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 Cabinet colleagues on business confidence in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade continues to have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the best ways to deliver economic growth that raises living standards and puts money in people’s pockets.
This Government is driving long-term, inclusive growth through our Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy, Small Business Strategy and Plan to Make Work Pay.
Our recent landmark economic deal with the United States and Free Trade Agreement with India will improve access to important markets for Northern Ireland businesses.
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 support the ceramics industry in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire through his Department's trade strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I have been working closely with Ceramics UK and local MPs on the challenges facing the sector. My department will continue to consider all possible options where support may be given.
The Trade Strategy will set out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities in support of the UK’s growth mission, for all sectors and regions. The United Kingdom currently has anti-dumping measures in place on ceramic tiles and ceramic tableware & kitchenware originating from China. The UK ceramics industry may apply for an investigation from the Trade Remedies Authority if it is being injured by unfair trading practices.
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 recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Government's priorities for the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in June 2025.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Officials from the Department for Business and Trade and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are continuing to work closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other Commonwealth members to strengthen intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, ahead of the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in June. I’m presently planning to travel to Namibia for the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting.
This will be an opportunity for Commonwealth partners to strengthen cooperation on both intra-Commonwealth trade issues, including trade digitalisation and inward investment, as well as our shared support for the rules-based international trading system ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference next year.
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 remove barriers to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK Internal Market Scheme enables businesses to move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland without customs proceses where products are not at risk of entering the EU.
From 1 May, new arrangements for parcels and freight movements have significantly simplified the process for providing information and moving relevant products, and the Government has also announced it will continue important Trader Support Service arrangements beyond 2026.
The Government will continue to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the rest of the UK market on a permanent basis, and take forward its manifesto commitment to protect the UK internal market going forward.
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 ensure that (a) the industrial strategy and (b) skills policies provide green skills across sectors.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is working hard to ensure that the current and future skills system supports the low carbon economy. We will support workers in high-carbon industry by creating good green jobs in our country’s industrial heartlands – enabling people to move into low-carbon roles by drawing upon their wealth of skills and experience. Skills England will work closely with the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to understand the skills needs of high-growth sectors, including Clean Energy Industries, and will bring together key partners to better meet these needs.
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 has taken to increase international investment in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Business and Trade network work with local stakeholders to promote investment opportunities in the region to investors wishing to set up in the area. We work with clients to understand their requirements and to reduce barriers which inform the client’s decision to locate in the region.
The funding of a Key Account Management programme is a strategic initiative designed to support FDI by strengthening relationships with existing foreign investors in the Midlands regions. It directs FDI support to businesses playing a crucial role in regional economies, helping foster a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, expand and nurture relationships with investors.
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 with his Cabinet colleagues to increase trade between the four nations in the UK.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Statistics show trade between the UK's four nations was worth around £129 billion in 2019, and is particularly important to the economies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As part of meeting our Plan for Change, the Government wants to work to ensure growth across the country, raising living standards for working people across the UK. The Government has also launched IntertradeUK to advise on opportunities to promote and boost trade across the UK.
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 trade with countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Business and Trade works across Sub-Saharan Africa offering direct support to UK businesses looking to expand their business in the region. DBT focuses on markets, sectors, and deals where the UK has a competitive edge. The nine new Trade Envoys for Africa, recently announced by the Government, will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment. In addition, the UK is also actively expanding trade with Africa through nine trade agreements, including with 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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 support the ceramics industry in Staffordshire.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DBT works closely with the ceramics sector through Ceramics UK and directly with Ceramic businesses to understand its challenges and provide support to help its global competitiveness.
My department also provides limited support to the ceramics sector through our Supercharger 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 assessment he has made of the potential merits of a free trade agreement with the Southern African Development Community.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
None of our partner governments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have requested a collective UK-SADC FTA. There are two customs unions within the SADC grouping, which our existing agreements aim to align with.
Our UK-Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa, and our UK-Eastern and Southern African EPA is with Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. The remaining SADC countries (Angola, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo , Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia) are not currently covered by our FTAs, but there are provisions available should they wish to join These remaining countries are eligible for duty-free quota-free access to the UK (on nearly all goods) through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme.