Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what responsibilities remain on liquidators of housing developers for resolving (a) legal title and (b) infrastructure issues impacting homeowners.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
A liquidators’ statutory functions when winding up a company are to secure and realise any assets, distribute any funds generated to those entitled to them and generally act in the interests of the company’s creditors. In carrying out their statutory functions, liquidators are also obliged to have regard to their regulatory standards and code of ethics. This may extend to resolving legal title and infrastructure issues affecting homeowners if doing so is in creditors’ interests.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 impact of (a) veterinary certification guidance, (b) trade missions and (c) inclusion in mentorship schemes on Lancashire producers.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We will continue to work with Defra colleagues to support businesses and producers where appropriate.
Trade missions are promoted widely to companies in Lancashire through direct marketing and partners. Following the mission to Food & Hospitality China, in November 2024, Lancashire companies have forecast increased sales from new international business.
International Trade Advisers provide support for eligible businesses that require tailored advice to grow their international sales. DBT has seven Food & Drink Export Champions in the North, one of which is based in Lancashire.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 prevent the (a) sale and (b) production of skimming devices used fraudulently steal card details.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Home Office announced that an expanded fraud strategy will be published later this year, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, with a key focus of the strategy being combatting tech-enabled fraud.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of labour shortages on the (a) tourism and (b) hospitality sectors in coastal areas.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Government recognises that labour market pressures, particularly in seasonal roles, can affect tourism and hospitality businesses in coastal areas.
We work closely with industry bodies, local partners and other Government departments to monitor workforce trends and to understand regional impacts, including through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council and Hospitality Sector Council.
The Government remains committed to ongoing collaboration across Government and industry, helping to mitigate impacts and build a more sustainable, skilled workforce to support the long‑term success of tourism and hospitality in our coastal areas.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 online retailers on the (a) environmental and (b) ethical implications of fast fashion (i) production and (ii) pricing models.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Department engages regularly with retailers on a broad range of matters relating to the fashion industry, including its environmental and ethical implications.
The UK supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises.
We recognise that trade policy is an important tool in a comprehensive approach to prevent, identify and eliminate forced labour in global supply chains and are considering measures that can help improve supply chain transparency and traceability. As part of the Trade Strategy, we have announced a review of our approach to ensuring responsible business conduct, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 fashion retailers on labour (a) rights and (b) conditions in supply chains.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Department engages regularly with businesses across all sectors, including fashion retailers, on a range of issues including labour rights and working conditions throughout global supply chains.
The UK has a strong legal framework to ensure that workers' rights are protected, both domestically and internationally. This includes the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires large businesses to report on the steps they have taken to tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
The Department continues to work closely with the fashion retail sector to promote responsible business conduct and to support businesses in addressing labour rights challenges in complex global supply chains. This includes promoting adherence to international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 resilience of the UK supply chain for electric vehicle components.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
We regularly keep the resilience of our EV supply chains under review to ensure a strong and viable automotive sector. As part of our plan for growth, we will continue to work with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK including through new strategic investments and export support for automotive and battery manufacturing.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent changes (a) HMRC and (b) Companies House has made to the filing requirements for small and medium-sized businesses.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Department for Business and Trade is currently engaging with stakeholders on proposed changes in filing requirements at Companies House to ensure they strike the right balance between tackling economic crime and avoiding undue burden on business.
HMRC has required companies to file electronic company tax returns since 2011 and announced earlier this year that, from 31 March 2026, it would be withdrawing the joint online filing service it runs with Companies House.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the number of working days lost to strike action in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
Answered by Justin Madders
In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill and these are available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
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 impact of the Employment Rights Bill on trends in the level of trade union membership in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
Answered by Justin Madders
In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill and these are available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK