Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Martyn Day and George Hollingbery

Thursday 6th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to tackle climate change through trade policy.

[The Minister for Trade Policy (George Hollingbery)]

The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally, including ambitious global action to tackle climate change, and this will continue. We are exploring all options in the design of future trade policy, including how to tackle climate change. We are working to realise the potential for low-carbon exports from the UK and supporting UK jobs.

--- Later in debate ---

[Martyn Day]

The Secretary of State has previously stated that

“poverty reduction objectives are deemed to outweigh the impact on climate change.”

However, his colleague the Secretary of State for International Development has previously stated that unless we tackle climate change with the urgency it requires “100 million more people” will be thrown “into poverty”. Can the Minister confirm who is correct and what the Government position actually is?

[George Hollingbery]

Certainly from the Department for International Trade point of view, our job is to promote international trade. We are out there making sure that the deals we do internationally suit those countries with which we do them. We are bringing in the unilateral preferences that are transitioning across from a European perspective. We are confident that the backing we can give developing countries is suitable for their circumstances, and allows them to participate in world trade and so bring their people out of poverty.