Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not collect data at this level of granularity and the information would only be available at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra purchases crockery and tableware through a contract let under the previous Public Contracting Regulations 2015. We cannot confirm the proportion made by a British manufacturer, as this was not stipulated in the contract but it could be in future contracts.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this Government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (i) his Department, (ii) Courts and Tribunals and (iii) the Prison estate is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

All tableware (including plates, bowls, cups and cutlery) used in HM Prisons are made from polypropylene and polycarbonate plastics for safety reasons. They are manufactured in house in our plastics injection moulding workshops. The items form part of the equipment issued to prisoners for their personal use and are washed and reused by the individual after each meal.

It is important to note that despite being made of plastic they are multi-use and are washed and reused time and time again. Each of the items are 100% recyclable.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work. The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this Government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (a) his Department and (b) job centres is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The current FM supply chain who provide catering services (as of 1st October 2025) has inherited canteen crockery and cutlery from the previous supplier(s), therefore are unable to ascertain where these were manufactured.

Our suppliers have confirmed there are no plans in place currently to purchase any crockery or cutlery in the future.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

The Scotland Office has tableware and crockery for use at events which has been sourced over a number of years from various suppliers within the UK. Information on the country of manufacture is not available.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of tableware and crockery used in his Derpartment is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office does not hold information regarding this, and it would incur disproportionate costs to gather this information.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Tableware and crockery are not provided within the Department.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (i) his Department and (ii) Hillsborough Castle is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

Crockery and tableware at Northern Ireland Office buildings and Hillsborough Castle has been sourced over a number of years from various suppliers. However, full information about the country of manufacture is not available. A percentage of the crockery used within the department and Hillsborough Castle was however manufactured in the United Kingdom.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department does not hold information on the tableware and crockery used in our offices. The Government Property Agency provides the department with property asset management, including catering and restaurant/café services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

HM Treasury does not hold the information requested. The provision of catering facilities, including tableware and crockery in catering outlets for HM Treasury staff and buildings, is managed under contracts administered by the Government Property Agency.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Tableware and crockery are not provided within the Department.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

We do not hold this information.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts. The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work. The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products. Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (i) his Department and (ii) British Embassies and Consulates is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The requested information is not centrally collated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (i) his Department and (ii) military bases is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of Government Car Service cars were manufactured in the UK.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

40 cars were manufactured in the UK which represents 37% of the current Government Car Service fleet.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

A small amount of crockery and tableware has been purchased locally using departmental funds. No central record is maintained of these purchases. To determine the country of origin of all such items would require a check of all items in use. The cost of this would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £850.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of credit unions in (a) providing affordable credit and (b) promoting financial resilience, in the context of the forthcoming National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government has committed to publish a Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to improve access to financial products and the financial resilience of households in the UK. The strategy will address a range of barriers to financial inclusion, including a key focus on how to improve access to credit. This will seek to build on the government’s recognition of the key role credit unions play in serving underserved groups.

The government has made clear its strong support for the credit union sector, recognising the value that credit unions bring to their members in local communities across the country in providing savings products and affordable credit.

HM Treasury is delivering on measures announced by the Chancellor in last year’s Mansion House speech to support credit unions and the wider mutuals sector, including: concluding a call for evidence on potential reforms to credit union common bonds, supporting the industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council, and commissioning the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to publish a report on the mutuals landscape by the end of 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department plans to take to support credit unions, in the context of the forthcoming National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government has committed to publish a Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to improve access to financial products and the financial resilience of households in the UK. The strategy will address a range of barriers to financial inclusion, including a key focus on how to improve access to credit. This will seek to build on the government’s recognition of the key role credit unions play in serving underserved groups.

The government has made clear its strong support for the credit union sector, recognising the value that credit unions bring to their members in local communities across the country in providing savings products and affordable credit.

HM Treasury is delivering on measures announced by the Chancellor in last year’s Mansion House speech to support credit unions and the wider mutuals sector, including: concluding a call for evidence on potential reforms to credit union common bonds, supporting the industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council, and commissioning the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to publish a report on the mutuals landscape by the end of 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when her Department plans to publish the National Financial Inclusion Strategy; and what (a) themes and (b) policy measures it will include to (i) address financial exclusion and (ii) improve people's financial resilience.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has committed to publish a national Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to improve access to financial products and the financial resilience of underserved groups in the UK.

The strategy will address key barriers to financial inclusion, with a focus on: (i) digital inclusion and access to banking; (ii) savings; (iii) insurance; (iv) credit; (v) problem debt; and (vi) financial education and capability. Across these areas, the themes of accessibility, mental health, and economic abuse have also been considered in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to these issues.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress she has made in reviewing responses to the call for evidence on reforming the credit union common bond in Great Britain; and when she plans to publish proposed next steps.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises the role that credit unions play in providing savings and affordable loans to their members, serving local communities throughout the country. This is why the government is taking steps to ensure credit unions are fully supported to grow and scale into the future.

This includes exploring legislative reform to the credit union common bond, to ensure it remains fit for purpose. We launched a call for evidence at last year’s Mansion House on the potential reform, which closed in March this year.

Responses to the call for evidence are being carefully considered and the government will provide an update on this work in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using post offices to (a) onboard and (b) support people impacted by (i) identity and (ii) digital exclusion in the context of mandatory digital identity.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government will launch a full public consultation on the design of the new Digital ID, and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations.

At the heart of this will be the largest ever digital inclusion programme ever delivered in this country, to ensure everyone can access this new free ID and benefit from it.

We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, as well as in-person onboarding support for those who struggle to engage digitally. This may include Post Offices but that decision has not yet been made and will depend on several different factors.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (a) his Department, (b) Integrated Care Boards, (c) hospitals and (d) NHS England Offices is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

The tableware and crockery used in the Department is provided by our catering supplier. They do not record where the crockery was made and are unable to advise what proportion was manufactured in Britain. Some of the crockery was manufactured in the UK.

Integrated care boards, hospitals, and NHS England do not hold this information and it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to (a) engage with and (b) educate postmasters on the practical implications of the potential mutualisation of the Post Office.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department has been actively engaging postmasters through the Green Paper consultation on the future of the Post Office, which closed earlier this month. This included two postmaster focus groups to ensure postmaster voices are clearly heard on the full range of issues covered by the Green Paper, including mutualisation and other governance options.

The Green Paper itself included information on mutualisation as one potential future ownership model, and the department is continuing to analyse feedback on this and other options. However, it is worth noting that decisions on long-term governance will not be taken until the second volume of Sir Wyn Williams inquiry has been published. In the interim both the department and the Post Office will continue to actively engage Postmasters on this topic.

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