Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how regularly the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) meets.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Board meets monthly to review cases that are presented to them, if there are no such cases the meetings are cancelled, as was the case in February 2026. Additional meetings beyond the monthly meetings are scheduled where necessary to review exceptionally urgent cases.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of trends in consumer satisfaction with customer service provision across key regulated sectors.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Access to customer service channels is not something that has been raised recently by my Department or the consumer groups and representative bodies we regularly meet.

My Department regularly reviews research, and notes that the most recent UK Customer Satisfaction Index found 83.2% of customer experiences were right first time, the highest recorded since the UKCSI has been running (2008).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what engagement his Department has undertaken with consumer groups regarding access to customer service channels.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Access to customer service channels is not something that has been raised recently by my Department or the consumer groups and representative bodies we regularly meet.

My Department regularly reviews research, and notes that the most recent UK Customer Satisfaction Index found 83.2% of customer experiences were right first time, the highest recorded since the UKCSI has been running (2008).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he will publish the minutes of the most recent Industrial Development Advisory Board meeting.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Minutes of the meetings of the Industrial Development Advisory Board are not published. The discussions of the Board and the advice they provide to the Secretary of State with respect to the exercise of their functions under sections 7 and 8 of the Industrial Development Act encompass highly commercially sensitive information.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has considered introducing minimum accessibility standards for customer service functions to ensure consumers can access a human representative where necessary.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

Businesses have a legal obligation under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (CCRs), when trading with consumers, to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address to allow consumers to make contact quickly and efficiently if there is a problem. Failure of a trader to provide the information required under the CCRs is a breach of contract and can result in a claim being brought by the consumer.

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 adequacy of existing consumer protection legislation in the context of companies that provide customer support solely through automated systems.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily. But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

However, we encourage key private sector services important to people’s daily lives – like banking, utilities and online shopping – to prioritise inclusive digital services and government remains committed to working with industry and the voluntary sector to explore opportunities to align.

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 ensure that reliance on automated customer service systems does not impede consumers’ ability to make complaints or seek redress.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily. But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

However, we encourage key private sector services important to people’s daily lives – like banking, utilities and online shopping – to prioritise inclusive digital services and government remains committed to working with industry and the voluntary sector to explore opportunities to align.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what data his Department holds on consumer complaints relating to the inability to contact a human representative when seeking to resolve disputes.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily. But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

However, we encourage key private sector services important to people’s daily lives – like banking, utilities and online shopping – to prioritise inclusive digital services and government remains committed to working with industry and the voluntary sector to explore opportunities to align.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with major digital service providers regarding access to non-automated customer service channels.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily. But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

However, we encourage key private sector services important to people’s daily lives – like banking, utilities and online shopping – to prioritise inclusive digital services and government remains committed to working with industry and the voluntary sector to explore opportunities to align.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) last met.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Industrial Development Advisory Board last met on 13 January 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department has made on improving the rights of self-employed workers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government is enhancing rights and protections for the self-employed in several ways. Measures announced in September 2024 will tackle late payment and long payment terms, including requiring large companies to report on payment performance and the introduction of a Fair Payment Code.

We also plan further consultations, including on extension of health and safety and blacklisting protections, a new right to a written statement for the self-employed, and the extension of measures which void Non-Disclosure Agreements in cases of relevant harassment and discrimination. Furthermore, our review of parental leave and pay will consider the needs of self-employed parents.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding the transparency of customer service access routes offered by large digital companies.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My Department regularly meets with the Competition and Markets Authority, but has not recently discussed transparency of customer service access routes offered by large digital companies.

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will list ML3 arms export licences to Israel licensing the transfer of ammunition for civilian use extant between 1 January 2025 and 31 September 2025.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department does not hold continuous records on the number of export licences extant at any point over historic periods, but publishes data regularly based on decisions taken and has, on an exceptional basis, periodically published further detail on licences for Israel extant as at a point in time.

In August 2025 the Department published informed on the 347 licences involving Israel which were extant on 31 July. This total included 5 licences with an ML3 rating. Any ammunition covered under such licences was assessed as not having utility in military operations in Gaza, either because the items were to be re-exported to third countries, or because the items covered related to training ammunition or non-military purposes.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of private capital's willingness to invest in British Steel under the present ownership and control structure.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

British Steel remains owned by Jingye and it would be inappropriate for HM Government to formally approach potential third-party investors in such circumstances. We are in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of the site and our long-term aspiration for the steel sector will require co-investment with the private sector.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many potential third-party investors have been formally approached regarding investment in British Steel since April 2025.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

British Steel remains owned by Jingye and it would be inappropriate for HM Government to formally approach potential third-party investors in such circumstances. We are in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of the site and our long-term aspiration for the steel sector will require co-investment with the private sector.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have approved a financial ceiling for public support to British Steel and, if so, what it is.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Longer-term funding for British Steel is subject to agreement with HM Treasury once plans for the site are finalised and will be subject to further ministerial decisions. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of BSL. In the interim, as a public corporation, BSL continues trading commercially with the objective of minimising losses to the taxpayer. All support for BSL has been drawn from existing HMG budgets, with no additional borrowing required.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of the Motability Scheme in supporting the automotive sector in the North East.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Motability Operations announced plans to support the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The number of British made vehicles purchased by the Scheme will reach 25% by 2030, with an ambition of 50% of vehicles registered on the Scheme being made in the UK by 2035. The government welcomes these announcements. This will support domestic vehicle manufacturing, ensuring well-paid jobs across the UK. The Department will continue to engage with Motability Operations and industry stakeholders to assess the potential impact on regional automotive manufacturing, including in the North East as Motability delivers on its plans.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to Questions 112100 and 115340, what was the breakdown in each of the years specified in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

None in 2024 and 4 in 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what additional resources his Department has allocated to domestic enforcement bodies to (a) investigate and (b) prosecute sanctions evasion involving dual-use technologies exported to Russia through Hong Kong.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has invested in strengthening trade sanctions enforcement capacity. The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) was established in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in October 2024. Alongside specialist investigative capacity, OTSI is equipped with powers to enforce sanctions breaches involving the movement of goods and technology via third countries. His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for enforcing export controls and trade sanctions at the UK border.

HMRC has also strengthened its investigative capabilities in this area. DBT and HMRC work closely together to investigate potential sanctions evasion and enforce breaches.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106607, if he will (a) publish the value of external consultancy and advisory contracts used by his Department in 2024-25 in relation to Net Zero, sustainability and decarbonisation policy and (b) list suppliers receiving more than £100,000.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department is committed to supporting Net Zero goals and advancing Clean Energy initiatives. In 2024, the UK signed a Government-to-Government Arrangement with the Dominican Republic to help deliver infrastructure projects that promote mutual economic growth. My department allocated £130,750 from the Infrastructure Partnership Programme Fund and awarded Mott MacDonald a 2024 contract to review the Dominican Republic’s state-owned energy company's, Empresa de Generación Hidroeléctrica Dominicana, national energy masterplan. This project provided recommendations to prioritise renewable energy projects aligned with national targets and opportunities for UK supply chain involvement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff within his Department are reliant on a visa for employment.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The requested data is not held centrally in a reportable format.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much money has been spent on hospitality for the UK trade envoy programme in each of the last 3 years.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

DBT spend* in the last 3 years on the UK Trade Envoy programme

*Figures do not include DBT staff costs and only relate to UK Trade Envoy expenditure such as flights, hotels, visas etc.

Hospitality costs for the UK Trade Envoy programme in each of the last 3 years

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department spent in each of the last 3 years on the UK Trade Envoy programme.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

DBT spend* in the last 3 years on the UK Trade Envoy programme

*Figures do not include DBT staff costs and only relate to UK Trade Envoy expenditure such as flights, hotels, visas etc.

Hospitality costs for the UK Trade Envoy programme in each of the last 3 years

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Although various teams across the Department for Business and Trade contribute towards these conversations and the responsibility is shared across several policy areas and does not fall to one singular official or directorate, we do not disclose details of specific meetings relating to national security and defence to protect the principle of collective responsibility, allowing ministers and officials to debate policies freely in private.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve transparency and public accountability of the trade envoy programme, including the publication of outcomes achieved and costs incurred.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Trade Envoy Programme is a network of Parliamentarians appointed to specific markets by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. Membership of the programme is cross party and includes representation from both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The programme abides by all transparency and public accountability rules.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will list ML3 arms export licences to Israel licensing the transfer of bullets extant for August 2025.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

I refer the Member to the answer I gave on 5 March to question 117033.

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 (a) the prevalence of unfair trading practices in the UK clothing supply chain and (b) the potential merits of establishing a Garment Trading Adjudicator to provide redress for affected suppliers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government expects all UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment throughout their supply chains in line with the OECD Guidelines and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Section 54 of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires businesses with a turnover of £36m or more to publish modern slavery statements.

The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also launched a review, through the Trade Strategy, into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct (RBC), focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. While concerns have been raised about unfair practices, there are currently no plans to introduce a Garment Trading Adjudicator, however other measures are under consideration as part of the RBC review. We shall update the House when the review is complete.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many times the incorporation SIEL, issued on 26 November 2024, for export to Israel by Thales UK has been used; on which dates; and whether that licence has been exhausted.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Since September 2024 this Government has suspended licences for exports for the IDF that might be used in military operations in Gaza and we have continued to refuse relevant new licence applications on the same basis.

Not all military licences for Israel have been suspended, as many relate to items for re-export to third countries or are otherwise not assessed as being for use in military operations in Gaza.

We can confirm that the licence referenced remains extant. The Department does not hold comprehensive data on exports that have taken place under individual export licences. For goods export data, you should refer to HMRC, who publish UK trade in goods statistics by partner country and product which can be found on www.uktradeinfo.com.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposals put forward by the European Commission to restrict exports of UK steel on the steel industry.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Steel is a priority for this Government. We are committed to defending our critical steel industry, protecting skilled jobs and supporting economic growth.

The Government is assessing the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposal and is engaging extensively with them to ensure the best possible outcome for UK producers and the wider steel supply chain. We expect the EU to fulfil its obligations under the TCA.

We will set out a long-term vision for the steel sector in our forthcoming Steel Strategy, including support provided to domestic producers to remain competitive in a challenging global market.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of updating public procurement policy to (a) incentivise and (b) mandate greater use of UK made steel in publicly funded projects.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government wants to see more use of UK‑made steel in publicly funded projects, whilst respecting our national and international legal obligations. The latest steel public procurement data shows that in the financial year 2024–25, where all the steel required could be produced in the UK, 95% of the steel procured by central government buyers was UK‑produced.

That said, we continue to strengthen mechanisms to enable the public procurement of UK‑made steel. Updated steel procurement guidance (Public Procurement Policy Notice 022), introduced in June 2025, requires in‑scope organisations to consult UK Steel’s digital catalogue for all new relevant steel procurements before making decisions, and encourages them to consider whether the national security exemption under the Procurement Act applies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many of the non-suspended extant military licences to Israel as at 31 July 2025 identified as (a) being for and (b) supporting re-export to third parties outside of Israel are incorporation SIELs.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

At 31 July 2025 there were 167 extant licences that include military items. Of these 84 were identified as being for, or supporting, re-export to third parties outside of Israel. These exports are defined as those where Israel is not the Ultimate End-User country, or where the re-export nature of the shipment is made clear in the licence detail.

Of these 84 licences, 51 were Standard Individual Export Licences covering Incorporation scenarios. However, this is not the only relevant licence type. Other licence types, including SIELs for both temporary and permanent exports, can cover, for example, the demonstration and testing of components, in support of the production of goods for onward export.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has assessed the risk of diversion for ammunition for civilian use licensed from the UK to Israel, including to settlers in the West Bank.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law.

All export licence applications are assessed for the risk of diversion in line with Criterion 7 of the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria which considers the ‘risk that the items will be diverted to an undesirable end-user or for an undesirable end-use'. This includes consideration, where relevant, of use in illegal settlements. Risk of diversion is complex, representing the single biggest reason export licences are refused, and all licences are kept under careful and continual review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many export licences covering military training equipment to Israel were extant between 1 January 2025 and 31 September 2025.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department does not hold continuous records on the number of export licences extant at any point over historic periods, but publishes data regularly based on decisions taken and has, on an exceptional basis, periodically published further detail on licences for Israel extant as at a point in time.

In August 2025 the Department published information on the 347 licences involving Israel which were extant on 31 July. Of these, five licences for the IDF/Israeli Government involved training and testing goods.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act on non-tariff barriers with (a) Great Britain and (b) the United Kingdom.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

This government is closely following the Commission's proposals for the Industrial Accelerator Act, and the EU’s Made in Europe agenda more widely and has engaged directly with Member States, the Commission and industry on the issue.

We have been clear in discussions with EU counterparts that the UK is a close and trusted European partner, and that the UK and EU must work together to boost growth, resilience, and economic security. We are considering the Act as published earlier this week and engaging with industry on its contents.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help support hairdressing businesses.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The hair and beauty sector play an important role in supporting jobs, high streets and local economies. We’ve introduced permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties and have provided £4.3bn to shield ratepayers from bill increases.

We continue to back employers who take on apprentices, by providing £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged 16-19; employers are not required to pay National Insurance Contributions for all apprentices aged up to age 25 (when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year). Additionally, the government pays the full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21, and for apprentices aged 22 to 24 who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or have been in local authority care, when their employer has fewer than 50 employees.

I will continue to engage closely with the sector, including through the Personal Care Roundtables, to ensure the industry’s long-term growth. This includes working with hair and beauty businesses as we bring forward a new High Streets Strategy later this year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of automated customer service systems, including chatbots and AI-based systems, on consumers’ ability to exercise their statutory rights.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily. But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Legislation provides the redress rights for consumers. Beyond this, the government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities as this is a commercial decision.

However, we encourage key private sector services important to people’s daily lives – like banking, utilities and online shopping – to prioritise inclusive digital services and government remains committed to working with industry and the voluntary sector to explore opportunities to align.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what actions is the Fair Work Agency taking to prevent the exploitation of a) migrant workers b) social care workers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Fair Work Agency will be established on 7 April 2026.

It will enhance the government’s ability to respond to exploitation and deliver a much-needed upgrade to the enforcement of all workers’ rights, including migrant workers and those in the social care sector.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the net departure of business owners from the UK in the past two years.

Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made a formal assessment on the net departure of business owners from the UK in the past two years.

Through the Industrial Strategy and Plan for SMEs, the government is backing entrepreneurs to start, scale and stay in the UK. DBT continues to focus on its core mission of supporting businesses to invest, grow and export, helping to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for business activity.

DBT provides a range of services for UK firms - including business support, access to finance, investment facilitation, and export assistance - aimed at helping companies manage rising costs, expand markets, and navigate economic uncertainty.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2025, to Question HL12107, on Trade Agreements: Maldives, if he will list every country currently within the Free Trade Agreement programme, where HM Government is looking to negotiate new or updated free trade agreements.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Negotiations with the Republic of Korea on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have concluded and both sides are preparing for signature later this year. FTA negotiations continue with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Switzerland, Turkey and Greenland. Discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) also continue.

In addition, the UK is engaged in Costa Rica and Uruguay's Accession Working Groups, as part of their accession process to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the potential merits of the introduction of licensing for locksmithing.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department keeps the consumer protection framework under regular review and is aware of some issues with rogue traders in the locksmith industry. Locksmiths must comply with existing consumer legislation.

Where traders do not comply with the law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has strengthened enforcement powers. It has given the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers to enable them and the courts to impose significant monetary penalties.

Consumers are advised to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association, which ensures approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the level of prevalence of multinational companies marketing (a) beers and (b) brewery brands as being from (i) small and independent brewers and (ii) from a specific geographical location.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the level of prevalence of multinational companies marketing beers and brewery brands as being from small and independent brewers or from a specific geographical location.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decision. This could include multinational beverage companies misrepresenting where their alcohol products are produced. Misrepresentation may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on consumers of breweries (a) stating and (b) implying that their products are being brewed in one location when they are produced in another location.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on consumers of breweries misleading them on where their products are brewed.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions, that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decision. This could include breweries misrepresenting where their products are produced. Misrepresentation may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, whether any of the reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef from the United States is subject to equivalent animal welfare standards as British farmers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Yes, all beef imported under the reciprocal 13,000‑tonne quota from the United States must meet the UK’s food safety and hygiene standards in precisely the same way as is required of British farmers. It also has to meet wider import requirements, including equivalent welfare standards at slaughter. This deal, which secures UK access to the US market for the first time, does not change the UK’s high environmental standards.

Our approach to trade agreements has ensured, and will continue to ensure, that imported agrifood products meet the UK’s high food standards. We will always maintain UK levels of statutory protection in relation to human, animal or plant life or health, animal welfare, and the environment.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, whether any of the reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef from the United States is subject to equivalent environmental standards as British farmers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Yes, all beef imported under the reciprocal 13,000‑tonne quota from the United States must meet the UK’s food safety and hygiene standards in precisely the same way as is required of British farmers. It also has to meet wider import requirements, including equivalent welfare standards at slaughter. This deal, which secures UK access to the US market for the first time, does not change the UK’s high environmental standards.

Our approach to trade agreements has ensured, and will continue to ensure, that imported agrifood products meet the UK’s high food standards. We will always maintain UK levels of statutory protection in relation to human, animal or plant life or health, animal welfare, and the environment.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates, for what specific purpose the £375 million increase in Capital DEL for British Steel will be used; and whether that funding will take the form of loans, equity investment, guarantees or grants.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The additional £375 million Capital DEL allocated for British Steel Limited, as outlined in the Supplementary Estimates 2025-26, will be used to provide working capital and is recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown, specifically referenced in section 3(6) of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act. The sole stipulation for this funding is that it must be used strictly for the purposes established in the legislation. Each tranche of funding provided to British Steel undergoes thorough review and approval prior to release. As of today, approximately £370 million has been provided to British Steel Limited to support working capital needs, including expenses such as raw materials, staff salaries, and other operational costs.

This allocation will be fully accounted for in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for the 2025-26 financial year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, whether any of the reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef from the United States is subject to equivalent hygiene standards as British farmers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Yes, all beef imported under the reciprocal 13,000‑tonne quota from the United States must meet the UK’s food safety and hygiene standards in precisely the same way as is required of British farmers. It also has to meet wider import requirements, including equivalent welfare standards at slaughter. This deal, which secures UK access to the US market for the first time, does not change the UK’s high environmental standards.

Our approach to trade agreements has ensured, and will continue to ensure, that imported agrifood products meet the UK’s high food standards. We will always maintain UK levels of statutory protection in relation to human, animal or plant life or health, animal welfare, and the environment.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, published on 2 March 2026, what steps he is taking to ensure that funding granted is exclusively used to promote the act and not for other purposes.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

All businesses awarded MEGS funding were required to submit an application prior to approval which detailed the proposed activity to be delivered if the application was approved - that proposed activity was then assessed to ensure it satisfied the scheme eligibility criteria, specifically that the activity promoted the act outside of the UK.

All successful businesses are issued a Grant Agreement to confirm the activity that the MEGS funds can be spent on. Once the business signs that Agreement, MEGS funding is then available but can only be claimed by the business after the activity has taken place and evidence is provided to demonstrate that the activity has taken place and been paid for in full.

Both the British Phongraphic Industry and the Department for Business and Trade complete checks on the evidence supplied to confirm that the activity has been completed in line with the Grant Agreement and not for other purposes before any funds are paid to the business.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, whether he has had discussions with his European counterparts on the potential impact of the reciprocal beef quota with the US on UK-EU trade relations.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are delighted that as of January 1, 2026, UK farmers can, for the first time, make use of an exclusive 13,000 tonne quota for export to the United States. What the government has agreed with the US does not impact on our ability to negotiate trade agreements with other trading partners.

Choosing between the US and Europe is a false choice. The UK can and must do both - improve our trading relationship with Europe while agreeing deals with the US and other nations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to paragraph 88 of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan, how many meetings Ministers in their Department have attended related to the Home Defence Programme.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Details of the meetings held by Ministers of the Department for Business and Trade are available on transparency pages of gov.uk and are released as part of the Government's transparency agenda.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of consumer and small business protections when parcels are lost or delayed by couriers; and whether he plans to review the refund and reimbursement processes between couriers, sellers, and consumers in such cases.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

When a consumer purchases a product, the contract is with the seller, not the delivery company. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the seller is responsible for delivery of goods bought online until they are in the consumer's possession. This removes the burden of the consumer having to raise the issue with both the delivery company and the retailer. My department currently has no plans to review this process.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, what steps he is taking to help encourage trade relations between UK beef exporters and US customers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department is supporting UK meat producers to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. This week, the first agri food trade mission visited the United States, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; it provided UK meat producers with direct engagement with a wide range of businesses and opportunities across the US meat sector. The Department will continue to support further market engagement throughout the year, working closely with partners including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, what steps he is taking to support small and medium-sized farmers to access the quota for beef exports to the US.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department is supporting UK meat producers to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. This week, the first agri‑food trade mission visited the United States, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; it provided UK meat producers with direct engagement with a wide range of businesses and opportunities across the US meat sector. The Department will continue to support further market engagement throughout the year, working closely with partners including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the reciprocal quota to the average price of (a) British and (b) American beef.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Through EPD negotiations, the UK has agreed preferential trading terms with the US in a range of sectors. This includes an exclusive 13,000 tonne quota for beef export to the United States. With the quota now open, UK beef producers are positioned to seize new opportunities in the US market.

Discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal continue, covering tariff and non-tariff barriers, including digital and services trade.

We will keep the House fully informed on these developments along with the expected economic outcomes of the final deal.

Impact assessments are completed at the conclusion of a trade agreement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK beef hits US shelves tariff-free for the first time – cutting costs for UK businesses, published on 2 March 2026, what mechanisms are in place to assess the potential long-term impact of the beef quota on British (a) producers and (b) consumers.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Through EPD negotiations, the UK has agreed preferential trading terms with the US in a range of sectors. This includes an exclusive 13,000 tonne quota for beef export to the United States. With the quota now open, UK beef producers are positioned to seize new opportunities in the US market.

Discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal continue, covering tariff and non-tariff barriers, including digital and services trade.

We will keep the House fully informed on these developments along with the expected economic outcomes of the final deal.

Impact assessments are completed at the conclusion of a trade agreement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what contingency provision they have made in the event that losses at British Steel’s Scunthorpe steelworks materially exceed current forecasts.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Steel is strategically important to the UK’s industrial base, the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the maintenance of critical infrastructure. In April 2025, the Government we intervened introduced the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act to avoid the premature and disorderly closure of the blast furnaces at British Steel and ensure uninterrupted steel production. The Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The passing of the Act, and use in relation to British Steel, does not itself establish any sort of precedent in UK company law. We continue to work with Jingye, the owner, to find a pragmatic and realistic solution to the future of British Steel.

The published impact assessment for the Special Measures Act considered the potential impact on the wider business community. It highlighted the exceptional nature of the intervention, which should limit any wider effect on investment. To date, DBT has provided approximately £370 million to British Steel, of this, £57 million (15%) was used for payroll costs, £104 million (28%) for other operational expenses, and £209 million (57%) for raw material purchases. This will be reflected in the Department for Business and Trade’s accounts for 2025-26.

The Government keeps British Steel’s financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers’ interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. British Steel continues trading commercially and Government officials continue to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure value for money for taxpayers while they remain in operational control of a loss-making steel producer.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Steel is strategically important to the UK’s industrial base, the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the maintenance of critical infrastructure. In April 2025, the Government we intervened introduced the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act to avoid the premature and disorderly closure of the blast furnaces at British Steel and ensure uninterrupted steel production. The Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The passing of the Act, and use in relation to British Steel, does not itself establish any sort of precedent in UK company law. We continue to work with Jingye, the owner, to find a pragmatic and realistic solution to the future of British Steel.

The published impact assessment for the Special Measures Act considered the potential impact on the wider business community. It highlighted the exceptional nature of the intervention, which should limit any wider effect on investment. To date, DBT has provided approximately £370 million to British Steel, of this, £57 million (15%) was used for payroll costs, £104 million (28%) for other operational expenses, and £209 million (57%) for raw material purchases. This will be reflected in the Department for Business and Trade’s accounts for 2025-26.

The Government keeps British Steel’s financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers’ interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. British Steel continues trading commercially and Government officials continue to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what grant funding is available to help support the development of commercial and business skills in small and medium-sized enterprise.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade does not provide centrally administered grant funding, specifically for the development of commercial and business skills for SMEs.

Help to Grow: Management (HTG:M) is a UK-wide leadership and management programme for SME leaders. The programme is 90% government‑subsidised, with a participant contribution of £750.

Responsibility for business skills funding is devolved to local government, with commercial and business skills courses delivered through Growth Hubs funded directly through Mayoral Combined Authorities and local councils.

Businesses are encouraged to use the business.gov.uk website to identify relevant local support, including skills and business development funding in their area.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his planned timeline is for reporting on the Call for Evidence into business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Call for Evidence (CfE) was open across Great Britain for 12 weeks and closed on 18th February. DBT’s focus is now on analysing responses and these will inform any potential business support policy for the co-operative and mutual businesses.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has undertaken a value-for-money assessment of the £375 million capital allocation for British Steel included in the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The Government keeps BSL's financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers' interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. BSL continues trading commercially and Government officials are continuing to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, published on 2 March 2026, what independent analysis his Department has commissioned of the calculation that there is a £14 return for each £1 granted through MEGS.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The figure referenced in the press release was supplied by the BPI and is based on analysis of commercial outcomes reported by MEGS recipients in previous funding rounds. This is an industry estimate produced by the BPI and reflects their assessment of the scheme's impact on participating businesses. The estimate is based on industry held commercial data and is not used as an official Government economic metric.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Companies House about facilitating the removal of peers' private addresses from the website for security reasons.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government aims to strike the right balance between transparency and privacy, ensuring the Companies House register does not become a tool for abuse. Any individual can therefore apply to protect their residential address in most cases where it appears on the public register. No evidence of being at risk of harm is required.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of statutory and compliance costs on (a) small and (b) micro businesses.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises that too many small businesses have been held back from achieving growth and reaching their full potential in recent years. That is why we published our Plan for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. The Plan contains over 200 targeted actions which will make a real difference to the day-to-day trading operations of small businesses, supporting them to grow and reduce costs. This includes reducing regulatory admin costs by 25%, tackling late payments, modernising the tax and customs system and launching a new Business Growth Service, all of which will save businesses time and money.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Written Statement of 26 February 2026 by the Minister for Industry on British Steel, what contingency provision has been made within existing Departmental budgets to help ensure domestic steel production can be maintained should financial support requirements exceed current forecasts.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

HMG is working closely with EY, who are providing onsite management support, to review British Steel’s forecasts and ensure that any funding requests are robust. HMG and EY work closely with British Steel management on scenario planning to ensure that the company can respond effectively to unexpected financial pressures. Contingency provisions have been built into forecasts throughout the intervention to address potential risks, including lower sales receipts, fluctuations in production levels, and urgent capital investment needs. At present, the intervention is funded from existing budgets which are considered sufficient to manage any such pressures.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of the closure of the Hormuz Strait on British business.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are undertaking detailed analysis to assess the potential impact of any closure of the Strait of Hormuz on British businesses. We are monitoring the situation closely and working across government to safeguard UK economic resilience. We have an export support team that businesses can reach out to for support on disrupted trade or supply chains. We continue to analyse the potential impact of increased energy prices however this is not a question of security of supply, and we are confident that we have multiple and sufficient sources of supply.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Evri on measures to support frontline delivery staff, including a) training, b) working conditions and c) pay.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

All businesses must comply with relevant laws and employers must comply with their legal obligations to ensure that their workforce receive the rights and protections to which they are entitled.

Evri, and other parcel delivery operators, are independent businesses and the government does not have a role in their operational decisions.

Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services, does not regulate the employment or remuneration models of Evri or other parcel delivery companies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has held discussions with relevant stakeholders on the adequacy of the operations of major parcel delivery operators during seasonal demands.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ministers have regular discussions with Ofcom in its capacity as the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

The government wants to see all operators provide a good level of service, including during peak seasons. However, parcel delivery companies are independent businesses, and the government has no role in their operational decisions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on the proportion of UK businesses with dedicated budgets for training.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The DBT Longitudinal Small Business Survey[1] reports that 45 percent of SME employers offer training to their employees. The Department does not hold specific information on dedicated budgets for training.

[1] Small Business Survey 2024: businesses with employees - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, published on 2 March 2026, if he will publish a list of each act who has been granted MEGS funding; and how much each act has received.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The list of acts that received grant awards in the latest funding round of the Music Export Growth Scheme announced on 2 March 2026, were as follows:

Amber Run, anaiis, And Also The Trees, Andrew Cushin, Antony Szmierek, As It Is, Asta Hiroki, Aurora Orchestra, bar italia, Bear's Den, Beth McCarthy, BIG SPECIAL, Black Country, New Road, Black Josh & Lee Scott, Cage Fight, Canned Pineapple, Cassyette, Chalk, Chartreuse, Chloe Slater, Common Saints, DANIEL AVERY, Dark Tropics, Daytime TV, Dry Cleaning, Eleni Drake, Elles Bailey, Erotic Secrets of Pompeii, Essosa, EYNKA, Finn Forster, Gaynor O'Flynn, Girl In The Year Above, Halina Rice, Hana Lili, Harriet, Jalen Ngonda, King Jammy, LASTELLE, Leifur James, Maiah Wynne, Matilda Mann, MEGA, Mica Millar, Modern Woman, Naomi Scott, Nightbus, Nina Nesbitt, NOVELIST, Panic Shack, PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING, PVA, Qendresa, Samm Henshaw, Seb Lowe, SOTA, Stornoway, Summer Pearl and Zola Marcelle, The Cinelli Brothers, The Molotovs, The New Eves, The Snuts, The Wellermen, Tropic Gold, Ulrika Spacek, Wes Nelson, Will Samson, Witch Fever

For commercial reasons, we do not disclose individual MEGS grant awards. In this funding round, individual grant awards ranged from £5,000 to £50,000.

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 further support employee ownership in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Employee-owned businesses are a significant part of the UK economy, with 2,470 EOBs in the UK as of June 2025, employing over 335,000 people.

DBT, as part of the Autumn Budget announcements, launched a Call for Evidence on Business Support for Co-operatives and Mutuals, which closed on the 18th February. DBT is now analysing responses and these will inform any potential business support policies to support the growth of the sector.

The government is committed to supporting the growth of the mutuals sector in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the sector. To deliver this, the Chancellor announced a multi-year programme of measures at Mansion House 2024 which government is now delivering.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026, to Question 107050, on Stamp Advisory Committee, on what dates those five meetings of the Committee took place.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The five meetings of the Stamp Advisory Committee which were attended by an official from the Department for Business and Trade took place, respectively, on 21 November 2024; 23 January 2025; 10 July 2025; 11 September 2025; and 20 November 2025.

Additionally, an official from the Department attended a Committee meeting on 22 January 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, published on 2 March 2026, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the UK music industry on the future priorities of export support programmes; and how these discussions are shaping future policy design.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK Government's Creative Industries Sector Plan, published in June 2025, set out creative industries trade and investment priorities for the period up to 2035 and announced an up to £30 million Music Growth Package which will include export support. My department continues to hold discussions with the UK music sector about targeted export support that will best enable UK music businesses to grow internationally.

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 support small consultancy businesses.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK Government has, for the first time, chosen to put Professional and Business Services at the heart of our modern industrial policy, with consultancy as one of its key Frontier Sectors driving future growth.

The Department supports small consultancy businesses through a range of measures designed to improve capability, competitiveness and access to opportunities. Smaller consultancies benefit from improved access to government procurement and initiatives that encourage investment in digital, AI and innovation, helping them develop new services and grow sustainably. The government has pledged to cut regulatory administrative costs by 25% - a move designed to unlock growth, boost innovation and reduce burdens on businesses across key sectors.

In addition, SMEs can access tailored advice via the Business Growth Service, local Growth Hubs, the Help to Grow: Management scheme, and finance through the British Business Bank, strengthening their leadership, skills and long-term resilience.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to require parcel delivery companies to publish regular data on a) delivery success rates, b) complaints volumes, c) compensation claims and d) average resolution times.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector. The government does not have a role in Ofcom’s regulatory decisions.

Ofcom last reviewed postal regulation in 2022 and considered extending the requirement on Royal Mail to publish complaints handling reports to the wider parcels sector. It concluded the market, then, was working well.

Following recent market developments, Ofcom is gathering evidence of operator’s compliance levels with their applicable Consumer Protection Conditions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofcom regarding its monitoring and enforcement activity in respect of Evri.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers have regular discussions with Ofcom in its capacity as the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services. The government does not have a role in Ofcom’s regulatory decisions.

Following market developments, Ofcom are gathering evidence of operator’s compliance levels with their applicable Consumer Protection Conditions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a full breakdown of working capital support provided to British Steel, including expenditure on wages, raw materials for steel production, debt servicing, and supplier payments.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Steel is strategically important to the UK’s industrial base, the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the maintenance of critical infrastructure. In April 2025, the Government we intervened introduced the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act to avoid the premature and disorderly closure of the blast furnaces at British Steel and ensure uninterrupted steel production. The Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The passing of the Act, and use in relation to British Steel, does not itself establish any sort of precedent in UK company law. We continue to work with Jingye, the owner, to find a pragmatic and realistic solution to the future of British Steel.

The published impact assessment for the Special Measures Act considered the potential impact on the wider business community. It highlighted the exceptional nature of the intervention, which should limit any wider effect on investment. To date, DBT has provided approximately £370 million to British Steel, of this, £57 million (15%) was used for payroll costs, £104 million (28%) for other operational expenses, and £209 million (57%) for raw material purchases. This will be reflected in the Department for Business and Trade’s accounts for 2025-26.

The Government keeps British Steel’s financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers’ interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. British Steel continues trading commercially and Government officials continue to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost per job currently being supported through public funding of British Steel.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Steel is strategically important to the UK’s industrial base, the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the maintenance of critical infrastructure. In April 2025, the Government we intervened introduced the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act to avoid the premature and disorderly closure of the blast furnaces at British Steel and ensure uninterrupted steel production. The Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The passing of the Act, and use in relation to British Steel, does not itself establish any sort of precedent in UK company law. We continue to work with Jingye, the owner, to find a pragmatic and realistic solution to the future of British Steel.

The published impact assessment for the Special Measures Act considered the potential impact on the wider business community. It highlighted the exceptional nature of the intervention, which should limit any wider effect on investment. To date, DBT has provided approximately £370 million to British Steel, of this, £57 million (15%) was used for payroll costs, £104 million (28%) for other operational expenses, and £209 million (57%) for raw material purchases. This will be reflected in the Department for Business and Trade’s accounts for 2025-26.

The Government keeps British Steel’s financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers’ interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. British Steel continues trading commercially and Government officials continue to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the risk that intervention in British Steel establishes a precedent in UK company law, and (2) the implications of any such precedent for future inward investment into strategically important manufacturing sectors.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Steel is strategically important to the UK’s industrial base, the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the maintenance of critical infrastructure. In April 2025, the Government we intervened introduced the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act to avoid the premature and disorderly closure of the blast furnaces at British Steel and ensure uninterrupted steel production. The Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The passing of the Act, and use in relation to British Steel, does not itself establish any sort of precedent in UK company law. We continue to work with Jingye, the owner, to find a pragmatic and realistic solution to the future of British Steel.

The published impact assessment for the Special Measures Act considered the potential impact on the wider business community. It highlighted the exceptional nature of the intervention, which should limit any wider effect on investment. To date, DBT has provided approximately £370 million to British Steel, of this, £57 million (15%) was used for payroll costs, £104 million (28%) for other operational expenses, and £209 million (57%) for raw material purchases. This will be reflected in the Department for Business and Trade’s accounts for 2025-26.

The Government keeps British Steel’s financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers’ interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. British Steel continues trading commercially and Government officials continue to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, published on 2 March 2026, how many of the 68 acts awarded funding are based in Essex.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In the latest round of Music Export Growth Scheme awards announced on 2 March, one Essex-based act, 'Essosa', received grant funding.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, published on 2 March 2026, what steps are being taken to ensure recipients from across the entirety of the UK are aware of, and able to access, funding through the Music Export Growth Scheme.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

UK-based music small and medium-sized enterprises can apply for Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) funding. Information on MEGS is available on the 'Find a Grant' service on Gov/UK. My department's MEGS delivery partner the BPI has a dedicated section on its website and shares details of MEGS funding rounds on its social media channels. When MEGS funding rounds open, my department shares information on how to apply for the scheme with its regional teams across England and Department for Business and Trade offices in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The BPI shares information on new MEGS funding rounds with UK music trade bodies, arts organisations, with the music press and direct to some music companies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the transparency data entitled the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, Data for July to September 2025 for all departments, published on 25 December 2025, UK Export Finance, Workforce Solutions, Alexander Mann Solutions, what was the purpose of the "Social Value - The number of Social Value network events delivered to the supply chain in the financial year" as a KPI, and what were the topics and nature of the specific network events that were delivered.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Government Departments are required to apply at least 10% weighting to Social Value in tender evaluations, in line with the Social Value Model. Additionally, procurement regulations require that for all contracts worth more than £5 million, departments report and publish four Key Performance Indicators, including at least one relating to Social Value.

The Social Value events delivered for UK Export Finance by Alexander Mann Solutions aimed to educate participants in the delivery of Social Value commitments and Government requirements.

The event delivered in that quarter covered 'Wellbeing in the Workplace'.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what conditions or requirements are attached to the £375 million capital allocation relating to British Steel included in the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates; and whether he expects the funding to be repaid or generate a financial return to the Exchequer.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The £375 million capital allocation for British Steel Limited is recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown. The sole stipulation for this funding is that it must be used strictly for the purposes established in the legislation. Recoverability of this debt will be further assessed at year-end and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.

The £375m is intended for British Steel Limited, a private limited company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales with company number 12303256.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which legal entity or entities are expected to receive the £375 million capital funding for British Steel included in the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The £375 million capital allocation for British Steel Limited is recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown. The sole stipulation for this funding is that it must be used strictly for the purposes established in the legislation. Recoverability of this debt will be further assessed at year-end and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.

The £375m is intended for British Steel Limited, a private limited company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales with company number 12303256.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Chinese-owned businesses there were in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales and (4) Northern Ireland on the latest date for which information is available.

Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)

Statistics on foreign owned businesses are published separately by each of the devolved nations. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 and cover registered businesses only.

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency:

Northern Ireland Business: Activity, Size, Location, and Ownership 2025 | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

• around 5 Chinese owned businesses in Northern Ireland in 2025

Scottish Government:

Businesses in Scotland: 2025 - gov.scot

• around 15 Chinese owned businesses in Scotland in 2025

Welsh Government:

Ad-hoc statistical requests: 3 to 14 November 2025 | GOV.WALES

• around 10 Chinese owned businesses in Wales in 2024

There are no statistics published for Chinese owned business in England.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes statistics for the UK which show that in 2022 there were 349 Chinese-owned businesses in the UK.

Inward foreign affiliates statistics, UK, 2018 to 2022 - Office for National Statistics

The ONS statistics are compiled from a different source and are not comparable to the statistics published by the devolved nations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Department are taking to help tackle abusive purchasing practices in the fashion industry.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also launched a review, through the Trade Strategy, of the UK's approach to responsible business conduct, which is focussed on tackling human rights, labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains, including those in the fashion industry. We will update the House once the review is complete.

We have already announced measures to tackle late payments through additional reporting requirements for large firms and launched a new Fair Payment Code which aims to boost cash flow for small businesses, crucial for their survival, by tackling late payments and lengthy payment terms that can lead to financial strain and failure.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the scope of the independent Groceries Code Adjudicator to include the functions of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is undertaking the fourth statutory review into the effectiveness of the GCA, and covers the period from 31 March 2022 – 1 April 2025. The review sought input on the GCA’s effectiveness in enforcing the Code, its role alongside the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator and potential unfair practices outside its current remit. The Government is currently analysing responses and other publicly available evidence covering the review period. The review report will be published as soon as practicable.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Government is taking to expand the remit of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to tackle unfair trading practices in supply chains.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is undertaking the fourth statutory review into the effectiveness of the GCA, and covers the period from 31 March 2022 - 1 April 2025. The review sought input on the GCA's effectiveness in enforcing the Code, its role alongside the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator and potential unfair practices outside its current remit. The Government is currently analysing responses and other publicly available evidence covering the review period. The review report will be published as soon as practicable.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of fashion watchdog.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also launched a review, through the Trade Strategy, of the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focusing on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains, including those in the fashion industry.

While concerns have been raised about unfair practices, there are currently no plans to introduce a Fashion Watchdog. However, other measures are being considered as part of the responsible business conduct review. We will update the House once the review is complete.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help reduce bureaucracy and improve export processes for SMEs trading with the EU.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are improving our relationship with the EU and will align with the EU where it is in our national interest. This will help reduce barriers to trade, and the bureaucracy and onerous paperwork for UK businesses, particularly SMEs. Alongside this, DBT publishes explainer documents on key EU regulations and market specific guides on business.gov.uk, through which SME’s can access Unlock Europe, a new programme from UK Business Academy, designed to help businesses build stronger relationships with European customers and increase exporting potential to the EU.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory right to paid leave for kinship carers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings which outline next steps for implementing any reforms.

In addition to considering, all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, the Review is considering the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

The Government is also supporting kinship carers through other mechanisms and has recently launched a kinship pilot to support up to 5,000 kinship families by paying eligible carers an allowance equivalent to the Fostering National Minimum Allowance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to introduce a statutory entitlement to paid leave for kinship carers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings which outline next steps for implementing any reforms.

In addition to considering, all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, the Review is considering the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

The Government is also supporting kinship carers through other mechanisms and has recently launched a kinship pilot to support up to 5,000 kinship families by paying eligible carers an allowance equivalent to the Fostering National Minimum Allowance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to include kinship parents in its Parental leave and pay review.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings which outline next steps for implementing any reforms.

In addition to considering, all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, the Review is considering the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

The Government is also supporting kinship carers through other mechanisms and has recently launched a kinship pilot to support up to 5,000 kinship families by paying eligible carers an allowance equivalent to the Fostering National Minimum Allowance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the value delivered to small and medium-sized businesses by the trade envoy programme compared with support available through UK Export Finance and his own Department's direct export services.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

This is an impossible question to answer as the whole point of the UK Trade Envoy Programme is that it complements the work of UKEF and DBT’s direct export services in supporting SMEs. Trade Envoys provide high-level advocacy and market access, UKEF delivers financial backing, and DBT offers practical export guidance. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive package to help SMEs succeed internationally.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department uses a criteria to assess the reputational implications for the United Kingdom of appointing a trade envoy to a country with a poor human rights record.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

UK Trade Envoy markets are identified in discussion with HM Trade Commissioners and the trade and investment opportunities available to UK business. Trade Envoys operate within wider trading policies in support of the Government’s objectives, working closely with Ministers and officials, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

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 support entrepreneurs.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are committed to delivering the measures outlined in the Small Business Plan including removing barriers to entrepreneurs, through the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments.

My department also supports entrepreneurs with funding and mentoring through the British Business Bank’s Start-up Loans and our newly launched Business Growth Service.

We will continue to support entrepreneurs at every stage such as those in Doncaster through our Growth Hubs, I believe my honourable friend’s local Hub is Business Doncaster.

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Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2026, to Question 107041, on DSIT: Public Appointments, and to the answer of 28 January 2026, to Question 106743, on DBT: Public Appointments, how many public appointments in DSIT made a declaration of political activity.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

All Public Appointees complete a political activity form as part of the application process. If appointees declare any political activity, the detail is reviewed, assessed for risk and appropriate mitigations implemented where necessary.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he is taking to make accessing and understanding support for unpaid carers clear and transparent a) nationally and b) locally.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need. I chair a cross-Government ministerial group that meets regularly, made up of ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education, to consider how we can provide unpaid carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

Work is underway to introduce a MyCarer section to the NHS App, allowing people to book appointments and communicate more easily with relevant clinical team members on behalf of those for whom they care. This will allow carers to seek guidance directly from health professionals, improving people’s experience, outcomes, and saving admin time for the health professionals and the carer.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide a range of high-quality services for unpaid carers. The Better Care Fund supports initiatives such as short breaks and respite care, with local areas deciding how to use funding based on local need.

We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.

Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care, alongside NHS England and local authorities, continue to strengthen guidance to the care sector, and online resources to make support clear and accessible through its work. This includes information on financial help, health and wellbeing services, and respite care.

Locally, integrated care systems and local authorities continue to work towards improving their services. All these steps aim to help ensure unpaid carers can access the services they need efficiently, supporting both their wellbeing and essential caring role.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he is taking to support unpaid carers a) generally and b) specifically to remove barriers to accessing respite.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need. I chair a cross-Government ministerial group that meets regularly, made up of ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education, to consider how we can provide unpaid carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

Work is underway to introduce a MyCarer section to the NHS App, allowing people to book appointments and communicate more easily with relevant clinical team members on behalf of those for whom they care. This will allow carers to seek guidance directly from health professionals, improving people’s experience, outcomes, and saving admin time for the health professionals and the carer.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide a range of high-quality services for unpaid carers. The Better Care Fund supports initiatives such as short breaks and respite care, with local areas deciding how to use funding based on local need.

We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.

Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care, alongside NHS England and local authorities, continue to strengthen guidance to the care sector, and online resources to make support clear and accessible through its work. This includes information on financial help, health and wellbeing services, and respite care.

Locally, integrated care systems and local authorities continue to work towards improving their services. All these steps aim to help ensure unpaid carers can access the services they need efficiently, supporting both their wellbeing and essential caring role.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review its approach to employment disputes and whistleblowing complaints.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service organisations are independent employers and have their own policies and procedures for resolving workplace disputes, including whistleblowing complaints, which should be aligned to current employment law and relevant Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service codes of practice or guidance.

The Department for Business and Trade and the Ministry of Justice have set up the Dispute Resolution System Taskforce to consider longer-term system reform of dispute resolution across all sectors.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions to (a) return to and (b) enter into work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Just under 18 million people in England were estimated to be affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in 2023 and improving their health and work outcomes will help deliver this government's mission to kickstart economic growth.

MSK problems were one of the leading causes of sickness absence in the UK in 2024. Early detection and prevention, including increasing access to employment advice, can support people with MSK conditions getting into and remaining in work.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including arthritis and MSK conditions, with their employment journey. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well Connect to Work and WorkWell.

The Keep Britain Working review, published in November 2025, examined how employers can support healthier and more inclusive workplaces. Sir Charlie Mayfield was appointed to work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Business and Trade and Department for Health and Social Care to oversee the implementation of his recommendations. Over 100 employers and ten regions are working with us through employer-led vanguard sprints, reshaping how health and disability are managed at work.

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