Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to restore the UK steel rebar importation quota rollover.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
On 30 June 2025, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade took the decision to vary the steel safeguard quotas for the final year of the steel safeguard. As recommended by the independent Trade Remedies Authority, this included preventing any unused quarterly quotas from being made available in the following quarter.
This decision was taken to ensure the overall effectiveness of the UK’s steel safeguard measure for domestic producers whilst balancing the need for security of supply for the UK market. I am not considering restoring the quota rollover as part of the steel safeguard.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the current steel rebar importation quotas on the growth of the UK steel industry.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK applies a steel safeguard measure to protect domestic producers against injury caused by unforeseen surges in imports. The decision in June 2025 to vary the steel safeguard, including category 13 (rebar), was made to ensure the measure continues to effectively protect domestic producers whilst balancing the need for security of supply for the UK market.
Steel is a top priority for this Government and is essential for a modern and secure economy, underpinning many sectors which are critical for secure economic growth. The Government is determined to reverse the years of decline and neglect in the steel industry, caused in large part by global excess capacity and market distortions. We will publish our Steel Strategy in early 2026 which will set out an ambitious vision for the sector and a more competitive business landscape.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
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 working relationship between Ofcom and Royal Mail.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions both with Royal Mail and with Ofcom, as the independent regulator for the postal sector.
The effectiveness of the working relationship between Ofcom and Royal Mail is fundamental to maintaining a sustainable and reliable universal postal service.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, What steps he is taking to support the hospitality sector in Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities. They bring people together, create welcoming spaces and support local suppliers.
We have reduced alcohol duty on qualified draught products and plan to permanently reduce business rates for eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties.
Additionally, we have just invested £440,000 in rural pubs through Pub is The Hub, helping to unlock stalled projects and deliver essential services to those communities, helping businesses adapt to local needs.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking with Companies House to ensure companies under the control of the same person or persons are connected on the Companies House website.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Companies House currently links the appointments of company officers where sufficient details across different companies' match. The introduction of compulsory Identity verification for company officers in November will help improve the quality of matching and linking.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement in the Economic and Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to publish full lists of shareholders on (a) survivors of domestic abuse who own shares in private residential property management companies as a by-product of owning their own home and (b) shareholders in private residential property management companies who cannot afford the cost of applying to have their details redacted.
Answered by Justin Madders
Requiring certain companies to provide a one-time full shareholder list will allow Companies House to present shareholder information that is already displayed on the register in a more user-friendly way.
The Government aims to strike the right balance between transparency and privacy. New measures will enable those whose details appear on the register (including people at increased risk of harm such as domestic abuse survivors) to apply to have more personal information protected from public disclosure than currently possible. Any fees payable will adhere to HM Treasury’s cost recovery principles.