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 benefits of strengthening trade relationships with Commonwealth countries.

The UK is committed to working with Commonwealth partners and institutions to further strengthen trade and investment. Through engagement at Commonwealth meetings, the UK has worked with partners to promote sustainable growth, resilience, and a strong, rules‑based international trading system.

The UK already has a strong trading relationship with Australia, New Zealand and India through FTAs that businesses and communities in the UK and the Commonwealth benefit from.

The UK also strengthens its trading relationship with the Commonwealth’s Small Island Developing States’ small businesses, increasing investment opportunities through the Commonwealth Investment Network – of which the UK is the sole funder.