theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_128

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his policy is on including Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in trade agreements under negotiation; and whether such provisions are being proposed in negotiations with (a) India and (b) the United States. \p Chris Bryant: The UK will draw on the full range of investment commitments and international best practice in our international investment agreements to promote growth, deliver our clean energy goals, and continue to uphold the UK’s right to regulate.

Negotiations for the UK-India bilateral investment treaty have not yet concluded, and the content of the agreement remains under discussion. As set out in the General Terms for the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, the UK and the US have announced the intention to cooperate on the effective use of investment security measures.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_129

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on trade deals. \p Chris Bryant: The Secretary of State met his Indian counterpart, Minister Goyal, in Mumbai as part of the recent trade mission led by the Prime Minister, and had productive discussions on our joint ambition to bring the UK-India free trade agreement (FTA) into force as soon as possible.

I held meetings with German, Emerati, Saudi, Greek and Indian counterparts at the Berlin Global Dialogue and attended the GCC Trade Ministers Meeting in Kuwait in October, reaffirming shared, strong political will to conclude a UK-GCC trade deal.

I visited Argentina and Brazil and discussed how best to strengthen our trading relationship with a series of ministerial counterparts, including potentially through an FTA. I have also held meetings with my Uruguayan, Paraguayan, and Ukrainian counterparts online.

There have been further ministerial-level discussions with counterparts in the US, EU, Switzerland, Republic of Korea, and Turkey.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_130

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to restart negotiations for a free trade agreement between the UK and Canada. \p Chris Bryant: There are no plans to resume FTA negotiations, but growing our bilateral trade remains a shared priority, which is why the two Prime Ministers established the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group with the objective of growing bilateral trade, including by addressing existing market access barriers and building on existing arrangements, including digital.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_131

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to allow businesses to (a) engage with and (b) support the process of drafting a free trade agreement with Canada. \p Chris Bryant: Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement underpinning around £28 billion worth of bilateral trade last year.

There are currently no plans to resume FTA negotiations. However, growing bilateral trade remains a shared priority and we have established the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group with the objective of growing bilateral trade, addressing existing market access barriers and building on existing arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_132

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase trade between the UK and India. \p Chris Bryant: The UK has signed a landmark trade deal with India which it is estimated will boost the UK’s GDP by £4.8bn and increase bilateral trade by £25.5bn each year, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change.

We are working to bring the deal into force as quickly as possible.

We are helping businesses to prepare to seize the opportunities from the agreement, including through bespoke guidance and trade promotion sessions. The Prime Minister recently led a major trade delegation to India to drive trade, investment, and growth across the UK.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_133

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in UK trade and investment agreements. \p Chris Bryant: Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation.

The Government is aware of the interest in this important policy area and, in line with HMG’s Trade Strategy, the UK will continue to work with trading partners multilaterally, such as the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_134

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase trade between the UK and Canada. \p Chris Bryant: Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) underpinning our £29 billion worth of bilateral trade which has increased by 16.2% on the previous year.

In June, our Prime Ministers issued a Joint Statement making it clear we want to enhance this important relationship in a number of areas – including on trade, defence, digital, quantum, and critical minerals. They established the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group with the objective of growing bilateral trade, including by addressing existing market access barriers and building on existing arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_135

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83308 on Export Controls: Israel, whether his Department has considered introducing a formal (a) certification and (b) verification mechanism for importers to demonstrate that goods originating from Israel are not produced in illegal settlements. \p Chris Bryant: Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences. Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify the origin and ensure fiscal compliance. Separately, we are conducting a review of Responsible Business Conduct, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK, as outlined in our Trade Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_136

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement on manufacturing output in the North East. \p Chris Bryant: A wide variety of manufacturing companies in the North East will benefit from this FTA, including those producing cars, who will benefit from tariffs reduced from over 100% to 10% under the quota, and wind turbines, whose tariff will drop from 11% to 0%.

In addition, SMEs in the North East, who account for 99.9% of all businesses, will benefit from simplified customs and digital processes, helping them to take advantage of a rapidly growing market in India.

The department has published a full impact assessment, that outlines the sectoral and regional impacts of the agreement.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_137

Daniel Zeichner:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to (a) review or (b) update his Department's guidance to UK businesses on trade with entities based in the West Bank following the Government’s recognition of the State of Palestine. \p Chris Bryant: The Overseas Business Risk service provides information on various risks in overseas markets. The Government keeps this advice, available on gov.uk, under constant review. We intend these pages to support and guide businesses alongside other sources of information, and the UK government does not advise on or undertake due diligence for individual companies.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_138

Daniel Zeichner:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK technology companies working with Israeli companies in the (a) defence and (b) surveillance sectors comply with UK (i) human rights and (ii) export control policies. \p Chris Bryant: Where an item, including technology, is specified in the UK’s Strategic Export Control list, its export or transfer by electronic means is subject to export control. Exporters of such items must seek an export licence from the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), who assess applications against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

These criteria include ‘respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms’, and consideration of where there is a clear risk an export may be used to commit or facilitate internal repression, or a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

All licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard. We are able to suspend, refuse or revoke licences as circumstances require.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_139

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) pubs and (b) other hospitality businesses extending their Bounce Back Loans for (i) an additional five years beyond the current maximum limits and (ii) at the same rate of interest. \p Kate Dearden: Pay As You Grow (PAYG) was introduced to give businesses that borrowed under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) greater flexibility, including extended repayment terms and short-term interest only payments. The Department’s multi-year published evaluation of the Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Schemes indicated that closure rates among BBLS borrowers using PAYG were relatively low compared to others, suggesting PAYG may have had an important role in ensuring the survival of some businesses. The department has not conducted a sector specific assessment in relation to PAYG impact.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_140

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation on the UK’s digital transformation. \p Chris Bryant: The UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aims to strengthen bilateral investment relations and drive economic growth by creating opportunities for UK businesses to grow and scale in the Japanese market, particularly in sectors such as those driving green innovation and digital transformation.

Through the MoC, DBT will champion UK investors and exporters by showcasing success stories, by addressing market access and business environment challenges directly with Japan’s Cabinet Office, and by providing a direct channel for UK businesses to access DBT expertise on the ground in Japan. This cooperation supports the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which sets out plans to transform the UK’s clean energy and digital and technologies sectors over the next decade.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_141

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises on the UK- Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership. \p Chris Bryant: My department is working closely with the Taiwanese authorities to embed stakeholder views into the delivery of the UK–Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP). This includes industry’s feedback on the ETP from the British Office Taipei’s annual business survey, which includes perspectives from small and medium-sized enterprises.

The ETP includes a Pillar on Energy and Net-Zero. My department will continue to engage with offshore wind stakeholders including business throughout the implementation of the ETP, as well as around the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s annual Energy Dialogue and the UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Roundtable.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_142

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential economic merits of a UK-EU mutual recognition of conformity assessments agreement. \p Chris Bryant: Ahead of the UK-EU summit in May 2025 we explored a number of proposals with our EU partners on manufactured goods. To inform these discussions, the government assessed the potential economic benefits of a range of measures, including a mutual recognition agreement, which indicated that such an agreement would be mutually beneficial for both the UK and EU. What was announced at the UK-EU summit reflects the outcome of these discussions.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_143

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized (a) biotechnology and (b) pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials in the UK. \p Chris McDonald: The Department for Business and Trade is committed to making the UK an outstanding place for life sciences companies to start and scale. The Office for Life Sciences has a target to see more scale-up finance raised by life sciences businesses in the UK than anywhere else in Europe. A dedicated stream of work is being delivered to support small and medium-sized biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

The Department of Health and Social Care and Department of Science, Innovation and Technology are developing tailored approaches for SMEs in parallel, to ensure that they can access the UK’s research infrastructure effectively.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_144

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the expiry of tariff free quotas under the former UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement on (a) levels of investment in the UK and (b) economic growth. \p Chris Bryant: Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, and the UK-Canada Trade (TCA) Continuity Agreement underpinned £28 billion worth of bilateral trade in 2024.

Several of the TCA’s provisions, as negotiated by the previous government, were time limited and expired in 2024 .

We continue to work with the Canadian Government to resolve this, including at the WTO and through the new UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_145

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK–US trade deal on bioethanol imports on the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel sector. \p Chris Bryant: As part of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, the UK created a preferential duty-free quota for imports of US ethanol of 1.4bn litres per year. The UK already imports a significant amount of ethanol from the US. DBT officials continue to work closely with other government departments to monitor and assess risks across the supply chain. The Government is actively supporting the Sustainable Aviation Fuel sector. We have allocated £63m in this financial year to support SAF producers through the Advanced Fuels Fund and committed further support throughout the Spending Review period.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_146

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to secure UK-specific country quotas for steel exports under the European Commission’s proposed import quota system. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is actively assessing the potential impact of this proposal, and we are in active dialogue with the European Commission on the details of their proposal and next steps.

We will continue to take a cool-headed approach to any possible tariffs and remain prepared to defend the UK’s national interest where it is right to do so.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_147

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to UK companies in the (a) events and (b) logistics sectors affected by EU visa and travel restrictions under the Schengen 90/180-day rule. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) recognises the challenges UK businesses face in complying with the Schengen 90/180 day rule, many of which stem from the botched Brexit deal which he supported. Any changes to the rule are a matter for Member States and the EU. However, DBT publishes guidance for UK nationals travelling to the EU and EFTA countries for business purposes (Travelling to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for work - GOV.UK). DBT will continue to listen to concerns raised by businesses affected by these rules, to advocate for UK companies abroad, and to explore mutually beneficial improvements to short-term business mobility between the UK and EU.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_148

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 67823 on Overseas Trade: Germany, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the lighthouse projects agreed with Germany on economic growth in the UK in the next 12 months. \p Chris Bryant: The Kensington Treaty signed between the UK and Germany commits the parties to mutually supporting economic growth, job creation, digital transition and innovation, working with our businesses and mobilising investment to grow our economies. As part of implementation, DBT is leading on the planned UK-Germany Business-Government Forum, which will draw on business insights to identify growth-driving opportunities.

DBT is also supporting projects led by other Departments. A Strategic Science and Technology Partnership will create a framework to support the development of cutting-edge critical technology in areas including quantum, AI, space and clean energy. We will also work towards expanding North Sea Energy cooperation and developing infrastructure to generate greener, cheaper, more secure energy. Finally, we will move towards strengthening collaboration between UK and German public financial institutions to contribute to boosting investment in growth-driving sectors.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_149

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the policy paper entitled Licensing taskforce report and government response, published on 31 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the licensing taskforce recommendations on public health. \p Kate Dearden: The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

No assessment has yet been made of the impact of any reforms on public health. Any legislative changes will be subject to an impact assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_150

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what was the change in the number of jobs in the retail industry between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change. \p Kate Dearden: According to ONS data, between 2023-24 and 2024-25, retail employment fell by around 94,800 jobs (-3.3%), from 2.9 million to 2.8 million [1]. This continues a longer-term downward trend in retail employment seen since 2016.

The decline reflects structural shifts (e.g. e-commerce, automation), macroeconomic pressures (e.g. inflation, interest rates), and workforce challenges. In response, DBT is supporting retail transformation through business rates reform, the Help to Grow scheme, and the recently announced Small Business Plan, which aims to tackle late payments, boost access to finance, and remove red tape to help small businesses, including retailers, grow and thrive.

[1] Not seasonally adjusted and were averaged to produce annualised estimates. Self-employment figures are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) JOBS04 tables. LFS has known limitations, including sampling variability and response rate challenges, which may affect precision. Estimates for March 2025 are provisional and subject to revision. Retail is defined as SIC 47 – “Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles”.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_151

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the policy paper entitled Licensing taskforce report and government response, published on 31 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the licensing taskforce recommendations on anti-social behaviour. \p Kate Dearden: The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

No assessment has yet been made of the impact of any reforms on anti-social behaviour. Any legislative changes will be subject to an impact assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_152

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the policy paper entitled Licensing taskforce report and government response, published on 31 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the licensing taskforce recommendations on violence against women and girls. \p Kate Dearden: The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

No assessment has yet been made of the impact of any reforms on violence against women and girls. Any legislative changes will be subject to an impact assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_153

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what conversations his Department has had with relevant stakeholders to improve access to finance for small and medium businesses in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Blair McDougall: Representatives of the British Business Bank’s UK Network hold regular discussions with relevant stakeholders to improve access to finance in the North-East, as well as providing intelligence that helps inform future market interventions.

North-East businesses benefit from a range of Government finance market interventions, including the £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II which provides debt and equity finance. From 2012 to 30 June 2025 a total of 6,442 Start Up Loans worth in aggregate £62.4 million had been issued to businesses in the North East, of which 251 loans worth in aggregate £2.7 million were to businesses in Hexham constituency.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_154

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the number of small and medium sized businesses that have secured angel investment in the last 12 months in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle and (d) the North East. \p Blair McDougall: Surveys by the UK Business Angels Association indicate that around 90% of business angels invest using either the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) or Small Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). Therefore, while the Department does not collect data on angel investment directly, usage of EIS and SEIS is a reasonable proxy. These figures are available at a regional level.

The number of small and medium sized businesses that have secured investment using EIS and SEIS in the North East, in the last three years for which data is available, is as follows:

Year to 31 March

2022

2023

2024

Number of businesses

65

70

90
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_155

Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support small business owners in Broxtowe constituency. \p Blair McDougall: The Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the measures that Government is taking to support small businesses across the UK. This includes tackling late payments, boosting access to finance, and removing red tape to enable small businesses, including those in Broxtowe constituency, to grow and thrive. SMEs can access DBT’s wealth of business and export support via business.gov.uk.

The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Growth Hub is where small and medium businesses in the Broxtowe constituency can benefit from specialist business advice and help on how to grow and access new markets.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_156

John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the average time taken was for the Insolvency Service to investigate civil offences in the latest period for which data is available. \p Blair McDougall: The average time taken by The Insolvency Service to investigate corporate civil misconduct, in the 6-months to 30 September 2025, was 188 days from allocation to an investigator to the investigation being completed.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_157

Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to (a) engage with and (b) educate postmasters on the practical implications of the potential mutualisation of the Post Office. \p Blair McDougall: My department has been actively engaging postmasters through the Green Paper consultation on the future of the Post Office, which closed earlier this month. This included two postmaster focus groups to ensure postmaster voices are clearly heard on the full range of issues covered by the Green Paper, including mutualisation and other governance options.

The Green Paper itself included information on mutualisation as one potential future ownership model, and the department is continuing to analyse feedback on this and other options. However, it is worth noting that decisions on long-term governance will not be taken until the second volume of Sir Wyn Williams inquiry has been published. In the interim both the department and the Post Office will continue to actively engage Postmasters on this topic.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_158

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had discussions with relevant stakeholders on supporting businesses to create well-paid jobs in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Blair McDougall: The Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the measures that Government is taking to support small businesses across the UK. This includes legislation to end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn annually and proposals to increase access to finance through the British Business Bank

The development of this plan was informed by a wide range of consultations across England, including specific input from businesses across the North East, and engagement with officials from the North East Combined Authority, the North East Chamber of Commerce and the regional teams of the Confederation of British Industry and Federation of Small Business.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_159

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the growth of small and medium businesses in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Blair McDougall: The Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the measures that Government is taking to support small businesses across the UK. This includes legislation to end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn annually and proposals to increase access to finance through the British Business Bank.

Businesses across the North-East, including those in Hexham constituency, Northumberland, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne can also access specialist advice on how to scale up, access new markets, and receive financial support to grow through the North-East Growth Hub, delivered in partnership with the North-East Combined Authority.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_160

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35944, dated (a) 15 July 2025 and (b) 8 September 2025 . \p Josh Simons: The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office dated 15 July, and subsequent email 8 September, have been passed to me as the Minister responsible for this policy, and I have replied to your letter. Please accept my apologies for the delay.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_161

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the proposed right-to-work verification system will enable the Government to monitor which employers have performed digital ID checks. \p Josh Simons: As with the current digital checking systems, it is expected that when illegal working is encountered and a civil penalty is being considered, the Home Office will be able to verify when a check was conducted and who conducted the check.

Digital Right to Work checks will simplify the process for businesses and will reduce the risk posed by physical documents.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_162

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on securing exemptions from the Schengen 90/180-day rule for UK (a) road haulage and (b) touring logistics professionals. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. UK nationals can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for UK nationals abroad.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_163

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to section 3 of the Government Communication Service document entitled SAFE Framework: the 4 principles for HMG brand safety, updated on 12 May 2025, what methodology the Cabinet Office uses to determine if an (a) opinion or (b) statement could be perceived as offensive to protected groups. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Opinions and statements are assessed against relevant legislation and policy to assess suitability.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_164
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_164

Dan Norris:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress his Department has made on protecting people from cyber threats. \p Dan Jarvis: I refer to my answer for UIN 80985, tabled on 10 October 2025.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_165

Dan Norris:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve cross-Government coordination on preparedness for a future pandemic. \p Dan Jarvis: The Government is committed to improving pandemic preparedness. As the response to Module One of the Covid-19 inquiry made clear, the Cabinet Office is playing a greater role in preparedness for cross-cutting catastrophic risks.

Our preparedness for future pandemics has been stepped up through Exercise Pegasus, the largest ever national pandemic response exercise. The exercise will test national to local coordination arrangements, and lessons from the exercise will help strengthen pandemic preparedness at national and local levels.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_166
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_166

James Wild:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his oral contribution of 13 October 2025, Official Report, column 67 which (a) minister and (b) civil servant gave the Deputy National Security Adviser full freedom to provide evidence without interference. \p Dan Jarvis: The decision that the Deputy National Security Advisor would give evidence was taken under the last Government in 2023.

When this government came into office in 2024, the Deputy National Security Advisor was a witness in a criminal prosecution. That is why, as this Government has repeatedly stated, that no Ministers or special advisors have played any role in the provision of evidence.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_167
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_167

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to (a) update or (b) consolidate the legal framework governing the rights of Irish citizens in the UK, including the (i) Ireland Act 1949 and (ii) post-Brexit guidance. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: We remain firmly committed to both the Good Friday Agreement and protecting the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area, which provides reciprocal rights for Irish citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Ireland. The UK Government and Irish Government work closely together to ensure that the rights continue to operate fully and correctly.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_168
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_168

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 3 September 2025 to Questions (a) 70458 on Government Departments: Directors and (b) 71225 on Public Appointments: Political Impartiality, through which process previous political activity of a regulated appointee is publicly declared if that political activity falls under the definition of political activity under the Governance Code on Public Appointments but does not fall under the definition of political activity under the guidance for Non-Executive Board members interests. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Governance Code on Public Appointments requires the public disclosure of political activity within the last five years for successful candidates. The Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies requires appointees to comply with the rules of the appointing body on handling conflicts of interests, which typically require the public declaration of potential conflicts, usually in the body’s register of interests.

The general guidance on the declaration of interests process for Non-Executive Board Members, which would include political activity, is published on Gov.uk, with the intention of standardising the management and publication of such interests across UK Government departments in order to increase consistency and transparency around those interests, as recommended by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_169
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_169

Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department will engage in public consultation prior to the rollout of the digital ID system. \p Josh Simons: We have committed to a public consultation, and work is already underway to engage with key stakeholder groups. We will work closely with employers, trade unions, civil society groups and other stakeholders, to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible..
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_170
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_170

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to (a) uprate the level of funding for the Music and Dance Scheme by at least the rate of inflation each financial year and (b) provide a multi-year funding settlement for the Music and Dance Scheme. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup to the answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 82566.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_171

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) increasing funding for the Music and Dance Scheme and (b) committing to a multiple-year settlement. \p Georgia Gould: The government fully supports the arts and the development of a skills pipeline into the creative industries.

The department is providing £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year.

Funding beyond the current academic year, including any introduction of multi-year funding agreements, will be considered in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_172
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_172

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department is providing to local authorities to meet the ongoing costs of SEND provision until the announcement of reforms in 2026. \p Georgia Gould: The department has allocated high needs funding of over £12 billion to help with the ongoing costs of supporting children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the 2025/26 financial year.

The funding announced at the 2025 spending review, which provided an increase of £4.2 billion, over the next three years, will help to facilitate reform of the SEND system. We are continuing to engage with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve and will be setting out more detail in the Schools White paper in the new year.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_173
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_173

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has had correspondence with Wandsworth Council on external-speaker sessions in local schools on (a) migration and (b) asylum since January 2024. \p Georgia Gould: Under sections 406 and 407 of the Equality Act 1996, schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure that pupils are provided with a balanced treatment of political issues.

To support this, the department has published comprehensive guidance to support schools to meet their duties on political impartiality. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools.

The guidance states that all schools should thoroughly assess external agencies before agreeing to work with them, ensuring that the external agencies used, including materials and communication with pupils, are appropriate and adhere to schools’ legal duties on political impartiality.

The guidance also sets out that most issues can be resolved locally through their existing processes for engaging with parents, carers and the wider school community, and that schools should treat concerns seriously.

Additionally, all schools and colleges must have regard to the ‘Keeping children safe in education’ statutory guidance when carrying out their duties, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The department has not had any contact with Quality First Education Trust or Wandsworth Council on these issues.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_174
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_174

Catherine McKinnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what contingency plans his Department has in place to support schools during the transition period from the Turing Scheme to Erasmus+. \p Josh MacAlister: The UK and EU have agreed to work towards association to the Erasmus+ programme, on mutually agreed financial terms. Negotiations are underway and the terms of any association will be subject to further discussions. The department will have to consider the implications for other programmes, following the outcome of those discussions.

Details on the Turing Scheme for future years will be shared in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_175

Catherine McKinnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to simplify the process for Turing Scheme applications for schools. \p Josh MacAlister: Since bringing management of the Turing Scheme in-house for the 2024/25 academic year, in response to feedback from the education sector, the department introduced a streamlined digital application service that was co-designed. The service also includes simplified and shorter guidance and a grant calculator tool to help providers work out how much funding to apply for.

We welcome feedback from providers throughout the year and make changes to the Scheme’s operation where possible to increase access to the opportunities it provides.
wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_176
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-03 conversation_176

Catherine McKinnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support schools in disadvantaged areas with applications to the Turing scheme; and what assessment she has made of the trends in the level of concern that the current design of the application process incentivises schools to outsource applications to profit-making enterprises. \p Josh MacAlister: In order to support schools, especially those in disadvantaged areas, the department provided guidance and webinars to enable potential applicants to find out more about the Turing Scheme, what it could offer their students and how to make their application. Since bringing management of the Turing service in-house for the 2024/25 academic year, in response to feedback from the education sector, the department introduced a streamlined digital application service that was co-designed. The service also includes simplified and shorter guidance and a grant calculator tool to help providers work out how much funding to apply for.

It is up to schools to decide whether they choose to use a third party to support them with an application or scheme administration. However, they cannot use Turing Scheme funding towards the cost of appointing an external organisation to write their application.