Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps officials in her Department are taking with officials in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to support the development of the floating wind sector in the UK.
Answered by Mike Freer
This year both departments have worked together successfully on the Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme. The scheme has brought in new investment to the sector which will deliver 2 new ports on the Humber and on Teesside to build the next generation of offshore wind projects. Investors have already announced the creation or protection of over 2000 jobs and over £300m of investment. With a Government target of 1GW in Floating Offshore Wind, the departments will continue to work together to ensure we deliver this objective.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of increase in shipping cost for exports from the UK in each of the last 12 months.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The high demand for container freight which has driven a rise in export shipping costs over the last 12 months is thought to be caused by changes in consumer spending during the Covid-19 pandemic. This global “container surge” is affecting not only the UK but container prices across international markets. High prices are predicted to continue through 2021 though markets are expected, eventually, to adjust.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has made an assessment of which nation the UK exports the most beef to.
Answered by Graham Stuart
According to HMRC, the top destination for UK beef in 2020 was Ireland with an export value of £119.3 million.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that UK farmers can benefit from free trade deals.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
British agricultural products are of the highest quality and our trade deals help to open new markets for British farmers. The interests of the British agricultural sector are taken into account at every step in trade negotiations – from public consultations at the start, dedicated Trade Advisory Groups during, and independent scrutiny of the final deal through the Trade and Agriculture Commission.
My Department supports farmers to export using our trade deals too. For example, the recently launched ‘Open Doors’ campaign helps farmers to unlock opportunities in the world’s most valuable markets for British products, and the ‘Food is GREAT’ campaign builds global recognition of brilliant British agriculture, food, and drink.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2021 to Question 149716 on Trade Agreements, what steps her Department is taking to increase (a) trade with and (b) investment in the Maldives fishing industry.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The Maldives is an important partner for the United Kingdom and my officials are exploring pragmatic options to promote increased trade and investment at present.
We are exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral trade with The Maldives in areas of mutual interest, such as food and drink, defence, education, health and fitness, environmental science, and sustainable development.
HM Government is exploring a range of options for collaboration in financial services and infrastructure development too, including securing green financing to aid Maldivian efforts towards cleaner, renewable energy generation.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent progress she has made towards securing a free trade agreement with Australia.
Answered by Greg Hands
Strengthening and enhancing our bilateral trading relationship with Australia is a key priority for the Government. The third round of negotiations for a UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place between 23rd November and 4th December where negotiators completed around 50 discussions, spanning the breadth of the FTA.
Both sides exchanged their initial tariffs offers – this early milestone reflects the momentum behind these negotiations. Negotiators are in the process of consolidating texts in several chapter areas.
The fourth round of negotiations will start on 22nd February 2021.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) the British Overseas Territories and (b) Gibraltar are able to benefit from the Enhanced Trade Partnership with India.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
In all trade deals, HM Government is seeking trade outcomes that support British Overseas Territories' economic interests, and which reflect their unique characteristics.
My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have regular discussions with our respective counterparts. Most recently, the Minister for Commerce and Industry of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, and my Rt Hon Friend met on Saturday, 6th February 2021, at New Delhi, to discuss the Anglo-Indian trade and investment relationship. Discussions were held on the entire range of bilateral trade and economic relations.
Following significant work over the last year, we have committed to launching an Enhanced Trade Partnership with India, through which both sides will continue to work to bring down trade barriers, open up opportunities for trade and investment, and chart the route towards a potential Free Trade Agreement.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with (a) her Indian counterpart and (b) representatives of Indian businesses on strengthening business, trade and investment relationships with (i) the British Overseas Territories and (ii) Gibraltar.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
In all trade deals, HM Government is seeking trade outcomes that support British Overseas Territories' economic interests, and which reflect their unique characteristics.
My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have regular discussions with our respective counterparts. Most recently, the Minister for Commerce and Industry of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, and my Rt Hon Friend met on Saturday, 6th February 2021, at New Delhi, to discuss the Anglo-Indian trade and investment relationship. Discussions were held on the entire range of bilateral trade and economic relations.
Following significant work over the last year, we have committed to launching an Enhanced Trade Partnership with India, through which both sides will continue to work to bring down trade barriers, open up opportunities for trade and investment, and chart the route towards a potential Free Trade Agreement.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of a UK-Kenya free trade agreement on the East African Community’s Common External Tariff.
Answered by Greg Hands
The United Kingdom is pursuing a trade agreement with the East African Community (EAC), and we recognise the impact that a loss of duty and quota free access to UK markets after the transition period could have on Kenya if an agreement is not in place.
We are engaging with Kenya and all EAC States to secure a trade agreement that will provide this duty and quota free access, and provide lasting certainty for EAC and UK businesses in our trading arrangements.