Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to address delays in importing elevator parts to the UK.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is working with border and customs authorities to ensure import processes for elevator components operate as efficiently as possible, including through clear guidance and the use of simplified and digital customs procedures.
If a company’s goods are delayed at customs, they should first contact their courier (e.g., DHL, FedEx, UPS) or customs broker, as they usually have the most direct information on the status. They can contact the HMRC Customs and International Trade Helpline on 0300 322 9434, or HMRC imports and exports enquiries for assistance.
We have taken further steps to make it easier for businesses to import products, including extending importer labelling easements and continuing the recognition of some EU rules including CE marking. These measures reduce duplicative regulatory requirements and administrative burdens for manufactured goods. In practice, this supports smoother, faster market access and helps minimise delays in supplying critical components, including lift components, into the market.
The Government maintains strong relationships with industry and international partners and is always looking at ways to reduce burdens and support supply chains.
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve elevator part manufacturing levels in the UK.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Manufacturing is crucial for the UK's economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and boosting national security and resilience. Last year this government published our 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy, setting out our long-term approach to strengthening domestic capability. Alongside it we published the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which outlines both sector-specific and cross-cutting measures aimed at boosting manufacturing overall, including for component manufacturers. Our focus is on delivering against these strategies to make the UK the best place to start and grow a manufacturing business.
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to review the effectiveness of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 to help prevent the antisocial use of fireworks.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
To inform any future decisions in relation to the regulation of fireworks, I will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities, alongside existing research on the impacts of 120dB fireworks and anti-social use of fireworks on animals and vulnerable groups, as well as evidence of action taken from other countries.
Following the recent Westminster Hall debate on two e‑petitions relating to the sale of fireworks, I offered to meet petition leads, campaigners and colleagues from across the House to hear feedback directly. Lived experience provides important evidence of how fireworks are used in practice and the real-world impact of prolonged, unexpected, or disruptive use, alongside data provided from local authorities, emergency services, animal welfare organisations and the fireworks industry.
The evidence will inform consideration of how best to minimise harm while recognising the role of fireworks play in cultural and community life. Public safety, and the impact on people, animals and property, will remain central to this.
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
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 ensure that services provided through the Buy with Confidence Scheme complete satisfactory work.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Buy With Confidence scheme is run solely by local authority Trading Standards departments.
Local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales operate independently from central government and are responsible for the provision of Trading Standards services. This includes responsibility for assessing businesses joining the scheme, business compliance and enforcement if things go wrong.
DBT has strengthened consumer law enforcement through the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The Act gives local authorities the ability to apply to the courts for civil sanctions to impose monetary penalties on businesses who exploit their customers.
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of placing a ban on the import of lamb produced on farms that carry out mulesing without pain relief.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government is firmly committed to upholding our animal welfare standards and to promoting robust standards internationally.
The independent Trade and Agriculture Commission considered, in the context of its report on the UK-Australia FTA, the issue of imports to the UK of lamb that has been subject to mulesing without pain relief. The Commission concluded that lambs reared for meat are not mulesed and the likelihood of mutton from mulesed sheep being imported into the UK is negligible.
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what (a) employment and (b) mental health support is available to entrepreneurs whose businesses go into liquidation.
Answered by Justin Madders