Ruth Cadbury Portrait

Ruth Cadbury

Labour - Brentford and Isleworth

First elected: 7th May 2015

Shadow Minister (International Trade)

(since December 2021)

Shadow Minister (Justice)

(since September 2023)

Transport Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 20th Nov 2023
Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill
1st Dec 2021 - 14th Dec 2021
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Planning)
19th Sep 2021 - 4th Dec 2021
Building Safety Bill
9th Sep 2021 - 26th Oct 2021
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities & Local Government) (Planning)
14th May 2021 - 19th Sep 2021
Transport Committee
29th Oct 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Justice Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 19th Nov 2018
Shadow Minister (Housing)
10th Oct 2016 - 29th Jun 2017
Women and Equalities Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 28th Feb 2017


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Ruth Cadbury has voted in 708 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Ruth Cadbury Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Christopher Pincher (Independent)
(45 debate interactions)
Paul Scully (Conservative)
(32 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(25 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(59 debate contributions)
Home Office
(53 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Finance Act 2022
(1,440 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Ruth Cadbury's debates

Brentford and Isleworth Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

In 2019 UK Government finalised a free trade agreement (FTA) with Faroe Islands which allows for £100 million of exports of wild caught and farmed fish to Britain per annum (20% of the Faroe Islands global trade). This FTA should be suspended until all whale & dolphin hunts on Faroe Islands end

The Government should bring forward legislation to allow assisted dying for adults who are terminally ill and have mental capacity. It should be permitted subject to strict upfront safeguards, assessed by two doctors independently, and self-administered by the dying person.

The maximum penalty for failure to stop after an incident is points and a 6-month custodial sentence. Causing death by careless/dangerous driving is between 5-14 yrs. The sentence for failing to stop after a fatal collision must be increased.

The offence of causing 'death by dangerous driving' should be widened to include: failure to stop, call 999 and render aid on scene until further help arrives.

Undocumented Migrants are suffering in silence, with no access to adequate Financial support, or any help. The Government should grant an urgent Amnesty of 5years to those with no criminal record so that they could live their lives as normal human beings and pay tax to help the UK economy.

Football is a powerful tool of which allows a range of benefits such as employment, and other important aspects of life. Football can be associated with passion, emotion, excitement and dedication across the community. With Fans attending football games a range of economic benefits are there too.


Latest EDMs signed by Ruth Cadbury

23rd March 2022
Ruth Cadbury signed this EDM on Thursday 24th March 2022

P&O Ferries and DP World

Tabled by: Karl Turner (Labour - Kingston upon Hull East)
That this House condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision of P&O Ferries to fire 800 staff without notice or consultation with their trade unions, the RMT and Nautilus; demands the immediate reinstatement of the sacked workers; condemns their replacement with agency workers earning as little as £1.80 per …
125 signatures
(Most recent: 27 Apr 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 93
Scottish National Party: 12
Liberal Democrat: 7
Independent: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Alba Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
22nd June 2021
Ruth Cadbury signed this EDM on Tuesday 29th June 2021

GKN Automotive alternative plan

Tabled by: Jack Dromey (Labour - Birmingham, Erdington)
That this House is alarmed by GKN Automotive’s decision to close its Birmingham factory next year, with the loss of over 500 highly skilled jobs and work transferred to continental Europe; notes that GKN’s origins trace back to the industrial revolution, with over 260 years of history that include making …
68 signatures
(Most recent: 27 Apr 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 60
Independent: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
View All Ruth Cadbury's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Ruth Cadbury, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Ruth Cadbury has not been granted any Urgent Questions

3 Adjournment Debates led by Ruth Cadbury

Thursday 17th December 2020
Wednesday 8th July 2020

1 Bill introduced by Ruth Cadbury


A bill to require HM Commissioners of Revenue and Customs to record income tax revenues where the payee self-certifies as holding a conscientious objection to public spending on defence purposes and report to Parliament thereon; to place a duty on HM Treasury to take account of the amount and proportion of such self-certified income tax income in preparing the supply estimates; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 19th July 2016

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
5th May 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the financial impact on women of the increase in cost of period products in the last 12 months.

The Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis and has taken a number of steps to ensure that necessities like period products are available and affordable for all who need them.

Since January 2020, a Department for Education scheme provides free period products in schools and 16-19 education institutions in England. 97% of secondary schools, 92% of post-16 organisations and 68% primary schools have made at least one order since the scheme began in January 2020. Since 2019 the NHS has also offered free period products to every hospital patient who needs them (including long-term in-patients).

In addition, we have been clear that a zero rate of VAT applies to period products. These products are essential, so it is right that there is now no VAT charge. This is part of the Government's wider strategy to make period products affordable and available for all women.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
5th May 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of trends in the cost of period products in the last 12 months.

The Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis and has taken a number of steps to ensure that necessities like period products are available and affordable for all who need them.

Since January 2020, a Department for Education scheme provides free period products in schools and 16-19 education institutions in England. 97% of secondary schools, 92% of post-16 organisations and 68% primary schools have made at least one order since the scheme began in January 2020. Since 2019 the NHS has also offered free period products to every hospital patient who needs them (including long-term in-patients).

In addition, we have been clear that a zero rate of VAT applies to period products. These products are essential, so it is right that there is now no VAT charge. This is part of the Government's wider strategy to make period products affordable and available for all women.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
2nd Mar 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on community champions.

I announced the Community Champions scheme in my first quarterly report to the Prime Minister on progress to address disparities in risks and outcomes from COVID-19, published on 22 October, and provided an update in my second quarterly report published on 26 February. Officials in the Race Disparity Unit, who are supporting me in this work, continue to meet regularly with colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government who are leading on the scheme.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Attorney General, how many prosecutions for assaults against prison officers have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service on the grounds of not being in the (a) public interest and (b) interests of justice in each of the last five years.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold data on the number of prosecutions for offences relating specifically to assaults on prison officers. The number of prosecutions commenced in the last five years for charges relating to assault and/or battery against emergency workers (charged by way of section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers
(Offences) Act 2018), which include prison officers, is set out below. It would not be possible to determine the outcome of these prosecutions or whether the charge related specifically to an assault on a prison officer without an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

2018-2019

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

Section 39, Criminal Justice Act 1988; Section 1, Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018

4,401

23,676

28,906

35,301

31,996

Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System

Robert Courts
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
1st Sep 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish an updated list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

A list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries is published on gov.uk. An updated list will be published shortly, taking into account recent changes within Government.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
6th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much public money has been spent on Border Control Posts, including through the port infrastructure fund, as of 6 September 2022.

Current Ports Infrastructure Fund (PIF) payments either paid (or in the payment system being processed) as of 6th Sept 2022 is £161,039,513.57 and this includes funding for border control posts. The information required to breakdown specific funding for border control posts is not readily available and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
6th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much public money has been spent on the construction of the Border Control Post at Portsmouth as of 6 September 2022.

The Government allocated £17,155,151 to Portsmouth City Council for the construction of the Border Control Post from the Port Infrastructure Fund.


Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
6th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the funding provided for border control posts.

The primary objective of the Port Infrastructure Fund was to assess and identify the projects that best ensure that the UK’s borders can more fully facilitate EU trade. In assessing the value for money, amongst other factors, the Government took into consideration the level of benefits the project is expected to deliver in terms of avoiding trade disruption and other areas.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
6th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential financial impact on border control posts of the Government's decision to delay physical border checks; and if he will make a statement.

We continue to analyse the financial impact of the decision to not impose physical borders checks in July and work on a port-by-port basis to address any issues or concerns they may have.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
5th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what was the cost in pounds of commissioning the joint opinion from Lord Pannick QC and Jason Pobjoy published on 2 September 2022 regarding the Committee of Privileges' inquiry into the Rt. hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

The Cabinet Office is committed to setting out the final costs of the total legal support in relation to the Privileges Committee in due course after the conclusion of this matter.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
5th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department received advice from the Director for Propriety and Ethics before commissioning the opinion relating to the Committee of Privileges' inquiry into the Rt. hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

As the Privileges Committee inquiry relates to the conduct of the now former Prime Minister making statements at the despatch box on behalf of the Government as a Minister, the Government is supporting his response to Parliament, as with any Minister, and has instructed legal support.

It has been the practice of successive administrations to preserve a space for the provision of advice from senior officials, which necessarily requires discretion about whether or not that advice has been sought or received in respect of particular matters.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
5th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department received legal advice before commissioning the contract with Peters and Peters for a public opinion regarding the Committee of Privileges' inquiry into the Rt. hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Notwithstanding that in the exceptional circumstances the Government determined it was in the public interest for Lord Pannick’s legal opinion to be published, it remains the case that the Government does not comment on legal advice that may or may not have been sought or received. This is in line with the long-standing policy under successive administrations.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
5th Sep 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a Ministerial Direction was issued in regards to the decision to award a contract to Peters and Peters in relation to the opinion published regarding the Committee of Privileges' inquiry into the Rt. hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to PQ 47506. Please see here https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-09-05/47506

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
21st Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people are currently waiting for their airside security vetting to be completed by the UK Security Vetting.

To reveal the number of National Security Vetting (NSV) checks in progress is likely to prejudice national security. It would also impact the protective measures employed in safeguarding Her Majesty’s Government (HMG). Security checks are being processed in a timely manner with no current delays.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

14th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve the engagement rate with Government consultations from historically under-represented groups.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for the Government Consultation Principles, which provide departments with guidance on conducting consultations. Individual departments are responsible for their own consultation practice. The Principles are published at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691383/Consultation_Principles__1_.pdf

The Consultation Principles are clear that consultations should be targeted. This should include consideration of how to tailor consultation to the needs and preferences of particular groups affected by a policy. The Principles also state that in responding to a consultation the government should explain the responses that have been received, state how many responses have been received and how these have informed the policy. Decisions on the potential merits of publishing individual responses to consultations are for consulting departments.

13th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of publishing in full the submissions made to legislative consultations.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for the Government Consultation Principles, which provide departments with guidance on conducting consultations. Individual departments are responsible for their own consultation practice. The Principles are published at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691383/Consultation_Principles__1_.pdf

The Consultation Principles are clear that consultations should be targeted. This should include consideration of how to tailor consultation to the needs and preferences of particular groups affected by a policy. The Principles also state that in responding to a consultation the government should explain the responses that have been received, state how many responses have been received and how these have informed the policy. Decisions on the potential merits of publishing individual responses to consultations are for consulting departments.

5th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 for mitigating the impact of fireworks on noise pollution.

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 set a maximum noise limit of 120 decibels on all consumer fireworks. It should be noted, however, that many consumer fireworks go off at a noise level below this rate, as demonstrated in the Government’s noise testing research, published in February 2023.

Lower noise fireworks are also commercially available to consumers to purchase if they wish to, potentially reducing distress to vulnerable groups and animals. The Government has no current plans to reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for consumer use but we continue to monitor the situation.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2023 to Question 188011 on Trade Advisory Groups, if she will list the dates of Trade Advisory Groups meetings that have taken place since June 2023.

Engagement on trade policy continues at all levels and with all our key stakeholders, to help secure the best outcomes for the UK in trade policy. Over summer 2023, convening Trade Advisory Groups have not formed part of our program of engagement.

Following its creation, the Department for Business and Trade is considering how best to broaden and deepen our engagement with business and stakeholders to harness the power of the new Department.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department held consultations with the (a) poultry and (b) egg industry before the UK's accession Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Global trade flows on shell eggs are minimal given difficulties in transporting over long distances and exports of egg products are not significant within the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) membership. The UK did not import any eggs from CPTPP Parties in 2022. We will retain tariffs on eggs and egg products until year 10 of the agreement. For Australia, eggs will remain subject to Most Favoured Nation tariff rates.


The British Poultry Council was included in the department’s Trade Advisory Group on agri-food, which met regularly. The British Egg Industry Council was included in a CPTPP roundtable with agricultural stakeholders. The consultation exercises run by the UK Government for CPTPP received almost 150,000 responses, and we published our response to these in 2021.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential financial impact of the UKs accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership on the domestic hen egg industry.

Global trade flows on shell eggs are minimal given difficulties in transporting over long distances and exports of egg products are not significant within the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) membership. The UK did not import any eggs from CPTPP Parties in 2022. We will retain tariffs on eggs and egg products until year 10 of the agreement. For Australia, eggs will remain subject to Most Favoured Nation tariff rates.


The British Poultry Council was included in the department’s Trade Advisory Group on agri-food, which met regularly. The British Egg Industry Council was included in a CPTPP roundtable with agricultural stakeholders. The consultation exercises run by the UK Government for CPTPP received almost 150,000 responses, and we published our response to these in 2021.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many applications were received by UK Export Finance for green energy projects in (a) 2022 and (b) each of the previous four years; and how many and what proportion of those applications were successful.

The number of formal applications received by UK Export Finance (UKEF) for support for either projects featuring renewable energy generation or companies involved in the green energy sector, and the number of applications that were successful, were as follows:

Calendar year

Formal applications received

Successful applications

2018

1

1

2019

1

1

2020

3

3

2021

2

2

2022

3

1

This does not include trade finance support for UK exporters operating in the green energy sector, which is typically lower value (facilities valued up to £25 million) and shorter-term (with maximum repayment terms of up to 5 years).

Other businesses made enquiries to UKEF about the nature of support available, but did not make formal applications for support.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many officials in her Department are working on free trade negotiations.

As of 31/05/23 the Department for Business and Trade (ex-DIT only) had 522 members of staff working on free trade negotiations.

Due to the ongoing Machine of Government changes, this figure does not include staff from ex-BEIS who will transfer over to the Department of Business and Trade, to join the Trade Negotiations group.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the Energy Charter Treaty.

Ministers and officials from the Department for Business and Trade have been engaging with ministers and officials from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on the Energy Charter Treaty and will continue to do so, as appropriate.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much UK diplomatic posts charge businesses for export support.

The majority of DBT support to exporters in the UK and overseas is delivered at no cost to businesses. This support ranges from our innovative Export Academy to the Export Support Service, from our International Markets hubs in nine regions globally through to the in-market expertise of DBT teams in Embassies and Consulates around the world.

We do levy a charge for some additional services, for example the exclusive use of UK Government property for events or the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) which provides market intelligence and connections at a rate of £55 per hour exclusive of VAT.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department plans to publish the impact assessment of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The Impact Assessment for the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership will be published shortly after signature of the agreement’s Accession Protocol.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with which states in the United States of America her Department is negotiating a memorandum of understanding.

We are taking a twin-track approach to trade engagement in the United States, strengthening our ties with individual states in parallel to our work with the federal government – including through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on trade and economic cooperation.

We have signed five MoUs so far – with the states of Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah. We have further announced our intent to pursue an MoU with Colorado, and are actively engaging with states including California, Texas, and Florida to deepen economic cooperation.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many applications have been made to UK Export Finance for projects relating to green energy in 2023.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has received 7 formal applications for support for projects featuring renewable energy generation during the current calendar year. Other businesses have made enquiries to UKEF about the nature of support available, but have not yet made formal applications.

UKEF has also supported other transactions during the year relating to the construction of electric and hydrogen vehicles, including buses.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department has taken to help ensure UK businesses benefit from the rules of origin requirements in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The Department is supporting businesses by creating a range of products and services to explain what has been agreed in Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and bilateral agreements, and how they can benefit. This will include specific guidance on rules of origin. Businesses can also access support via the Export Support Service, or through our network of International Trade Advisors.

Where the UK also has a bilateral free trade agreement in place with a CPTPP member, traders will be able to choose which agreement they wish to trade under. Businesses can compare preferential tariffs rates but also consider the administrative processes involved, including the rules of origin.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information her Department holds on how many external speakers were blocked from speaking at events hosted by (a) her Department and (b) the Department for International Trade after a review of their social media activity.

Please refer to the answer given to Question 187366.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meetings her Department had with businesses in the manufacturing sector on the potential impact of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership on that sector; and when those meetings took place.

DBT engaged extensively with a range of stakeholders and experts through technical and strategic discussions to inform our CPTPP negotiations and ensure we were representing the views of sectors across the UK economy. DBT also continually worked with stakeholders to understand concerns and ensure that our negotiations benefited businesses and consumers across the UK. Our post-round reporting ensured stakeholders were kept up to date throughout the process. This included, but was not limited to, one-to-one meetings at a senior level and with officials, roundtables with relevant stakeholders, monthly calls on communications for business organisations, Quarterly Stakeholder Briefings, Advisory Group Up-dates, and sector-specific briefings, including with the manufacturing sector.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2022 to Question 110733 on Strategic Trade Advisory Group and Trade Advisory Groups, whether it remains her Department's policy to implement wider reforms in relation to the role of Trade Advisory Groups; and if she will make a statement.

The Department for Business and Trade is reforming its approach to external engagement to meet the needs of industry and match the priorities of the new Department. A new approach will be set out in due course, but in the meantime the Department continues to engage with a full range of interested parties on key issues.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will list the date of the most recent meeting for each of the trade advisory groups.

The most recent formal meeting dates of each of the Trade Advisory Groups are listed below:

Agri-Food: 12/05/2022

Automotive, Aerospace & Marine: 27/04/2022

British Manufactured & Consumer Goods: 23/06/2022

Chemicals: 6/03/2023

Creative Industries: 21/09/2022

Financial Services: 20/02/2023

Investment: 19/05/2022

Life Sciences: 10/06/2022

Professional Advisory Services: 18/05/2022

Telecoms & Technology: 05/05/2022

Transport Services: 21/06/2022

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2022 to Question 110733 on Strategic Trade Advisory Group and Trade Advisory Groups, when she plans to publish an updated membership list for the Trade Advisory Groups.

The Department for Business and Trade is reforming its approach to external engagement to meet the needs of industry and match the priorities of the new Department. A new approach, including membership, will be set out in due course, but in the meantime the Department continues to engage with a full range of interested parties on key issues.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information her Department holds on how many external speakers were blocked from speaking at events hosted by (a) her Department and (b) the Department for International Trade after a review of their social media activity; and if she will list such speakers blocked in the last three years.

This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2023 to Question 185708 on Manufacturing Industries: Rules of Origin, whether her Department has (a) made an impact assessment and (b) conducted modelling on what proportion of goods manufactured in the UK meet the rules of origin requirements of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

A complete Impact Assessment on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will be published prior to scrutiny by parliament.

The UK published its strategic approach to the negotiations in June 2021, which outlined how the agreement could give British exporters further opportunities to qualify for preferential market access. It is not possible to model the full range of real-world potential benefits and impacts as it depends on individual firm’s supply chains and investment decisions. As the CPTPP is implemented, UK business could diversify critical supply chains and further benefit from the Rules of Origin.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish the list of ministerial responsibilities for her Department.

Ministerial responsibilities can be found on GOV.UK here (under ‘Our Ministers’): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
19th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department has had recent discussions with (a) Ministers and (b) officials at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the Energy Charter Treaty.

Ministers and officials from the Department for Business and Trade have been engaging with ministers and officials from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on the Energy Charter Treaty and will continue to do so, as appropriate.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
18th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to her Department's data entitled DIT's ePCS spending over £500 for November 2022, for what purpose her Department spent £3,265.60 for a hotel on 3 November 2022.

The hotel expenditure relates to 10 nights (29 October – 07 November 2022) accommodation for Director UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), and four UKDSE members of staff who supported Director UKDSE during his engagements at Indo Defence 2022 in Indonesia.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to her Department's data entitled DIT's ePCS spending over £500 for December 2022, for what purpose her Department spent £1,357.78 for hotels on 14 December 2022.

The hotel expenditure relates to 3 nights (12-14 Dec 22) accommodation for two UK Defence and Security Export (UKDSE) members of staff who supported Director UKDSE during his engagements at the International Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent estimate she has made of the proportion of goods manufactured in the UK that meet the rules of origin requirements of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The opportunity to use the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will depend on individual firms’ supply chains and investment decisions, but will be additional to opportunities under a number of existing bilateral agreements with individual CPTPP member states.

Using CPTPP rules of origin, British businesses could take advantage of new export opportunities and trade more freely across the bloc. They could also help support UK efforts to diversify critical supply chains by deepening our trading links across the Asia-Pacific region.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
25th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the EU Retained Law Bill on the Government's policies on the (a) import and (b) export of (i) cat and (ii) dog fur.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt. Hon Friend, the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries to the Hon. Member for Ealing Central and Acton on 29th March 2023, UIN 171496.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to monitor compliance with modern slavery provisions within free trade agreements.

The UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) both include modern slavery provisions. These encourage good business practice and advance our mutual ambition to tackle modern slavery. All the UK’s FTAs include institutional mechanisms for monitoring compliance with all labour provisions in the agreements.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of free trade agreements in improving gender equality in global supply chains.

The Government is committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment in the UK and around the world. We are using our free trade agreements to break down barriers and create new opportunities for women as business owners, entrepreneurs, and workers. We have already secured dedicated Chapters to this effect with Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Through our market access work, the Department for Business and Trade is supporting British businesses to build more diverse and resilient supply chains which will be crucial in tackling challenges both today and in the future.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the vacancy for the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner post.

Since the recent machinery of Government change in February 2023, there have been no such discussions.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department have taken to help (a) monitor and (b) reduce the use of forced labour in global supply chains.

Our Free Trade Agreements reaffirm our commitment to the International Labour Organization fundamental principle to eliminate forced or compulsory labour.

The Developing Countries Trading Scheme will enable the UK to suspend preferential trading arrangements on the grounds of serious and systematic violations of labour rights.

UK Export Finance conduct human rights due diligence and monitoring, including considering forced labour risk factors for transactions that fall within the scope of their Environmental Social and Human Rights policy.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the press notice entitled New Defence Export Advocate appointed to drive UK defence exports, published on 25 January 2023, what the appointment process was for that role; and if she will make a statement.

This Department recently announced that my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade had appointed my noble Friend Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton in a newly created role as the Defence Export Advocate. The appointment was made in-line with Cabinet Office Direct Appointment procedures.

The Defence Export Advocate role requires an individual with credibility in international, political and military circles, and experience of working in defence and on UK defence policy. Lord Lancaster's current role in the House of Lords and his previous experience as a Defence minister and as an active Brigadier in the Army Reserves provides him with this. Lord Lancaster will engage with industry leaders, ministers and other key players both in the UK and overseas to drive forward UK defence exports.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the transparency data entitled DIT's ePCS spending over £500 for October 2022, published on 24 February 2023, for what reason £1,038 was spent on a hotel on 21 October 2022.

The hotel expenditure relates to 5 nights (16-20 Oct 22) accommodation for UK Defence and Security Export’s Deputy Director, who attended Def Expo India.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the transparency data entitled DIT's ePCS spending over £500 for October 2022, published on 24 February 2023, for what reason £620 was spent on a restaurant on 9 October 2022.

This was the charge for a group meal for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) negotiations team, who were travelling for negotiations. The charge does not include any alcohol and was within the recommended Departmental spending limit.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)