Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to take British Steel into temporary public ownership (a) before the remaining blast furnaces are closed down and (b) until the future of virgin steel production in the UK is assured.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our priority is respecting workers, safeguarding jobs, and retaining steelmaking. We have been clear that the best way forward is for British Steel to continue as a commercially run business with private investment and Government acting in support. We call upon British Steel to accept our generous offer of financial support, and the associated conditions. However, no options are off the table. The Government remains resolute in our desire to secure a long-term future for the Scunthorpe steelworks, retaining steel pro-duction and putting an end to the years of uncertainty.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will remove tariffs on the import of motor vehicles from the United States.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
On 3 April, the government launched a Request for Input from businesses to help inform our response to US tariffs. We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works for both the UK and the US. But nothing is off the table; this government will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason the request by National Trading Standards for funding to enable it to resource an investigation into Park Home residents’ pitch fee agreements has been refused; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that consumer legislation to protect park home residents is enforced.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
The Department for Business and Trade has not received a request for additional funding from National Trading Standards (NTS) for such an investigation.
NTS operates independently and receives funding from the Department to respond to breaches of consumer law significant at a national or regional level. NTS base enforcement decisions on an intelligence-led assessment which determines their priorities.
The Government is seeking to strengthen consumer rights and their enforcement through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, including through enabling enforcement agencies to impose tougher fines on noncompliant businesses.