Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 proposed increases in stamp prices on (a) consumers and (b) businesses.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services.
In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, ‘safeguard caps’, on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices.
Information on Ofcom’s decisions regarding retail price caps on Royal Mail’s universal postal services to apply from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 is available on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/deliveries-and-charges/consultation-review-of-second-class-safeguard-caps-2024.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 of post office closures on (a) high-streets and (b) consumers in Essex.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Government fully appreciates the impact a Post Office branch closure can have on a community. It knows it can be disruptive, particularly for communities who don’t have nearby alternatives.
Although Post Office has the freedom to make commercial decisions regarding the composition of its network, Government protects the Post Office network and high street post offices by setting minimum access criteria. These include the requirements which ensure for example that in urban areas, 95% of the total population across the UK live within 1 mile of their nearest post office and in urban deprived areas 99% live within 1 mile of their nearest post office. The Government-set access criteria ensures that however the network changes, services remain within local reach of all citizens.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 of post office closures on high streets.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Government fully appreciates the impact a Post Office branch closure can have on a community, particularly for communities who don’t have nearby alternatives.
Although Post Office has the freedom to make commercial decisions regarding the composition of its network, Government protects the Post Office network and high street post offices by setting minimum access criteria. These include the requirements which ensure for example that in urban areas, 95% of the total population across the UK live within 1 mile of their nearest post office and in urban deprived areas 99% live within 1 mile of their nearest post office. The Government-set access criteria ensures that however the network changes, services remain within local reach of all citizens.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support food producers from (a) Essex and (b) the UK to increase exports.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
DBT’s offer of export support for Food & Drink businesses in Essex and the whole of the UK includes: educational support via our Export Academy, 1-2-1 support from International Trade Advisors and our extensive overseas network, with trade advisors promoting UK food in over 100 countries. Overseas we deliver a large programme of trade shows, missions and events to increase exports in the sector. In addition, our UK Export Finance agency helps companies access export finance, with a dedicated finance manager covering Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make a comparative assessment of energy prices for steel production in (a) the UK, (b) China, (c) Germany and (d) the US.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that this continues to be a worrying time for the steel sector facing pressures due to global energy prices.
We are committed to minimising energy costs for steel, and all energy intensive industries, to help ensure they remain strong and competitive.
Further support through the new British Industry Supercharger should be worth (on average) around £24-£31 Per MegaWatt Hour (MWh) for eligible businesses, closing the competitive gap with their international competitors.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 increase manufacturing jobs in (a) Essex and (b) nationally.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Essex has a vibrant manufacturing sector and Basildon is home to many key businesses including Ford, Leonardo and New Holland. The strength of the Essex economy means that it is home to two freeports including the Thames Freeport in the Right Honourable member’s constituency.
Our new Industrial Strategy is central to the Governments Growth Mission. The Strategy will drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth throughout the UK, with advanced manufacturing being one of eight growth-driving sectors the strategy will support. The Strategy will support growth sectors to create high-quality, well-paid jobs across the country.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on a free trade agreement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers and officials regularly engage with their US counterparts to discuss ways to strengthen the UK-US trading relationship, already worth £304 billion. The Secretary of State met US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at the G20 Summit in October where they discussed deepening UK-US collaboration.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will establish an additional public holiday for St George's Day.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established and accepted. The Government has no plans to change it.
While an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable. The estimated cost to the UK economy of an additional one-off bank holiday is around £2bn.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 encourage companies to invest in Thurrock.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Growth is the government’s central economic mission and we are currently developing an Industrial Strategy which aims to drive growth across the UK through investment in key sectors and regions.
DBT looks to encourage investment across the UK and works closely with relevant economic development and inward investment officers at Essex County Council, The Thames Freeport and the Thames Estuary Growth Board (PRP) along with the local councils as appropriate.
Investment into the wider region (Essex, Kent and East Sussex) has been consistent between 2021-2024. The number of jobs created rose to 1281 in 2023-2024, a 40% rise from the previous year.
The Lakeside shopping Centre at West Thurrock continues to be an attraction for foreign retailers and DBT has supported retail and distribution investments in the region from Aldi, Lidl and Amazon.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to businesses in Essex to increase the levels of exports of (a) goods and (b) services.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
UK businesses, including those in Essex, can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises online support and our wider network of support, including Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network, and UK Export Finance. Alongside this, our international trade advisers use their extensive experience of exporting and knowledge of the needs of SMEs in their sectors and regions to provide one-to-one tailored support to businesses across the UK.
DBT will continue to review its offer to ensure businesses have the support they need to export and grow.