theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_4

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May to Question 48490 on Brunei: Armed Forces, what mitigations are in place until the introduction of the H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters. \p Luke Pollard: I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their Future Defence Infrastructure Services contract. \p Maria Eagle: Serco do not hold a Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contract.

Serco and Equans are the parent companies of VIVO. VIVO hold two Built Estate FDIS contracts in the South-West and Central Regions, as well as FDIS Accommodation contracts.

The FDIS contracts are held with VIVO and therefore we do not score Serco independently when reviewing performance.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_6

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their UK Air Defence Radars contract. \p Maria Eagle: Serco provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) to Remote Radar Heads (RRH) in the UK and UK Overseas Territories. CLS performance is monitored and reported on the following two contracts:

Contract number ADEWS/137 (Sanson Two) – This CLS support and maintenance contract is for one RRH and commenced on 1 May 2025. As a result, no Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting information exists.

Contract number ADEWS/099 (KARKINOS) – This CLS support and maintenance contract is for five RRH’s. There is an operational availability KPI for the Radar Systems in the contract. Serco have met this contracted KPI for each calendar month in the last report period March 2024 to February 2025.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_7

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a home-buying scheme for (a) serving armed forces personnel and (b) veterans as part of the Defence Housing Strategy. \p Maria Eagle: The Defence Housing Strategy, planned for publication later this year, will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation, where the main objective is to raise the minimum standard of Armed Forces housing.

It will also turbocharge the development of surplus military land creating opportunities for Armed Forces home ownership and support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Ministry of Defence already operates the Forces Help to Buy scheme which encourages and supports Service personnel to buy their own home, allowing them to borrow up to 50% of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000 interest free towards the purchase of a property.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_8

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether past experience of depression is used as a criterion within the online recruitment process for selecting potential future members of the territorial army. \p Maria Eagle: The Defence Secretary has undertaken to review the current recruitment policies and has already announced several changes to prior outdated approaches.

An update to Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950 Leaflet 6-7-7, which sets out the Medical Employment Standards for the Armed Forces, was published in August 2024 following an intensive period of review undertaken by clinical experts, Defence personnel staff and the recruiting agencies.

The updated JSP 950 Leaflet 6-7-7 is now in use and applies to both Regular and Reserve Forces. In the case of mood disorders, including depression, the update confirms that candidates with a single episode of depressive disorder may be able to join the Armed Forces providing they meet certain criteria.

For mild or moderate episodes, candidates may be eligible providing the episode has lasted for less than two years and candidates have remained asymptomatic without relapse following the completion of all treatment for at least one year or for severe episodes for at least two years post treatment.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_9

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with his counterpart in Ghana on the (i) number of Ghanaian nationals who are and (ii) steps Ghana is taking to help prevent its nationals fighting as mercenaries for the Russian Federation in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: Ghana is a valuable security partner, and I met with the Ghanaian Defence Minister this week. The UK engages regularly with Ghana on a range of topics of mutual concern, including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_10

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Russian aircraft have the RAF intercepted in the last 12 months. \p Luke Pollard: I am withholding further details as deterrence is a principal function of Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) and QRA is in turn which is an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_11

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a requirement for veterans’ charities set up as community interest companies to prove that the funds raised through donations to them are then spent on veterans. \p Al Carns: Charities are independent from Government and are regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Scottish Charity Regulator or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland depending on location. Community Interest Companies are regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies. Specific services provided by charities are subject to other regulators as appropriate, such as the Care Quality Commission or the Fundraising Regulator.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs works closely with many Armed Forces charities and organisations who play a vital part of the wider support system for veterans, and I am also actively exploring ways of simplifying and cohering access to Government support, working in partnership with the charity sector.

We advise anyone who wishes to support our veterans through charitable donations, to check the legitimacy of organisations and charities claiming to raise money for veterans. We are grateful for the generosity of the public and urge supporters to seek out official Service charities.

Any Community Interest Company must adhere to a Code of Practice and is regulated by the Fundraising Regulator.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_12

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Al Carns: 16 April 2025 saw the Supreme Court ruling that sex is to be understood as biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. The Ministry of Defence notes and will follow this ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to implement the ruling on For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 in the armed forces. \p Al Carns: 16 April 2025 saw the Supreme Court ruling that sex is to be understood as biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. Updated Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance will be available in due course, and we’ll consider how this affects our policies when the detail is shared.

Our priority is to ensure that all our people in Defence have the support and facilities they need.

The Government remains committed to dignity and respect for all, and this has been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_14

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received representations from his US counterpart on the proposed transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a wide range of security issues, including the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia. We welcome US support of the UK proceeding with the proposed treaty with Mauritius, as well as the President's recognition of the strength of the deal.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_15

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total size is of the British Army advertising budget in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Luke Pollard: Capita is currently contracted to deliver recruitment advertising on behalf of the British Army, until the new tri-service Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) launches in 2027.

The approved budget for the Army’s recruitment advertising in 2025-26 is c.£18,000,000.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_16

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of contracting a single advertising agency to deliver all Armed Forces recruitment advertising. \p Luke Pollard: The Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) contract has recently been awarded to Serco, with a contract commencement date of 1 April 2025. The Recruiting Service will transition to a full-service implementation by October 2027, replacing the separate schemes operated by the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force.

Serco will collaborate with HQ Armed Forces Recruiting to deliver focused tri-Service marketing campaigns using an omni-channel, digital and social first approach. Partnering with TMP Worldwide, a leader in innovative and strategic marketing solutions, Serco aims to attract proactive candidates and engage those not initially considering Defence as a potential opportunity, expanding and diversifying the applicant pool.

The use of TMP Worldwide as the sole marketing agency aims to boost efficiency and coherence whilst building an in-house team with deep Armed Forces marketing expertise. Subcontracting to top-tier agencies remains an option to access specialised skills as needed.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_17

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the Royal Navy’s capacity to intercept small boats in the Channel carrying people seeking unlawful entry to the UK. \p Luke Pollard: The Home Office is the lead gGvernment department responsible for border security and migration.

It has established the Border Security Command to strengthen global partnerships and enhance the UK’s efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute people smugglers profiting from the dangerous movement of people across the channel.

Defence assets are procured for Defence tasks.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_18

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their Royal Navy Helicopter Support contract. \p Maria Eagle: The contract between the Royal Navy and Serco for the provision of Air Engineering Support and Airfield services is subject to routine performance reviews. The most recent of which was held on 30 April 2025 when the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) relating to safety, service quality, aircraft engineering services, off-aircraft engineering services, airfield services and contract governance were reviewed. No significant shortfalls in Serco’s delivery against agreed key performance indicators were identified at that review.

Quarterly KPI information is published four times a year for transparency and can be found at Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_19

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 44696 on Warrior Vehicles: Decommissioning, how many warrior vehicles will be donated to (a) domestic and (b) international museums. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 April 2025, to Question 44696, which explained that the plans for Warrior beyond its Out of Service Date are yet to be formally agreed.

Warrior Vehicles: Decommissioning (docx, 16.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_20

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase UK sovereign capability in small arms production. \p Maria Eagle: Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_21

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) Land Industrial Strategy and (b) the manufacturing industry on Project Grayburn. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196.

In alignment with the Land Industrial Strategy, recent analysis focussed on job creation in the UK manufacturing sector, project costs and the procurement thresholds necessary to encourage private investment from industry. I am withholding further detail relating to the conducted analysis due to reasons of commercial sensitivity.

Army: Rifles (docx, 16.3KB)
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_22

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Australian companies have been approved by the Australian Government to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community. \p Maria Eagle: Australia currently has 344 members of its Authorised User Community. The reason that their membership numbers are higher than the UK is a result of Australia migrating their members from the Australia Approved Community (AC) which is under the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty (DTCT) 2012. The Australian DTCT was more widely used by Australia than the UK and therefore Australia had more AC members to migrate than the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_23

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many US companies have been approved by the US Government to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence does not have access to information on how many US companies are members of the US Authorised User Community (AUC). US companies are deemed to be members of the US AUC if they have registered with the Directorate of Defence Trade Controls (DDTC), the body responsible for overseeing the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). DDTC does not provide this information to either the UK or Australia but, as a guide, any US company which has exported military end use items out of the US will be registered with DDTC. The numbers could therefore be in the thousands.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_24

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average processing time is for UK applications for companies to join the Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence has only recently fully established the new Authorised User Community (AUC) joining process. Application timelines were not monitored while the process was being established. Data will be gathered over the next few months to provide indicative processing timelines. It is also worth noting that once the UK process has been completed, the US must then complete its own checks on the applicants prior to those entities being approved for membership of the AUC.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK companies have been approved to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations. \p Maria Eagle: 98 entities have been approved with 171 entities currently going through the approval process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_26

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the number of UK companies that have applied to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the US International Traffic in Arms regulations. \p Maria Eagle: So far, 269 entities have applied to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the US International Traffic in Arms regulations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the long-term cost to the public purse of (a) military logistics, (b) equipment support, (c) personnel risk, (d) reconstruction liabilities and (e) other costs arising from proposals for UK ground deployment to Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: This Government is committed to providing at least £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine. As the Defence Secretary has made clear in the Commons, Ukraine’s security is our security, and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. The UK will also provide £2.26 billion in additional military support to Ukraine for financial year 2025-26 through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan. Additional support is being provided through UK Export Finance guaranteed loans.

Other Government Departments are also providing non-military support to Ukraine including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Business and Trade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has had discussions with NATO allies on the potential impact of the (a) capture, (b) injury and (c) killing of UK personnel while operating in Ukraine on the potential for (i) escalation and (ii) retaliation. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his NATO counterparts on practical plans for how our militaries can support security guarantees for Ukraine’s future.

The UK is playing a leading role in accelerating work on security arrangements for Ukraine. This includes putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.

Advanced operational planning within the Coalition of the Willing, which is not NATO led, remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 46131 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, how the annual Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens is determined for each service. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) decides which nationalities we recruit and any limits on numbers such as the 1,350 per annum Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens across the Armed Forces which was introduced on 5 November 2018. Each single Service determined the upper limit of Commonwealth citizens it wished to recruit per annum, in line with the guiding principle of supporting workforce shortages across the full range of vacancies in the Armed Forces, through building on the historical links with the Commonwealth and their tradition of service. The MOD works closely with the Home Office on all matters related to immigration.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_30

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ensure a space defence strategy is included in the outputs from the Strategic Defence Review. \p Luke Pollard: While the Ministry of Defence continues to deliver against its existing space strategy, the Strategic Defence Review provides an opportunity to assess the strategic landscape and threat picture to inform long-term decisions, including on refreshing the Defence Space Strategy. The existing strategy has led to the establishment of UK Space Command, the National Space Operations Centre, and the development of the UK’s sovereign space-based ISR programme, which we will build on going forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) piracy, (b) terrorism, (c) proxy activity by state adversaries and (d) other security threats in the Indian Ocean; and what steps he is taking to ensure UK forces on Diego Garcia are prepared to help tackle those threats. \p Luke Pollard: The UK actively contributes to initiatives that counter security threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This is achieved bilaterally through Maritime Domain Awareness programmes and counter terrorism activities, and multilaterally through organisations such as the Combined Maritime Force, which actively support Maritime Security operations, including counter-piracy and counter-terrorism. Although dislocated geographically from the main threat areas, the base on Diego Garcia could be used as a logistics hub or staging area to support such activities.

Under the agreement with Mauritius we will retain full control over Diego Garcia with robust provisions to keep adversaries out. These include unrestricted access to and use of the base for the UK and US; a buffer zone around Diego Garcia; a comprehensive mechanism to ensure no activity in the other islands threatens base operations; and a ban on the presence of any foreign security forces. This will ensure the long term secure and effective operation of the base well into the next century.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for the First Sea Lord's Sea Power Conference 2024. \p Luke Pollard: Funding for the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2024 was £38,000.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with his (a) US counterpart and (b) counterparts in the Caribbean Community on countering Chinese strategic influence in the region. \p Luke Pollard: This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.

The UK recognises that deepening our cooperation with partners is needed to strengthen collective security and push back against behaviour that undermines international law or seeks to coerce or create dependencies. The Ministry of Defence has had a number of productive conversations with the US and partners in the Caribbean Community.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_34

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has been invited to participate in the Regional Security System in the Caribbean; and whether his Department plans to support its operations. \p Luke Pollard: The UK has not been invited to participate in the Regional Security System. The Ministry of Defence works closely with our partners and allies in the Caribbean, including directly with the Regional Security System. This has included the provision of capacity building and key leader engagement with Caribbean Chiefs of Defence and the Regional Security System Executive Director.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 49325 on Boeing E-7, what challenges his Department has encountered in the (a) modification and (b) integration processes for the second and third E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. \p Maria Eagle: The second and third E-7 Wedgetail aircraft continue their modification process at STS Aviation, Birmingham airport. The build is progressing well with lessons learned from aircraft one having been adopted.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 49322 on Boeing E-7, what further test flights are planned for the first E-7 Wedgetail aircraft before it enters its test and evaluation phase. \p Maria Eagle: The Wedgetail programme has already entered the flight test programme and has completed three flights. There is a comprehensive ground and flight test programme in 2025 prior to the aircraft being handed over to the Royal Air Force, the exact number of which depends upon the success of each flight.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many urgent repairs were requested for standard family accommodation in the week commencing 5 May 2025. \p Maria Eagle: 442 urgent repairs were requested for Service Family Accommodation properties as at noon on 9 May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK companies to invest in Morocco’s Western Sahara region, in the context of (a) levels of (i) economic growth and (ii) infrastructure development in the region and (b) the UK-Morocco association agreement. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: It is for companies to make their own decisions regarding investments in Western Sahara, as in any other region, based on the information available to them including from the Department of Business and Trade.

Products originating in Western Sahara, subject to controls by customs authorities of Morocco, benefit from the same trade preferences as those granted by the United Kingdom to products covered by the UK-Morocco Association Agreement. The application of the Agreement is without prejudice to our position on the status of Western Sahara. The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the 41% tariffs imposed by the United States on the Falkland Islands were discussed as part of the negotiations for the US-UK trade deal announced on 8 May 2025. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We have concluded a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to get an agreement with President Trump. We are continuing talks on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. In this agreement, as in all international agreements, the UK will consider the interests of those UK territories for whose international relations it is responsible.

In addition, the US has confirmed, as part of the deal, that it will consider UK requests to reduce the applied tariff for a UK territory such as the Falkland Islands on a preferential basis
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help make it easier for small businesses to export to the EU. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to supporting small businesses to export and access the EU market.

UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk, including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network with teams based across the EU, and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers. Unlock Europe is an Export Academy webinar series designed to help UK businesses strengthen relationships with European customers and increase their exporting potential to the EU.

At the coming UK-EU summit, we aim to make progress on tackling barriers to trade and securing outcomes that will help more UK businesses export to our European neighbours.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has consulted with independent retailers on the development of the new Business Growth service. \p Gareth Thomas: My department is working closely with independent retailers and the wider business community on the design of the Business Growth Service. We’ve held roundtables and consultation events across the country, in partnership with local organisations, to hear directly from entrepreneurs and small business owners about the support they need to grow.

My department continues to engage regularly with retailers through key trade associations, and feedback will remain central to how the service evolves. Our goal is to build a service shaped by business, for business.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_42

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase in National Insurance contributions on the services sector. \p Gareth Thomas: An assessment of the changes to Employers’ National Insurance has been published by HMRC in their Tax Information and Impact Note, including impacts on the exchequer, the economy, individuals, households and families, equalities, and businesses including civil society organisations, alongside details on monitoring and evaluation.  Tax information and impact notes - GOV.UK

The government is protecting the smallest businesses from changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that in 2025-26, 865,000 employers (43%) will pay no NICs at all. We are reforming business rates and protecting the smallest properties by freezing the small business multiplier in 2025-26, protecting over a million properties from inflationary bill increases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_43

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much was spent on (a) transport, (b) hotels, (c) official gifts and (d) other costs for overseas trips taken by Prince Andrew in his role as a trade envoy. \p Gareth Thomas: The Duke of York was the Special Representative for UK Trade and Investment and not a Trade Envoy.

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold details of the specific costs for the Duke of York’s (a) transport, (b) hotels, (c) official gifts and (d) other costs for overseas trips taken in his capacity as a Trade Representative.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_44

Sam Rushworth:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps UK Research and Innovation is taking to help increase technological capabilities in battery cell production. \p Sarah Jones: The Faraday Battery Challenge funds battery related research, development of battery materials and technologies, and encourages investment into the UK’s world-class battery facilities.

An example of investment into UK facilities is the Advanced Materials Battery Industrialisation Centre (AMBIC), due to open in Q2 2025. AMBIC will provide innovation capability for the synthesis and processing of battery materials right through to the prototyping of commercially attractive batteries. The £12 million facility will bring together scalable and commercially relevant equipment into one entity to fast-track battery materials development.
wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_45

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of strategic dependencies on Chinese supply chains for (a) semiconductors, (b) pharmaceuticals, (c) rare earth elements and (d) other critical sectors on (i) national security and (ii) UK-China policy. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: This government recognises the importance of strong and resilient supply chains to the UK's growth and economic security. While it would be counterproductive to 'de-couple' the UK economy from China or any other trading partner, we agree with many of our international counterparts that we must reduce our risk of dependency in critical industries.

The Department for Business and Trade is strengthening the UK's resilience both through sector programmes and the upcoming Trade, Industrial and Critical Minerals Strategies. These Strategies will outline more on our plans for resilience-building, including in the foundational sectors targeted by the Industrial Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_46

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on potential changes to steel tariffs. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Secretary of State for Business and Trade regularly engages with counterparts in other nations in relation to tariffs and the international trade of steel. On 8 May, this Government concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, where the US has committed to removing the 25% Section 232 tariffs on UK exporters by applying a quota system. Most recently, the Secretary of State has also discussed steel tariffs with his EU counterpart the European Commissioner for Trade within the context of the conclusion of the European Commission’s review of their Steel Safeguard.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_47

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on negotiating a free trade agreement with that country. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We have concluded a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to get an agreement with President Trump.

This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors – sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains. The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2nd April across our economy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_48

Luke Murphy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of paragraph 4.39 of the Competition and Markets Authority’s report entitled CMA project on Timeshare Disposal, released under FOI on 21 April 2015. \p Justin Madders: The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulations 2010 govern the sales of timeshares. They provide significant protections, including stipulating the information consumers must be aware of prior to purchase and a14 day right to exit, should the customer change their mind.

Purchasers of timeshares are also protected by general consumer law, requiring contract terms be fair and bans mis-selling. The CMA expressed the view that some in-perpetuity clauses may be unfair, depending on circumstances.

Enabling consumers to exit timeshares is a balance between protecting consumers wanting to leave and the interests of the business and those customers who remain and share admin costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_49

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of UK trade policy on (a) levels of UK-Caribbean economic engagement and (b) Chinese influence in that region. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK’s Economic Partnership Agreement with CARIFORUM, which is the most comprehensive trade agreement that the UK has signed with developing countries, supports growth across the region and in the UK. Between 2023 and 2024, UK-CARIFORUM bilateral trade in goods and services increased by 20.5% in current prices. The UK and CARIFORUM regularly discuss how to strengthen bilateral trade further through the structures outlined in our agreement.

The UK will continue to position itself as the trading partner of choice in the Caribbean, building on our historic, economic and cultural ties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_50

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with the Competition and Markets Authority on updating the designations under the Controlled Land Order to help promote fair competition in the grocery sector. \p Justin Madders: The Competition and Markets Authority has a general duty to monitor the effectiveness of the Controlled Land Order. This includes regularly assessing whether any grocery retailers meet the criteria for designation that are outlined in the Order. The CMA is in the process of carrying out its latest assessment. Government will continue to work closely with the CMA following its assessment to determine the best way forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_51

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to change the 21 employee threshold for the recognition of a trade union. \p Justin Madders: The exemption for small employers under the statutory recognition scheme where the workplace is comprised of less than 21 workers has been in place for many years. The government has no plans to change it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_52

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a strategy to help reduce the economic impact of sleep deprivation in the workforce. \p Justin Madders: We have set out our immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay. While the Plan does not include specific measures on implementing a strategy on sleep deprivation, it aims to improve wellbeing by supporting people to better balance work with their personal circumstances.

Furthermore, the Working Time Regulations establishes a legal framework which provides minimum standards for working hours and rest periods. This ensure that workers are provided with basic minimum rights on a maximum working week, rest breaks and annual leave.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_53

Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department can exempt from arms export licensing products with a direct military application; and whether any such exemptions have been granted since 2022. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The requirement for an export licence for military goods is set out in the Export Control Order 2008. Export licence applications for all controlled goods are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

Where licence applications include items that are not covered by the 2008 Order, exporters can be informed that no licence is required.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_54

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on the proportion of imports worth less than £135 that did not meet UK safety standards by country of origin in each year since 2015. \p Justin Madders: The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) works with local authorities and border forces to detect, deter and disrupt the flow of unsafe and non-compliant goods as they are imported into the UK. Risk-based and intelligence-led approaches are used to target the most high-risk goods for inspection at the border. Therefore, the Government does not hold the information in the form requested. In 2023/24 the targeted approach resulted in checks on consignments covering over 15 million goods at the border, with 2.4 million goods (16%) refused entry to the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_55

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper published on 7 April 2025,  if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the economy in Bedfordshire. \p Justin Madders: The domestic tourism sector is of great value to the UK. It provides meaningful employment and supports holiday makers to explore and enjoy the UK’s diverse and plentiful attractions.

By removing obstacles and red tape that unnecessarily hinder businesses, especially smaller firms, the proposed reforms seek to open-up the sector to offer consumers better choice and better value options.

The proposals will support business collaboration and innovation across all areas of the UK. An Impact Assessment will be published as part of the process.

We encourage comment on the consultation ahead of its close on 30 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_56

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the public awareness campaign entitled millions got a pay rise, (a) how many beer mats were (i) printed and (ii) distributed and (b) whether communications consultancies advised on the campaign. \p Justin Madders: My department is running an awareness campaign following the increase to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates on 1 April 2025, using several advertising channels to ensure workers are aware of the increase and know how to check their pay and avoid underpayment.

This includes beer mat advertising, for which we have printed 500,000 beer mats, distributed to pubs, including in areas with higher reported underpayment complaints. My department’s media planning agency Wavemaker advised on the campaign.