Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues about the potential merits of a Commonwealth first approach to a) trade and b) economic growth.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK’s Trade Strategy sets out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities in support of growth and economic security.
The UK already has formal trade arrangements with the vast majority of Commonwealth members. This includes through FTAs such as Australia, New Zealand and India, membership of the CPTPP, Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
The UK supplements this through direct funding, including on developing a Commonwealth Standards Network, facilitating investment for climate positive businesses and supporting the integration and participation of Small States and Developing Countries in the global trading system.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 benefits of a 'Commonwealth first' approach to trade; and what steps he is taking to develop such an approach.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK’s Trade Strategy sets out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities in support of growth and economic security.
The UK already has formal trade arrangements with the vast majority of Commonwealth members. This includes through FTAs such as Australia, New Zealand and India, membership of the CPTPP, Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
The UK supplements this through direct funding, including on developing a Commonwealth Standards Network, facilitating investment for climate positive businesses and supporting the integration and participation of Small States and Developing Countries in the global trading system.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions a) Ministers and b) officials in his Department have had with the Soft Power Council.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Since the Soft Power Council was established in January 2025, it has met four times. Information about the Soft Power Council and its meetings is available on GOV.UK, including meeting dates, terms of reference, and abridged minutes of discussions.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will consider appointing a Trade Envoy for the Overseas Territories.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
No, as trade envoys’ work is in foreign sovereign nations.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, a) what progress his Department has made in implementing the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and b) what benefits it will bring to families and businesses in i) Newcastle-under-Lyme and ii) Staffordshire.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Once in place, families and businesses across Staffordshire, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme, will benefit from reduced tariffs on 92% of UK goods exports, and iconic businesses such as JCB will be able to take advantage of lower tariffs on machinery, supporting exports and local jobs.
Our analysis also indicates the deal could boost GVA in the West Midlands by around £190 million, with households poised to benefit from greater choice and lower prices, helping to ease cost of living pressures.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 increase economic growth in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade is supporting economic growth across the UK, including in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, through the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, championing free trade agreements (including the recently announced Free Trade Agreement with India), supporting businesses to grow and export, and securing inward investment.
In addition, the Small Business Plan includes a package of legislative reforms to tackle late payments; unlocking finance to support start-ups and scale ups; revitalising the High Street; and delivering support for Digital and AI Adoption. The new Business Growth Service makes it easier for SMEs to access the right support.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many a) letters, b) emails and c) written communications were received by his Department from Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council between i) December 2019 and July 2024 and ii) July 2024 and May 2026.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department of Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days, but in some instances it can take longer. Upon searching, the Department for Business and Trade has received no correspondence from Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council between the dates mentioned.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ireland is one of the UK’s closest and most important trading partners, with approximately £1.71 billion in bilateral trade each week. The UK Government is committed to strengthening this relationship further as demonstrated by the outcomes of the second UK-Ireland Summit held in March 2026. We announced over £900 million of Irish investment into the UK, and agreed an ambitious growth package including enhanced cooperation on infrastructure and renewed exchanges on economic security and SME policy with Irish counterparts. This will continue to unlock further opportunities for UK businesses and workers.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The United Kingdom is committed to strengthening trade with Zimbabwe as part of our wider approach to increasing UK–Africa trade. To improve market access and support economic growth, we have a range of trade agreements and preferential schemes in place across the region.
Zimbabwe benefits from the UK–Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement, which provides duty‑free, quota‑free access for goods. We have also made it easier for Zimbabwe to participate in African regional supply chains by allowing its exporters to cumulate with other eligible countries under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the United Kingdom and Jamaica.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is taking steps to increase both the volume and value of UK–Jamaica trade through strengthened engagement and targeted programmes.
Recently, we supported the third UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment forum, where governments and businesses across the region and the UK met to promote commercial partnerships and identify investment opportunities. During his visit to London for this forum, I met my Jamaican counterpart to discuss opportunities to work together on economic growth and resilience.
HMG is also supporting UK exports to Jamaica, including through UK Export Finance which can help finance major projects by reducing risk.