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 she has taken to encourage investment in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Office for Investment (OfI) works with stakeholders across Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme to promote strategic Investment opportunities to create high quality job growth in the region. OfI has funded a strategic key account management initiative in Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme, to provide direct support to investors.
I am delighted that Keele University, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is ambitious to grow their successful Science and Innovation Park, and the OfI is supporting their work to bring this 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 discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) Southern African Development Community and (b) Carribbean Community countries on investment opportunities.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Business and Trade discusses a number of issues with partners across the Caribbean and the Southern Africa community aimed at increasing bilateral investment. In addition, the UK’s Trade Envoys for those regions will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.
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 steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help increase job (a) creation and (b) retention in (i) industrial communities, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (iii) Staffordshire.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
There is a strong ecosystem of skills and employment support, across Staffordshire and Newcastle -Under Lyme, co-ordinated through county, district and borough councils, in partnership with national government and not for profit organisations.
The Department for Business and Trade offers a range of business support services which we will be building with measures being announced in the Small Business Strategy later this year. Our support helps businesses start, grow, invest, and export, creating opportunities across the country, including communities in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
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 make an assessment of the potential merits of negotiating country-specific trade agreements between the United Kingdom and (a) Zimbabwe, (b) Botswana, (c) Namibia, (d) Mozambique, (e) Angola and (f) South Africa.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK’s existing trade agreements with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique, and Eastern and Southern Africa successfully facilitate trade with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and we plan to continue to support their implementation. Angola is not currently covered by these agreements, but there are provisions available should they wish to join, and they are eligible for duty-free, quota-free access to the UK through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). None of these partner governments have requested a country-specific trade agreement. In addition, the nine (UK) Trade Envoys for Africa will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.
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 steps he has taken to encourage trade between Commonwealth countries.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK is committed to working with Commonwealth partners and institutions to further strengthen intra-Commonwealth trade and investment. For example, at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Foreign Secretary announced UK funding for the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) and the Commonwealth Investment Network (CIN).
The CSN reduces barriers to trade across the Commonwealth by supporting members to meet international standards and thus increase their access to international markets.
The CIN supports small and vulnerable members access investment opportunities through knowledge exchange, capacity building and facilitating relationships with private sector stakeholder groups.
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 Commonwealth counterparts on taking steps to strengthen supply chains.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
This Government regularly discusses and takes action to improve mutual supply chain resilience with Commonwealth partners via our network of bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral alliances. Our information sharing MOU with Australia, recent FTA with India, dialogues with partners including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and discussions at the G7, G20, OECD, and WTO reflect the commitment we share to promoting long-term economic stability through transparent, diversified, and sustainable global supply chains. We look forward to continuing discussions at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting later this month.
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, which Ministers from his Department will attend the Commonwealth Business Summit in Windhoek between 18 and 20 June 2025.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
No Ministers from the Department for Business and Trade will be attending the Business Summit in Windhoek, Namibia between 18 and 20 June 2025.
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.