kingdom of Denmark alone to determine their future, we are glad that the President has announced that these tariffs will not be proceeding.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that illegal settlements in the West Bank are covered by UK sanctions.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The UK has sanctioned individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, in their personal capacity for inciting violence towards Palestinians. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic merits of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and the EU.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 93339 on 27 November 2025: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Found: and Development Office (FCDO), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Department for Business and Trade

Found: Skilled worker visas HC 819 36th Jobcentres HC 823 35th Introducing T Levels HC 822 34th Department for Business and Trade

Found: legal commitments, and safeguarding the UK’s wider social and economic interests. 23 Department for Business and Trade

Found: businesses to stay informed about developments regarding the EU CBAM and the Department for Business and Trade

Found: automotive industry should be excluded from the ILR extension in line with broader government and DBT

Found: Personnel Today. 16 Department for Business and Trade (2024).

Found: The Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses, announced by DBT in July, will also support Scottish

Found: Science, Innovation and Technology, State of digital government review - GOV.UK, 2025. 54 Department for Business and Trade

Found: (DBT).

Found: DBT will also need to work with and electricity suppliers and delivery bodies in the energy system and

Found: Our main ask to DBT for the Industrial Strategy was to set a target to get the SME population back up

Found: card-sp-fees-mr-final-report-publication-redacted-mar-2025- updated.pdf Appendix 1 – Kingfisher response to Cumulative impact of regulations survey – DBT

Found: The Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) cost–benefit analysis of the Bill’s provisions includes

Found: The Department for Business and Trade estimates that personal data mobility could add £28 billion to

Found: For example, how can DBT, DFE and the DfT coordinate in a way than improves matters at a local level

Found: .  Align Skills England, DfE and DBT strategy with OECD’s “attitudes and values” agenda, ensuring that

Found: DBT Committee priorities – evidence submission – Steff Aquarone MP I’m very grateful to the Committee

Found: Public spending should prioritise wellbeing: each government department, including the Department for Business and Trade

Found: and to that end, FBUK has facilitated regular meetings between our members and the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Policy Recommendations Recommendation 1: Integrate TRI with Keep Britain Working and NHS Pathways DBT

Found: A number of government departments hold responsibility for the chemicals sector: in particular, DBT,

Found: and producing assessments for different items of regulation or legislation), and the Department for Business and Trade

Found: sustainable growth in the G7, allowing us to create practical recommendations for the Department for Business and Trade

Found: At present a range of government departments and related bodies including the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Below we have addressed the specific questions asked by DBT in an effort to demonstrate that we are

Found: Rationale and relevance to DBT and Committee priorities On Sunday 23 November, the Government published

Found: needs a centralised infrastructure strategy that aligns the objectives of HM Treasury, Department for Business and Trade

Found: Rationale and relevance to DBT and Committee priorities On Sunday 23 November, the Government published

Found: needs a centralised infrastructure strategy that aligns the objectives of HM Treasury, Department for Business and Trade

Found: At present a range of government departments and related bodies including the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Below we have addressed the specific questions asked by DBT in an effort to demonstrate that we are a

Found: A joint DBT–HMT review should assess how regulators can adopt this approach effectively, supported by

Found: A joint DBT–HMT review should assess how regulators can adopt this approach effectively, supported by

Found: Written submission from Cyber Security and Business Resilience (CSBR) policy centre (PRO0107) DBT 2026

Found: If DBT and DSIT want to rebuild confidence, they must work far more closely with entrepreneurs who understand

Found: (DBT), which concluded that DBT should work more closely with strategic authorities to “expand

Found: It is also why the Government sees ISAM as a priority within that, not just by the Department for Business and Trade

Found: departments and agencies, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Home Office, and the Department for Business and Trade

Found: appointing a single senior official as a cross-Whitehall ‘account manager’ to coordinate work across DBT

Found: s position as a leading place to do business. 3 Director Perceptions of Section 172, Department for Business and Trade

Found: Written submission from The Food and Drink Federation (PRO0076) FDF Submission to DBT Inquiry on 2026

Found: While HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade clearly have a significant role to play

Found: For example, eliminating the silos between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Treasury

Found: turn, overseen by the Insolvency Service, which is itself an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Recent policy signals from government - particularly the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) review

Found: Implementation levers at a glance: DBT convenes; OPSS stewards data; ONS supports statistics; BSI sets

Found: drivers we have discussed in this section are not within the immediate remit of the Department for Business and Trade

Found: governments to implement reform,  A letter to the minister to request that concerns raised over the DBT

Found: A clear, cross-departmental approach linking the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for

Found: The existing DBT rail team is an exception; with unparalled levels of engagement with businesses of

Found: Supply chain and Economic Security agreements The recent Critical Minerals Strategy issued by DBT onboards

Found: Government Strategy and Coordination Effective delivery requires coordination between: ● DBT (digital

Found: This evidence seeks to address policy areas which are both priorities for the Department for Business and Trade

Found: We urge the DBT Committee to ensure that, in its commitment to supporting the government’s commitment

Found: Q8 Government Strategy and Coordination Coordinate investments from Government departments, such as DBT

Found: DHL would like to see this strategy led by DBT, with input from DFT and DESNZ as key enabling departments

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade should consider whether its Industrial Strategy fully

Found: GC100 is also pleased to see DBT and HM Treasury's recent announcement regarding simplifying non-financial

Found: The Treasury, Ministry of Defence, and Department for Business and Trade should work closely to demonstrate

Found: Governance clarity: Examine how Ofcom, DBT, and the Government’s ‘golden shareholder role’ can coordinate

Found: While engagement with DSIT, DBT and MHCLG has improved, that ability to have a structured, long-term

Found: A new DBT Ministerial team has the opportunity to strengthen the UK’s position as a trusted international

Found: Written submission from Dr Kate Ollerenshaw (PRO0043) Response to the Department for Business and Trade

Found: She received the inaugural Department for Business and Trade analysis prize in December 2024 for her

Found: DBT owns small business policy but cannot dictate HMRC tax policy, DSIT digital infrastructure priorities

Found: In this regard, the Department for Business and Trade can help investigate how firms benefit not only

Found: *Below we are sharing in full our note to DBT for its Small Business Strategy published earlier this

Found: Cover how the Department for Business and Trade, working with DfT, Cabinet Office and the Treasury,

Found: I would point out that I did some work on this for DBT and the Office for investment in what this may

Found: [8][9] 4.5.2 Effective delivery requires coordination across HM Treasury (HMT), the Department for Business and Trade

Found: The council would work with HM Treasury, DBT and others to provide a mechanism to assess and assure

Found: Cleethorpes Minister for Investment, and Blair McDougall MP Minister for Small Business Department for Business and Trade

Found: MP Minister of State for Trade Department for Business and Trade

Found: That may happen to be a DBT trade priority or whatever the case may be, and now, all of a sudden, we

Found: Is it DEFRA or DBT? Who is owning this as an industry in Whitehall?

Found: Office, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland ● Iseabail McTaggart - DBT

Found: DBT and Defra are not aligned on the common cause.

Found: That may happen to be a DBT trade priority or whatever the case may be, and now, all of a sudden, we

Found: Is it DEFRA or DBT? Who is owning this as an industry in Whitehall?

Found: Letter from the Chief Financial Officer at the Department for Business and Trade relating to support

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: practical advice and support for businesses wanting to access an expansion into new markets, through DBT

Found: Skilled worker visas HC 819 36th Jobcentres HC 823 35th Introducing T Levels HC 822 34th Department for Business and Trade

Found: have been recognised by the UK Government as a priority growth sector in the industrial strategy (DBT

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that young disabled people can enter and stay in work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Good work is good for health, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. The Get Britain Working White Paper launched in November 2024 set out how we will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity, backed by £240 million investment, for which the Northern Ireland executive received consequential funding in the usual way.

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including young disabled people can face a wide range of unique, yet intersecting barriers, relating to not just their health, but their employment and circumstance (Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers: Final findings report - GOV.UK). We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres in Great Britain.

DWP set out our plan for the “Pathways to Work Guarantee” in our Pathways to Work Green Paper and we are building towards our guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits in Great Britain. The guarantee is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding for the UK by the end of the decade, the Northern Ireland executive will receive their share of this funding in the usual way. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out in Great Britain, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in addressing health-related economic activity, we appointed Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the independent Keep Britain Working Review across the UK. The Report was published on 5 November. In partnership with DBT and DHSC, we are immediately launching Vanguards to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work and develop a Healthy Workplace Standard, putting Sir Charlie’s key recommendations into action.

Additionally, the Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) has developed a digital information service for employers and continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme in Great Britain where we have recently announced plans to make the scheme more robust.

Alan Milburn will author an independent report to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. The report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun. It will make recommendations for policy response to help young people access work, training or education, ensuring they are supported to thrive and are not sidelined.

In Northern Ireland, health, skills, careers and employment support are transferred matters. My officials work closely with those in the Northern Ireland Executive, sharing best practice in regard to providing employment support to disabled people.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support disabled people who face the greatest barriers to work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Good work is good for health, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. The Get Britain Working White Paper launched in November 2024 set out how we will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity, backed by £240 million investment, for which the Northern Ireland executive received consequential funding in the usual way.

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including young disabled people can face a wide range of unique, yet intersecting barriers, relating to not just their health, but their employment and circumstance (Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers: Final findings report - GOV.UK). We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres in Great Britain.

DWP set out our plan for the “Pathways to Work Guarantee” in our Pathways to Work Green Paper and we are building towards our guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits in Great Britain. The guarantee is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding for the UK by the end of the decade, the Northern Ireland executive will receive their share of this funding in the usual way. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out in Great Britain, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in addressing health-related economic activity, we appointed Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the independent Keep Britain Working Review across the UK. The Report was published on 5 November. In partnership with DBT and DHSC, we are immediately launching Vanguards to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work and develop a Healthy Workplace Standard, putting Sir Charlie’s key recommendations into action.

Additionally, the Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) has developed a digital information service for employers and continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme in Great Britain where we have recently announced plans to make the scheme more robust.

Alan Milburn will author an independent report to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. The report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun. It will make recommendations for policy response to help young people access work, training or education, ensuring they are supported to thrive and are not sidelined.

In Northern Ireland, health, skills, careers and employment support are transferred matters. My officials work closely with those in the Northern Ireland Executive, sharing best practice in regard to providing employment support to disabled people.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to merge the Groceries Code Adjudicator and the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator as part of her Department's Farm Profitability Review.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The department is committed to an evidence-based approach to regulating the supply chain and to ensuring that producers and businesses are treated fairly. The statutory review of the effectiveness of the Groceries Code Adjudicator by the Department for Business and Trade is currently under way, and any future decisions will be informed by its findings.

The Government is carefully considering all of the recommendations made in the independent Farming Profitability Review, including those relating to the roles and governance arrangements of the Groceries Code Adjudicator and the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator. A Government response to the review will be set out as part of the Farming Roadmap.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, November 2025, of 31 December 2025, what the topic and terms of reference were for the Employment Rights Bill Research by Verian Group UK Limited with reference 5105606902; and what the timetable is for the publication of that research.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay will improve living standards, support economic growth, and provide more security for people in work.

The research, developed with Department for Business and Trade (DBT), was a survey of precariously employed people, such as those on zero hours contracts. The survey aimed to understand the hidden, out-of-pocket costs faced by those with uncertain working hours, such as paying for last minute childcare or travel changes. The work has been shared with DBT to support the government’s ongoing work and will be published in line with Government Social Research protocols.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help people with food prices.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is taking forward a range of actions to help address food prices by tackling the underlying drivers of cost and supporting access to affordable food.

The department is working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to assess how regulation affects food businesses and food prices, through the Food Inflation Gateway. This work is helping to identify where burdens can be reduced or sequenced more effectively. Alongside this, through the Good Food Cycle, Defra set out priority outcomes focused on improving access to healthy, affordable food and strengthening local food systems.

More broadly, the Government is providing targeted support to help households manage food costs. From April, the value of Healthy Start will rise by 10% to provide greater support for pregnant women and young children, alongside work with retailers to expand access to healthy, affordable food. Free School Meals will be extended to around half a million additional pupils, saving families up to £495 per child annually and lifting approximately 100,000 children out of relative poverty. The Holiday Activity and Food Programme will also continue with £600 million in funding.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the Falkland Islands on the potential impact of trade tariffs on its economy.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are proud of the bond that the United Kingdom shares with the Falkland Islands as part of one Great British family, and we deeply value the relationship between our governments.

I was pleased to speak with the new Assembly within a week of their election, and my officials have been engaging with the new representatives on their priorities, one of which is obviously trade.

It is a matter of fact that the Brexit deal reached by the party opposite excluded the Overseas Territories, and we recognise the challenges EU trade tariffs pose for the Falkland Islands economy. But we are working with the Department for Business and Trade to promote Falklands trade in the UK and other markets.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on setting up the Workplace Health Intelligence Unit proposed in the Mayfield Review, and what its planned remit, governance arrangements, and timetable for operation are.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Work has commenced on the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Phase following publication of the review’s final report in November. We are working with Sir Charlie Mayfield, Vanguard employers and regions to mobilise and design this next phase of work and establish effective ways of working. The vanguards will play a pivotal role in shaping how health issues and disabilities are managed in the workplace, building an evidence base and understanding of what works through effective partnership with employers.

As part of the Vanguard Phase, Sir Charlie Mayfield has agreed to establish and lead a Vanguard Taskforce/advisory board in partnership with Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Business and Trade, and Department of Health and Social Care. The Vanguard Taskforce will bring together a group of external experts from various sectors and organisations to provide external advice, and guidance to steer the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Phase. We are currently considering the Terms of Reference and potential membership of the taskforce.

The Workplace Health Intelligence Unit (WHIU) will serve as the central hub for delivery of the whole Vanguard Phase and to drive on-going work. We are currently working to establish the Intelligence Unit within Government and considering options for its design and details of its function. A comprehensive governance framework, incorporating the taskforce, will be established to ensure strategic oversight and accountability of the Unit as it is set up and developed.

Further information on the shape and remit of the Vanguard Taskforce and Workplace Health Intelligence Unit is expected in Spring 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on establishing the Vanguard taskforce proposed in the Mayfield Review, and when the taskforce is expected to start work.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Work has commenced on the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Phase following publication of the review’s final report in November. We are working with Sir Charlie Mayfield, Vanguard employers and regions to mobilise and design this next phase of work and establish effective ways of working. The vanguards will play a pivotal role in shaping how health issues and disabilities are managed in the workplace, building an evidence base and understanding of what works through effective partnership with employers.

As part of the Vanguard Phase, Sir Charlie Mayfield has agreed to establish and lead a Vanguard Taskforce/advisory board in partnership with Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Business and Trade, and Department of Health and Social Care. The Vanguard Taskforce will bring together a group of external experts from various sectors and organisations to provide external advice, and guidance to steer the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Phase. We are currently considering the Terms of Reference and potential membership of the taskforce.

The Workplace Health Intelligence Unit (WHIU) will serve as the central hub for delivery of the whole Vanguard Phase and to drive on-going work. We are currently working to establish the Intelligence Unit within Government and considering options for its design and details of its function. A comprehensive governance framework, incorporating the taskforce, will be established to ensure strategic oversight and accountability of the Unit as it is set up and developed.

Further information on the shape and remit of the Vanguard Taskforce and Workplace Health Intelligence Unit is expected in Spring 2026.

Found: Hard copies are held and available to view free of charge at the Department for Business and Trade, Old

Found: Committee, Oral evidence: The development work of the FCDO, 13 May 2025, Q1 22 FCDO, Department for Business and Trade

Found: be the greatest determinant of economic growth 16 regulators the Department for Business & Trade (DBT

Found: The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) leads on regulatory reform across government.

Found: At the time of publication, DBT and HMT are 10 months into the four-year programme.

Found: Affairs (the Government department responsible for environmental noise policy) and the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Department for Business and Trade: 6.1. Competition Appeal Tribunal; 6.2.

Found: extend further provisions of the Treaty to the Crown Dependencies have been agreed with India, and DBT

Found: DWP, HMRC and DBT laid their ARAs pre-recess, with MoD laying their ARA in November.

Found: Luke Charters MP has resigned as Parliamentary observer to FRAB following his appointment as PPS at DBT

Found: Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Business and Trade

Found: Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Business and Trade

Found: We will support the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury, and the National Infrastructure

Found: We will support the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury, and the National Infrastructure

Found: For example, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) bases staff overseas to support UK trade, exports

Found: to the United States and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Business and Trade

Found: The collaboration between OPSS, part of the Department for Business and Trade, and other stakeholders

Found: Report on the proposed subsidy to Agratas Limited by the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Report on the proposed subsidy to Agratas Limited by the Department for Business and Trade

Found: We understand that DBT have It has been estimated that the cost of maintaining the site will be £4

Found: ukspaceagency.gov.uk>; [redacted s38(1)(b)] @gov.scot>; [redacted s38(1)(b)] @businessandtrade.gov.uk>; (DBT

Found: International (SDI) • LinkedIn - SDI • X - @ScotlandinJapan UK Pavilion / Department for Business and Trade

Found: enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at: UK Internal Market Review Department for Business and Trade

Found: Executive Defence Infrastructure Organisation Amanda Brooks DG, Trade Negotiations Department for Business and Trade

Found: COMMONWEALTH DEVEL OFFICE 28.02.2025 5200666299 -232.04 X817 F2EET Inter Engagement Sponsorship DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS AND TRADE