Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Elmore Excerpts

Thursday 21st April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

Indeed, as I mentioned earlier, this is difficult for some businesses. Our export support service has been focused on supporting those businesses with difficulties created by their Russian or Belarusian supply chains. It is a pleasure to be able to say that it has been extraordinary to witness so many businesses taking such decisions, even though it is economically difficult for them, because it is the right thing to do morally to step away from anything to do with Russia. Huge credit and thanks to all the businesses taking those very difficult economic decisions.

Looking at Northern Ireland, while some businesses are suffering, businesses such as Thales in Northern Ireland have been extraordinary in helping to provide support by providing the NLAWs—next-generation light anti-tank weapons—and defensive equipment that can help the Ukrainians fight the Putin war machine. Enormous thanks to all those businesses that are helping to support us and are working with the Ministry of Defence in particular to make sure that we can support the Ukrainians with the defensive equipment they need.

[Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)]

13. What steps she is taking to ensure that workers’ rights are maintained in all UK trade agreements.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)]

23. What steps she is taking to help ensure that workers’ rights are maintained in all UK trade agreements.

[The Minister for Trade Policy (Penny Mordaunt)]

Both agreements with Australia and New Zealand commit parties to maintain international labour standards.

[Chris Elmore]

The Minister will be aware that the TUC was first promised a seat on a trade advisory board in November 2020, and 18 months on it has still not been offered that seat. It was quite right that life sciences, transport, financial services and various other bodies have seats on these trade boards. Why do the Government have a problem with the TUC or any of our trade unions, which do an enormous amount of work in protecting workers’ rights in this country?

[Penny Mordaunt]

The issue is that the unions have not taken up the seat they were offered, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has included dialogue with unions in our trade negotiations at every opportunity—most recently, with the work she has been doing to secure a US FTA—and we will continue to do that. They are important stakeholders, and they will always be offered a seat at the table.