Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they give to protections against human rights and environmental abuses in trade treaty negotiations.

Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world, continuing to champion universal human rights and global action to tackle labour, environment and climate issues. While trade deals are just one lever in our policy toolkit, the UK's FTAs include environment and labour provisions which protect, promote and enforce environmental and labour protections and standards, and workers' rights.

The Government is committed to working with partners to make trade more sustainable, and fair trade can play a critical role in driving support of the global transition to net zero and international labour rights.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to uphold environmental, social and governance standards and prevent human rights and environmental abuses within the critical minerals industry.

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

The UK Government places a high priority on mining and mineral processing being carried out to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. We put ESG at the heart of our international approach to critical minerals and are using our multilateral and bilateral agreements to promote high standards globally. The UK is also reviewing its approach to responsible business conduct policy, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK, including businesses who extract, import or use critical minerals.