Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential benefits of using digital twin technology in major infrastructure projects.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The National Digital Twin Programme (NDTP) aims to develop the UK’s capability in digital twinning technologies, and to enable the digital interconnection of infrastructure and other sources of data. This will enable more efficient design, construction, and operation of infrastructure assets, improving delivery of public services and provide greater certainty and confidence to business to invest. The delivery of the NDTP will contribute to the Growth Mission, the Clean Energy Mission, and support the operation of several priority sectors within the Industrial Strategy.
Information about the NDTP can be found at: National Digital Twin Programme. gov.uk
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
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 help support Ukraine’s (a) reconstruction and (b) economic recovery.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Through the 100-Year Partnership Agreement, the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine’s long-term stability and growth, driving its recovery as a modernised and resilient economy. We work closely with the Government of Ukraine to understand their immediate and long-term reconstruction priorities.
By promoting UK expertise, my department ensures UK companies contribute effectively to Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic recovery while advancing UK economic growth.
Initiatives include the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce, developing war risk insurance solutions, extending the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, fostering tech collaboration via the UK-Ukraine TechBridge, and leading trade missions to strengthen economic ties.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) businesses and (b) people in Woking that will benefit from the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Economic Prosperity Deal is a unique deal that ensures the most important UK industries are protected. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ around 29,000 people across the South East with around 2,500 people in Woking employed in the automotive industry. We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.
We will continue to act in Britain's national interest - for workers, for business and for families including in Woking.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) businesses and (b) people in Woking that will benefit from the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
This comprehensive agreement is estimated to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion and boost wages by £2.2 billion each and every year in the long run. This deal will unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers in every corner of the UK. The South-East's world-leading medical technology industry, will benefit from Indian liberalisation of medical device tariffs, allowing them to tap into India's vast and rapidly growing market.
We will set out further information on the regional impacts of this agreement in our Impact Assessment.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to support British businesses that lawfully traded with now-sanctioned Russian (a) businesses and (b) people to help them to recover funds lawfully owed to them.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Our sanctions are designed to minimise impact on the UK and avoid unintended consequences. The Department for Business and Trade has sought to minimise the impact on businesses through implementing appropriate exceptions, specific licences where appropriate, and wind-down periods when some sanctions are introduced. We have also published impact assessments alongside all Russia sanctions legislation.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has also issued General Licences to address a range of issues affecting stakeholders, including permitting activities related to recovering funds, under specific circumstances and conditions.