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 include provisions on workers' rights in the negotiation of free trade agreements.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK will continue to work internationally to strengthen workers’ rights and enhance labour standards globally. The Government will protect our labour standards in new trade agreements.
The UK has chapters on labour in FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, and within CPTPP, and labour provisions as part of trade and sustainable development chapters in a range of other agreements.
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, whether he plans to consult with (a) civil society and (b) the representatives of workers over (i) active and (ii) prospective free trade agreement negotiations.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Economic growth is the first mission of this government and Free Trade Agreements have an important role to play in achieving that, alongside other levers of trade policy.
The Department for Business and Trade deeply values the views of civil society and the representatives of workers. We seek their input, alongside the input of business and the public, through the public consultations that have been conducted before each negotiation begins, and in continuous engagement with ministers and officials throughout the lifecycle of a negotiation.
The input we receive feeds into our negotiating objectives, to ensure we strike agreements that deliver growth for the public.
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, whether he plans to take steps to ensure Parliament has greater oversight of the UK’s trade negotiations.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to supporting parliamentary scrutiny of the UK’s trade agreements, balancing the need for robust scrutiny with the need to ensure we can negotiate effectively in the UK’s best interests.
The Department for Business and Trade is currently considering scrutiny arrangements for trade agreements, to ensure they are fit for purpose.
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, when his Department plans to publish a trade strategy.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We intend to publish the Trade Strategy in the Spring.
The Trade Strategy will focus on the ways that trade is changing and how the UK can take a forward-facing approach to drive economic growth. It will be consistent with the Government’s Industrial Strategy and Small Business Plan.
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 plans he has to (a) meet the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce to discuss further cooperation and (b) visit businesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
DBT is committed to driving long-term, inclusive and secure economic growth in all parts of the country, and engagement with Mayors, businesses and communities in all regions, including the West Midlands, is therefore a priority.
DBT officials are in regular contact with Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce colleagues, helping to support their local businesses. The Ministerial team's plans for engagement, including regional and local visits, are revisited regularly.
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 plans he has to help increase exports from (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire to European countries.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We as a government will work to remove unnecessary barriers to trade with the EU.
UK businesses can access DBT’s export support services via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a digital self-serve offer and our wider network of support, including Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network, and UK Export Finance. Alongside this, our international trade advisers use their extensive experience of exporting and knowledge of the needs of SMEs in their sectors and regions to provide one-to-one tailored support to businesses across the UK. The Department are exploring options to improve our export support offer to UK 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 plans to take to support pubs in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties currently benefit from 75 per cent business rates relief, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business for 2024-25. The small business multiplier is frozen at 49.9p for 2024/25.
The government identified that the current business rates system disincentivises investment, creates uncertainty and places an undue burden on our high streets. In England, the government will replace the business rates system, so we can raise the same revenue but in a fairer way.
The British Business Bank supports SMEs to grow by improving their access to finance, through the Growth Guarantee Scheme which offers a 70% government guarantee on loans.
We will establish Skills England which will have a new partnership with employers at its heart and will reform the apprenticeship levy, a key ask of hospitality businesses.