Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many small and medium sized businesses have ceased trading in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford since 2024.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th May is attached.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of dynamic alignment for parliamentary scrutiny of EU law.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government has made a sovereign choice to align with EU rules where it is in our national interest, while sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto. The new agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and electricity will reduce barriers to trade, cut costs for businesses, and drive growth and investment.
Exercising our sovereignty remains central to any agreement to align with the EU, and to the legislation required to deliver on our commitments. As set out in the Common Understanding, the EU will consult the UK at an early stage of policy-making so that the UK is involved in shaping the rules that will apply to the UK.Parliament will have its say on new legislation before it is applied in the UK in the usual way.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of dynamic alignment mechanisms with the European Union with the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government has made a sovereign choice to align with EU rules where it is in our national interest, while sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto. The new agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and electricity will reduce barriers to trade, cut costs for businesses, and drive growth and investment.
Exercising our sovereignty remains central to any agreement to align with the EU, and to the legislation required to deliver on our commitments. As set out in the Common Understanding, the EU will consult the UK at an early stage of policy-making so that the UK is involved in shaping the rules that will apply to the UK.Parliament will have its say on new legislation before it is applied in the UK in the usual way.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the implications of dynamic regulatory alignment with the EU for UK sovereignty.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government has made a sovereign choice to align with EU rules where it is in our national interest, while sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto. The new agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and electricity will reduce barriers to trade, cut costs for businesses, and drive growth and investment.
Exercising our sovereignty remains central to any agreement to align with the EU, and to the legislation required to deliver on our commitments. As set out in the Common Understanding, the EU will consult the UK at an early stage of policy-making so that the UK is involved in shaping the rules that will apply to the UK.Parliament will have its say on new legislation before it is applied in the UK in the usual way.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of dynamic alignment with the EU on UK commercial competitiveness.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government has made a sovereign choice to align with EU rules where it is in our national interest, while sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto. We will continue to take a pragmatic approach that will reduce barriers to trade with the EU and remove costs to businesses. When judging whether alignment is in our national interest, we will consider EU policy compatibility with UK values and objectives, the impact on growth and investment, and the impact on economic and national security and resilience. As negotiations progress, the Government will follow normal processes for any necessary legislative changes, and assess impacts accordingly.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with EU counterparts on regulatory alignment in the context of UK–EU relations.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade and cutting red-tape with our largest trading partner. There are clear areas where closer alignment with the EU can benefit UK businesses and growth, as demonstrated by our negotiations on a food and drinks agreement and future negotiations on electricity trading. However, the government’s red lines are clear: there will be no return to the Single Market, Customs Union or freedom of movement.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is his policy to seek dynamic alignment with EU rules in future agreements.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade and cutting red-tape with our largest trading partner. There are clear areas where closer alignment with the EU can benefit UK businesses and growth, as demonstrated by our negotiations on a food and drinks agreement and future negotiations on electricity trading. However, the government’s red lines are clear: there will be no return to the Single Market, Customs Union or freedom of movement.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Government departments, agencies, non‑departmental public bodies and other public authorities have been instructed to implement the new “UK Government” brand identity; and if he will publish any guidance issued on timelines for implementation, exemptions permitted, and arrangements for oversight or enforcement.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
For information relating to the UK Government branding update, I refer the Hon. Member to Questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.
For information relating to stakeholder engagement, I refer the Hon. Member to Question 112168.
Government communications use “UK Government” as the primary identity for public-facing communications. This is not an introduction of a new UK Government brand identity. The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has conducted any evaluations, stakeholder reviews or assessments of the public understanding, effectiveness or impact of the new UK Government brand identity since its introduction; and if he will publish any related correspondence or internal assessments.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
For information relating to the UK Government branding update, I refer the Hon. Member to Questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.
For information relating to stakeholder engagement, I refer the Hon. Member to Question 112168.
Government communications use “UK Government” as the primary identity for public-facing communications. This is not an introduction of a new UK Government brand identity. The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to reported spending of £532,000 on the GOV.UK brand refresh, of which £421,750 was attributed to the Cabinet Office and £110,250 to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether any additional costs have been incurred or authorised in relation to the wider “UK Government” branding programme.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
For information relating to the UK Government branding update, I refer the Hon. Member to Questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.
For information relating to stakeholder engagement, I refer the Hon. Member to Question 112168.
Government communications use “UK Government” as the primary identity for public-facing communications. This is not an introduction of a new UK Government brand identity. The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.