Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of trade and investment hubs in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, and (c) Northern Ireland at increasing (i) trade and (ii) investment.

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) nation hubs are dedicated to working with local businesses to help increase international exports; to attract more investment; and to realise the benefits of Free Trade Agreements. In quarter 1 2022/23, DBT hubs hosted many export promotion events, including tradeshows and meet the buyer activities. Officials continue to roll-out DBT services across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including the UK Export Academy.

Nearly 8,000 jobs have been created by Foreign Direct Investment projects across the nations in the last financial year. Planned investment activity, such as the Northern Ireland Investment Summit will continue to support investment across the nations.