Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 human rights clauses in trade agreements.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. This work takes place separately to negotiations on Free Trade Agreements.
While aspects of trade policy can provide the opportunity to address other issues in our bilateral relationships, Free Trade Agreements are not generally the most effective or targeted tool to advance human rights issues.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 on Question 11149 on Trade Agreements: Parliamentary Scrutiny, if he will announce his plans for scrutiny arrangements of trade deals prior to the conclusion of the negotiations of those deals.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government will continue to fulfil commitments set out under the current scrutiny framework for free trade agreements (FTAs).
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2024 to Question 10718 on Trade Agreements, whether he plans to include labour rights protections in prospective trade agreements.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government will protect our labour standards in new trade agreements. To date, we have secured chapters on labour in FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, and within CPTPP. The UK also has labour provisions in a range of other agreements. We will continue to work internationally to strengthen workers’ rights and enhance labour standards globally.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 promote the growth of independent brewers in Wokingham constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The government will consult on ways to ensure that independent brewers can retain and expand their access to UK pubs, and maximise drinkers’ choice, including through provisions to enable ‘guest beers’.
In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”, the Government is reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year.
This Government remains committed to helping small businesses and independent brewers thrive and will be publishing our Small Business Strategy next year. This will set out our vision for all small businesses, from boosting scale-ups to growing the co-operative economy. Support is also available via the Business Support Service, Gov.uk and the network of local Growth Hubs across England. The Government-backed British Business Bank also improves access to finance to help businesses grow.
Businesses who want to start exporting or expand into new markets can access support through our digital GREAT.gov.uk platform and Export Support Service. We are supporting businesses to build their exporting knowledge and capability through our online Export Academy programme and series of ‘peer to peer’ networking events around the UK.
Additionally, The Department for Business and Trade has a network of international trade advisers offering one to one support across England including Wokingham where we directly support three local craft breweries in the area.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 increase competition in the (a) pub and (b) breweries sector in Wokingham constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition.
The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to small brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers. The Government will also consult on ways to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and local economies, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’
Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 increase the variety of ownership amongst large breweries in the public sector.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition.
The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers.
Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
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 require the Board of Trade to produce an annual trade report which assesses the UK's trade policy developments.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The Department for Business and Trade is currently reviewing the Board of Trade and a decision on appointments and future direction of the Board will be made soon.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether UK Export Finance is taking steps to support companies in Wokingham constituency sell their goods and services overseas.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
In its role as the UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance has a range of products designed to support exporters or businesses with export potential. In 2023/24, UKEF provided £8.8 billion in support for UK exports, including the extension of a £200,000 General Export Facility for a company based in Wokingham. UKEF’s full product suite can be found at: www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk/products-and-services/.
UKEF also has a network of export finance managers around the whole country who are valuable points of contact for local businesses and can provide information on the range of support available. Contact details for the EFMs can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager.
Businesses in Wokingham and across the country seeking to sell overseas can also access support from the Department and Business and Trade, such as our network of International Trade Advisors and guidance on GREAT.GOV.UK
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will include dispute settlement mechanisms on (a) human rights and (b) labour into any Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We do not comment on the details of live negotiations.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason his Department is pursuing a multilateral free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council rather than bilateral agreements with the member states.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK and GCC Member States have agreed to negotiate a GCC-wide FTA, reflecting the opportunities this presents to increase trade and investment with all parties. The GCC is equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest trading partner.
During the Call for Input launched in advance of negotiations and subsequently, businesses and stakeholders expressed a preference for a UK-GCC FTA. An FTA will enable UK businesses to benefit from preferential access with all six GCC markets, unlocking new opportunities and giving them an advantage over international competitors.
We are committed to further deepening the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal and informal dialogue with Gulf partners.