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Written Question
Department for Business and Trade: Domestic Abuse
Friday 21st November 2025

Asked by: Jess Asato (Labour - Lowestoft)

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse and has guidance in place that outlines the support available to employees affected by domestic abuse.

Line managers complete 'Manager Essentials' training, which promotes wellbeing and guidance on handling complex issues.

Employees at risk of, or experiencing, domestic abuse can access:

  • general awareness-raising training via the departmental intranet
  • accredited domestic abuse companions offering confidential guidance and support
  • an external resource hub providing professional advice and assistance.

Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.


Written Question
Clothing: Retail Trade
Tuesday 22nd October 2024

Asked by: Jess Asato (Labour - Lowestoft)

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a garment trading adjudicator to regulate the purchasing practices of domestic fashion retailers.

Answered by Gareth Thomas

The UK fashion industry is famed for its historic creativity and this government recognises the important role the sector plays both in our domestic economy and on the global stage.

It is important to take an evidence-based approach to considering policy options. As well as the garment trade adjudicator or fashion watchdog idea, there have been other proposals including licensing and increased guidance on managing supply chains. We will continue to review measures to drive up standards across the sector and monitor global regulatory proposals in the sector.