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 Motability Scheme on supporting the British automotive industry.

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

Motability has stated that its aim is for 50% of all scheme vehicles leased from 2035 to be manufactured in the UK. We are committed to the growth of the automotive sector in the UK through investment in innovation, research & development and skills. Our flagship DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) initiative will support the latest R&D in strategic vehicle technologies, accelerate their commercial scale-up, and unlock investment in their industrialisation. As part of this ambitious programme, we are committing £4 billion of capital and R&D funding to the British automotive industry through to 2035.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has issued guidance to multi-academy trusts on the necessary characteristics, qualities and attributes of chairs.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department’s ’Academy trust governance guide’ and ‘Academy trust handbook’ set out the role and responsibilities of the chair of trustees. The guidance also outlines the skills, expertise, and behaviours that any trustee needs for the board to carry out its functions effectively.

The board, led by the chair, holds the senior executive leader to account for the day to day running of the trust. The chair also ensures the board operates effectively and plays a central role in establishing the highest expectations for professional standards, governance, and accountability.

The department’s model articles specify that any trustee employed by the academy trust is not eligible to serve as chair or vice-chair.

To support transparency, the chair’s details must be recorded on Get Information About Schools. Their details, along with any relevant business interests, must also be published on the trust’s website.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an estimate of the number of multi-academy trusts which are chaired by individuals who are themselves chief executives of multi-academy trusts.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department’s model articles for academy trusts set out that a trustee who is employed by the academy trust shall not be eligible for election as chair or vice chair. The board holds the chief executive to account for the day to day running of the trust. To support transparency, the chair’s details must be recorded on Get Information About Schools (GIAS). As of 16 February 2026, there were no trusts recorded on GIAS showing the same person as chair and chief executive.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded; when his Department plans to consult on how the scheme will be funded; and whether the costs of the scheme will be passed onto other consumer bills.

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

A consultation will be launched in the Spring on the amendments to legislation that will be required to deliver the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. This will include details on how the scheme will be funded.

Found: Additionally, Antonia Bance MP asked which aspects of the Technology Prosperity Deal were most beneficial

Found: Labour; Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North) (Chair) Dan Aldridge (Labour; Weston-super-Mare) Antonia Bance

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards; Alison

Found: Labour; Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North) (Chair) Dan Aldridge (Labour; Weston-super-Mare) Antonia Bance

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah

Submit Evidence (by 10 Apr 2026)

In this inquiry, the Business and Trade Committee will scrutinise the Government’s approach to economic engagement with China. In particular, it will assess the potential net benefits to the UK of deeper economic integration with China, and how these benefits compare to the risks that closer ties with China may bring.

Submit Evidence (by 12 Apr 2026)

Demand for critical minerals has grown rapidly in recent years. New technologies, including turbines and data centres, require more minerals than the older systems they replace. At the same time, global trade in these materials has become more fractured and competitive.

Submit Evidence (by 3 Apr 2026)

The Business and Trade Committee is launching an inquiry into Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to better understand the opportunities and costs for businesses and the workforce, and to make recommendations on Government priorities.