Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what proportion of individuals working as barbers in the UK hold recognised vocational qualifications, including NVQ Level 2 and 3.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade does not hold data on the total number of barbers or the qualifications they hold and therefore cannot determine the proportion holding recognised vocational qualifications, including NVQ Levels 2 and 3. However, published data by the Department for Education for England shows that there were 406 starts on the Barbering Professional apprenticeship in academic year 2023/24, 326 in 2024/25 and 196 so far in 2025/26 (from August 2025 to April 2026).
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unregulated entry into the barbering industry on apprenticeship uptake and professional training.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the impact of entry requirements in the barbering industry on apprenticeship uptake or professional training. The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for adult skills and apprenticeship policy, while the Department for Education retains responsibility for under-19 skills and further education provider accountability. The Government continues to support professional training through the Level 2 Barbering Professional apprenticeship.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he intends to review the effectiveness of the voluntary register established under the Hairdressers Registration Act 1964.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
There is currently no planned review of the effectiveness of the voluntary register established under the Hairdressers Registration Act 1964. The Hairdressers Registration Act 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and barbers, although registration remains voluntary. Hairdressing salons and barbers are subject to a range of existing requirements, including health and safety and consumer protection legislation.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration he has given to the location of an AI regulator with responsibility for scrutinising the most advanced AI systems.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The UK is committed to a context-based regulatory approach where most AI systems are regulated at the point of use by our existing regulators. Government departments are working with regulators to provide strategic direction and support them with their AI capability needs. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which deepens our understanding of the critical security risks posed by frontier AI.
The Government keeps the adequacy of existing arrangements under review, including in relation to specific new risks related to cybersecurity and critical national infrastructure.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, for what reason the consultation on the proposed AI Bill has not been published; and when that consultation will be published.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The Government is ensuring that the UK is ready for both the challenges and opportunities that AI will bring. We have taken important steps to ensure that most AI systems are already regulated at the point of use by our existing expert regulators. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which deepens our understanding of the critical security risks posed by frontier AI.
The Government keeps the adequacy of existing arrangements under review, including in relation to specific new risks related to cybersecurity and critical national infrastructure.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any British companies are involved in the (a) manufacture and (b) sale of cluster munitions.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
As a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the UK takes its obligations seriously and continues to fulfil them. The UK takes a comprehensive approach across government and globally to directly tackle the issue of cluster munitions, including adopting national legislation. The UK Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010 which was introduced by the then Labour government, created criminal offences banning the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions (Article 9).
As a consequence, the manufacture of cluster munitions is prohibited in the UK. The export of such munitions is also subject to the strictest controls. Such exports would only be permitted in order for such munitions to be destroyed, for training in detection or disposal, or for development of counter-measures.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local trading standards services have adequate (a) support and (b) expertise to enforce consumer protection laws introduced through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Department for Business and Trade officials have contributed to training events and provided practical information to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to disseminate to trading standards officers about the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, including changes to consumer protection law and trading standards' enforcement powers.
Furthermore, the Department provides grants to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, as well as others, who are developing training material on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Funding also supports the maintenance of Business Companion which provides trading standards officers and business with the latest information on the application of consumer law.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to seek UK accession to the World Trade Organization Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government is keeping the question of UK membership of the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) under active consideration.
The Government is committed to a free, fair and rules-based international trading system. Re-establishing a fully-functioning WTO dispute settlement system is crucially important. The UK is keen to continue working with other WTO Members to achieve that goal.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken towards deciding whether UK will align its regulations with the EU in certain sectors.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
A more cooperative relationship with the EU is in the UK’s national interest, as it will help grow the economy and boost living standards.
All decisions taken by the Government on regulation will be focused on supporting growth across the UK. The Government will draw on evidence gathered though our strong relationships with stakeholders, including industry, trade associations and consumer groups.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February to Question 28625 on Rules of Origin, what criteria will be used to determine the benefits, risks and the national interest of joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention on Rules of Origin.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
Rules of origin are often highly technical and there are many factors that influence how businesses experience using these rules and whether they would benefit from different rules - from the different types of paperwork involved, to the make-up of their supply chains. We are regularly talking to businesses about their experience and how we can remove trade barriers and support growth. There is also a significant interaction with the existing rules we have with the EU and in our FTAs with PEM partners that would require consideration.