Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
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 non-technical summaries of project licences granted in 2025, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of beagles authorised for use in scientific procedures.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government remains committed to reducing and replacing the use of animals in science, including dogs. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 the statutory principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement require animals to be used only where there is no scientifically satisfactory alternative, in the minimum numbers necessary, and with procedures refined to minimise suffering. Through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, we are accelerating the development, validation and regulatory uptake of alternative methods, supported by investment, regulatory reform and strengthened delivery oversight. The strategy sets out a long-term vision to eliminate animal use in science wherever possible.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will make it his policy to introduce a statutory timetable, as proposed by Herbie’s Law, for replacing the use of beagles for use in scientific procedures where validated non-animal methods are available.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Member for Falkirk to the answer provided on 17 July 2026 in response to UIN 18685.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he plans to provide a non-digital route for existing directors to comply with mandatory identity verification requirements.
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)
Identity verification became mandatory on 18 November 2025 for new and existing directors, equivalent roles in other registrable legal entities, and People with Significant Control (PSCs).
Individuals are encouraged to use GOV.UK One Login as this offers several routes, including using photo ID, answering online security questions or document checks at a Post Office. Those unable to complete verification using a One Login route can instead use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant or solicitor, to verify their identity.
ACSPs must meet Companies House's identity verification standard. Companies House also provides tailored support and reasonable adjustments.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mandatory Companies House identity verification on long-serving company directors.
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)
Most existing company directors can complete online verification in a matter of minutes using a wide range of documents. The service has been designed to be straightforward and meets government accessibility requirements, including compatibility with assistive technologies and can be completed independently using a smartphone or computer. A 12-month transition period commenced on 18 November 2025 to lessen the impact on existing directors.
An impact assessment found verification costs and burdens are minimal, reflecting our aim to keep new requirements proportionate and manageable. The assessment is available here: Impact Assessment - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Community Interest Companies registered have had Striking Off action suspended due to objections pertaining to Bounce Back Loans being received by the registrar.
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)
As of July 2026, there are 392 Community Interest Companies in receipt of a Bounce Back Loan which have an active objection in place.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
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 impact of a reduction of steel import quotas and increase in above-quota import tariffs on the domestic automotive industry.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply for downstream users.
Quotas have been designed with the aim of allowing for sufficient imports to ensure continued availability of goods to UK downstream users, including the automotive sector, without unnecessary additional costs. The increased tariff will apply only once import quotas have been filled.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
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 merits of harmonising import duties on foreign manufactured diesel and zero-emission buses.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
In setting tariffs, the Government considers different factors such as the interests of UK consumers, producers, productivity, competitiveness, and external trade, as well as other Government objectives. Tariffs for zero-emission buses are set at 10%. This is the maximum applied tariff permitted for zero-emission buses under our goods schedule at the WTO.
As with all policy, the Government welcomes feedback and monitors these requests closely. Feedback can be submitted on specific tariff lines via the UKGT feedback form available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tariffs-on-goods-imported-into-the-uk
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people in Scotland are employed in sectors eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Based on the latest available employment data, over 64,000 people in Scotland are employed in sectors with Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that are eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
Eligibility under the scheme will be based on both SIC codes to identify eligible manufacturing sectors and Harmonised System (HS) codes to confirm eligible products. Employment figures are therefore indicative and not all businesses within an eligible SIC code will necessarily qualify for support.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the latest date is a company must have been incorporated on to be eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government can confirm that whilst there is no explicit latest date at which a company must have been incorporated to be eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, companies will be required to provide 6 months of historic electricity consumption data at the point at which they apply. This is to enable the Department to accurately assess a company’s eligibility for the scheme. Further detail on application timing is set out in the Government’s current consultation on scheme delivery. The Government will provide more guidance for businesses over the Summer.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to protect workers’ terms and conditions including through the implementation of short-time working arrangements in the construction industry.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Construction Industry Working Rule Agreement, collectively negotiated between employer organisations and trade unions to establish agreed terms and conditions, is a matter for the industry. This agreement provides a consistent framework for fair treatment of workers across the sector, supporting stability and clarity for both employers and employees.
Looking ahead, the Employment Rights Bill will modernise our employment rights legislation. It will provide a new baseline of security for workers including through day one protection from unfair dismissal, increasing protection from sexual harassment, strengthening Statutory Sick Pay and ending exploitative zero hours contacts and tackling fire and rehire.