Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of trade links between the UK and the European Union.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Statistics regarding UK trade with the EU are publicly available information which can be found online here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/balanceofpaymentsukjanuarytomarch2022
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she last spoke to her Zimbabwean counterpart on UK-Zimbabwe trade links.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Secretary of State for International Trade has not had recent discussions with her Zimbabwean counterparts. The Minister for Africa met with Foreign Minister Shava and Finance Minister Ncube in London on 30th June and discussed political and economic issues including trade and investment. The Minister for Africa noted that the UK would like to see Zimbabwe reach arrears clearance, and that this can happen if Zimbabwe successfully completes an IMF Staff Monitored Programme and makes reasonable progress on political reform. The UK remains open to constructive engagement with the Government of Zimbabwe on these issues.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the trading relationship between the UK and Zimbabwe.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The UK continues to support trade and investment with Zimbabwe. In 2021, trade between the UK and Zimbabwe was £126 million. The UK-Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2020 ensures Zimbabwean companies continue to enjoy duty free and quota free exports to the UK. This agreement means shoppers in the UK can continue to enjoy Zimbabwean products like blueberries, peas and tea. The UK is also working with the Government of Zimbabwe to attract British investment in sectors such as renewable energy and financial services.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she plans to include provisions regarding human rights in a free trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The United Kingdom is a leading advocate for human rights around the world and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office leads this effort within the UK Government.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support she is providing to businesses in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales on expanding their export opportunities.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Our export strategy sets out a 12-point plan to help businesses in Newport West and across Wales expand their export opportunities. Welsh businesses can access our Export Academy, the Export Support Service, and our enhanced UK Export Finance Offer.
We have also opened a new office in Cardiff to focus our work in Wales, levelling up export growth, increasing productivity and supporting jobs.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with the Devolved administrations about any potential plans she has to increase trade with the European Union.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is delivering prosperity through trade and investment, to all parts of the UK. We have established teams in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to bring DIT’s support closer to businesses in the nations and to strengthen our partnership working with the Devolved Administrations.
When implementing DIT’s Export Strategy, launched in October 2021, we work alongside the devolved governments’ own trade promotion plans and strategies. We support businesses across the UK to export to the European Union and beyond, through our new Export Support Service (ESS) including our one-to-many digital services offer and Export Academy, supported by our overseas trade advisers based across Europe.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that the rights of workers in Newport West constituency are maintained in all UK trade agreements.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
HM Government shares the public’s high regard for workers' rights, and we have been clear that there will be no reduction in protections from existing trade deals or when signing up to new ones. Our agreements secured with both Australia and New Zealand demonstrate this. British workers across the country will benefit, including those of Newport West.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many UK Trade Envoys appointed by HM Government are from a Black or minority ethnic background as of 19 April 2022.
Answered by Mike Freer
The department does not collect data on the ethnicity of the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys. In line with wider practice, we consider it important to provide diversity statistics based on reporting from the individuals concerned.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of trade links between Jamaica and the United Kingdom.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
Total trade between the United Kingdom and Jamaica was £308 million in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2021. Total trade with The Bahamas was £301 million in the same period.
The United Kingdom has a trade deal with both Jamaica and The Bahamas providing duty-free quota-free access to the British market for their goods. In return, they have committed to gradually liberalise access for the majority of their British imports. The trade deal covers services trade, intellectual property, procurement and other areas to support trade with our Commonwealth family, backing businesses, creating jobs and boosting prosperity across our nations.