Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Government response to the Green Paper entitled Future of the Post Office, published on 7 July 2026, whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Post Office network geographical access criteria to take account of (a) journey times by public transport and (b) the age profile of the local population.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Green Paper Post Office consultation represented a once-in-a-decade opportunity to consider the Post Office's policy framework and future. The consultation covered a variety of network topics, including whether to retain the existing geographical Access Criteria, which are based on distance to the nearest Post Office branch. The majority of respondents supported keeping the current Criteria and the Government therefore confirmed that all six would remain in place. The Criteria provide clear, consistent safeguards for nationwide access. The Government also confirmed that the Post Office will continue to report annually on accessibility for specific user groups, including elderly people.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 on (a) consumers, and (b) tackling breaches of consumer law at (i) national (ii) regional and (iii) cross-boundary levels.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 consolidated core consumer rights for goods, services and digital content into one framework, giving consumers clear remedies when things go wrong. It also consolidated enforcers’ investigatory powers and confirmed that Trading Standards can act across local authority boundaries.
No specific assessment has been made of its impact on consumers and tackling breaches of consumer law at a national, regional or cross boundary level.
However, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade funds National Trading Standards to tackle serious regional breaches, and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 gave the Competition and Markets Authority direct powers to enforce consumer law nationally. We are also reviewing Trading Standards duties and the wider consumer protection landscape so enforcement is effective at every level.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on regional growth and high-skilled jobs in regions of the country facing cuts.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific opportunities. As part of this process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected helping to sustain the UK's skills base, research expertise and long-term scientific capability.
STFC continues to invest in major research infrastructure that supports regional growth and high-skilled employment, including £327 million in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) between 2021 and 2030. Headquartered in the North West, SKAO is expected to unlock around £225 million of foreign direct investment and £280 million of additional UK economic value.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on the UK's international scientific partnerships.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Major international subscriptions, including participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations, are being fully protected through Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)’s prioritisation decisions. This safeguards UK access, influence and leadership in international scientific partnerships. Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific opportunities. Options were assessed against scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK and international leadership. Prioritisation decisions relating to individual projects do not impact the UK’s overall commitment to membership of international research infrastructure like CERN and SKAO.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration his Department has given to the potential merits of implementing the recommendation from the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance's report on 'Water use in AI and Data Centres' to mandate comprehensive and location-based water reporting for data centres.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
BIST engages regularly with DEFRA and the Environment Agency to ensure data infrastructure does not compromise public water supply resilience. The Government supports efficient cooling technologies, including closed-loop systems and alternative sources such as rainwater harvesting.
AI Growth Zone applicants must provide water plans and confirmation of feasibility from the relevant water supplier. Data centre developers progressing through the NSIP regime must assess impacts on water resources through Environmental Impact Assessments, while national planning policy embeds sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision-making.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to protect UK packaging producers from foreign competitors with more environmentally harmful products.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK's Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme and related fees apply equally to products whether they are imported or manufactured in the UK. This helps ensure a level playing field for UK packaging producers, whilst encouraging the use of packaging which is easier to recycle.
In addition, the UK promotes resource efficiency and circular economy objectives through its free trade agreements, including cooperation with partners on environmentally sustainable product design and related product information, including for packaging.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the New Zealand Government's proposed prohibition on findings of tort liability for greenhouse gas emissions on the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department for Business and Trade monitors developments that may affect the implementation of the UK–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), including through its continued compliance monitoring processes.
We are committed to ensuring the effective implementation of the environmental and climate provisions under the FTA and maintain regular engagement with New Zealand officials through the FTA’s established engagement mechanisms.
The Department continues to keep this matter under review and work closely with colleagues at the British High Commission Wellington.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether discussions her Department has had with the Government of Indonesian on the UK-Indonesia Economic Growth Partnership has included the clearance of indigenous peoples’ rainforests for food estates in Merauke District in Indonesian New Guinea.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We raise issues affecting indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement on international human rights commitments. The Economic Growth Partnership with Indonesia reaffirms commitments to protect and restore primary forests, peatlands, and related ecosystems, reduce deforestation, and respect the rights of workers, local communities and customary law communities.
Growing trading relationships help enable open conversations, including on human rights. As signatories to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, the UK and Indonesia are committed to working to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-Indonesia Economic Growth Partnership on (a) indigenous peoples’ human rights and (b) tropical forests.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We raise issues affecting indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement on international human rights commitments. The Economic Growth Partnership with Indonesia reaffirms commitments to protect and restore primary forests, peatlands, and related ecosystems, reduce deforestation, and respect the rights of workers, local communities and customary law communities.
Growing trading relationships help enable open conversations, including on human rights. As signatories to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, the UK and Indonesia are committed to working to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
Asked by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to protect the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia, in the context of the UK-Indonesia Economic Growth Partnership.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We raise issues affecting indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement on international human rights commitments. The Economic Growth Partnership with Indonesia reaffirms commitments to protect and restore primary forests, peatlands, and related ecosystems, reduce deforestation, and respect the rights of workers, local communities and customary law communities.
Growing trading relationships help enable open conversations, including on human rights. As signatories to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, the UK and Indonesia are committed to working to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.