Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
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 the UK-India free trade agreement on levels of investment in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
This comprehensive agreement is expected to boost increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion and boost wages by £2.2 billion each and every year in the long run.
This deal is expected to make trade between the UK cheaper and easier, which helps encourage more businesses to expand and invest. For example, the high-value manufacturing sector will benefit from reduced Indian import tariffs on many advanced manufacturing goods.
We will set out further information on the regional impacts of this agreement in our Impact Assessment.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.
Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, The ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.
In addition, in DBT we are also committed to providing all employees with varied opportunities for learning and development, apprenticeships are a core part of this offer. As of End Quarter 4 2024/2025 3.8% of DBT’s domestic workforce were on an apprenticeship. We are taking active steps to continue to build on this by offering all new Executive Officer (EO) vacancies as apprenticeships, encouraging those at the start of their careers to consider an apprenticeship route as default. DBT are committed to support the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA) Programme. As the Department for Business and Trade we understand the importance of skills to drive growth and of providing good quality roles which support fulfilling and long-term careers.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review the penalties for the anti-social use of fireworks leading to significant criminal damage.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police and local authorities with a range of flexible tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour, including the misuse of fireworks.
To inform any future decisions I have and will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
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 the Fireworks Regulations 2004 on tackling the purchase of fireworks for anti-social use.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Most people use fireworks in a responsible and appropriate manner. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, animals, and property.
No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the unregulated sale and misuse of fireworks on public safety including the purchase for antisocial use and damage to property.
However, to inform any future decisions I have and will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) unregulated sale and (b) misuse of fireworks on (i) public safety and (ii) property.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Most people use fireworks in a responsible and appropriate manner. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, animals, and property.
No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the unregulated sale and misuse of fireworks on public safety including the purchase for antisocial use and damage to property.
However, to inform any future decisions I have and will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance his Department is providing to local authorities to help them (a) manage and (b) enforce firework safety regulations in areas where firework misuse has led to (i) vandalism and (ii) antisocial behaviour.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Enforcement powers exist for local authorities to take action when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally or misused. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers, based on their circumstances.
New Respect Orders will enable police and local councils to enforce strict behavioural conditions on persistent perpetrators of antisocial behaviour - banning them from local town centres and neighbourhoods including high streets and parks. Offenders could be required to address causes of their behaviour through mandatory rehabilitative conditions.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if the Competitions and Markets Authority has offered apprenticeships since 2010.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”), formed in 2014, is committed to developing the next generation of competition and consumer protection professionals and recognises the importance of nurturing a diverse and skilled workforce. Through its apprenticeships programme, the CMA offers individuals the opportunity to gain both a recognised professional qualification and hands-on experience in various fields including business administration, law, economics and finance.
Since the CMA began offering apprenticeships in April 2016, 125 apprentices have been enrolled on CMA programmes, which is broken down by year below:
Year | Total |
2016 - 2017 | <10 |
2017 - 2018 | 13 |
2018 - 2019 | <10 |
2019 -2020 | 27 |
2020 - 2021 | 14 |
2021 - 2022 | 13 |
2022 - 2023 | 17 |
2023 - 2024 | 23 |
2024 - 2025 | 10 |
TOTAL | 125 |
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps his Department has taken to support the food sector in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
DBT offers extensive support for food and drink businesses in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. Our export offer includes educational programmes via the Export Academy, advice from International Trade Advisors, and a programme of global trade shows and missions. UK Export Finance provide access to export finance, with dedicated managers in the Midlands. DBT offers support for small businesses, including the Business Support Service, Gov.uk, Growth Hubs, Help to Grow: Management scheme and financial assistance through the British Business Bank.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the public purse of abolishing the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (“CICs”) (“the Regulator”) plays a crucial role in maintaining the CIC model as an effective form of social enterprise. By exploiting the considerable overlap between the Regulator and Companies House, and the close working relationship that already exists between the two, the Government intends to fully integrate the Regulator’s functions into Companies House as part of wider plans to streamline the UK’s regulatory environment. As the Regulator is entirely funded by fees, there will be no saving to the public purse.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what criteria he used to appoint members of the Industrial Strategy Council.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Appointments to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were made through direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Council’s membership includes a diverse group of the UK’s top business leaders, policy experts and trade union leaders. Members have been appointed in a personal capacity and the Council will help to ensure our Industrial Strategy is informed by a broad and high-quality evidence base, and a diverse range of perspectives.