Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what support is available to MedTech SMEs to assist them with developing their exports.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department has integrated its support for businesses in a single, accessible place – the Business Growth Service – to help firms, including those in the MedTech sector, start, scale and succeed. From tailored market advice to free Business Academy training and our on-the-ground network around the world, we are making it easier for businesses to navigate global markets and seize opportunities.
UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, can also support businesses of all sizes across the UK. In January, UKEF announced the SME Exporter Fund which will give SMEs the confidence they need to invest, grow and expand into global markets.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
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 introducing six weeks of statutory paternity leave, paid at 90% of earnings, with provision for self-employed parents.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The arrival of a child is a transformative time in a family’s life, and it is important that parents can take time away from work in the months following childbirth. We know that more can be done to support working families, which is why we launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review last year. All current parental leave and pay entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay, are in scope of the Review.
The Review is exploring how the system can better support working families, reflect the realities of modern work and childcare, balance the needs of parents, employers and the Exchequer. It is also looking at whether the support available meets the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing entitlements — including the self-employed. The Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings, and Government will outline next steps for implementing any reforms.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what plans he has to review the inclusion of (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental conservation provisions within the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are currently no plans to review the UK-Faroe Islands FTA to add further provisions. However, the Government acknowledges that these are important issues, which UK officials raise with the Faroes at every opportunity, including at the latest Joint Committee in June 2026.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration has been given to imposing additional tariffs on Chinese car imports.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is continuing to monitor the impact of imports on the UK automotive sector. Where there is sufficient evidence of harm caused by unfair trading practices, industries may apply to the independent Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), which conducts trade remedy investigations. Where appropriate, the TRA may recommend measures to protect UK industries. The Government uses trade remedies transparently, in line with domestic legislation and World Trade Organization rules.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2026 to Question 15879 on Trade Agreements: Faroe Islands, who the current United Kingdom members of the Joint Committee are.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As the UK-Faroe Islands Joint Committee is an official level committee, there is no standing committee membership. It is attended by the relevant trade officials from the UK’s Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, and the Faroe Islands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs each year.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2026 to Question 15879 on Trade Agreements: Faroe Islands, when the next meeting is scheduled to take place.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Whilst no set date has been determined for the 2027 Joint Committee at this time, the Joint Committee is held annually with the latest being held on 3rd June 2026. The previous committee was also held in June.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to provide legal recognition of Green Reps in workplaces where they are (a) elected and (b) appointed by a recognised trade union.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
While there is no separate statutory framework for green representatives, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives. Where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from these statutory rights relating to trade union representatives. There are no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for workplace green representatives.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to give elected workplace Green reps rights to information, consultation and participation in workplace sustainability and transition planning, including through joint Futureproofing Committees.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
While there is no separate statutory framework for green representatives, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives. Where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from these statutory rights relating to trade union representatives. There are no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for workplace green representatives.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to give the right to reasonable paid time off for elected workplace Green Reps.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
While there is no separate statutory framework for green representatives, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives. Where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from these statutory rights relating to trade union representatives. There are no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for workplace green representatives.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the timetable is for meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Officials meet annually for the UK-Faroe Islands FTA Joint Committee, with the latest held on 3rd June 2026 in London. The FTA establishes effective channels for UK officials from the Department for Business and Trade to lobby the Faroes on animal welfare issues, including at the last Joint Committee. Regular engagement with the Faroese Representation in London also enables the UK to raise important issues directly with the Faroese Government.