theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_98

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(b) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government of Mauritius for the carrying out of all necessary investigations into offences; and what estimate has he made of the cost to the public purse of such assistance over the next ten years. \p Luke Pollard: As per paragraph 10 of Annex 2, the UK and Mauritius will be agreeing separate arrangements and operating procedures as necessary to assist and facilitate the exercise of Mauritian jurisdiction in respect to paragraph 8. There will be no additional facilities on island to enable Mauritian jurisdiction.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_99

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on potential agreements on the jurisdiction of US personnel in Diego Garcia as defined by Article 19 of the Agreement. \p Luke Pollard: With reference to paragraph 2 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), the jurisdiction of US personnel on Diego Garcia is set out in the UK-US Exchange of Notes (EoN).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government of Mauritius for (a) monitoring and (b) detecting security risks in the Chagos archipelago. \p Luke Pollard: Work on the details to implement the treaty is ongoing across Government, including engagement with Mauritius as appropriate. Defence’s contribution will centre on developing Mauritian capability to provide maritime security through improved maritime domain awareness and broader capability development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 5(3) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department is planning to take to co-operate with the Government of Mauritius on (a) illegal, (b) unreported, and (c) unregulated fishing in the Chagos Archipelago. \p Luke Pollard: In conjunction with the steps taken elsewhere in Government, the Ministry of Defence will support closer collaboration between the UK and Mauritius in this area by providing training which boosts Mauritian maritime security capabilities and maritime domain awareness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_102

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government of Mauritius to help prevent unlicensed commercial fishing around Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement; and what estimate has he made of the cost to the public purse of such assistance over the next ten years. \p Luke Pollard: In conjunction with the steps taken elsewhere in Government, the Ministry of Defence will assess the capability of Mauritius to secure its Exclusive Economic Zone and will provide targeted support, including through training, to strengthen efforts to counter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and support a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_103

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 3(2)(c) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to maintain the (a) defence and (b) security of Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement; and how his Department will coordinate this with the Government of Mauritius. \p Luke Pollard: The objective of the treaty and the substantive obligation on both parties is the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia. Therefore, the treaty itself is designed to secure and protect the base and every obligation in the treaty is read in light of this obligation. This includes the fact that the UK has responsibility for the defence and security on Diego Garcia. Implementation measures, including the Strategic Partnership Framework, are being constructed against this treaty premise; Ministry of Defence relations with the Government of Mauritius will be supported in country by establishing a new non-Resident Defence Adviser position.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 15 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), if he will set out the arbitration procedures under paragraph 4. \p Luke Pollard: The procedures concerning paragraph 4 of Article 15 are set out in Annex 4.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_105

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(b) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what procedures his Department plans to use to notify the Government of Mauritius of the (a) maintenance and (b) upgrade of equipment in the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement. \p Luke Pollard: The Joint Commission, as set out in Annex 3(6)a of the treaty, has the remit of serving as a forum for dialogue between the Parties, including the exchange of information regarding the security and protection of, and activities within, the Chagos Archipelago.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the risk of the Government of Mauritius inviting non-allied security forces to operate in the Chagos Archipelago. \p Luke Pollard: Under the treaty, no third-party security force can operate without the consent of the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(e) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to assist the Government of Mauritius prevent unlicensed commercial fishing in Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement. \p Luke Pollard: In conjunction with the steps taken elsewhere in Government, the Ministry of Defence will assess the capability of Mauritius to secure its Exclusive Economic Zone and will provide targeted support, including through training, to strengthen efforts to counter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and support a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department is taking to ensure the storage of (a) fuel and (b) weapons in Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement (i) comply with the environmental laws of the Government of Mauritius and (ii) maintain operational readiness. \p Luke Pollard: The United Kingdom is not bound by Mauritian environmental law. Under Article 5, the UK will apply applicable international environmental law with due regard to applicable Mauritian environmental laws; this reflects the long-standing Defence policy of applying both our own and our host nations' environmental standards so far as it is reasonably practicable. Annex 1.2.ii explicitly puts the management of fuels, weapons and other hazardous materials under UK control.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 6 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he will take to prevent unauthorised access to Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement. \p Luke Pollard: Under the treaty, Mauritius will have the ability to conduct resettlement on any island in the Chagos Archipelago other than Diego Garcia. The UK has no intention of constraining resettlement activity, but has negotiated an effective veto over any activity that presents a clear and direct threat to the base on Diego Garcia. The United Kingdom controls access, and therefore authorisations, for all persons permitted to be on Diego Garcia.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_110

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what estimate he has made of the cost of providing assistance to the Government of Mauritius to (a) monitor, (b) detect, and (c) adjudicate security risks and (d) conduct security reviews over the first ten years of the Agreement. \p Luke Pollard: As set out in the new UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework, Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. Further engagement on the details of this cooperation with Mauritius is ongoing. Securing the future operation of the Base on Diego Garcia was the objective of the treaty with Mauritius and that will remain the objective in the work to operationalise the treaty.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 3 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how his Department will co-operate with the Government of Mauritius on maritime security, including efforts to combat (a) trafficking and (b) piracy. \p Luke Pollard: Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. Our contribution will focus on providing training and building institutional partnerships. This will contribute to preserving the safety, security, stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region and will support the future operation of the Base on Diego Garcia.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 5 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether his Department has contingency plans to address potential restrictions on operations at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the event of the Government of Mauritius citing infringements of the Mauritian environmental laws. \p Luke Pollard: The United Kingdom is not bound by Mauritian environmental law. Under Article 5, the UK will apply applicable international environmental law with due regard to applicable Mauritian environmental laws; this reflects the long-standing Defence policy of applying both our own and our host nations' environmental standards so far as it is reasonably practicable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 10 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps will his Department take to determine compliance with the appropriate level of security clearance for Mauritian nationals (a) seeking and (b) during employment on Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement. \p Luke Pollard: There are robust security measures in place on Diego Garcia for all employees, contractors and suppliers. These standards will continue to be upheld following entry into force of the treaty.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 10, Clause 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, whether the annual sum referred to will come solely from his Department's budget. \p Luke Pollard: The funding arrangements for the treaty are subject to the Spending Review, which will be completed on 11 June.
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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what process his Department has for (a) storing and (b) otherwise retaining surveillance footage taken by Royal Air Force planes over Gaza since December 2023. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has policies and protocols which provide direction for the storage and retention of operational intelligence. I am unable to comment further due to operational security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met the South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans; and what issues were discussed at the meeting. \p Al Carns: The UK has a strong bilateral defence relationship with the Republic of South Africa. The Secretary of State for Defence has yet to meet his South African counterpart, Minister Motshekga. However the Minister for the House of Lords, Lord Coaker, had the pleasure of meeting with Mr Holomisa, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, in February 2025 where both parties spoke of the importance of the UK-Republic of South Africa Defence relationship.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of consulting (a) veterans (i) generally and (ii) on their lived experiences and (b) veterans’ organisations in Northern Ireland in the (A) design and (B) delivery of the VALOUR (1) policy framework and (2) programme. \p Al Carns: The Government understands the importance of consulting widely with veterans and veteran organisations to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs and experiences are understood. Officials are working with key statutory and voluntary sector stakeholders in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom to develop VALOUR. We have launched a VALOUR guidance page on GOV.UK website where individuals and organisations can register for updates and veterans can sign up to take part in research and focus groups.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out how the proposed introduction of regional field officers under the VALOUR programme will strengthen existing (a) statutory and (b) voluntary support networks for veterans in Northern Ireland. \p Al Carns: VALOUR is a new programme to establish the first ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A network of new regional field officers will work with local organisations to coordinate local delivery and ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities. In Northern Ireland, we will build on the effective collaborative between the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office. This will include enhancing partnerships with the wider veteran support system, including the Thrive Together programme led by Brooke House. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with a range of relevant partners, including these local partners, with further details to be announced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help reduce employment costs for the automotive industry. \p Sarah Jones: Jobs will be at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy, which will focus on tackling barriers to growth, creating the right conditions for increased investment, high-quality jobs and ensuring tangible impact in communities right across the UK. The strategy will build on existing support for the sector, including the Budget commitment of over £2 billion of funding to 2030 for zero emission vehicle manufacturing.

We have also made significant changes to the ZEV Mandate to help drive investment and support the transition. Additionally, we speak regularly to all major UK automotive stakeholders to understand the health of the sector and factors that impact competitiveness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trade deals with (a) India and (b) the USA on the economy of North East Somerset and Hanham constituency. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 8 May the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the US. This protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - which employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In the South-West alone, these sectors employed 29,450 people in 2023. The trade deal with India is expected to raise UK GDP by £4.8 billion, increase wages by £2.2 billion annually in the long run, and unlock opportunities in every corner of the UK. As a result of this deal South-West exports including lamb, cosmetics, and advanced manufacturing will benefit from reduced tariffs.

Together, the US and India deals support UK-wide growth, with the South-West already exporting goods worth £0.6 billion to India and £4.4 billion to the US in 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on the number of (a) weapons, (b) munitions and (c) other arms exported to Israel in each of the last four months. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: DBT does not hold records of final exports of strategically controlled goods, and the fact that a licence is granted does not mean that an export takes place. For specific trade goods export data, I recommend referring to HMRC.

DBT publishes data on export licences issued for military and dual-use equipment. The most recent publication covers the quarter up to December 2024. This data is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has also expanded this publication to include an ad hoc statistics release relating solely to Israel licences, the most recent publication of which was up to 6 December 2024 and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-6-december-2024.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the revised UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on North East Somerset & Hanham constituency. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The deal that the Government struck with the EU delivers on what the British public voted for last year. It slashes red tape and bureaucracy; boosts British exporters; and will add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040. This will benefit the South West of England, whose largest trading partner is the EU, constituting 44.1% of South West exports of goods and 47.8% of imports of goods in 2024.

Additionally, we signed a Security and Defence Partnership, which will boost defence procurement opportunities in the nearby aerospace industry cluster.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help increase job (a) creation and (b) retention in (i) industrial communities, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (iii) Staffordshire. \p Gareth Thomas: There is a strong ecosystem of skills and employment support, across Staffordshire and Newcastle -Under Lyme, co-ordinated through county, district and borough councils, in partnership with national government and not for profit organisations.

The Department for Business and Trade offers a range of business support services which we will be building with measures being announced in the Small Business Strategy later this year. Our support helps businesses start, grow, invest, and export, creating opportunities across the country, including communities in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Sonia Kumar:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-India trade deal on ceramics manufacturers. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department recognises the significant challenges faced by energy-intensive industries like ceramics, including rising global energy costs, unfair trading practices, and carbon leakage. We are taking firm action to protect these industries, including through trade defence measures against dumping and subsidisation. The UK-India FTA also includes a bilateral safeguard mechanism, allowing the UK to suspend or increase tariff concessions if serious injury occurs.

Over 93% of Indian ceramics entered the UK tariff-free in 2024 prior to the FTA conclusion whilst the remaining 7% paid a tariff. 11 of the 43 ceramics tariff lines are dutiable and face a simple average tariff of 4%.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) businesses and (b) people in Woking that will benefit from the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: This comprehensive agreement is estimated to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion and boost wages by £2.2 billion each and every year in the long run. This deal will unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers in every corner of the UK. The South-East's world-leading medical technology industry, will benefit from Indian liberalisation of medical device tariffs, allowing them to tap into India's vast and rapidly growing market.

We will set out further information on the regional impacts of this agreement in our Impact Assessment.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a)  Southern African Development Community and (b) Carribbean Community countries on investment opportunities. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade discusses a number of issues with partners across the Caribbean and the Southern Africa community aimed at increasing bilateral investment. In addition, the UK’s Trade Envoys for those regions will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve the safety of cooking appliances in order to reduce the number of home fires. \p Justin Madders: Regulations require manufacturers to place only safe gas-fuelled and electric powered cookers and ovens on the market. Regulations require gas-fuelled cookers to be installed by a competent and Gas-Safe registered engineer. Landlords must ensure gas safety checks are carried out annually and have a Gas Safety Certificate for their property, and that electrical checks are carried out every five years, and that they obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report.

The current Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will give the Government powers to amend and update existing product safety legislation should this be needed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support investment into key growth sectors through the UK-Gulf economic partnerships. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade maintains strong relations with Gulf investors and encourages them towards opportunities in key growth sectors through the Strategic and Sovereign Investment partnerships coordinated by the Office for Investment.

We also encourage investment through broader diplomatic forums, such as the UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.

Furthermore, we are negotiating a GCC Free Trade Agreement that will build on our strong investment relationship and support further investment, including in UK growth sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Sir John Hayes: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 agreement on levels of investment in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The US is our biggest investor and our top investment destination. At the end of 2023, the UK and US had over £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s economies.

On 8th May, the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the US. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK.

This Government will continue to act in Britain’s national interest including for workers, businesses and families in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his planned timetable is for (a) completing negotiations on and (b) implementing the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal announced on 8 May 2025. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Talks with the US are ongoing, and the Secretary of State met with his counterpart Jamieson Greer at the OECD on 3 June to progress implementation of the General Terms of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal and ensure businesses feel the benefits as soon as possible.

The government continues to engage intensively with the US to complete negotiations on the Economic Prosperity Deal at pace and will update on progress in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has conducted an impact assessment on the potential impact of US ethanol imports on the production of bioethanol within the UK. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We have concluded a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.

This is a unique deal that ensures UK industries are protected; talks with the US are ongoing.

Both the Secretary of State and senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade have been meeting representatives of the domestic bioethanol industry to discuss their concerns.
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Will Stone:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support UK businesses seeking to (a) enter and (b) expand in the Moroccan market in (i) green energy, (ii) agritech and (iii) other high growth sectors. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade is committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco. Supported by the UK-Morocco Association Agreement bilateral trade has been rising and reached £4.2 billion in 2024.

During the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Rabat on 1st June, he co-chaired the 5th session of the UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs. They signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding to deepen collaboration in priority sectors, including healthcare, water, transport, defence and procurement. These will enable commercial engagement, supporting UK firms expanding in Morocco’s high-growth sectors, such as digital health, infrastructure, and ports.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the Government of placing conditionality on the use of UK-manufactured goods being sent to Israel through the global spare parts pool for use on planes operated by the Israel Defense Forces. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Once parts are exported from the UK to the F-35 global spares pool and aircraft assembly facilities, due to the design of the programme, the UK does not have control over whether components are used for specific customer nations or not.

The UK cannot make changes to the F-35 programme unilaterally – it requires agreement across all the Partner Nations.

The only way to prevent UK-produced parts reaching Israel would be for the UK Government to stop the export of parts to the entire F-35 programme, which would prejudice the security of the UK and our allies.

Facing a critical moment for European security and war on our continent, the Government has a solemn responsibility to consider the full implications of our decisions. Undermining the F35 programme would disrupt international peace and security, NATO deterrence and European defence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recruitment of general practitioners trained in India to practise in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.

The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_135

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish the Research Report: Long-Range Shootings or Shootings of Minors included in evidence in the case of Al-Haq v Secretary of State for Business and Trade. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We do not comment on live litigation.

The Foreign Secretary has determined that Israel is not committed to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in operations in Gaza. A summary of the assessment resulting in the September suspension decision can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-the-international-humanitarian-law-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account/summary-of-the-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_136

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make a comparative assessment of US tariffs on the UK (a) in July 2024 and (b) under the new UK-US trade deal. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. We’re the first country to secure a deal with the US which gives our companies a preferential tariff rate. Lowering or removing tariffs across a range of sectors will help to ease the burden on businesses by reducing costs and making them more competitive, which in the long run will help to secure jobs and avoid businesses closing.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_137

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to protect workers' rights for app-based taxi drivers. \p Justin Madders: Our Plan to Make Work Pay will modernise the UK labour market and address challenges thrown up by new trends and technologies. The Employment Rights Bill is the first phase of delivery, and will provide a new baseline of security for workers. Once implemented, it will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and level the playing field for businesses engaged in good practices.

We have also committed to consult on a simpler employment status framework, distinguishing between workers and the genuinely self-employed, ensuring that all workers have the comfort of protection at work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_138

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many UK-manufactured parts have been sold into the F35 global spare parts pool since (a) 7 October 2023 and (b) 2 September 2024; and how many of these parts have been transferred to Israel. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade does not hold information on the quantity of goods exported under Open General Export Licences. The principle of such licences – such as those for UK suppliers to the F-35 programme – is that they allow registered companies to export an unrestricted quantity of permitted items.

Due to the design of the programme, the UK Government also does not have access to information about the movement of specific F-35 components around the F-35 global programme, including the provision of parts to specific customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_139

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the development of a resilient UK-based supply chain for green hydrogen (a) production, (b) storage and (c) distribution technologies. \p Sarah Jones: The Government recognises the importance of resilient, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy. We have a number of levers to support our supply chains, including support via the National Wealth Fund, and our upcoming Industrial Strategy.

My officials in the UK and overseas are working closely with UK based supply chain companies to highlight and develop opportunities for UK supply chain across the hydrogen value chain both in the UK and abroad.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_140

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, what the budget is of the expanded Office for Investment. \p Sarah Jones: The budget for the Office for Investment (OfI) for FY 2025/6 is £24,671,291.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_141

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, what expenditure has been incurred to allocate (a) office space, (b) furnishings and (c)) computers to the Office for Investment since July 2024. \p Sarah Jones: The overall budget for the Office for Investment (OfI) and the Investment Directorate (ID) for FY 2024/5 was £27,630,000. This included expenditure on the three categories outlined above but no specific further provision was made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_142

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, where the expanded Office for Investment will be located. \p Sarah Jones: The Office for Investment (OfI) is a joint unit that works across the Department of Business and Trade, HM Treasury (HMT), and No 10 Downing Street to bring in top-tier investment to the UK. The main base will be in DBT offices. Seconded staff to HMT will be located at HMT buildings. The Minister will have offices in both DBT and HMT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_143

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, in May of which year the expanded Office for Investment will be operational. \p Sarah Jones: The expanded Office for Investment (OfI) was officially launched on 5th June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_144

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many redundancy notifications his Department received between 1 November 2024 and the latest date for which information is available. \p Justin Madders: In the period 1 November 2024 to 1 June 2025, 2,574 HR1 Advance Notification of Redundancies have been received.

The Insolvency Service has released this Management Information (MI) to meet stakeholder needs for this data in a timely way. This MI is not classified as Official Statistics: it has not been rigorously quality assured and may be subject to revision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_145

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, how many staff were allocated to the expanded Office for Investment in each month from July 2024. \p Sarah Jones: The number of staff (FTE) in the Office for Investment (OfI) was c.30 from July 2024 to June 2025. When the expanded OfI was launched on 5th June 2025, this figure increased to c. 230 FTE.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_146

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of trends in levels of glyphosate in menstrual products; and what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) regulate those levels. \p Justin Madders: Most period products are regulated by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which requires all products to be safe and for consumers to be provided with information on the potential risks of a product.

Subject to Royal Assent of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, the Government has committed to consult on this matter to ensure that any changes to the safety provisions of these products are robust and consistent. As part of this, we are considering further research and testing in this area to complement the consultation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_147

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trade union access proposals on SMEs that employ less than 200 people. \p Justin Madders: The Government is committed to modernising industrial relations and as part of this we are moving away from a reliance on outdated, ad-hoc access arrangements by providing a formal right of access for trade unions in the Employment Rights Bill.

We will be consulting on specific details of the access framework before they are set out in secondary legislation. We encourage businesses and unions of all sizes to share their views. An impact assessment on the Bill was published last year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_148

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that consumers choosing not to share personal data through loyalty schemes are not disadvantaged in terms of (a) pricing and (b) access to services. \p Justin Madders: Recent amendments to the Price Marking Order 2004 will ensure that loyalty pricing does not mislead non-member customers about the price of an item. This reflects the paramount principle that the price payable at the till should be clear and transparent.

Where prices are clear and transparent, businesses are free to introduce loyalty schemes and consumers can make an informed decision about where to shop and whether to join such a scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_149

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Qatar Investment Authority's Strategic Investment Partnership on the clean energy sector in the UK. \p Sarah Jones: The 2022 Qatar-UK Strategic Investment Partnership is a long-term framework through which the two countries collaborate across a number of key UK industries, creating jobs and growth through investment, including in sectors vital for clean growth and decarbonisation through technology and innovation. December 2024’s announcement from Qatar to invest £1bn in UK climate technology demonstrates the strength of the arrangement’s potential impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_150

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she has taken to encourage investment in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency. \p Sarah Jones: The Office for Investment (OfI) works with stakeholders across Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme to promote strategic Investment opportunities to create high quality job growth in the region. OfI has funded a strategic key account management initiative in Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme, to provide direct support to investors.

I am delighted that Keele University, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is ambitious to grow their successful Science and Innovation Park, and the OfI is supporting their work to bring this forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_151

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to page 22 of the Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP 1210, what steps he has taken to (a) reform and (b) expand the Office for Investment. \p Sarah Jones: As announced by the Prime Minister in October 2024, the enhanced Office for Investment (OfI) streamlines and simplifies our support for the most strategically important investors. The new OfI has more commercial expertise to originate, negotiate and land investment across all regions and nations of the UK. The new OfI is a joint No.10, HMT and DBT unit, spearheaded by the Minister for Investment, ensuring investment is prioritised at the top of government.