Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to negotiate investment agreements without investor-state settlement mechanisms in the future.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The UK is a significant capital exporter and ISDS provisions provide an independent means to resolve disputes with host governments.
The UK will continue to work with trading partners multilaterally, such as at the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish a full impact assessment of the UK–Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Total FDI and portfolio investment assets and liabilities between the UK and Colombia were £6.8 billion at the end of 2023. The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) includes binding investment protection provisions which protect both UK and Colombian investors against unfair and discriminatory treatment, and expropriation without adequate compensation.
These commitments do not remove a government’s right to regulate in the public interest, nor its obligations to comply with other commitments.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of (a) human rights issues (b) the provision of fair wages and (c) the impact of climate change of the tea trade.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains. The review will cover all sectors of the economy, including the tea trade.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the findings of the most recent four day week pilot; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure businesses have a structured forum in which to share insights on effective implementation.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial.
A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted.
We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has reviewed the findings of the recent national four-day working week pilot; and whether he plans to respond to the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recommendation to establish a working time council.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial.
A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted.
We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has issued licences to RCV Engines to export to Israel.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
RCV engines have in the past been issued licences for the export of controlled goods to Israel. The most recent licences issued were in 2021 and expired in 2023.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Royal Mail on ensuring that NHS correspondence is given a guaranteed next day delivery status.
Answered by Justin Madders
The NHS has a Digital First strategy and most urgent appointments are already communicated by other means.
The Government does not have a role in the operational decisions of Royal Mail as it is an independent business. However, in November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe and discussed the importance of a reliable universal postal service for delivering NHS correspondence. I understand Royal Mail is working with NHS bodies to ensure they have a choice of speed and price, including protecting the option of a First-Class service six days a week for more urgent NHS letters.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to meet representatives of the hair and beauty industry to discuss the potential impact of the Budget on their sector.
Answered by Justin Madders
The Chancellor has been clear that the government must take difficult choices. This was a budget to fix the foundations of the economy, and these tough decisions are intended to provide a platform for growth.
I met with representatives from the sector at a Personal Care Roundtable on 19 November 2024. Representatives from the hospitality and personal care sector attended a Budget Broadcast call with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on 4 November 2024. There is ongoing engagement with the sector both at Ministerial and official level to understand the challenges facing the sector, including the impact of measures announced at Budget.
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on gov.uk in line with transparency data releases and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbt-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
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 effectiveness of the locksmith industry in upholding standards of practice.
Answered by Justin Madders
The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, whilst ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. While the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating expert trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry.
The Department for Business and Trade currently has no plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmithing industry’s upholding of standards of practice.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Independent - Poole)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will produce guidance for employers on how to support unpaid carers in the workplace.
Answered by Justin Madders
We are committed to ensuring that carers are supported to balance work and caring responsibilities and that guidance around policies which benefit unpaid carers in the workplace is readily available to employers and employees.
Gov.uk guidance is already available covering flexible working, time off for family and dependents and unpaid carer’s leave. This will be of particular benefit to unpaid carers in employment and those who employ them.