Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the work of the new Retail and Hospitality Envoy will extend to Scotland; and whether the Envoy will be engaging with representative bodies such as the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
At the recent Budget, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion the sector across Government. The detail of the role is being finalised, the Envoy will be expected to work collaboratively with Government departments, existing councils, trade bodies and businesses.
Retail and Hospitality policy in Scotland is still devolved and any matters relating specifically to Scottish Retail or Hospitality policy should be directed to the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
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 the Scotch whisky industry.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
DBT leads a whole of Government effort, working with devolved governments and the sector to support this important industry, which exported £5.6bn of Scotch Whisky worldwide in 2023. We boost exports by leveraging trade agreements and removing barriers. For example, in August we announced the recognition of the Scotch Whisky Geographic Indicator in Brazil, valued at £25m over five years. We will continue to spotlight Scotch Whisky at global trade shows in key markets, including a spirits trade mission to India in November. The Export Academy food and drink programme, launched in October, offers dedicated upskilling to both emerging and experienced distilleries.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to help increase exports from companies in the north east of Scotland.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
My department continues to work with Scottish Government and Scottish Development International to boost exports across Scotland. We specifically work with Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, North east and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support export growth from the north east.
This Government recognises that the north east is well placed to play a key role in sectors including energy and food and drink. DBT Scotland has dedicated specialists covering these areas in addition to technology, finance and professional business services, and life sciences to take advantage of the DBT offer and increase exports from the north east of Scotland. In addition, the UK Wide Export Champions programme is uniquely operated in Scotland as a mutually appointed partnership with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the value of the Scotch whisky industry to the economy.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
According to research published by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scotch Whisky industry contributed £7.1 billion to the UK economy in 2022, supporting 66,000 jobs across the UK. Scotch Whisky is also the UK’s leading food and drink export, with exports valued at £5.6 billion in 2023. My department continues to support this economically vital industry by opening new markets, tackling trade barriers and challenging unfair trade practices around the world to maximise international opportunities.