Business and Trade

Gareth Thomas Excerpts

Tuesday 12th March 2024 Ministerial Corrections

[Ms Ghani]

That is an extraordinary statement, because in the hon. Lady’s constituency there are exports of professional and business services, and those exports are not only to the EU but to countries outside the EU.

[Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)]

The Office for Budget Responsibility said yesterday that exports, including from SMEs, will fall even more than expected this year; growth in exports will be less than 1% in each of the next three years; and other countries will not be hit the same way. There have been cuts in the funding to help businesses start exporting and there has been no deal with the United States, no Diwali deal with India, and no veterinary agreement with the EU to cut red tape and slash costs. What does the Minister think is the best explanation for the Government’s dismal performance on exports so far?

[Ms Ghani]

…When it comes to exports, we are exporting not only into the EU but outside the EU. As I said earlier, professional and business services are increasing outside the EU by 19%.

[Official Report, 7 March 2024, Vol. 746, c. 944.]

Letter of correction from the Minister for Industry and Economic Security, the hon. Member for Wealden (Ms Ghani):

An error has been identified in my response to the hon. Member for Harrow West (Gareth Thomas). The reply should have been: