Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to increase trade with European countries.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Europe remains a vital export destination for British businesses, exporting £344.6 billion in the year to June 2022, up 16% in current prices on the previous year.
My department has around 300 trade experts across Europe, charged with resolving market access barriers, encouraging investment and promoting UK exports. Our refreshed Export Strategy launched last November to help businesses at every stage of exporting and will continue to help drive exports to Europe. It is a front door for businesses who require support adapting to changes following the UK’s departure from the EU.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her department is taking to increase the transparency of export costs.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
We recognise the barriers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face to exporting: our most recent National Survey of Registered Businesses (NSRB) highlights that companies’ lack of knowledge, capacity and awareness of opportunities represent real market failures which prevent SMEs from exporting. The Department for International Trade does not ask businesses to respond to the survey to assess and report the actual costs involved.
The 12-point plan for exports aims to address these barriers and is centred around the Export Support Service (ESS) which provides a single point of entry for businesses who export or wish to do so.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her department is taking to increase export opportunities for businesses in (a) Preston, (b) in the North West region and (c) England.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for International Trade (DIT) offers a tailored service to businesses in Preston and the North West via our dedicated Northern Powerhouse team that offers support and expertise to meet the export needs of SMEs and larger businesses at a local level. Our offices in Leeds, Manchester, and Darlington, help drive growth and prosperity through export and investment, and provide a range of upskilling services to businesses including the export academy and export champion programmes. DIT’s Trade Advisor Service gives exporters outside the capital and Southeast the tools, support, and opportunities to succeed in global trade.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve the UK-EU trading relationship.
Answered by Conor Burns
I am pleased to note that goods exported to the EU in the 12 months ending July 2022 were worth £178 billion. An increase of £27 billion (18%) on the previous 12 months and now higher than goods exported in 2018, so trade values are increasing.
To further increase exports, we need to get more British businesses exporting for the first time, including through initiatives such as the Export Academy and our Export Champions, giving exporters the knowledge and practical help that they need.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with trade partners on the Government’s decision to extend steel import tariffs until mid-2024.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Department has so far held discussions with Brazil, the EU, Switzerland and Japan. These discussions have included giving an overview of the UK trade remedies legislation and answering questions on how this relates to the extension of the safeguard measure.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to findings of the statistical release from the Office for National Statistics published on 31 May 2022 of a higher level of quarter-on-quarter GDP growth for Northern Ireland than for the other countries of the UK, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of Northern Ireland’s continued access to barrier-free trade with the EU on the relative performance of Northern Ireland's economy.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has not made an assessment of the performance of Northern Ireland’s economy as DIT does not lead on sub-national economic growth. Also, DIT is not responsible for the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and its impact on the UK and nations and regions of the UK.