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Written Question
Food: Exports
Friday 3rd February 2023

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to help support the UK food industry to export into the EU.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We support our food producers through all stages of their export journey to the EU. This includes the Export Support Service, GREAT.gov.uk platform, the Export Academy, UK Export Finance and high profile events and trade shows such as SIAL in France and Anuga in Germany. The Department for International Trade has a network of agriculture, food and drink trade advisers across EU markets overseen by our Trade Commissioner in Europe

We have also established a new Food and Drink Export Council which brings together the UK Government, Devolved Administrations, and industry, to harness collective capability, expertise, and resources in boosting UK food and drink exports to global markets, including Europe.


Written Question
Department for International Trade: Maritime UK
Monday 19th December 2022

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many hours officials in her Department have worked to (a) attend and (b) support the policy agenda of the National Council of Maritime UK since 2019-20 to date.

Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The National Council meets three times a year. Department for International Trade (DIT) officials have generally attended these meetings, which last around three hours. It is one of the mechanisms used to engage with industry. DIT along with other Government Departments attends to provide an update and hear from Stakeholders about their issues. It is a good forum for engagement with the sector on international trade and investment policy as it relates to the maritime sector.


Written Question
Trade Promotion: Food
Tuesday 11th February 2020

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to promote British food and drink exports in foreign markets.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) promotes UK food and drink excellence globally. We have dedicated food and drink export advisers both throughout the UK and globally who deliver a wide range of activities in support of our food and drink producers. These activities include brokered meetings with key overseas food and drink importers and retailers, trade missions, financial support for companies to exhibit at overseas trade fairs, as well as showcasing events aiming at changing perceptions of UK food and drink.

DIT also works in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and industry to target specific market access issues, helping to open markets overseas for high quality UK produce.


Written Question
World Expo: United Arab Emirates
Thursday 30th January 2020

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of protections of the (a) human rights and (b) safety of workers building the British pavilion for the Dubai Expo in the UAE; and whether there has been any violations of those rights and protections.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has ensured that stringent contract provisions are in place with the suppliers who have been appointed to construct the UK Pavilion, requiring all work to be carried out in accordance with the Expo 2020 Workers Welfare Minimum Standards (which are higher than the UAE’s standard welfare regulations). These suppliers are monitored closely by DIT’s project management supplier to ensure performance against their contractual conditions.

According to the last health and safety audit by the Expo 2020 Dubai authorities the UK was amongst the most positively scored Pavilions. In addition, DIT has appointed a specialist risk management organisation (with expertise in carrying out worker welfare audits in line with the Expo 2020 standards) to carry out regular independent audits of the UK pavilion site and its contractors. Where any issues have been raised, all parties have worked together to rectify these.


Written Question
Department for International Trade: Pay
Tuesday 21st January 2020

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department would receive an increase in their salary in the event that their hourly pay rate was (a) £8.72, (b) £9.30 and (c) £10.

Answered by Conor Burns

All civil servants are paid at least the current statutory National Minimum or National Living Wage rates of £7.70 and £8.21 per hour respectively.

All Department for International Trade employees currently on payroll, including UK Export Finance employees, are currently paid above the hourly rates outlined in this question. Therefore, none of the Department’s employees would see a change in their salary if these rates increased.


Written Question
Department for International Trade: Pay
Tuesday 21st January 2020

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the increase in the National Living wage announced by the Government on 31 December 2019, what discussions she is having with private sector companies undertaking facility management work for her Department to ensure that the cost of wage increases for their employees are not passed on to her Department.

Answered by Conor Burns

The Department for International Trade does not hold any facilities management contracts with private sector companies. All of the department’s facilities management services are provided via the Government Property Agency.


Written Question
Export Controls
Tuesday 4th April 2017

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what guidance is available to businesses on obtaining an export license.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Guidance on the GOV.UK website covers export controls and export licensing, including which exports are controlled, how to apply for a licence and exporter responsibilities. In addition we run introductory and intermediate training events, up and down the country, on different aspects of exports controls. Exporters may also sign up for regular bulletins on changes in policy and licensing.


Written Question
Exports: Government Assistance
Tuesday 4th April 2017

Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support he plans to provide to assist first-time export businesses; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for International Trade supports first-time exporters through a variety of tailored services.

Our digital platform GREAT.GOV.UK provides businesses access to millions of pounds’ worth of potential overseas business to help them start or continue exporting; and provides a new searchable export directory to match businesses according to the worldwide demand for UK goods and services.

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, helps UK companies of all sizes and in all sectors win, fulfil and get paid for exports. Its regional Export Finance Managers are the first point of contact for guidance for UK exporters, including first time export businesses.