Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps is he taking to include (a) ceramics and (b) manufacturers in the Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 (a) resilience of the clay brick and rooftile industry and (b) potential impact of (i) energy costs and (ii) the UK Emissions Trading Scheme on that industry.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 support UK companies unable to secure insurance coverage for business operations in Ukraine.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 potential impact of the trade deal with India on UK ceramics manufacturers.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
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%.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the availability of commercial insurance for UK companies seeking to operate in Ukraine on British trade and investment in the region.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers participated at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum event between 20 and 22 May 2025.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 work with (a) international partners and (b) export credit agencies to develop (i) insurance solutions and (ii) support for UK businesses engaging in post-conflict (A) reconstruction and (B) commerce in Ukraine.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories' Oral Statement of 15 May 2025 on Sanctions Implementation and Enforcement, Official Report, columns 524-526, what role the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation will play in any proposed changes to the sanctions implementation and enforcement framework.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps is he taking to support start-up companies in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
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.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 potential impact of the high growth accelerator programme in the West Midlands on the number of new jobs created in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The High Growth Accelerator is a great example of locally led business growth delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority through Business Growth West Midlands.
Last year’s pilot saw fifty SMEs on track to boost investment and turnover by £20m with the West Midlands. The High Growth Accelerator continues into its second year, and the Department will be working closely with the Combined Authority to support its outcomes.
DBT will be launching its New Business Growth Service which will make it easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and support and will be an integral part of the SME Strategy that will be published in 2025.