Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to establishing a unit to promote import substitution; and what assessment they have made of the potential for such a unit to improve the UK's balance of payments.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
Our modern Industrial Strategy is a 10‑year plan to back the UK's strengths and realise our potential, creating a connected, high‑skilled, and economically growing country. We are also establishing a new Supply Chain Centre to analyse key inputs for priority sectors, assess future demand and identify where action is needed to increase our economic resilience - such as building domestic capability, diversifying supply routes and forming strategic international partnerships to ensure resilient and competitive supply chains. We will announce more details in due course.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the UK's current trade deficit with China; and what they forecast this deficit will be in each of the next three years.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
In the 12 months to September 2025, the UK ran a £43.5bn total trade deficit with China. The UK's goods and services trade balances were -£52.9bn and £9.4bn respectively. Over the same period, the UK ran an overall total trade deficit of £29.9bn with the world. [ONS UK total trade all countries Q3 2025]
Neither the UK government or the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the official forecaster for the UK economy, forecasts bilateral trade balances.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will establish a central register of divergence in regulations between Great Britain and Northern Ireland following the establishment of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson
The Department for Business and Trade works closely with a number of Departments to monitor changes in EU legislation and assess the impact on businesses and consumers in all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland. DBT, along with other Departments, also engages closely with the EU institutions through structured channels, including the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) committee structures and Windsor Framework structures.
The UK Government remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith while protecting the UK Internal Market.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect the proposed trade deal with India will have on the prawn industry in (1) the United Kingdom, and (2) Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson
A trade deal with India will deliver on this Government’s core mission of economic growth and unlock new opportunities for businesses in every corner of the UK, including in Northern Ireland, increasing bilateral trade by £25.5bn, UK GDP by £4.8bn, and wages by £2.2bn each and every year in the long run.
We will set out further information on the sectoral impacts of this agreement in our impact assessment.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on the UK of the imposition by the United States of tariffs on EU countries: and what effect they may have on trade in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson
The Department for Business and Trade continues to engage closely with the UK industries affected by the US’ imposition of tariffs on the EU. We will always act in the best interests of all UK businesses which of course includes those in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland is part of the customs territory of the United Kingdom and internal market. This is confirmed by Article 4 of the Windsor Framework. Accordingly, Northern Irish goods have the same access to the US market, and face the same tariffs, as goods from elsewhere in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the imposition of widespread trade tariffs by the United States of America, they will now establish a dedicated unit to research and promote import substitution in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
We are disappointed by these tariffs and aware of the significant impact they may have on UK industry and consumers. The UK is keeping all options open in response and will not hesitate to act in national interest. We are seeking the views of UK businesses as part of a wider request for input on potential tariff response options. Officials continue to work closely with the Trade Remedies Authority to assess the possible trade diversion impact from these US measures. We will continue to engage and support domestic industries and consumers on this matter.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend to protect the United Kingdom from potential ‘dumping’ by countries adversely affected by the imposition of trade tariffs by the United States of America.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
In preparation for any US tariffs, departmental officials were assessing the potential impacts of trade diversion on UK industry. The extent of US tariffs became clear on 3 April. Officials continue to work closely with the Trade Remedies Authority to assess the possible trade diversion impacts from these US measures. Where imports are being dumped into the UK, causing injury to UK producers, either UK industry or the Secretary of State can apply to the Trade Remedies Authority for an anti-dumping investigation. This government will not hesitate to act to protect UK industry should we need to do so.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States of America following the unilateral imposition of tariffs on the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works for both the UK and the US, but nothing is off the table and the government will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. Should our negotiations not be successful, we have a range of tools at our disposal. As such, on 3 April the government launched a Request for Input from businesses to help inform our response to US tariffs. Once the Request for Input closes, the Government will reflect on the feedback and consider how best to respond.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the trade implications for the United Kingdom by the imposition of differential tariffs between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
We will always act in the best interests of businesses across the UK. As the Prime Minister said on 2 April, we will look closely at the details of any retaliatory tariffs, if they are announced by the EU, and any impact these might have on businesses. Where goods moving to Northern Ireland do not enter the EU, businesses can claim a full reimbursement of any EU duties paid. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade spoke to the Northern Ireland Executive on 3 April, and we are committed to working together in the interests of everybody in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Harland and Wolff on their refinancing plans; and what is the current status of their Export Development Guarantee application.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel
I am unable to comment on ongoing transactions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.