Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with (a) Royal Mail and (b) prospective buyers for Royal Mail on retaining the universal service obligation.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Secretary of State and I have met with Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services, and the EP Group to discuss the proposed takeover of IDS.
The universal service obligation is a legally binding commitment on the designated universal service provider and its ongoing provision would be required irrespective of ownership of the business.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether officials in his Department have had discussions with representatives of the aerospace industry on guaranteeing jobs during the completion of the sale of Spirit AeroSystems’ operations to Airbus.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Under terms agreed between Airbus and Spirit, Airbus will acquire the elements of Spirit’s Belfast site responsible for the A220 airliner. This includes the wing and mid-fuselage sections. The Government is working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure the best outcome for Short Brothers and all its incredibly skilled, hard working, staff. My Department is in touch with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing and other potential buyers. We have a keen interest in seeing that any acquisition includes a commitment to develop Short Brothers and its supply chain, and to provide the best possible opportunity for growth in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the export of British luxury cars to Russia via third countries; and whether she has had discussions with industry representatives on this issue.
Answered by Alan Mak - Shadow Economic Secretary (Treasury)
The Department for Business and Trade expects and supports UK businesses to reduce their risk and comply with sanctions. We have spoken with industry stakeholders, who confirmed the sector's commitment to compliance with all sanctions.
Non-compliance with sanctions is a serious offence. HMRC undertakes an investigation into credible allegations of trade sanctions offences. In the most serious cases, breaches may result in referral for consideration of criminal prosecution.
We continue to work to prevent Russia's efforts to circumvent sanctions and recently announced the creation of the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of trade sanctions, complementing HMRC's existing powers.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that the (a) employment rights and (b) freedom of speech of people of faith are protected (i) in the workplace and (ii) during the recruitment process.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
People of faith are protected by the existing legal framework. They have the same employment rights and protections as anyone else, including during the recruitment process. Where they feel those rights have not been respected, they can contact Acas or EASS (Equality Advisory and Support Service) for advice, and ultimately, seek redress through an employment tribunal.
In addition, the Equality Act 2010 provides protection from religious discrimination to anyone with a religious belief as well as to those who lack a religion or belief. The definition of a religion or belief in these provisions is deliberately broad and includes those religions widely recognised in the UK, as well as denominations or sects within a religion such as Catholics or Protestants within Christianity.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with Boots on the potential impact of its planned store closures.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
I recognise the retail sector is going through a difficult transition as it responds to market pressures from a range of factors including changing consumer expectations and behaviour towards online shopping. The Department has regular, ongoing discussions with Boots and a number of retail businesses on a range of subjects.
As you will be aware, the Government has no role in the strategic direction or management of private businesses.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with delivery companies on ensuring that courier services are accessible for all.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector and publishes an Annual Monitoring Update setting out key data and trends in the postal sector and feedback on users’ experiences of UK postal services.
Under its 2022 Review of Regulation, Ofcom introduced a new consumer protection regulation on parcel companies to ensure all customers of delivery services, including those who may need extra support, are as smooth as possible and their needs are met.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she has taken to support the ceramic industry financially since the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
Eligible businesses in the ceramics sector are eligible to apply for the government’s Energy Intensive Industry (EII) Exemption Scheme and have received around £15m from it since 2013.
The sector will also benefit from the related British Industry Supercharger (BIS), with the government committed to rolling out its measures between April 2024 and April 2025.
This is in addition to the broader support with energy bills provided for business through the Energy Bill Relief and Discount schemes and the support provided by the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) to help invest in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will take steps to help encourage more trade between the UK and its neighbours.
Answered by Greg Hands
This Government continues to support UK firms to export and invest. We have published our Export Strategy which sets out the support we provide to companies and investors through our network of international trade advisers, sector specialists, and the export support service.
Ministers and officials meet European partners to promote trade and investment opportunities, remove barriers to trade and support UK businesses. In addition to our trade agreements with the European Union and the EEA/EFTA, we are negotiating an enhanced FTA with Switzerland and will continue to pursue opportunities to strengthen economic ties with our neighbours.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to encourage SMEs to cut greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chains.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
The Government is committed to supporting SMEs to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the key objectives of the Net Zero Council, co-chaired by Energy Minister Graham Stuart, is identifying the key challenges facing SMEs up and down the country in reducing their carbon footprints and supporting their transition with new guidance and advice.
The Department of Trade and Business continues to support small businesses, providing access to information and guidance on tackling a range of issues and challenges facing SMEs.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions her Department has had with automotive manufacturers on levels of production of electric vehicles in Europe; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those levels on uptake of electric vehicles in the UK.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) provides support for the uptake of plug-in vehicles in the UK.
The UK’s automotive manufacturing sector is the second highest by value in Europe, employing 166,000 people and with an annual turnover of £70 billion. As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Plan, we have announced £2bn of new capital and R&D funding to 2030, boosting the UK’s competitiveness.
Government engages closely with industry and automotive manufacturers to understand the impact of European competition and opportunities, including on consumers.