Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to extending Sunday trading hours.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government is not currently planning to make changes to Sunday trading rules.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government which meetings the Secretary of State for Business and Trade attended during his trip to China in September.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
In September, the Secretary of State met with China’s economic Vice Premier He Lifeng, co-chaired the Joint Economic and Trade Commission with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and co-chaired the Industrial Cooperation Dialogue with Industrial Minister Li Lecheng. He also held meetings and briefings with UK officials, UK businesses and Chinese automotive and retail investors Geely, Chery, and JD.Com. He discussed challenges in the bilateral relationship with counterparts, including level playing-field issues that undermine fair competition for UK business. He raised concerns on national and economic security issues. The visit pushed forward market access outcomes worth over £1 billion over 5 years.
Further information published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secretary-of-state-for-business-and-trade-visit-to-china-factsheet/secretary-of-state-for-business-and-trade-visit-to-china-factsheet
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the UK-China Trade in Services Working Group in November will be held in the UK; what is the budget for that event; and who is expected to attend from the UK Government and the government of China.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
The UK-China Trade in Services Working Group will be held in Beijing, and led by a Director-level senior official from the UK Department for Business and Trade and China’s Ministry of Commerce. The size of the UK team will depend on the agenda and programme negotiated with the Chinese side, taking into account Value for Money and in line with the Civil Service Code. As set out in official guidance, the costs of the event will be in line with accommodation and subsistence expense rates for official travel to Beijing.
Further information can be found on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/expenses-rates-for-employees-travelling-outside-the-uk#countries-a-to-c
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had with officials in China regarding potential escalation in Taiwan during the recent visit of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to Beijing.
Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK has consistently been clear on the continued need for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This government has raised this issue with China several times, including at the UK-China Strategic Dialogue earlier this year.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the potential future volume and value of exports to the United States of America as a result of the UK–US trade deal in comparison to March 2025.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
The US is the largest single country partner for both UK exports and imports into the UK.
The Economic Prosperity Deal announced on 8 May will reduce tariffs for UK exporters in critical sectors.
For the car industry, we have negotiated a 100k quota that reduces tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. We’re pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to additional 50% tariffs. We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the US tariffs on steel brought back down to MFN level. We have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate, British farmers now have a major opportunity to sell their high-quality British beef to a market of over 300 million people.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in negotiations on a bilateral trade deal with the United States of America.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
We continue to have productive discussions with the US on securing a wider economic deal, including through a call between the Prime Minister and President Trump on 18 April. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has also been engaging with the US Administration including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss this.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in developing their industrial strategy; and whether they remain on track to publish the full strategy in 2025.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Last October, the Government launched a consultation on how we can make the UK the most attractive country for business investment and drive long-term growth across the UK through targeted measures to support eight growth-driving sectors.
The consultation received more than 27,000 answers, from over 3,000 organisations and individuals. Detailed analysis and engagement are being conducted to distil themes, develop policy interventions, and identify opportunities to take a partnership approach to tackling barriers. Advice is also being provided by the new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.
The full Industrial Strategy alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published alongside the multi-year Spending Review, as planned.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in relation to any current UK–US trade negotiations, and what plans they have for any future negotiations.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson
The UK-US relationship is already very strong, with trade of around £300 billion, and shared investment of over £1.2 trillion at the end of 2023. The Prime Minister and President Trump met on 27 February and agreed to deepen this relationship and to work together on a trade deal focused on tech. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has also been engaging with the US Administration including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, to make the case for stronger UK-US trade that benefits both our countries.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will detail the bilateral and multilateral trade deals and arrangements they have signed or acceded to since coming into office.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Since the General Election in July 2024, the UK has acceded to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and has signed a landmark Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Iraq – a treaty on trade and strategic cooperation. We have also signed non-legally binding arrangements with partners, such as an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) with Thailand, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U.S. state of Colorado, and endorsed a joint workplan to further bilateral cooperation with Malaysia at the inaugural Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they are making regarding a free trade agreement with India.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Boosting trade abroad is essential to deliver a strong economy at home. That is why we are committed to delivering a Free Trade Agreement with India, which is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by2028.
The Business and Trade Secretary is reviewing progress in our talks with India, and when ready we intend to restart negotiations towards a deal in the best interests of the British people and the economy, supporting jobs and communities across the UK.