Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Answer of 8 March 2022 to Question 131344, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of a free trade agreement with India on (a) jobs and (b) investment in Stockport.

On 13th January, the United Kingdom launched free trade negotiations with India. A United Kingdom-India trade deal is projected to unlock opportunities in every corner of the United Kingdom, and could boost the economy in the North West of England by up to £304 million.

The North West of England exported over £350 million of goods to India in 2021. There are companies from Stockport, like Edina UK Limited, who specialise in clean and sustainable energy that benefit from trade with India already, and we are seeking a trade deal that will open up further opportunities for a range of businesses in Stockport and beyond.