Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the trade agreements her Department is negotiating with (a) India and (b) the Gulf Cooperation Council include a commitment to meet International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards.

We have an ambitious programme of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations to help our nation become a truly Global Britain. FTAs build relationships with our trading partners to break down barriers to trade and support growth, jobs and higher wages for UK workers.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for worker protections and will continue to advocate for labour standards and working conditions globally, including under the International Labour Organization.

While we do not comment on the details of live negotiations, the Government will continue to maintain protections of the UK’s labour standards in new trade agreements, including in talks with India and the Gulf Cooperation Council.