Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will take steps to call for a global boycott of businesses that continue to trade with Russia.
Answered by Mike Freer
We have announced the strongest set of economic sanctions ever imposed against a major economy, which will help cripple Putin’s war machine. The UK has targeted the political elite, introduced powers to cut off the Russian banking sector from the UK, and announced restrictive trade measures to minimise the funding Putin has available to wage his illegal war.
We have welcomed commitments made by firms who have announced their intention to reduce or sell holdings in Russia. We urge firms to think carefully about their investments in Russia.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with his international counterparts on trade with Russia.
Answered by Mike Freer
The UK and our international partners stand united in the face of Russian aggression. The international community has demonstrated unprecedented unity, including on trade matters. Alongside other G7 countries, we are denying Russia Most-Favoured-Nation treatment relating to key products, ramping up the pressure on Russia’s economy. We have also announced a prohibition on the export of luxury goods to Russia.
In addition to engagement in multilateral fora, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has met a range of counterparts, including US Ambassador Philip T. Reeker and German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Habeck. The Secretary of State will meet US and Canadian counterparts on 21 and 22 March.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will take steps to encourage UK-based companies to end trade with Russia.
Answered by Mike Freer
We have announced the strongest set of economic sanctions ever imposed against a major economy, which will help cripple Putin’s war machine. The UK has targeted the political elite, introduced powers to cut off the Russian banking sector from the UK, and announced restrictive trade measures to minimise the funding Putin has available to wage his illegal war.
We have welcomed commitments made by firms who have announced their intention to reduce or sell holdings in Russia. We urge firms to think carefully about their investments in Russia.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment has he made of the potential (a) merits and (b) prospects of the UK increasing future exports of renewable energy technologies and manufacturing to countries pursing divestment from Russian fossil fuel supplies.
Answered by Mike Freer
No specific analysis of opportunities emerging from divestment from Russian fossil fuels has been undertaken to date. However, such opportunities would form part of the Department’s wider, regular assessments of international opportunities and their applicability to UK exporters.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to help accelerate the ambition of other countries to divest in Russian fossil fuels; and if he will make an assessment of the potential (a) merits and (b) prospects of the UK being a major future exporter of technology to help achieve that ambition.
Answered by Mike Freer
No specific analysis of opportunities emerging from divestment from Russian fossil fuels has been undertaken to date. However, such opportunities would form part of the Department’s wider, regular assessments of international opportunities and their applicability to UK exporters.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she is taking steps to encourage a global boycott of trading with Russia.
Answered by Mike Freer
Alongside allies across the world, the UK has executed the biggest package of sanctions ever imposed against a G20 nation.
The UK has sanctioned well over 200 high-value individuals, entities, and subsidiaries to help cripple Putin’s war machine. On top of this, and in full concert with the United States, the EU and other partners, the UK has introduced new, stringent trade restrictions, including a plan to phase out the import of Russian oil products during the course of the year.
We will continue to consider, and to coordinate with partners on, further potential trade measures.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to encourage British and international companies that are exporting to Russia to stop their trade in that country.
Answered by Mike Freer
Alongside allies across the world, the UK has executed the biggest package of sanctions ever imposed against a G20 nation.
The UK has sanctioned well over 200 high-value individuals, entities, and subsidiaries to help cripple Putin’s war machine. On top of this, and in full concert with the United States, the EU and other partners, the UK has introduced new, stringent trade restrictions, including a plan to phase out the import of Russian oil products during the course of the year.
We will continue to consider, and to coordinate with partners on, further potential trade measures.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that no products imported into the UK have been manufactured from forced labour, either from Uyghur Muslim communities or other imprisoned groups, in China.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
HM Government has helped make sure that British businesses are not complicit in the violation of rights and responsibilities occurring in Xinjiang through their supply chains by requiring them to report openly on steps taken to tackle modern slavery.
Under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, businesses with a turnover of £36 million or more which carry on a business (or part of a business) in the United Kingdom, wherever incorporated or formed, are required to publish annual modern slavery statements, setting out steps taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has plans to move civil servant jobs in (a) her Department and (b) non-departmental public bodies and government agencies associated with her Department to York.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Department for International Trade (DIT) intends to grow over 550 roles outside London by 2025 as part of the cross-Government Places for Growth programme. DIT’s second major location will be the Darlington Economic Campus, alongside three new trade and investment offices in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. While DIT does not currently have plans for an office location in York, the Darlington Economic Campus will support delivery of the Levelling Up agenda in the across the North of England, including through increased job opportunities and associated economic benefits.