Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she last met her New Zealand counterpart; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
New Zealand Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor concluded a day of detailed talks on June 17 in London with the Secretary of State for International Trade.
The UK and New Zealand held constructive and productive discussions towards the conclusion of a high-quality and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that will support sustainable and inclusive trade. Both countries are confident that the remaining issues will be resolved, with talks on track to deliver an ambitious Free Trade Agreement, bringing both strategic and economic benefits to the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on her Department's trade priorities for the upcoming G7 summit.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The trade priorities for the upcoming G7 leaders’ summit are to champion free and fair trade, advance the modernisation of international trade, and support the reform and strengthening of the World Trade Organization. Free and Fair Trade is essential to long-term prosperity and the Government will use its G7 Presidency to unite the G7 to help tackle practices that undermine this. The Government has been engaging with officials from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit, and will continue to do so in the run up to the Summit and throughout the Presidency.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on her Department's trade priorities for the upcoming G7 summit.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The trade priorities for the upcoming G7 leaders’ summit are to champion free and fair trade, advance the modernisation of international trade, and support the reform and strengthening of the World Trade Organization. Free and Fair Trade is essential to long-term prosperity and the Government will use its G7 Presidency to unite the G7 to help tackle practices that undermine this. The Government has been engaging with officials from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit, and will continue to do so in the run up to the Summit and throughout the Presidency.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on her Department's trade priorities for the upcoming G7 summit.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The trade priorities for the upcoming G7 leaders’ summit are to champion free and fair trade, advance the modernisation of international trade, and support the reform and strengthening of the World Trade Organization. Free and Fair Trade is essential to long-term prosperity and the Government will use its G7 Presidency to unite the G7 to help tackle practices that undermine this. The Government has been engaging with officials from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit, and will continue to do so in the run up to the Summit and throughout the Presidency.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what her trade priorities are for the upcoming G7 summit.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The trade priorities for the upcoming G7 leaders’ summit are to champion free and fair trade, advance the modernisation of international trade, and support the reform and strengthening of the World Trade Organization. Free and Fair Trade is essential to long-term prosperity and the Government will use its G7 Presidency to unite the G7 to help tackle practices that undermine this. The Government has been engaging with officials from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit, and will continue to do so in the run up to the Summit and throughout the Presidency.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the advice provided by trade experts in her Department to UK businesses.
Answered by Graham Stuart
International Trade Advisors (ITAs) help businesses to identify target export markets, conduct research, test market readiness and find solutions to barriers to entry. ITAs undergo a broad range of appropriate training and have access to clear lines on government policy to ensure they provide businesses with timely and accurate advice on exporting. The Department conducts an independent annual survey with approximately 6000 businesses. Of the businesses that used the ITA service between April 2018 and March 2019, 76% were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’, 84% rated staff knowledge positively and 67% said the service was good at meeting their needs.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of UK business on the effect on them of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Department has undertaken a wide range of engagement with UK business since the end of the Transition Period. This has included individual support to business, and through wider groups and webinars.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether it is her Department’s policy to encourage British businesses to register new firms in the EU single market.
Answered by Graham Stuart
This is not Government policy. The Cabinet Office has issued guidance, available at gov.uk/transition, which we encourage all businesses to follow.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the UK's commitment to human rights.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The United Kingdom has long promoted her values globally. We are clear that more trade does not have to come at the expense of our values. While our approach to agreements will vary between partners, it will always allow HM Government to have open discussions on issues, including rights and responsibilities. The Secretary of State continues to engage with a wide range of colleagues, including Cabinet, on issues across our Department’s work.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the likelihood of a trade deal with New Zealand being completed by 31 December 2020.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK and New Zealand are both committed to negotiating an ambitious agreement at pace. The first round of talks – which took place between 13th and 24th July 2020- have laid the groundwork for greater progress. The Government will make its next statement on progress following the second round of talks, which is currently planned to take place in October.