Wendy Morton
Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills
4,294 (10.5%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 7th May 2015
Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(since November 2024)6 APPG Officer Positions (as of 23 Feb 2026)
Belarus, Gibraltar, Kosovo and Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Waterways13 APPG Memberships
Afghan Women and Girls, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Australia and New Zealand (ANZAC) and the Pacific Islands, Antimicrobial Resistance, Cyprus, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Nutrition for Development, Parks and Green Spaces, Taiwan, Tidy Britain, United Nations Global Goals, Women in Parliament, Armenia16 Former APPG Officer Positions
Air Ambulances, Armed Forces, Ceramics, Fairgrounds and Circuses, Fairs and Showgrounds, Future of Employability, Genocide Prevention, Genocide Prevention and Crimes Against Humanity, Lithuania, Nutrition for Development, Sustainable Development Goals, Tanzania, United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, Uzbekistan, Whistleblowing, Youth EmploymentDivision Voting information
Wendy Morton voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 2 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 87 Noes - 321
Debates during the 2024 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
(27 debate interactions)
(27 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(100 debate contributions)
(68 debate contributions)
(55 debate contributions)
(39 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(5,569 words contributed)
(2,158 words contributed)
(2,105 words contributed)
(2,072 words contributed)
Aldridge-Brownhills 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).
of 51,600 signatures (0.25%)
of 181,633 signatures (0.23%)
of 148,796 signatures (0.18%)
of 153,723 signatures (0.18%)
of 196,948 signatures (0.18%)
of 181,633 signatures (0.23%)
of 196,948 signatures (0.18%)
of 201,827 signatures (0.16%)
of 153,723 signatures (0.18%)
of 148,796 signatures (0.18%)
Petition Closed
Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12,570 to £20,000
Gov Responded - 20 Feb 2025 Debated on - 12 May 2025 View Wendy Morton's petition debate contributionsclosed 9 months ago
Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12570 to £20000. We think this would help low earners to get off benefits and allow pensioners a decent income.
Petition Closed
Call a General Election
Gov Responded - 6 Dec 2024 Debated on - 6 Jan 2025 View Wendy Morton's petition debate contributionsclosed 10 months ago
I would like there to be another General Election.
I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.
Latest EDMs signed by Wendy Morton
Excise
Tabled by: Kemi Badenoch (Conservative - North West Essex)That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Excise Duties (Surcharges or Rebates) (Hydrocarbon Oils etc.) (Temporary Continuation of 2022 Order and Adjustments) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 164), dated 25 February 2026, a copy of which was laid before this House on 26 February, be …
(Most recent: 13 Mar 2026)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 26
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Agriculture
Tabled by: Victoria Atkins (Conservative - Louth and Horncastle)That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1000), dated 8 September 2025, a copy of which was laid before this House on 9 September, be annulled.
(Most recent: 1 Dec 2025)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 22
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Reform UK: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Wendy Morton, 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.
Wendy Morton has not been granted any Urgent Questions
1 Adjournment Debate led by Wendy Morton
5 Bills introduced by Wendy Morton
A Bill to extend public access to certain local audit documents under section 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 27th April 2017 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the removal of the Secretary of State’s powers under the National Health Service Act 2006 to appoint trustees; to make provision transferring to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity the right to a royalty conferred by Schedule 6 to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 23rd March 2016 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to provide that Crown tenancies may be assured tenancies for the purposes of the Housing Act 1988, subject to certain exceptions; to modify the assured tenancies regime in relation to certain Crown tenancies; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to regulate works on certain highways in England by making provision about weekend and bank holiday working and provision about removal of traffic lights and other traffic management measures after the completion of works.
Monday 4th July 2016
A Bill to place a duty on local highways agencies and local transport authorities to make provisions safeguarding wildlife on roads passing through, or adjacent to, specified protected areas; and for connected purposes.
Monday 4th July 2016
2 Bills co-sponsored by Wendy Morton
Interpersonal Abuse and Violence Against Men and Boys (Strategy) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Ben Obese-Jecty (Con)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)12 Other Department Questions
Officials are developing options for educational provision both for the period from 2029 (which takes into account the period required to demolish the current centre before the expiry of the current planning and license agreements in 2030) and in the longer term during the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) works. Proposals will be considered by domestic committees in both Houses in due course.
Section 2(5) of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, requires the Programme to have regard to (amongst other things) the need to ensure the Parliamentary building works represent good value for money, the need for improved visitor access to the Palace of Westminster after completion of the works, and the need to ensure that educational and other facilities are provided for people visiting the Palace after completion of the works. The Act did not specify whether any of these areas should be prioritised over others.
In 2022 the Houses agreed four priority areas for the R&R Programme—fire safety and protection, building services, asbestos, and building fabric conservation. 84% of the Palace construction costs for the full decant option and 86% of the Palace construction costs for the enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+) option relate to these priority works.
In 2024 the R&R Client Board considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Parliament will return. Having considered various scope levels, the Client Board decided against the most "transformational" scope but selected a scope which it agreed would deliver improvements while maintaining value-for-money.
No other scope options have been fully costed to the maturity presented in the R&R Client Board’s report. The R&R Programme Board considered cost estimates for all scope options in 2023 as part of the work for the R&R Strategic Case. Following the R&R Client Board’s publication of the R&R Strategic Case in 2024 (HC Paper 621), designs were progressed to align with the selected scope and provide fully costed proposals. The costs as set out in the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), will not be comparable with those considered in 2023 because they have been developed in more detail and take into account the four different delivery methods.
Section 2(5) of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, requires the Programme to have regard to (amongst other things) the need for improved visitor access to the Palace of Westminster after the completion of the Parliamentary building works.
As set out in the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), the preferred scope for the R&R works will deliver a fit-for-purpose and accessible visitor arrival space, including higher capacity security search and screen areas that will reduce the likelihood of queuing outside. The current proposal is to use the area in the basement directly below Central Lobby for visitors as an access point into the public areas of the remainder of the Palace.
The majority of the construction costs for the Palace relate to the priority areas which both Houses agreed for the R&R Programme in 2022—namely, fire safety and protection, building services, asbestos, and building fabric conservation. 84% of the Palace construction costs for the full decant option and 86% of the Palace construction costs for the enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+) option relate to these priority areas.
The new visitor arrival space is not defined as a ‘priority area’ for the R&R Programme as agreed by the Houses. However, its delivery does contribute to safety and security objectives, for example by improving the search and screen capacity at the visitor entrance, improving secure routes through the Palace for the public and members, and supporting new accessible visitor routes. These improvements could not be delivered through enhancements to the existing entrance in Cromwell Green (largely due to inadequate space requirements).
The proposed visitor arrival space and route account for 0.5% of Palace construction costs under the full decant option and 1.1% under the EMI+ option. This is based on the base construction costs for the Palace project set out in Annex 2, table 2 of the report, which exclude risk and inflation.
The proposed location for the visitor arrival space in the basement of the Palace was selected in part because it aligns with the footprint of existing plantroom which was constructed in the 20th century. These areas are expected to require extension regardless of the visitor search and screening facility, as they will need to accommodate increased plant capacity in future. As a result, any archaeological impact is likely to be primarily driven by the final below‑ground plant requirements, rather than by the co‑location of search and screening functions. The visitor arrival space therefore does not independently introduce a new or additional archaeological impact beyond what would already be required for plant expansion.
In 2024 the R&R Client Board considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Parliament will return. Having considered various scope levels, the Client Board decided against the most "transformational" scope but selected a scope which it agreed would deliver improvements while maintaining value-for-money. The selected scope including provision for improved visitor services is set out in the R&R costed proposals report. Earlier scope levels at previous stages in the Programme also included improvements to visitor and educational facilities.
As set out in the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), the preferred scope for the R&R works will deliver a permanent Education Centre. Early designs propose that the centre is based within the Palace.
The current Education Centre on the Victoria Tower Gardens site was always intended to be a temporary facility and it is not sited on Parliamentary estate land. The land is owned by the Royal Parks and Parliament’s license for its use is with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The temporary planning and license agreements for the Victoria Gardens site expire at the end of 2030. The relevant statutory bodies have said that any further application for extension of the current Education Centre temporary permission and licence will not be granted. A new location for the centre is therefore required after this date.
The proposed Education Centre accounts for 0.3% of Palace construction costs under the full decant option and 1.6% under the enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+) option. This is based on the base construction costs for the Palace project set out in Annex 2, table 2 of the report, which exclude risk and inflation.
The net reduction in Palace lifecycle costs as a result of the renewal of the Palace does not isolate a specific change for the Education Centre. The cost of refurbishing existing facilities was not considered given their temporary nature and the known requirement to move the facility.
The location of the new education centre has been considered as part of the wider fire strategy, though its provision does not directly contribute to the fire safety, building services, asbestos remediation or fabric conservation outlined in the R&R Client Board’s report.
Under full decant a temporary Chamber would be provided in Richmond House, which Members would decant to and which would enable the House to operate much the same as it does now. Under other delivery options the provision in Richmond House would be to provide space for a resilience Chamber, a place that could be used, for example, as a consequence of any intolerable or unplanned disruption during the R&R works (and could be used for other purposes when not needed as a resilience chamber). It was therefore deemed necessary under all approaches.
The costs that are driven by the need for a temporary (or resilience) chamber as part of the R&R Programme accounts for 13% of phase one works costs. This is set out in chapter 7 of the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576).
The use of the Northern Estate as a decant location for the House of Commons was re-confirmed in the R&R Client Board’s Strategic Case in March 2024. This location has been consistently identified in numerous reviews and studies as the most suitable location given it is part of the Parliamentary Estate and close to Whitehall, offers value for money, retains the Commons in the secure perimeter and is capable of meeting the House’s security requirements. Other relevant studies include the Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster, First Report of Session 2016–17, Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster (HC 659) and the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority, Restoration and Renewal Programme Strategic Review, March 2021.
Regardless of the R&R Programme, the Northern Estate requires refurbishment to ensure it meets modern parliamentary standards, which is being carried out under the Commons Buildings Infrastructure Portfolio. There will therefore be a legacy value to Parliament from the refurbishment of these buildings.
Chapter 7 of the recent report from the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576) sets out the Board’s recommendation for a package of phase one works, in line with emerging best practice. The phase one works would include up to seven years of expenditure as well as financial commitment for some work started in this period, such as underground construction, which would be completed after seven years.
The phase one works are not an alternative to the full R&R Programme; they are foundational to it, however it is delivered. This means the phase one works do not prejudice a choice between the R&R Client Board’s two recommended options of full decant or enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+). In developing the phase one proposals, the R&R Programme Board considered a range of down‑selection scenarios and the associated impacts on cost and schedule, ensuring that the proposed package remains flexible and does not commit the Programme to a particular delivery option.
A decision by the Houses on a preferred delivery option would be required no later than mid-2030 to ensure that the Programme has a clear trajectory on the final delivery option that Parliament wishes to take. During the period when the phase one works are being delivered, the Programme will develop more robust estimates and detailed designs with its strategic partners, to help inform the Houses to take a decision on a preferred option in the next Parliament.
The sum for the phase one works is included in the overall costs for the options set out in the R&R Client Board’s report. Normal contractual clauses will be used for the work to ensure that any additional expenditure is minimised should a decision be made by the Houses to change the Programme in future.
The Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, divides the Programme into two phases:
- Phase one includes preparatory works for the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
- Phase two covers the period between when Parliamentary approval is obtained for the main works and when it ends with completion of the Parliamentary buildings works.
Under section 7 of the 2019 Act, the two Houses are required to approve both the Delivery Authority’s proposals for the Palace restoration and a total funding envelope before the Programme can move to phase two.
The scope of the phase one works is considered to fall within the definition of preparatory works.
It is estimated that the cost of delaying starting the delivery phase of the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme is around £70m per year at current prices. It is estimated that there would be a further £250m to £350m in the inflationary impact on construction costs across the whole of the Programme for each year of delay, based on current information.
The methodology underpinning the cost of delay is set out on page 124 in Annex 2 of the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576). This consists of: the compound impact of inflation over the Programme’s life (the £250m-£350m figure above); nugatory options development costs from this point; and additional reactive maintenance costs (above the current baseline).
The cost of delay was considered as part of the Independent Advice and Assurance Panel’s (IAAP) review, which was published alongside the report. The IAAP has advised that the calculation of the costs of delay is likely to be an underestimate because it is based on accepted figures where robust estimates are available – most notably for the inflationary increase in construction costs that arise from delayed implementation, which the IAAP considered to be reasonable, and realistic. While those specific figures were reasonable the IAAP advised that, in major asset management, it is well established that remediation costs often grow in real terms relative to avoided maintenance costs (when essential investments are postponed): they also advised that the likelihood of extreme events rises when complicated, interconnected systems are operated beyond their intended design life or usage parameters.
Separately to the cost of delay calculations, sensitivity analysis looking at the impact of construction inflation outstripping Bank of England forecasts was considered.
The cost of delay figures were estimated with regard specifically to the R&R Programme and do not include all ongoing maintenance within the Palace of Westminster, only the growth in reactive maintenance costs above the current annual baseline.
The recent report from the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), provides costs and schedules as ranges at different confidence levels (P50 and P80). This is in line with major programme best practice and guidance from the National Audit Office (NAO).
In addition, the R&R Programme carries out benchmarking against UK and international comparators.
The R&R works and construction costs have been benchmarked against 14 international Parliamentary projects and 18 heritage building projects, including Kings Cross Station regeneration, Manchester Town Hall, London Olympics, Crossrail (the Elizabeth Line) and others.
Benchmarking of cost estimates has also included benchmarking against other comparable types of work, for example asbestos removal (including in heritage sites), hospital mechanical and electrical work, or Salisbury cathedral stonework where appropriate; the types of cost and levels of risk allowed for in estimates against the Canadian Parliament and other comparable Parliamentary projects (including UK Parliament projects) and complex restoration projects; and management costs against other major programmes. Risk has been calculated and incorporated into estimates in line with Infrastructure and Projects Authority (now the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority) and NAO guidance for programmes.
The inflation profile follows the Bank of England Monetary Report (November 2024) which remains constant at 2% from 2028/29 onwards in line with Bank of England targets. Sensitivity analysis looking at the impact of construction inflation outstripping Bank of England targets was also considered.
The R&R Programme has recognised the heritage, asbestos and live‑estate challenges inherent in the Palace, and elements of these risks have been incorporated into its contingency planning. However, the independent assurance findings indicate that some of these factors are not yet fully reflected in the quantitative modelling, and a portion of the remaining exposure is currently covered through Optimism Bias. As the design matures and further survey data becomes available in the proposed next stage of the works, the Programme will refine these allowances to ensure they are fully and accurately captured.
Under section 7 of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, the two Houses are required to approve both the Delivery Authority’s proposals for the Palace restoration and a total funding envelope before the Programme can move to phase two. Furthermore, under section 7(4), once that approval has been obtained, any significant subsequent changes to the design, timing or funding of the works would require further approval from the Houses.
Costs will be monitored closely throughout the delivery of the R&R Programme. Wider funding for the R&R Programme is subject to formal scrutiny from the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission with input from HM Treasury, and audits by the NAO. The Public Accounts Committee can and has scrutinised R&R including its current inquiry announced in December 2025. The R&R Client Board, R&R Programme Board and R&R Delivery Authority Board also scrutinise costs to ensure value for money. Reports relating to R&R delivery and costs will continue to be publicly available, and there will be regular ongoing scrutiny by Members and Member-led Boards.
Section 2(5) of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, requires the Programme to have regard to (amongst other things) the need to ensure the Parliamentary building works represent good value for money, the need for improved visitor access to the Palace of Westminster after completion of the works, and the need to ensure that educational and other facilities are provided for people visiting the Palace after completion of the works.
In 2024 the R&R Client Board considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Parliament will return. Having considered various scope levels, the Client Board decided against the most "transformational" scope but selected a scope which it agreed would deliver improvements while maintaining value-for-money.
While there are no standalone business cases for individual scope elements within the Palace, all such elements will be included within the Programme Business Case, which will follow a decision by the Houses on the preferred way forward. Chapter 7 of the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576) sets out the Client Board’s view on what the Houses should be invited to approve. The exact form and content of any motion put before the Houses is to be decided.
The preferred scope for all options under the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme will deliver a fit-for-purpose and accessible visitor arrival space, including higher capacity security search and screen areas that will reduce the likelihood of queuing outside, A wide range of potential locations within the Palace were assessed for the search and screening facility, including enhancing the current arrangements. The search and screening facility is proposed within a structure that is already part of the broader programme of works to create new plant space. The location has been selected to improve secure routes through the Palace and support new accessible visitor routes. Because of this it would be difficult to construct in stages or to retain the current search and screening location for now and relocate it in future without significant disruption, inefficiency, or duplicated cost.
Overall security measures account for 3% of Palace construction costs across all options. This is set out in Annex B of the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576).
In 2024 the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board (the two House Commissions meeting jointly) considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Parliament will return. Having considered various scope levels, the R&R Client Board decided against the most "transformational" scope but selected a scope which it agreed would deliver improvements while maintaining value-for-money.
The majority of the construction costs for the Palace relate to the priority areas which both Houses agreed for the R&R Programme in 2022 – namely, fire safety and protection, building services, asbestos, and building fabric conservation. 84% of the Palace construction costs for the full decant option and 86% of the Palace construction costs for the EMI+ option relate to these priority works. This is set out in Annex B of the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576).
The proposed education centre and works to improve public participation account for less than 1% of Palace construction costs under full decant and less than 3% under EMI+.
These works would largely be delivered through adaptations to existing spaces rather than wholly new construction, repurposing existing office space as an education centre for example. Overall, while these scope elements do introduce some additional complexity and cost, they do not fundamentally change the critical works required for programme or the associated risk. The removal or deferral of these elements is unlikely to deliver a material reduction in the headline cost range or decant duration as the underlying refurbishment and mechanical and electrical works would still be required in the areas being utilised.
The scope of the digital ID scheme is still in development and we are inviting the public to have their say in the consultation as we develop an inclusive, trusted and useful system.
This Government recognises that around 1.5 million people in the UK are digitally excluded. That’s why we will deliver an ambitious inclusion programme working closely with employers, trade unions, civil society groups, the devolved governments, and other stakeholders.
Wider inclusion work is already underway - we set out a range of first steps in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan published in February last year and are working across government to reduce exclusion. There are no plans to make the national digital ID a requirement to access public services.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We are currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement and an agreement to link our Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and will not give a running commentary on the talks. The SPS agreement will cut costs and red tape for British producers and retailers, reducing consumer prices and increasing choice. ETS linking is expected to facilitate a cheaper path to net zero, reducing long-term costs for businesses. Combined, these measures are set to add nearly £9 billion a year to the UK economy by 2040.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 15th July is attached.
Minister of State (Education)
We recognise the challenges these tariffs pose for the Falkland Islands. They stem from the fact the previous Government’s Brexit deal does not cover the Overseas Territories. The EU has been clear that they are not willing to re-open the fundamental terms of that deal. However, the UK and Falkland Islands governments have been working together on supporting the seafood sector, including securing US agreement to consider reducing tariffs on Falklands exports.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Information on public sector suppliers within a regional location and/or specific constituency is not held centrally. The Find a Tender service programme includes search and filter capabilities by location, supplier type and contract.
Minister of State (Education)
The cross-government group referenced is considering options for a common physical front-end for government services to ensure there is a ‘go to’ place for a range of government services, expanded assisted digital support, an enhanced role in identity verification and exploring new propositions such as prescription collection. Further updates on government services in post offices will be provided in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As set out in the Government’s response to the Post Office Green Paper, at least half of the Post Office’s network must be full‑time, full‑service branches. This new requirement provides flexibility for the Post Office to expand lighter-touch formats, such as parcel shops, where there is demand, while guaranteeing the core majority of the network is full time and full-service. The network must also continue to comply with the pre-existing 11,500 minimum branch requirement and Access Critieria, which mean, for example, that 99% of the total UK population must be within three miles of their nearest Post Office branch.
As set out in Government’s Green Paper response, as of April 2025, 79% of branches already meet the ‘full-time, full-service' definition. Consequently, no branches require upgrade or reclassification to achieve the 50% threshold at this stage and there are accordingly no additional associated costs or further guidance required.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Small Business Plan outlines how we are supporting SMEs across the UK through the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlock billions of pounds in finance and remove unnecessary red tape.
We have also committed to reduce the administrative burden of regulation for all businesses by £5.6 billion by the end of this Parliament. We have already announced measures to ease the regulatory burden on SMEs, including efforts to modernise corporate reporting requirements, exempting tens of thousands of companies from producing Strategic and Directors' Reports, helping deliver annual savings of around £230 million.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to lowering operating costs for all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those in the West Midlands.
Government is helping support businesses to lower their energy costs through energy efficiency and decarbonisation. Recent research from the Willow Review highlights that SMEs adopting sustainability initiatives are reaping the financial rewards.
The Government is also committed to ensuring the allocation of energy costs is fair to all consumers, including SMEs. As part of this, Ofgem have launched a Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR) to consider how energy system costs can be recovered from consumers, including from SMEs, in a fairer and more efficient way. DESNZ will continue to engage closely with Ofgem on the work.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government will use the Office for National Statistics dataset (Gross Fixed Capital Formation, Volume Index Capital Service) to analyse investment trends. This dataset releases regional level data annually; Government will analyse sector-level trends once the data is released. Information on specific investment commitments in regions can be found in the Industrial Strategy Quarterly Report excel tables on GOV.UK (published on 7th October 2025), such as the Boeing contract from US Air Force that will create 150 high-skilled jobs in Birmingham.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to reducing regulatory compliance costs for SMEs and announced in March a commitment to reduce the administrative burden of regulation for all businesses by £5.6 billion by the end of this Parliament. We have already announced a number of specific measures to ease the regulatory burden on SMEs, including our efforts to modernise corporate reporting requirements. This will include exempting tens of thousands of companies from producing Strategic and Directors' Reports, helping to deliver annual savings of around £230 million.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government published its first Industrial Strategy Quarterly Update on 7th October 2025 on GOV.UK, which contains information on the £250bn worth of investment commitments since the Industrial Strategy launched, and trends for business investment, gross value added, employment and productivity.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We recognise that many automotive suppliers, particularly SMEs, are under pressure following the recent cyber incident at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The phased restart of production at JLR is now underway and is positive news, however the picture is still developing.
The Department for Business and Trade is continuing to monitor the situation and is working closely with JLR and industry bodies such as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to assess how the recent measures being taken and support being provided is helping suppliers, including SMEs.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This government recognises the importance of reducing energy costs to boost UK manufacturing competitiveness. Under the Modern Industrial Strategy, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for over 7000 manufacturing businesses. We will also increase support for our most energy-intensive industries under the British Industry Supercharger, uplifting the Network Charging Compensation scheme from 60% to 90%.
These measures are supported by the Connections Accelerator Service (to reduce grid connection waiting times for strategically important projects), continued support for the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme and support to develop the UK Corporate Power Purchase Agreement market.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government consulted a wide range of businesses from across the UK during the development of the Industrial Strategy, through roundtables, workshops, and direct conversations with businesses, business representation organisations, and networks.
This included the Invest 2035 public consultation which sought feedback on 36 questions to inform the Industrial Strategy. The consultation received over 27,000 online answers to individual questions from a wide range of businesses and organisations, including more than 250 business associations representing hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK.
We cannot publish a list of businesses and sectors in Walsall Borough with whom we consulted, as no data was systematically collected on respondents’ geographic location. Additionally, to maintain respondents’ confidentiality we cannot share the names of individual respondents or the details of individual responses to the consultation.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In recent interactions the Secretary of State discussed with the West Midlands Mayor the importance of improving the resilience of supply chains in the region and our goal to do so through the Industrial Strategy. A Supply Chain Centre, based in DBT, will lead the government's work to build the resilience of critical supply chains and our £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme will support Zero Emission Vehicle manufacturing and its supply chain.
DBT's Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan also sets out to strengthen UK capabilities and secure more diverse import resources, ensuring better connected and agile supply chains.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As part of Invest 2035 the Department issued a public consultation asking for feedback on 36 questions to inform the Industrial Strategy. The consultation received over 27,000 online answers to individual questions from a wide range of businesses and organisations, including more than 250 business associations representing hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK.
In the West Midlands input was sought from businesses across a wide range of sectors, including all eight growth driving sectors. We engaged with organisations representing business interests across sectors, including the Combined Authority, Midlands Engine Partnership, local business representation organisations, and regional networks such as the export champions. Additionally, we met directly with representatives from businesses in the growth driving sectors in the region to give them an opportunity to feed into the development of the strategy.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Invest 2035 (published on GOV.UK in October 2024) identified 8 high-level 'growth driving' sectors (the IS-8): Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. Pages 18-20 of the Invest 2035 green paper outline the methodology for identifying the IS-8 sectors.
The Technical Annex of the Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 (published on GOV.UK in June 2025) outlines the methodology for identifying the frontier industries within the IS-8 sectors.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The government is committed to working in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) as part of delivering the Industrial Strategy's regional growth objective. We have engaged regularly with the West Midlands Combined Authority, at official and Mayoral level, to reflect and support its significant strengths in the Industrial Strategy and to coordinate local and national policies ahead of the publication of the West Midlands' forthcoming Local Growth Plan.
Regular engagement at Ministerial and official level will continue as we implement the Industrial Strategy, including the delivery of Sector Plans, which the government has committed to implement in partnership with MSAs.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The Industrial Strategy highlights the West Midlands' strengths in all eight Industrial Strategy growth-driving sectors.
The Strategy's UK-wide measures will make it quicker and easier to do business, including in the West Midlands. Specific Industrial Strategy interventions for the West Midlands include devolved funding from the £150m Creative Places Growth Fund, a co-created Professional and Business Services Hub and exploring a pilot initiative for an Electric Vehicles manufacturing cluster. The West Midlands will also receive £30m through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, a British Business Bank Cluster Champion to coordinate investment and a strategic partnership with the National Wealth Fund.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The government engaged widely throughout the development of the Industrial Strategy, including with businesses, business representation organisations, and trade unions.
In the West Midlands, this included roundtables and discussions with businesses, engagement with the Midlands Engine Partnership, written consultation on our Green Paper Invest 2035 and close working with the West Midlands Mayoral Strategic Authority to understand the strengths and barriers to growth in the region. Additionally, the department's regionally based teams sought input from SME businesses across a range of sectors.
We will continue engaging widely throughout Industrial Strategy implementation.
Minister of State (Home Office)
Government is well aware of the issue of high industrial energy costs, and the challenges that poses for Energy Intensive Industries (EII). That is why we continue to offer support to electro-intensives through the EII compensation scheme and the Supercharger.
We will also soon be consulting on an uplift of the Network Charges Compensation scheme.
The recent Industrial Strategy also committed to consulting on the establishment of a new support scheme, British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) which will exempt up to 7,000 businesses from some of policy costs included within electricity bills.
Minister of State (Home Office)
Government is well aware of the issue of high industrial energy costs, and the challenges that poses for Energy Intensive Industries (EII). That is why we continue to offer support to electro-intensives through the EII compensation scheme and the Supercharger.
We will also soon be consulting on an uplift of the Network Charges Compensation scheme.
The recent Industrial Strategy also committed to consulting on the establishment of a new support scheme, British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) which will exempt up to 7,000 businesses from some of policy costs included within electricity bills.
Minister of State (Home Office)
Details of the meetings held by Ministers of the Department for Business and Trade are available on transparency pages of gov.uk and are released as part of the Government’s transparency agenda.
There is no delay to implementation. On 1 July the Government published “Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap”. It provides clarity for employers and workers on when Government will consult on the implementation of Bill measures, and when measures will take effect. Feedback from businesses is that this clarity has improved confidence. The Roadmap sets out our initial view that day one unfair dismissal protections will take effect in 2027, after regulations have been made and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has considered to what extent , to reflect day one rights in the Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
In setting out how the Government will strengthen connections between and within city regions and clusters, the Industrial Strategy confirmed our commitment to delivering and maximising the growth benefits of HS2. The Industrial Strategy referenced independent research by Arcadis, conducted on behalf of HS2 Ltd, that suggests HS2 could lead to 41,000 new homes in the West Midlands. The source can be found at https://www.arcadis.com/en-gb/projects/europe/united-kingdom/hs2-impact-study.
The department has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government during the development of the Industrial Strategy and will continue to do so.
Minister of State (Home Office)
My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis includes con-sideration of impacts on wages and macro-economic impacts. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments
This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts, including on wages and the wider economy, given the current stage of policy development. We are refining our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.
My department works closely with businesses to understand the needs of UK companies wishing to operate in Ukraine. Support is available on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-uk-businesses-helping-to-rebuild-ukraine, which references potential options for insurance.
UK Export Finance (UKEF) continues to provide risk insurance for UK exporters trading with Ukraine.
The Department recognises the significant challenges faced by energy-intensive industries like ceramics, including rising global energy costs, unfair trading practices, and carbon leakage.
We are taking action to protect these industries, including through trade defence measures against dumping and subsidisation. The UK-India FTA also includes a bilateral safeguard mechanism, allowing the UK to suspend or increase tariff concessions if the industry is facing injury.
Over 93% of Indian ceramics entered the UK tariff-free in 2024 whilst the remaining 7% paid a tariff. 11 of the 43 ceramics tariff lines are dutiable and face a simple average tariff of 4%.
Secretary of State for Scotland
The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the Industrial Strategy, outlines government support for the sector, including skills, energy, and regulations.
Ceramics has been identified in the Industrial Strategy as part of our initial list of inputs from foundational industries that are important to unlocking growth in our priority sectors. Some ceramics businesses will benefit from increased network charge compensation, priced at around £10/MWh. Additionally, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut electricity costs by up to 25% for eligible electricity-intensive businesses including foundational manufacturing industries, such as ceramics. We will consult on the design and eligibility shortly, with a review point in 2030.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The department works closely with the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group. Their most recent statement, on 23 April, noted the materials supply chain as functioning well and product availability generally good.
We recognise high energy prices are a key challenge for businesses, and our Clean Power 2030 target is key to long-term sustainable price reductions. Our modern Industrial Strategy announced a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme that will reduce electricity costs and support thousands of energy intensive businesses.
UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) participants are provided with free allocations to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage and incentivise emissions reduction. The UK ETS Authority is reviewing Free Allocation policy and has guaranteed current free allocation levels until 2027.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The Minister for Investment and officials from the Department for Business and Trade have participated at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) event that took place between 20 and 22 May 2025.
Minister of State (Home Office)
HMG continues to collaborate with G7+ partners, International Financial Institutions and the global insurance industry, to strengthen availability and access to insurance for Ukraine following delivery of the 2023 London Framework for War Risk Insurance. We assist UK businesses engaged in Ukraine's post conflict recovery by supporting inward and outward business delegations, delivering webinars, producing dedicated business guides, issuing regular newsletters and supporting business partnerships.
UK Export Finance has financed a number of projects in Ukraine and is working with other ECAs to ensure a joined-up approach in meeting the immediate and post-conflict needs of Ukraine.
Limited availability of insurance to operate in Ukraine is a market access barrier for businesses to export, invest or operate in Ukraine. The expertise and global reputation of the London Insurance sector has continued to mobilise international support to increase risk coverage for real sector and trade finance under the 2023 London Conference Framework for War Risk Insurance.
In March, Minister Doughty and I joined an international roundtable hosted by Lloyds of London to maintain momentum and encourage insurance companies to reconsider the Ukrainian market. UK Export Finance (UKEF) continues to provide risk insurance for UK exporters trading with Ukraine.
The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) was established on 10th October 2024 with new powers to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of trade sanctions. OTSI is working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and other relevant departments to take forward the conclusions of the cross-Government review of sanctions implementation and enforcement announced by the Minister for Europe on 15th May 2025.
Secretary of State for Scotland
Last year, the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service, which will make it easier for businesses including start-up companies across the West Midlands and the UK to get support and advice to grow, export and thrive.
The West Midlands Growth Hub is where small and medium-sized businesses across Aldridge-Brownhill and the West Midlands can obtain specialist advice on scaling up, accessing new markets, and receiving financial support through the British Business Bank.
Businesses can also access other Government programmes such as the Business Support Service, Help to Grow: Management, the UK Export Academy, International Trade Advisors and the Export Support Service.