Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many UK-based defence companies have dissolved since 2020.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Since 1 January 2020 to 2 June 2026, 842 UK-based defence companies have been dissolved. Defence companies are identified using the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 84220. SIC codes are self-reported by companies at incorporation and through confirmation statement filings. As SIC codes are self-reported and not always completed accurately, the figures may not be fully precise. This may not be a company’s only industry classification code, as up to four can be provided. Some companies have been restored to the register; this figure relates only to companies recorded as dissolved during the period.
The net decline in UK-based defence companies is 838, as 4 companies were subsequently restored.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the content was of the consignments with UK arms export codes ML10 and ML5 seized by Belgian authorities in Liege on 24 March 2026.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We do not routinely comment on individual licensing cases for reasons of commercial sensitivity. The UK Strategic Export Control list contains detailed information on items classified under the relevant control list entries, including ML5 and ML10.
UK export licences for items which might be used in military operations in Gaza remain suspended, in line with the Business and Trade Secretary’s statement to Parliament on 2 September 2024.
Exports of military equipment to Israel must comply with the terms of this suspension, and other relevant UK regulations.
Compliance with Belgian transit policies is a matter for Belgian authorities.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will take control of the Liberty Steel Dalzell plant to purchase slab from British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant and begin production on new FSS ships.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Liberty Steel Dalzell is a privately-owned company. The Government has no plans to take control or purchase it. Liberty Dalzell is contracted to supply steel plate to Navantia UK for the MOD’s Fleet Solid Support ships programme. This is an independent commercial arrangement between the two companies.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
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 help support the export of domestic wine.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
DBT is committed to helping domestic wine producers grow through exports. DBT provide tailored export support and advice for businesses via business.gov.uk. This includes access to expert-led sessions via our Business Academy and country-led expertise from our international market teams. DBT regularly provides showcase opportunities for the UK’s award-winning British wines, such as at embassy tastings, trade missions and global trade shows that connect producers directly with buyers and distributors. Vineyards and wineries of all sizes can also access UK Export Finance (UKEF), which offers a wide range of financial products to support exporters and export-ready businesses.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether English and Welsh wine was discussed during trade deal discussions with (a) India and (b) the US.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK Government seeks the best possible outcome for UK businesses in all aspects of negotiations and ongoing market access engagement with other governments, based on industry engagement and economic analysis.
Under the UK-India FTA, we agreed a review mechanism, allowing us to revisit areas of interest in future, which could include liberalisation on English Wine.
Negotiations with the US on the Economic Prosperity Deal are ongoing.
The Department for Business and Trade also offers extensive export support for English wine producers through business.gov.uk. At the start of July there was a Meet-The-Market roadshow hosted across England with direct access to department trade officers from key growth markets.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Indian Government on reducing tariffs on English wine.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK Government seeks the best possible outcome for UK businesses in all aspects of negotiations and ongoing market access engagement with other governments, based on industry engagement and economic analysis.
Under the UK-India FTA we agreed a review mechanism, allowing us to revisit areas of interest in future, which could include liberalisation on English Wine.
The Department for Business and Trade also offers extensive export support for English wine producers through business.gov.uk. At the start of July there was a Meet-The-Market roadshow hosted across England with direct access to department trade officers from key growth markets.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with EU-based businesses on UK-EU trade relations.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government regularly engages with UK and EU businesses as we strengthen the UK-EU relationship. This includes engagement through formal channels such as the UK TCA Domestic Advisory Group and the Trade Strategy’s open call for input, as well as Ministerial roundtables.
As part of my visit to Brussels on 26 February, I held a roundtable with EU industry representatives on improving UK-EU trade relations. On 6 March, Minister Gustafsson led a business roundtable with Irish businesses regarding bilateral trade and investment opportunities. We will continue to engage businesses ahead of the UK-EU Summit.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to consult UK businesses ahead of the UK-EU May Summit.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government regularly engages with UK and EU businesses as we strengthen the UK-EU relationship. This includes engagement through formal channels such as the UK TCA Domestic Advisory Group and the Trade Strategy’s open call for input, as well as Ministerial roundtables.
As part of my visit to Brussels on 26 February, I held a roundtable with EU industry representatives on improving UK-EU trade relations. On 6 March, Minister Gustafsson led a business roundtable with Irish businesses regarding bilateral trade and investment opportunities. We will continue to engage businesses ahead of the UK-EU Summit.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking through the Product Safety and Metrology Bill to improve safety standards in relation to the (a) use and (b) sale of lithium-ion batteries.
Answered by Justin Madders
The UK has some of the strongest consumer product safety laws in the world, that already requires businesses to only make safe products available on the market, including lithium-ion batteries. The powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will allow us to update the regulatory framework, if we determine that is necessary to ensure the best protections for consumers.
In the meantime, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, as the national regulator, is taking action to prevent unsafe products, including lithium-ion batteries, from being sold in the UK.