Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth 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 (a) Bournemouth University, (b) Health Sciences University and (c) other higher education institutions on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK has some of the best universities in the world - four in the top ten – and according to research by Global University Venturing, in 2022 was second only to the US in total investment into university spin-outs. The Government recognises the contribution that Bournemouth University, Health Sciences University and other institutions make to higher education and their unique and critical role as engines for innovation and for meeting the skills needs of our growth-driving sectors and places where they concentrate. We will continue to support our universities including through Higher Education Innovation Funding, worth £280 million in 2024-2025, and as part of our broader record public investment in R&D of more than £86 billion over the Spending Review period.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to take steps to help support domestic manufacturing of playground equipment.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Industrial Strategy launched in June 2025 sets out this government's plans to kickstart an era of economic prosperity. A new approach, it will create a more connected, high-skilled and resilient economy where every person, place and business can flourish.
The accompanying Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan sets out specific support for manufacturers, outlining how government will work with industry to build resilience, champion innovation, support businesses to scale up and develop a skilled future workforce.
The Plan features interventions focused on six frontier industries – batteries, automotive, aerospace, space, agri-tech, advanced materials as well as cross-sector measures supporting the wider manufacturing ecosystem.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth 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 merits of extending the length of paid parental leave.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to making life better for families. In the Plan to Make Work Pay we promised to review the parental leave system. We are delivering on this commitment and launched this review on 1st July.
The review presents a much-needed opportunity to consider our approach to the system of parental leave and pay. All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements will be in scope.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
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 impact of the play industry on the economy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that play is vital for children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development, while also strengthening community bonds and promoting inclusive, healthy environments. The Department for Business and Trade has not published a specific estimate of the economic impact of the play industry.
However, the Department continues to engage with retailers and manufacturers of sporting goods, to understand the sector’s potential and to support growth and export opportunities.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth 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 English as a Foreign Language schools on (a) the UK and (b) Bournemouth economy.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
English UK have just released an assessment of the value of English Language Teaching (ELT) to the UK economy. The report assessed that the sector contributed almost £2 billion of GVA to the UK economy in 2024. Bournemouth, as one of the main centres for ELT in the UK, was used as a case study in the report.
We continue to work with providers of English Language teaching to help them increase their growth and therefore in turn contribute to the UK economy.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on visa applications for students attending English as a Foreign Language (EFL) schools.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As the Minister for Exports, I regularly meet with ministerial counterparts to discuss DBT's interests with regards to International Education. I am due to have a meeting with the Minister for Migration shortly to discuss these interests, including that of English Language Teaching (ELT) schools.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to promote English as a Foreign Language schools in global markets.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My Department works closely with English UK and has provided support for their English with Confidence campaign, including through the production of promotional material and hosting English language teaching agents during familiarisation visits. Most recently the Department took a delegation of UK providers from the sector to Mongolia, and to the Study World event in China.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to include (a) a youth mobility scheme and (b) measures to support the English Language Training sector in the UK in future trade deals with non-EU countries.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
It is not Government policy to make commitments on youth mobility as a routine part of any trade deal. The UK generally seeks provisions in trade agreements that focus on business mobility, these help to expand opportunities and enhance certainty for UK businesses seeking to export services. The UK English Language Training sector is considered and consulted where necessary to ensure that their interests are supported.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
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 review the (a) accreditation and (b) certification processes for renewable energy installers to ensure that they are accessible for small and medium enterprises.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) sponsors the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as the national accreditation body. UKAS is independent of government, however DBT is working with UKAS to seek out and assess opportunities for supporting SMEs' participation in and use of accreditation. Certification processes are based on international standards and UKAS accredits to these standards to ensure certification bodies are fit for purpose. Where certification schemes exist, these are initially assessed by UKAS and reviewed on a regular basis by UKAS with the scheme provider.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on making localised funding available to support businesses working together to help local economies.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government’s forthcoming Small Business Strategy will set out how national and local business-support schemes can align to increase growth and productivity. Existing offers available include the Business Support Service, local Growth Hubs across England and The Help to Grow scheme.
Financial support is available to businesses through the Government-backed British Business Bank (BBB) to improve access to finance for investment and growth. In Bournemouth East, businesses can access resources such as the South-West Investment Fund, offering loans to SMEs through the BBB, and the joint Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council/UK Shared Prosperity Fund economic development programme