Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help protect the aluminium industry from (a) US tariffs and (b) geopolitical competition.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.
Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the aluminium industry through free trade agreements.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.
Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen those regulations.
Answered by Justin Madders
No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks. The Government continues to engage with various stakeholders about fireworks regulation and the impact of fireworks. I have met with a wide range of stakeholders, including charities such as Combat Stress and the RSPCA, other MPs, representatives from fireworks retailers including major supermarkets, convenience stores, and trade associations as well as Trading Standards.
I am carefully considering all the feedback received.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to take steps to reduce the volume of substandard goods entering the UK market from (a) Temu and (b) other cheap import companies.
Answered by Justin Madders
UK product safety law requires all products to be safe before being placed on the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards coordinates targeted and intelligence-led interventions at our ports and borders with Local Authority Trading Standards, HMRC, and Border Force to prevent unsafe products entering the UK. In 2023-2024, this resulted in more than 2.4m goods being blocked from entry.
Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to update our product safety framework. Following Royal Assent, we intend to consult on the duties of e-commerce businesses, so that consumers and compliant businesses are even better protected.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to compensate employees of (a) the Post Office, (b) sub-postmasters and (c) shops that fulfilled Post Office functions who were (i) prosecuted, (ii) arrested and (iii) had their employment terminated on the basis of flawed information generated by the Horizon system.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Regardless of employment status, individuals who had their Horizon-related convictions overturned, or were prosecuted but not convicted, are eligible to apply for redress through the Overturned Convictions Scheme or Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme. Postmasters who were part of the 2019 group litigation against the Post Office are eligible for redress via the Group Litigation Order Scheme, whilst those not in any of these groups who suffered mainly shortfall losses may seek redress via the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
Individuals who were employees of the Post Office, or those who were employed by a business partner of the Post Office or a postmaster in branch, unfortunately are not eligible for redress under the HSS. This is because they did not have a direct contract with the Post Office. We are, however, continuing to look actively at potential gaps in the provision of redress which may prevent individuals who were affected by the Horizon scandal from being able to claim redress.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to improve the (a) visibility and (b) accessibility of the Export Academy for micro businesses looking to export.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The UK Export Academy is here to support all businesses to grow by giving attendees the confidence and know-how to land overseas deals, and it is reaching more micro-businesses than ever before. Already this year, more than 3,700 micro-businesses have registered so far to attend the free training sessions, which is an increase on 2023/24 where 3,639 micro-businesses registered. To make the UK Export Academy more accessible, we are piloting video-on-demand and a catch-up service has been launched so micro-business owners can access session recordings at a time that suits them, online, and from anywhere across the UK.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to provide export support for small businesses.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Under the umbrella of the recently announced Business Growth Service, UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers.
DBT is piloting an enhanced partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, taking a targeted place-based approach to accelerate small business growth through exporting across the region. This will be rolled out to other regions across England over the next 12 months.
Asked by: Sarah Hall (Labour (Co-op) - Warrington South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses engaged with UK Export Finance in financial years (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23 and (c) 2023-24.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
The numbers of businesses that UK Export Finance (UKEF) supported in the financial years in question are shown in the table below:
| Total exporters supported |
2021/22 | 545 |
2022/23 | 532 |
2023/24 | 650 |
Further information is available in UKEF’s annual report and accounts, available online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-export-finance-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.