Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the cross-government scrap supply working group has been established; and if he will publish (a) a list of meetings held to date and (b) the membership of that working group.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has created the Metals Circularity Group to ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality scrap for the domestic steel sector whilst considering how a circular economy can aid supply chains for steel, aluminium and critical minerals. The group met for the first time on 29 April 2026. Industry members have been pulling together views following that meeting.
This cross government-led group consists of DBT, DEFRA, DESNZ, other government departments and devolved administrations alongside representatives from industry, unions, academia and other stakeholders. As is standard practice, we do not publish details of individual companies involved.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meetings of the Steel Council have taken place since its establishment; and which Ministers attended each of those meetings.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Steel Council was re‑established in January 2025 to support the development of the UK Steel Strategy. Since then, the Council has met five times, with all meetings attended by the Minister for Industry. Additional Ministers have attended meetings as follows:
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on implementing the Single Trade Window set out in the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to minimising administrative burdens and frictions experienced by businesses trading internationally. The UK–India Free Trade Agreement reflects this, by including a commitment for both Parties to introduce or maintain a Single Window System.
The UK remains committed to delivering a Single Trade Window, recognising the potential benefits it offers for streamlining trade and improving border operation. Policy development is ongoing and focused on designing a service that delivers genuine value for businesses and strengthens the UK’s border system.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the Defence Procurement budget of the 50% tariff on steel imports from July 1st 2026.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The new steel measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply so the UK can meet its defence and critical national infrastructure needs. We will continue to monitor the impacts and review the measure after 12 months to ensure the balance is right between producers and downstream users of steel.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what representations he has received from (a) steel producers and (b) steel manufacturers from the Trade Remedies Authority in the last 12 months.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
If I have understood the RHM’s question correctly, none.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what impact assessment he has published of his decision to impose a 50% tariff on out-of-quota steel imports on July 1st 2026.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The new steel measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply, given the importance of the sector to critical national infrastructure and defence. This has been informed by extensive engagement across the supply chain, including a Call for Evidence in 2025. We will continue to monitor the impacts and review the measure after 12 months to ensure the balance is right between producers and downstream users of steel.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of guaranteed hours provisions on (a) access to entry level employment and (b) labour market flexibility.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025.
This analysis includes consideration of potential impacts on young, entry level workers as well as potential impacts of the Act on labour market flexibility. The measures are designed to provide greater predictability and security for workers.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with businesses on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act on (a) the number of entry level jobs, (b) the number of part time roles and (c) the overall workforce headcount.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government, in consultation with experts and business, has published 29 Impact Assessments which comprehensively outline the expected impacts of the Employment Rights Act: Employment Rights Act 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK.
The analysis shows that the Act will benefit 18 million workers, especially those in low-paid and part-time work. It also shows that the Act could increase the level of employment.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding will be available to support students undertaking study placements in Australia under mobility schemes in the (a) 2026–27 and (b) 2027–28 academic year.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Turing Scheme is a global, demand-led programme and does not ringfence funding for specific destinations. Providers design placements based on their students’ needs and apply for funding accordingly.
The overall Turing Scheme budget for the 2026/27 academic year and decisions on future years will be confirmed in due course
The UK has taken the positive step to join Erasmus+ in 2027. Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship education exchange and partnerships programme and joining will open up world-class opportunities for learners, educators, young people and communities. We anticipate the first Erasmus+ placements will begin in the 2027/28 academic year.
As part of Erasmus+, grant holders in higher education can allocate up to 20% of project funding to support international mobilities to countries that are not associated with the Erasmus+ programme.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding will be available to support students undertaking study placements in Canada under mobility schemes in the (a) 2026–27 and (b) 2027–28 academic year.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Turing Scheme is a global, demand-led programme and does not ringfence funding for specific destinations. Providers design placements based on their students’ needs and apply for funding accordingly.
The overall Turing Scheme budget for the 2026/27 academic year and decisions on future years will be confirmed in due course
The UK has taken the positive step to join Erasmus+ in 2027. Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship education exchange and partnerships programme and joining will open up world-class opportunities for learners, educators, young people and communities. We anticipate the first Erasmus+ placements will begin in the 2027/28 academic year.
As part of Erasmus+, grant holders in higher education can allocate up to 20% of project funding to support international mobilities to countries that are not associated with the Erasmus+ programme.