Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish in full the UK-US pharmaceuticals deal, including a full assessment of the cost implications for the NHS and wider public purse.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In December 2025 we agreed a landmark deal with the US that results in 0% tariffs on pharmaceutical exports to the US for 3 years – the lowest rate offered to any country. As you’d expect, there will now be further work to finalise underpinning details.
Costs will start smaller but will increase over time as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves more life improving and lifesaving medicines. Total costs over the spending review period are expected to be around £1bn. The final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake of these.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Groceries Code Adjudicator in protecting consumers from rising food prices.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is undertaking the fourth statutory review into the effectiveness of the GCA and the report will be published as soon as practicable. The Groceries Code, a competition measure owned by the Competition and Markets Authority, aims to ensure the fair treatment of direct suppliers to large grocery retailers but does not regulate prices paid by consumers.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to require supermarkets to publish data comparing food price increases with payments to suppliers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has no current plans to require supermarkets to publish data comparing food price increases with payments to suppliers.
The Government continues to work closely with retailers, suppliers, trade associations and regulators to monitor developments in this sector and to understand any issues that may affect transparency, competition and outcomes for consumers and businesses.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of people living with PTSD and other noise-sensitive health conditions.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises that many people are concerned about the use of fireworks. Ministers will consider how best to minimise harm while recognising the role that fireworks play in cultural and community life. Any work will take into account experiences from individuals alongside the data provided by local authorities, emergency services, animal welfare organisations and the fireworks industry.
No recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of fireworks noise or the impact on pets or on the welfare of people living with PTSD and other noise-sensitive health conditions.
I will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on issues relating to fireworks, including noise, to inform future action.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of fireworks noise on the welfare of pets.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises that many people are concerned about the use of fireworks. Ministers will consider how best to minimise harm while recognising the role that fireworks play in cultural and community life. Any work will take into account experiences from individuals alongside the data provided by local authorities, emergency services, animal welfare organisations and the fireworks industry.
No recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of fireworks noise or the impact on pets or on the welfare of people living with PTSD and other noise-sensitive health conditions.
I will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on issues relating to fireworks, including noise, to inform future action.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he will review current fireworks legislation in relation to noise levels.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises that many people are concerned about the use of fireworks. Ministers will consider how best to minimise harm while recognising the role that fireworks play in cultural and community life. Any work will take into account experiences from individuals alongside the data provided by local authorities, emergency services, animal welfare organisations and the fireworks industry.
No recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of fireworks noise or the impact on pets or on the welfare of people living with PTSD and other noise-sensitive health conditions.
I will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on issues relating to fireworks, including noise, to inform future action.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the National Hair and Beauty Federation entitled Straightening out the costs, published on 5 March 2025.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
This Government recognises the immense economic and social value of the hair and beauty industry, which is why we have committed to reforming business rates from 2026-27 with a permanently lower multiplier for retail, leisure and hospitality properties, including hair and beauty salons.
For national insurance contributions, increasing the employment Allowance to £10,500 will mean that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all and more than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package including many businesses in the hair and beauty industries.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help support small and medium-sized businesses to compete with online retailers.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
SMEs remain a key part of the high street, and a thriving high street will need a strong retail offering.
This is why the Government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.
Through the Retail Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector, including high street regeneration, skills and sustainability.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on trends in the level of growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Government has protected the smallest businesses and charities from the impact of the increase to Employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500 meaning, that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all next year, and more than half of employers will see no change or will gain overall from this package.
All eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no Employer NICs. Additionally, 4.1million SMEs do not employ anyone aside from the business owner and will not be affected by these tax rises.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to take steps with local councils to help increase footfall on the high street.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Revitalising our high streets is a priority for this government. Improving footfall on the high street is essential to create strong high streets. The Secretary of State and I are working with MHCLG to consider how we can deliver a cross-government approach for high streets and supporting their businesses to thrive.
This means addressing anti-social behaviour and crime, working with the banking industry to roll out 350 banking hubs, reforming business rates, stamping out late payments, empowering communities to make the most of the vacant properties, strengthening the Post Office network and reforming the apprenticeship levy.
Furthermore, the government is investing in local growth with local allocations for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2025-26 now announced, which places may choose to invest in rejuvenating high streets.