Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
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 US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal on domestic Scotch whisky producers.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
On 8 May the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to get an agreement with President Trump.
The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2 April across our economy which affect Scotch whisky. We are continuing to negotiate in the interests of key sectors for the UK and will seek the best possible outcome. Due to the nature of the deal, negotiations will continue on a range of areas and benefits will be felt over time.
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to (a) introduce a common charger for electrical devices and (b) require producers to provide accessible user information for how the charger works that is suitable for disabled people.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government considers that it would potentially help businesses and deliver consumer and environmental benefits if we were to introduce standardised charger requirements for mobile phones and certain other portable electrical/electronic devices across the UK. Accordingly, we sought views through a Call for Evidence from manufacturers, importers, distributors, trade associations, and consumers as to whether it would be helpful to do so. This Call for Evidence closed in December 2024. The Government is considering the evidence received and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to amend the Trade Act 2021 to prevent future international trade agreements from including provisions relating to the operation of the NHS.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Section 2(5) of the Trade Act already ensures that international trade agreements, within the scope of the Act, cannot include provisions which are inconsistent with maintaining a UK publicly funded healthcare service.
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has (a) made an assessment and (b) commissioned analysis of the potential impact of a trade deal with the US on the NHS.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
In their meeting on 27 February, the Prime Minister and President Trump agreed to work together on a trade deal focused on tech. The government is clear that we will only ever sign trade agreements that align with the UK's national interests. The NHS will never be on the table for any trade agreement.