Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many food and drink businesses her Department supported with funding to help export to overseas markets in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) supports food and drink businesses in all parts of the UK, through our overseas network, international events programme and online services. New DIT teams have been established in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the North-East of England to boost trade and investment and level-up the country. On 1 October DIT launched a new Export Support Service (ESS), where UK businesses can get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe by accessing cross government information and support all in one place via a new online service and helpline.

DIT’s Annual Reports and Accounts for each of the last five years are available on www.gov.uk. These publications contain detailed commentary on the performance, governance arrangements and expenditure of DIT. Information on expenditure by sector, nation and region is not readily available.