Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will prohibit the export of arms to Israel until the government of Israel allows deliveries of food and medicines to Gaza.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In September, we suspended all licences for exports of items for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) that might be used in military operations in Gaza, subject to the specific measures announced in Parliament with respect to the global F-35 programme.

Of the remaining licences for Israel, the vast majority are either for civilian purposes, including scientific equipment and body armour for journalists or NGOs, or for components for products for re-export to other countries.

We have taken the same approach to new licence applications since September, refusing any licences for items that could be used in military operations in Gaza.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 48445 on Picketing, whether there is a statutory basis for the six person limit in the Code of Practice on Picketing, published in March 2024.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There is no statutory limit on the number of people attending a picket. The Code of Practice on Picketing, which is issued by the Secretary of State under section 203 Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, recommends a 6 person limit as a way of enabling unions to ensure they can adhere to the legal requirement that the picket be peaceful and therefore does not intimidate others, including workers who may seek to cross it to go to work.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support cycle manufacturers.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

UK bicycle manufacturers stand to benefit from the Secretary of State’s pro-business agenda, as outlined in the Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper. The strategy targets key growth levers, boosting scale-ups, growing the co-operative economy, revitalising high streets, improving access to finance, unlocking new markets, and strengthening business capabilities, creating a more competitive and resilient business environment. Recently, the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service (BGS) to streamline the process for businesses across the UK to access the support they need to grow. The Department will continue to engage with the industry on key issues moving forward.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) industry representatives on supporting the growth of Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain; and what steps he is taking to ensure Scottish businesses can gain from UK offshore wind deployment targets and associated manufacturing opportunities.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department ensures Scotland benefits from our world-leading offshore wind deployment by supporting the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero with the Contract for Difference’s Clean Industry Bonus, which awards developers who invest in sustainable supply chains. The Energy Secretary has already increased the bonus from an initial £200m to £544m to support clean energy growth, including in Scotland’s industrial heartlands and coastal communities. We are also supporting the delivery of Great British Energy’s £300m grant funding to secure investment in domestic supply chains, including in Scotland.

The Department regularly engages with Scottish Government and industry representatives. For example, UK and Scottish Governments participated in a roundtable in Edinburgh to discuss clean energy supply chains, including floating offshore wind.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 50224, on Pay: Publicity, what the total cost is for Millions get a pay rise campaign; whether it was approved under communications spending controls; and what the cost was for the beer mats.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage campaign is running until 31 May 2025 and is budgeted to cost up to £650,000. This was approved under Cabinet Office’s advertising, marketing and communications spending controls. The cost to advertise in pubs using beer mats was £35,580, which was approved at Official level.

The 2024 campaign saw an increase in reach to eligible workers. However, recognition remained low, reinforcing the need for bolder, more engaging formats for the 2025 campaign, which expected to deliver an estimated 3.2 million impressions.

It offered a unique opportunity to engage audiences in a social, high-dwell environment where financial conversations naturally occur. This setting encourages discussion and word-of-mouth sharing about rate changes and offers an effective nudge for audiences to "check their pay."

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 50224 on Pay: Publicity, which advertising channels were used to promote the Millions got a pay rise campaign.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The advertising channels used for the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage campaign include radio, community radio, paid search, online video, paid social, programmatic digital display, digital influencer activity, and out-of-home advertising such as bus and train advertising panels, gym advertising panels and hospitality environments. Our channels are planned and carefully considered to ensure we can reach the right audiences, including using the learnings from previous campaigns.

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 Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate on employment levels in the UK automotive manufacturing sector.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government does not hold data on how the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate has affected automotive employment in the UK.

We speak regularly to all the major UK automotive stakeholders to understand the health of the sector and factors impacting competitiveness. Government is committed to ensuring the transition to zero emissions works for industry. That is why we introduced significant changes to the Mandate, allowing for greater flexibility in meeting ZEV targets and extending the sale of hybrid vehicles.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 50224 on Pay: Publicity, if he will place a copy of the business case for the Millions got a pay rise campaign in the Library.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department’s final stage impact assessment (IA) in respect of The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2025, was laid in draft before Parliament on 4 February and is available on GOV.UK. It provides the high-level rationale for the campaign, which is to increase awareness and understanding of the changes to the rates that came into effect on 1 April 2025. The campaign supports the policy objectives by minimising compliance costs and ensuring that the benefits are realised, including a direct pay rise for over 3 million workers.

The Impact Assessment can be viewed here: The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2025 - Impact Assessment

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 50224 on Pay: Publicity, how his Department distributed the 500,000 beer mats to pubs.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

For the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage awareness campaign, 500,000 beer mats were distributed to 1,000 pubs across the country. Distribution targeted areas with high concentrations of minimum and living wage workers, identified through HMRC underpayment complaint data and ONS data on pay. Our distribution partners delivered directly to selected venues in these priority locations to maximise campaign effectiveness and reaching those directly eligible for the increase in the wage and those who could share this important information with friends and family members.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their Industrial Strategy; and whether it will include a road map for improved economic growth.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Industrial Strategy will be published in spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.

The Industrial Strategy will set out a credible, 10-year plan to deliver higher growth – and improved living standards – by targeting growth-driving sectors and places with the greatest potential for growth.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of staff shortages in the hospitality sector; and what actions they are taking to address these shortages.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Between February and April 2025, there were 83,000 vacancies in the hospitality sector, which is 21% less than last year.

This is a significant improvement which can be credited to Government’s collaboration with the Hospitality Sector Council in addressing jobs shortages and building the sector’s talent pipeline.

As part of this, we are expanding Hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) which fast track individuals into hospitality vacancies by providing flexible training and support. SWAPs have already seen 10,000 starts in the sector in less than two years.

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 the UK-India free trade agreement on levels of investment in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

This comprehensive agreement is expected to boost increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion and boost wages by £2.2 billion each and every year in the long run.

This deal is expected to make trade between the UK cheaper and easier, which helps encourage more businesses to expand and invest. For example, the high-value manufacturing sector will benefit from reduced Indian import tariffs on many advanced manufacturing goods.

We will set out further information on the regional impacts of this agreement in our Impact Assessment.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what processes are in place to help ensure that consumers who submit complaints to Trading Standards through Citizens Advice receive feedback on the outcome of their complaint.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need.

Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm.

Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

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 ensure that the Trading Standards system meets consumer needs.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need.

Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm.

Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

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 the Trading Standards complaints process.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need.

Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm.

Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason consumers in England are not able to deal directly with Trading Standards services; and whether he plans to review this approach.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need.

Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm.

Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

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 help support (a) fathers and (b) partners take (i) paternity leave and (ii) unpaid parental leave in Broxtowe constituency.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Through the Employment Rights Bill, the government will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave 'day one' rights. This will bring an extra 32,000 fathers and partners into scope of Paternity Leave and an extra 1.5 million parents into scope of Unpaid Parental Leave. We will also remove the requirement that Paternity Leave and Pay must be taken before Shared Parental Leave and Pay.

The parental leave system needs improvement and we have committed to conduct a review to ensure that it best supports working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department has made in resolving Horizon Shortfall Scheme claims for sub-postmasters in North Shropshire constituency.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

As of 30 April 2025, £507 million has been paid in redress via the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS). This includes approximately £240 million in fixed sum awards and approximately £107 million in top-ups to previously settled claimants.

DBT does not hold a constituency-level breakdown of HSS cases.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the fourth iteration of the Post Office's Banking Framework, published on 30 April 2025, what steps his Department is taking to expand access through post offices to (a) cash and (b) banking services.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government welcomes Banking Framework 4, which provides both personal and business customers with certainty about access to services provided through the post office network to the end of the decade, including vital in-person cash and banking services. As well as improving cash services for the people and businesses that need it most, Banking Framework 4 will also provide a better commercial offer for postmasters over the next five years.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many applications were received by UK Export Finance in each month of the last five years; and what the value of those applications was.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

It is not possible to provide the information requested other than at disproportionate cost.

Applications are made to UK Export Finance (UKEF) through a variety of channels, including through banks and other financial institutions, and through its network of local Export Finance Managers who are valuable contacts for exporters and businesses with export potential.

Further information about the support that UKEF provides can be found in the Annual Reports and Accounts for each year, which can be found online at: UK Export Finance annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Full details of the businesses supported by UKEF are available online at: UK Export Finance: business supported - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Transport on the adequacy of access to postal services in rural areas where (a) post office branches have recently closed and (b) postal outreach services have recently ceased.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government protects the sustainability of the Post Office branch network, including in North Shropshire and across the rural network, providing funding stipulating that Post Office meets its minimum access criteria ensuring 99% of the population live within three miles of their nearest Post Office, across the country. Government confirmed the network subsidy will be up to £83 million for Financial Year 25/26.

Post Office are committed to consulting on any proposed branch changes, as set out in the Principles of Community Engagement document agreed with Citizens Advice. These consultations focus on customers’ access to Post Office products following any proposed change.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, requires Royal Mail to ensure that across the UK, the premises of no fewer than 95% of users of postal services are within 5 kilometres of an access point.

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 access to postal services in North Shropshire constituency.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government protects the sustainability of the Post Office branch network, including in North Shropshire and across the rural network, providing funding stipulating that Post Office meets its minimum access criteria ensuring 99% of the population live within three miles of their nearest Post Office, across the country. Government confirmed the network subsidy will be up to £83 million for Financial Year 25/26.

Post Office are committed to consulting on any proposed branch changes, as set out in the Principles of Community Engagement document agreed with Citizens Advice. These consultations focus on customers’ access to Post Office products following any proposed change.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, requires Royal Mail to ensure that across the UK, the premises of no fewer than 95% of users of postal services are within 5 kilometres of an access point.

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 trends in the level of tiered lending rate structures in SME finance products offered by UK-regulated banks since 2022.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Tiered interest rates relate to retail deposits and personal loans, not commercial finance.

Bank of England data shows that interest rates on lending by banks to UK SMEs are as follows:

In March 2025, effective interest rates for new SME loans were 6.75%

In March 2024, effective interest rates for new SME loans were 7.49%

In March 2023, effective interest rates for new SME loans were 6.36%

In March 2022, effective interest rates for new SME loans were 3.49%

Source: Bank of England

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to prevent non-disclosure agreements from being used to conceal serious misconduct against former employees.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has been clear that non-disclosure agreements should not be misused by employers to conceal misconduct in the workplace. There are already legal limitations as to what NDAs can be used for, meaning the relevant clause would be unenforceable if it attempted to prevent a worker from whistleblowing, require a worker to cover up iniquity, or prevent a worker from doing anything that they may be required to do by law. We continue to look at how to make improvements to ensuring the misuse of NDAs is not used to conceal misconduct in the workplace.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the About Us page for the Office for Investment on gov.uk, updated on 8 November 2024, when he plans to set out further details on the expanded Office for Investment; and when that expanded office will be operational.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Office for Investment (OfI) has remained operational throughout this period, continuing to lead efforts to secure high-value investment into the UK — such as through its role in landing the major investment partnership worth £24 billion between The Crown Estate and Lendlease and the multibillion-pound investment by Universal in a new theme park and resort in Bedford. The expanded OfI will be operational by the end of May. The Department remains committed to continuously improving its approach to attracting and delivering transformational investment that supports UK growth and innovation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48551 on Trade Union Recognition, what criteria he will use to assess whether to lower the recognition threshold.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government will consider what criteria to assess whether to lower the recognition threshold in due course, including through the public consultation process.

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 retailers on (a) mitigating and (b) preventing ransomware attacks.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working in close coordination with law enforcement, the Department for Business and Trade and other relevant government departments to support each of the affected retailers. This includes providing technical expertise and strategic guidance which assist with incident response and recovery.

The NCSC is maintaining active engagement with the wider retail sector to share threat information and offer mitigative guidance aimed at reducing the risk from further incidents.

The Government offers free guidance, tools and training to help businesses improve their cyber resilience. This includes a new Cyber Governance Code of Practice to help boards and directors manage digital risks, and the Cyber Essentials scheme which is highly effective in protecting businesses against cyber-attacks.

Details of any Ministerial and Senior Officials' meetings and engagements can be found in the Department’s quarterly transparency returns on Gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what data his Department holds on lending approval rates for SMEs applying for finance to invest in (a) technology, (b) commercial premises and (c) workforce training since 2022.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Earlier this year, DBT launched a call for evidence on access to finance to better understand the barriers that SMEs experience when applying for loans. However, currently available results from the SME Finance Monitor provides the following data on SMEs needing funding for R&D and new premises:

• In 2024, 7% of SMEs reported a need for funding. Of those SMEs reporting a need for funding, 6% needed funding for new premises and 4% needed funding for R&D.
• In 2022, 6% of SMEs reported a need for funding. Of those SMEs reporting a need for funding, 3% needed funding for new premises and 5% needed funding for R&D.
• In 2024, 47% of all applications for new or renewed finance by SMEs were successful.
• In 2022, 62% of all applications for new or renewed finance by SMEs were successful.

Source: SME Finance Monitor 2024 and 2022

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to support UK (a) brands and (b) manufacturers with a potential influx of fast fashion, in the context of the UK-India trade deal.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Helping our world-class textiles industry extend its influence worldwide is important for our Plan for Change, with several businesses in the sector expressing support for our new trade deal with India.

This agreement will mean increased choice for consumers and cheaper imports for businesses and give UK businesses an edge over international competitors when entering India's rapidly growing market.

We have included a bilateral safeguard mechanism which allows us to temporarily increase tariffs if an industry is suffering or facing the threat of serious injury as a result of reduced duties in the FTA.

The Department continues to engage with stakeholders to monitor the impact of the deal and ensure that UK businesses can compete on a level playing field.

The Government is reviewing the customs treatment of low value imports, and intends to engage stakeholders through existing channels, which will inform a decision on whether to launch a consultation later in the year.

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 include the beer and pub sector in his Department's forthcoming industrial strategy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences and Professional and Business Services.

Sector Plans for the eight growth-driving sectors will be published alongside the Industrial Strategy in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review. The Sector Plans will set out the specific sub-sectors of focus, identify key barriers to growth, and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.

All sectors will benefit from wider policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, and consumers to spend with confidence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) marine and maritime and (b) tourism and creative industries will be included in the Industrial Strategy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences and Professional and Business Services.

Sector Plans for the eight growth-driving sectors will be published alongside the Industrial Strategy in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review. The Sector Plans will set out the specific sub-sectors of focus, identify key barriers to growth, and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.

All sectors will benefit from wider policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, and consumers to spend with confidence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support (a) manufacturing and (b) heavy industry with climate-transition policies.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Advanced manufacturing is critical to UK prosperity. This Government will continue to support the sector through our forthcoming Industrial Strategy, where advanced manufacturing has been selected as one of eight growth-driving sectors.

To support heavy industry with climate-transition policies we have provided guidance to SMEs through our Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) pilot and to local clusters through our Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans scheme. A renewed Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy will set the strategic direction for our approach to working with industry towards a competitive and low carbon industrial base in the UK, ensuring growth opportunities are captured in tandem with emissions reductions.

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 adequacy of the accessibility of financial support available for sole traders.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Small businesses are the heart of our high streets and communities and are essential to our vision for growth and economic success.

The Government is committed to improving access to finance for small businesses, including sole traders, so they can grow and reach new domestic and international markets. Sole traders can benefit from the Start Up Loans programme, which helps entrepreneurs access the finance and mentoring advice they need to make their business ideas a reality.

Additionally, UK Export Finance offers financial support to boost export activities and helps exporters win contracts, fulfil orders, and make payment guarantees.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support high street retailers to help tackle cyber attacks.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government offers free guidance, tools and training to help businesses improve their cyber resilience. This includes a new Cyber Governance Code of Practice to help boards and directors manage digital risks, and the Cyber Essentials scheme which helps in protecting businesses against cyber-attacks.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working in close coordination with law enforcement, the Department for Business and Trade and other relevant government departments to support each of the affected retailers. This includes providing technical expertise and strategic guidance which assist with incident response and recovery. The NCSC is maintaining active engagement with the wider retail sector to share threat information and offer mitigative guidance aimed at reducing the risk from further incidents.

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 Small Business Commissioner on the (a) awareness and (b) use of mediation in the small business sector.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The department is working closely with The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) as we develop our proposals for the upcoming late payments consultation.

The Small Business Commissioners office continues to engage closely with businesses and stakeholders across the UK to raise awareness of the SBC service, which includes the role that the SBC can play in mediation between small businesses and their larger partners. Alongside mediation the SBC also conducts investigations into formal complaints of non-payments by large businesses and can provide additional support to small business as they try to deal with late payments.

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 effectiveness of the tribunal system in supporting small businesses facing late payments.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government understands the impact late payments has on small businesses and the important role the tribunal system plays in helping to recover late payments, alongside the Office of the Small Business Commissioner which was set up to help small businesses with late payment disputes and which runs a free dispute resolution service. The Government will soon be launching a public consultation seeking views on how we can go further to tackle late payments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to promote English as a Foreign Language schools in global markets.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My Department works closely with English UK and has provided support for their English with Confidence campaign, including through the production of promotional material and hosting English language teaching agents during familiarisation visits. Most recently the Department took a delegation of UK providers from the sector to Mongolia, and to the Study World event in China.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what representations his Department has made to the Office for National Statistics on the economic classification assessment of British Steel.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My department is currently working closely with both ONS and HMT to determine the classification of BSL. My department's current expectation is for BSL to be classified as a public corporation and that the situation will remain under review by ONS.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in countries in the Minerals Security Partnership on aligning (a) environmental, (b) social and (c) governance guidelines on critical minerals.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The forthcoming Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure supplies of critical minerals vital to the UK’s economic growth and clean energy transition, promoting responsible and transparent supply chains. A more responsible supply chain is a more resilient and sustainable one.

Government puts responsible practice at the heart of our international approach, and we support partners to consolidate existing environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. We promote best ESG practice through our bilateral agreements and multilateral engagements, including the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP). The MSP’s ESG Principles demonstrate members’ commitment to integrating ESG standards, guidance and support into MSP activity (MSP’s ESG Principles).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to recommendations of Arijit De of the University of Manchester in his article 'Rattling the supply chains: creating a more sustainable way to do business', published on 22 April, to reduce traditional road freight and its emissions through the greater use of maritime transport.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Globalised supply chains remain a crucial part of our nation's economic growth. This government is actively working to strengthen the resilience of supply chains critical to the UK's economic security and growth, ensuring they remain secure, diverse, and sustainable in the face of global challenges. This includes work being done by the Department for Transport to encourage modal shift of freight from road to rail or water. We will consider the University of Manchester's report and its recommendations as part of our wider programme of work.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much public money is being spent on steelmaking in Scunthorpe.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We will report regularly to Parliament on the use of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act and I updated the House with latest information in a Written Ministerial Statement on 20 May 2025.

All funding required for the Scunthorpe site will be drawn from existing budgets, within the spending envelope set out by the government at Spring Statement 2025. As the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the UK's fiscal rules remain non-negotiable.

To date, we have provided approximately £100m for working capital. This covers items such as raw materials, salaries, and addressing unpaid bills, including for SMEs in the supply chain. This does not take into account future revenue. The Department for Business & Trade’s accounts for 2025/26 will reflect the financial support that the department has given to British Steel.

We urge the Government to launch a public inquiry into the legitimacy and legality of the huge number of barbers, nail bars, car wash, vape shops and similar outfits already established, and springing up in towns throughout the country.

We want the Government to remove what we feel are prohibitive taxes and duties on independently owned pubs as well as business rates. We believe this would help them start to thrive once again.

We want the Government to make it law that holiday companies can only raise prices by a maximum of 20% during school holidays. We feel families are currently unfairly charged because they are limited to travelling in school holidays. We feel it would make access to holidays fairer.

Found: specific information required by the select committee No additional information has been requested by the DBT

Found: for Business & Trade President of the Board of Trade Department for Business and Trade

Found: for Business & Trade President of the Board of Trade Department for Business and Trade

Found: for Business & Trade President of the Board of Trade Department for Business and Trade

Found: for Business & Trade President of the Board of Trade Department for Business and Trade

Found: , Competition and Markets Department for Business and Trade

Found: Letter from the Chief Operating Officer relating to the May Update on the 2024-25 Department for Business and Trade

Found:  DBT ran a series of corporate roundtables in between 2023 and 2024 in an effort to determine which

Found: Fellows would be placed not only in central departments (DSIT, DBT) but also within regulators (e.g.

Found: of companies themselves. 10 See https://academic.oup.com/book/59603 May 2025 - The Department for Business and Trade

Found: the UK and Israel was worth £5.5 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2024 (Department for Business and Trade

Found: also expected to receive further funding for the Faraday Battery Challenge from the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Director, Review of Economic Studies 2022-2024 Expert Panel, Trade Modelling Review Department for Business and Trade

Found: The Department for Business and Trade funds a helpline operated by Acas for employers and employees

Found: CommonsBTC The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business & Trade, Department for Business and Trade

Found: The Department for Business and Trade is also doing important work with its emphasis on the importance

Found: Cross-Departmental International Technology Task Force, including representatives from FCDO, MoD, DBT

Found: for Economic Security (ECO0003) Centre for Economic Security-ECCRG, King’s College Department for Business and Trade

Found: interdepartmental Economic Security Taskforce that consolidates expertise from the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Government, including on the Global Supply Chain Intelligence Programme (GSCIP) - led by the Department for Business and Trade

Found: . • Establish a permanent Supply Chain Resilience Unit (possibly in the Cabinet Office or DBT) to continuously

Found: DBT/Science and Innovation Network (FCDO) teams have a critical role to play in this, ‘escorting companies

Found: I was just checking all the different departments that are involved—Defra, DESNZ, DBT, MHCLG, DFT and

Found: for Business & Trade President of the Board of Trade Department for Business and Trade

Found: We need to use the Department for Business and Trade more in regard to accessing embassies around the

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to drive private sector investment into Ukraine’s economy.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK recognises that private sector investment is critical for Ukraine's economic recovery. To de-risk investment, the UK will continue to support war risk insurance through partnerships with the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The UK is leveraging its world-class insurance industry to explore ways to make insurance in Ukraine more accessible and affordable and is supporting the Government of Ukraine-led insurance task force working with industry to address barriers to trade and investment.

British Investment International has committed to invest £30 million to support trade flows of critical goods and is actively pursuing further investments in Ukraine, up to a total of £250 million. Through the UK-Ukraine TechBridge and InnovateUkraine challenge fund we are expanding opportunities for UK and Ukrainian partnerships across multiple sectors.

The Department for Business and Trade has delivered five defence trade missions to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, supporting the development of long-term cooperation and investment, working closely with the Ministry of Defence's Taskforce HIRST. Trade Envoy Alex Sobel plays a crucial role engaging with UK and Ukrainian businesses to foster trade and industrial partnerships to support the recovery of Ukraine.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 52340 on Government Departments: Equality, in which departments have decisions on EDI spending controls been delegated to their Permanent Secretary.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The following Departments have formally informed the Cabinet Office that their Minister has delegated the decision to approve external Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) expenditure to the Permanent Secretary:

• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

• HM Treasury

• Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government

• Department for Business and Trade

• Cabinet Office

• Home Office

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport

• Department for Transport

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they still intend to meet targets for (1) international student recruitment, and (2) education export value, set out in the International Education Strategy, published in March 2019.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The department, along with the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is currently conducting a review of the international education strategy to ensure that it continues to be an effective tool in increasing the value of education exports and reflects the priorities of education stakeholders, businesses and Ministers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 51501 on Sodium Valproate: Compensation, which Government departments he is having discussions with on developing a timetable for implementation of the recommendations of the Hughes Report.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for financial and non-financial redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. Department officials are liaising with other parts of the Government, including the National Health Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury, and the devolved administrations, on the needs of patients and on the recommendations. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity.

Found: Department for Business and Trade (2024). Invest 2035: the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. 7.

Found: In the 2025/26 Main Estimates, the Department for Business and Trade has reduced its Annually Managed

Found: collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Business and Trade

Found: Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice, Health and Safety Executive and Department for Business and Trade

Found: OfI reports directly to the Minister for Investment and is jointly sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade

Found: employees by 2035 will be almost 3 million. 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: DfE (2024) 28 Artificial Intelligence Sector study, DSIT (2024) 29 Business population estimates, DBT

Found: There is significant and growing demand for 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: male, 88% are white and 36% are over 50.8,9,10 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: for the eight growth-driving sectors. 5 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: of the highest growth potential subsectors. 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: Memorandum of Understanding signed between the UK Department for Business and Trade and Morocco’s Ministry

Found: businesses, including the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA), UKRI- Innovate UK, Department for Business and Trade

Found: businesses, including the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA), UKRI- Innovate UK, Department for Business and Trade

Found: Development Office (FCDO) ● Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ● Department for Business and Trade

Found: From: Department for Business and Trade and The Insolvency Service Published 30 May 2025

Found: As an Arm’s Length Body of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), procurements over 25k are undertaken

Found: independent member of TRA’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, TRA Secretariat, Director Trade Defence DBT

Found: Remedies Authority (TRA) is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Hands, Greg – Minister of State for Trade Policy, Department for Business and Trade – ACOBA advice

Found: Hands, Greg – Minister of State for Trade Policy, Department for Business and Trade – ACOBA advice

Found: Hands, Greg – Minister of State for Trade Policy, Department for Business and Trade – ACOBA advice

Found: Hands, Greg – Minister of State for Trade Policy, Department for Business and Trade – ACOBA advice

Found: Hands, Greg – Minister of State for Trade Policy, Department for Business and Trade – ACOBA advice

Found: The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade. 

Found: for the eight growth-driving sectors. 5 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: There is significant and growing demand for 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: male, 88% are white and 36% are over 50.8,9,10 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: of the highest growth potential subsectors. 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: DfE (2024) 28 Artificial Intelligence Sector study, DSIT (2024) 29 Business population estimates, DBT

Found: employees by 2035 will be almost 3 million. 1 Invest 2025: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, DBT

Found: Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice, Health and Safety Executive and Department for Business and Trade

Found: collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Business and Trade

Found: Showcase Fund - PRS for Music Foundation168 The ISF is managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with DBT

Found: 00ReceptionCBRERegional Economic Development2025-01-21 00:00:00MeetingUK Government Officials - Department for Business and Trade

Found: Alexander MP, Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security) at the Department for Business and Trade

Found: Jones MP, Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade

Found: electronic communications between the Welsh Government, Tata Steel, the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade