Clive Jones

The Department for Business and Trade engages with and recognises the need to understand a range of stakeholder perspectives in its aims to monitor Free Trade Agreements, including Australia and New Zealand.

The Department is currently considering our approach to FTA monitoring, and we will provide an update on this in due course to align with the Trade Strategy.

It is important that people with cancer are supported to return to, or remain in work, if that is what they choose to do. Workers with cancer and their carers are protected from employment discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Their family members or friends may also be entitled to up to a week of unpaid carer’s leave to support them. We are reviewing implementation of carer’s leave and are exploring whether additional support may be needed.

The updated GPSR largely formalises how many businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. However, we understand that for some businesses, the regulation will require changes, and we take any concerns very seriously.

Government is supporting small businesses to understand the regulation. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses. Firms exporting to the EU should note that EU guidance is now available and may also wish to contact the Government’s Export Support Service.

The updated GPSR largely formalises how many businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. However, we understand that for some businesses, the regulation will require changes, and we take any concerns very seriously.

Government is supporting small businesses to understand the regulation. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses. Firms exporting to the EU should note that EU guidance is now available and may also wish to contact the Government’s Export Support Service.

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. This work takes place separately to negotiations on Free Trade Agreements.

While aspects of trade policy can provide the opportunity to address other issues in our bilateral relationships, Free Trade Agreements are not generally the most effective or targeted tool to advance human rights issues.

The Government will continue to fulfil commitments set out under the current scrutiny framework for free trade agreements (FTAs).

The UK remains committed to eradicating forced labour in global supply chains, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, and commitments made through the G7. No company should have forced labour in its supply chains.

Trade deals like the UK-GCC FTA will be aligned with the trade and industrial strategies. This Government is committed to working with international partners to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses.

The Government will protect our labour standards in new trade agreements. To date, we have secured chapters on labour in FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, and within CPTPP. The UK also has labour provisions in a range of other agreements.  We will continue to work internationally to strengthen workers’ rights and enhance labour standards globally.

As recently outlined in the Chancellors budget, we intend to publish the Trade Strategy in the Spring.

As well as meeting our statutory obligations under CRaG, the Government will continue to provide additional information and time to support parliamentary scrutiny of FTAs. This includes running a call for evidence on proposed new negotiations, publishing negotiating objectives and publishing regular updates throughout negotiations. Following signature of a new FTA, the Government will publish the full treaty text along with an Impact Assessment and explanatory memorandum and allow a reasonable period of time for Parliament to consider the agreement before commencing the formal CRaG scrutiny period.

The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition.

The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers.

Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition.

The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to small brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers. The Government will also consult on ways to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and local economies, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’

Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

The government will consult on ways to ensure that independent brewers can retain and expand their access to UK pubs, and maximise drinkers’ choice, including through provisions to enable ‘guest beers’.

In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”, the Government is reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year.

This Government remains committed to helping small businesses and independent brewers thrive and will be publishing our Small Business Strategy next year. This will set out our vision for all small businesses, from boosting scale-ups to growing the co-operative economy. Support is also available via the Business Support Service, Gov.uk and the network of local Growth Hubs across England. The Government-backed British Business Bank also improves access to finance to help businesses grow.

Businesses who want to start exporting or expand into new markets can access support through our digital GREAT.gov.uk platform and Export Support Service. We are supporting businesses to build their exporting knowledge and capability through our online Export Academy programme and series of ‘peer to peer’ networking events around the UK.

Additionally, The Department for Business and Trade has a network of international trade advisers offering one to one support across England including Wokingham where we directly support three local craft breweries in the area.

We do not comment on the details of live negotiations.

We’re proud of the UK’s role as a leading human rights advocate worldwide. This work takes place separately to trade negotiations, but growing our trading relationships is one way to promote British values abroad while boosting our economy. The GCC is an economically and strategically important group of countries and an ambitious trade deal is firmly in the UK’s national interest, helping to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7.

Strengthening our trading relationships increases UK influence, enabling open discussions with partners on a range of issues. Our close relationship with our partners in the Gulf allows us to discuss important issues such as human rights at official and Ministerial level.

The UK and GCC Member States have agreed to negotiate a GCC-wide FTA, reflecting the opportunities this presents to increase trade and investment with all parties. The GCC is equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest trading partner.

During the Call for Input launched in advance of negotiations and subsequently, businesses and stakeholders expressed a preference for a UK-GCC FTA. An FTA will enable UK businesses to benefit from preferential access with all six GCC markets, unlocking new opportunities and giving them an advantage over international competitors.

We are committed to further deepening the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal and informal dialogue with Gulf partners.

In its role as the UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance has a range of products designed to support exporters or businesses with export potential. In 2023/24, UKEF provided £8.8 billion in support for UK exports, including the extension of a £200,000 General Export Facility for a company based in Wokingham. UKEF’s full product suite can be found at: www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk/products-and-services/.

UKEF also has a network of export finance managers around the whole country who are valuable points of contact for local businesses and can provide information on the range of support available. Contact details for the EFMs can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager.

Businesses in Wokingham and across the country seeking to sell overseas can also access support from the Department and Business and Trade, such as our network of International Trade Advisors and guidance on GREAT.GOV.UK

The first mission of this Government is to drive economic growth, Free Trade Agreements have a critical role to play in delivering that mission.

The Secretary of State announced the Government’s intention to deliver the UK’s Free Trade Agreement programme, including India in July 2024. Our trade programme is driven by stakeholder engagement, including with egg producers and their representative organisations.

In line with our parliamentary commitments, we will publish an independently scrutinised Impact Assessment once the agreement has been signed which will cover the economic impacts of the deal.

The Government is considering all aspects of this issue. All arrangements must be proportionate and in line with the UK’s overarching constitutional framework. We need to balance effective parliamentary scrutiny whilst still ensuring the Government can negotiate effectively in the UK’s best interest.

This Government is committed to working with the EU to identify areas where we can strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit and realise the potential of the UK-EU relationship by tackling unnecessary barriers to trade to support growth in the UK and Europe.

This Government values strong UK-EU trading relations and recognises the importance of regulatory cooperation to maximising the benefits from our trade relationship, including ensuring consumer safety. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides a basis for cooperation in respect of manufactured goods. The TCA's sectoral working groups facilitate mutual information exchange and discussion of regulatory developments in motor vehicles and parts, medicinal and organic products. This Government is also committed to advancing discussions on systematic exchange of data on unsafe non-food products as outlined in the TCA and looks forward to exploring further opportunities for UK-EU collaboration.

The Government continues to follow EU regulatory developments with interest and engages regularly with the EU on key regulatory developments, including through TCA structures such as the Trade Specialised Committees. I can confirm that my officials will consider the impact of UK regulatory changes through impact assessments or proportionate analysis.

The Department for Business and Trade is currently reviewing the Board of Trade and a decision on appointments and future direction of the Board will be made soon.

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.

Free trade agreements are subject to parliamentary scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, prior to ratification.

The Department for Business and Trade is currently considering wider scrutiny arrangements for trade agreements, to ensure they are fit for purpose.

We recognise the importance of stakeholder engagement, which will play a crucial role in the development of the trade strategy. We will share further details on stakeholders' involvement in due course.

This Government is committed to being an international leader on environmental issues, including tackling climate change, achieving net zero and delivering growth.

The FTAs with Australia, New Zealand and CPTPP include binding commitments such as non-derogation from their environmental laws, and affirm international environment and climate commitments including the Paris Agreement. The UK is committed to promoting high environmental standards and deepening cooperation with trade partners on climate and environment issues.

Our priorities to support growth and investment in the construction sector across the UK include: maximising economic benefits of HMG investment in construction and infrastructure; helping industry become more productive and sustainable, encouraging adoption of new technologies, decarbonisation and greater investment in its workforce; working to improve the business environment including payment practices; and supporting trade and investment in construction products and services.

The Government is working with the construction industry to build capacity and capability to deliver its infrastructure and built environment commitments. The introduction of Skills England will be crucial to providing high quality training for construction workers.