Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to tackle the effect of counterfeit goods on UK businesses.

The UK Government takes the issue of Intellectual Property (IP) infringement seriously and is working with industry and enforcement agencies on a number of initiatives to tackle this issue. This includes the Intellectual Property Office’s work with the IP Crime Group to coordinate the UK response to tackling counterfeiting and piracy. The IPO funds and works closely with the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) based in the City of London Police which is dedicated to tackling serious and organised online piracy and counterfeiting to protect legitimate UK businesses.