Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support the public identification of foreign-based businesses that continue to trade with individuals and entities sanctioned as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Enforcement of sanctions as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine falls outside the remit of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

HMRC is responsible for enforcement of UK Trade Sanctions and Strategic Export controls and works closely with Border Force to conduct customs checks and where necessary, seize goods at the port. Since my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s announcement in the House of Commons on 24 February 2022 of increased sanctions on Russia, HMRC has implemented a number of measures which aim to prevent the exportation and importation of restricted goods.

HMRC has a range of enforcement options available such as awareness through outreach, warning letters, issuing compound penalties, seizures / disruptions and in the most serious of cases, referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for prosecution. HMRC works with other government departments and international partners to assist in identifying high-risk movements.