Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Felicity Buchan

Thursday 16th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mike Freer]

If there is such great export potential, I am surprised that the member of the Scottish Government who, let us not say has responsibility for exports, because we have been there before, but who does specific work on exports, has not raised it with me. I look forward to that conversation when I go up to Scotland, but if this is such a barrier, I urge the Scottish Government to discuss it with the Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change.

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

2. What recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on increasing (a) trade with and (b) foreign direct investment from India.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Felicity Buchan

Thursday 21st April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mike Freer]

I know the strength of the Eastbourne English language sector, and I believe my hon. Friend met alumni out in the United Arab Emirates; the spread of Eastbourne goes far and wide. The Department continues to work with the Home Office to work closely and constructively with the sector to support its recovery. That has included the introduction of a six-month allowance to study English at an accredited centre under the standard visitor route, meaning that EU students, together with nationals from more than 50 locations, can study for six months or less as visitors. We continue to work with the sector to ensure that we continue to remove barriers to it.

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

3. What steps her Department has taken to increase foreign direct investment in the UK’s green industries.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Felicity Buchan

Thursday 2nd December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

15. What recent steps her Department has taken to increase the export of British financial services.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Mike Freer)]

With colleagues in the Treasury, we are committed to championing export opportunities for our world-class financial services sector. We have done this through targeted export campaigns supporting specific UK financial services, as well as through signing ambitious free trade agreements that are reducing market access barriers and opening new doors for great British businesses to sell their services worldwide.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

It might have been easier just to say that!

[Felicity Buchan]

Financial services account for more than 10% of our total tax take and are responsible for more than 1 million jobs throughout the country. Financial services are important not only to my constituents in Kensington but to Scotland, including Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow, and to Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol and Chelmsford. Does my hon. Friend agree that financial services need to be priorities in all future trade agreements to secure best market access?

[Mike Freer]

We are absolutely committed to prioritising British financial services in FTAs. I am sure that my hon. Friend, as the Government’s trade envoy to Iceland and Norway—a role that she fulfils with her usual vigour—will be pleased to see our commitment in practice in the UK’s recently signed FTA with Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein, which benefits financial services.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and Felicity Buchan

Thursday 21st October 2021 Commons Chamber

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

9. What progress her Department’s newly appointed trade envoys have made on promoting British exports and investment.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Mike Freer)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on her appointment as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Iceland and Norway. Our new trade envoys are strengthening commercial ties in their designated markets and assisting UK businesses to take full advantage of opportunities arising from our global trade and investment agenda.

[Felicity Buchan]

I was delighted to be appointed the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Norway and Iceland, following the signing of free trade agreements with those countries. Can my hon. Friend update the House as to how his Department is looking to deepen the relationship between the UK and Norway and Iceland?

[Mike Freer]

I am pleased to say that on 8 July, the UK signed the new, improved trade deal with Norway and Iceland. It is the most advanced trade deal that both countries have ever signed, with gold-stamped provisions in digital trade, mobile roaming and business travel. It will cut tariffs and support jobs in every corner of our country, and I look forward to working with my hon. Friend to exploit those opportunities.