theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the the cost of the RAF's surveillance flights over Gaza, for each month from October 2023 . \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages.

While I am unable to disclose these costs for reasons of operational security and as a matter of policy, Defence operational spend in relation to the Israel-Gaza conflict for 2023/24 has been published in its Annual Reports and Accounts for that financial year online. The Department's accounts for 2024-25 will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that SME defence manufacturers are able to access banking services. \p Maria Eagle: The Strategic Defence Review has recommended the development of a Defence Finance and Investment Strategy, to be published in 2026, which will focus on improving Defence’s relationship with the financial services sector. This strategy aims to support SMEs in accessing tailored financial products and services, ensuring they are better positioned to contribute to the growth and resilience of the defence sector. These measures reflect the Government’s determination to support SMEs and strengthen the UK’s world-leading defence industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help improve the protection of cargo ships in the Red Sea from Houthi missile and drone attacks. \p Luke Pollard: The UK Government strongly condemns the illegal and abhorrent attacks by the Houthis on merchant vessels; we are clear the Houthis must end their aggression immediately.

The Department for Transport, supported by the Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation, continue to provide UK-flagged shipping with advice on the risk posed by the Houthis to merchant vessels.

We continue to seek to work with regional partners on a long-term strategy to contain the Houthi threat and are committed to a future Yemen Peace Process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on unidentified aerial phenomena. \p Luke Pollard: In over 50 years, no sighting reported to the Department has indicated the existence of any military threat to the UK and for this reason, the MOD ceased to investigate reports of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) in 2009. All relevant materials created and held by the MOD up to 2009 were passed to the National Archives and are available to the public. The broad term UAP may be contained within documents such as ships logs, Defence Air Safety Occurrence Reports (DASORS) or correspondence from members of the public.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral statement of 17 July 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, col 475, whether the three star military officer who commands the multi-national command headquarters for the Multinational Force Ukraine will change when the headquarters moves from Paris to London. \p Luke Pollard: The intent is for the three star command of the Multinational Force Ukraine to remain joint between UK and France. This will be reviewed once the detail of any ceasefire is known.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has participated in any international groupings focused on unidentified aerial phenomena since May 2023. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has not participated in any international groupings specifically focused on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) since May 2023.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that package holiday operators comply with their obligations under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 to provide appropriate assistance to consumers during emergency situations. \p Justin Madders: We are working closely with the industry and regulators to help them understand and comply with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTRs). There are also three DBT approved bodies which assess and monitor business insolvency risk and have codes of conduct travel operators must abide by, as well as offering dispute resolution services if needed.

We have recently undertaken a consultation on the PTRs that included several workshops with industry. We will continue to engage with them on possible legislative changes. This includes the development of guidance that will help them to be compliant.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what enforcement action has been taken against operators who have failed to comply with their duties under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade does not hold this information. The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 are enforced by individual Local Trading Standards Departments with the Civil Aviation Authority overseeing Air Travel Organisers License protected holidays that include flights.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve consumer awareness of their rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. \p Justin Madders: Currently, the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTRs) set out all the necessary information that consumers should receive about the package holiday they are buying before and after the contract is concluded. This includes details on the insolvency protection in place amongst other key details.

We recently consulted on the PTRs and conducted consumer research as part of the process. We are considering how to address the issues identified.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many regulations affecting SMEs are under review as part of the SME Regulation Review. \p Justin Madders: Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced that government will cut administrative costs of regulation to all business, including SMEs, by 25% by the end of this Parliament. We are working across government to deliver this target to make it easier to do business in the UK. The target focuses on reducing the overall burden of regulation rather than the number of regulations. Whilst there is no SME-specific target, we will be considering where regulation has a disproportionate impact upon SMEs and should be removed, supporting the aims of the plan for Small and Medium sized Businesses.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans the Department has to publish impact assessments of regulatory changes affecting small businesses. \p Justin Madders: Impact assessments are generally required for all the Government’s interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector and-or civil society organisation or public services. The Better Regulation Framework requires regulatory provisions with impacts on business of greater than +/-£10 million to be accompanied by a final impact assessment which is laid before Parliament alongside the regulations. These assessments consider the impact on small businesses, explore whether such businesses need to be in scope and identify mitigations for the additional burden.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what methodology his Department plans to use to quantify the (a) time and (b) cost savings to SMEs from regulatory reform. \p Justin Madders: The government has committed to cut the administrative costs of regulation to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament. By focusing on reducing administrative costs, we will ensure that regulations achieve their policy objectives in the most efficient way possible with the lowest possible costs to business. My department is working across government to support delivery of this target and make businesses’ lives easier, including SMEs who represent the majority of businesses and are foundational to our economy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to encourage the procurement of British-made office products and stationery by (a) his Department and (b) its arms-length bodies. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade and its arms-length bodies do not have any policies to specifically encourage procurement of British made office products and stationery. However, the Government is committed to supporting British businesses, ensuring they have opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services.

Cabinet Office is consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement regulation to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support is available to people who are dismissed from companies that later enter insolvency in submitting claims to the National Insurance Fund. \p Justin Madders: Where a dismissal occurs prior to an insolvency event the individual should contact the relevant officer appointed in the insolvency as a claim can still be made for payment from the National Insurance Fund. If the details of that officer are not known, the Redundancy Payments Service can provide these. Some elements of the claim may be affected by the time lapse between date of dismissal and the insolvency event.

Help on how to claim is available from the ACAS, Citizens Advice Bureau or the RPS. There is also guidance on GOV.UK: Your rights if your employer is insolvent: Overview - GOV.UK.
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Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many an what proportion of his Department’s (a) ICT (b) stationery and (c) office furniture suppliers are (i) supplied by UK businesses and (ii) manufactured in the UK. \p Justin Madders: Of the Department’s ICT contracts, 83% are with UK registered companies equating to 85 out of 103 contracts. The department has a corporate contract with a UK registered company for stationery (including printing materials). The majority of office furniture in buildings occupied by the Department is procured by the Government Property Agency (GPA).

We do not hold information on the country of manufacture of ICT, stationery or office furniture commodities.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services. The Procurement Act 2023 contains numerous provisions to support UK businesses win public contracts and the Cabinet Office is currently consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to amend the six-month limitation period for claiming payments from the National Insurance Fund in order that it begins from the date a company is confirmed as insolvent, rather than the date of dismissal, in cases where an employee is unable to submit a timely claim due to delays in (a) insolvency confirmation and (b) receiving the appropriate reference number. \p Justin Madders: The legal requirement to claim payment for redundancy in writing from the employer within six months of dismissal only applies to the redundancy element of the monies claimed from the National Insurance Fund. It does not apply to elements such as unpaid wages, holiday or notice pay.

Applications can be submitted after 6 months if the claimant can provide evidence, such as any correspondence sent to the employer or relevant officer holder seeking payment. ACAS can provide advice in situations such as this.

There are no plans to amend the 6-month time period.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to help encourage private sector investment in Northern Ireland. \p Sarah Jones: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy sets out our key policies to drive growth and investment in every region across the UK. In addition to a range of sector initiatives, Northern Ireland will receive £30 million through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund to drive transformative innovation in the Belfast and Derry/Londonderry corridor. We will also continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to establish the Enhanced Investment Zone. The Regional Investment Summit, taking place in October 2025 will showcase our regional economies and drive investment across the entirety of the UK.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that businesses in Northern Ireland will be eligible for support under the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. \p Sarah Jones: The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will only be applicable to businesses within Great Britain. This is due to the energy market being devolved within Northern Ireland, where a Shared Energy Market is operated with the Republic of Ireland.

We will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Northern Ireland to ensure the Industrial Strategy benefits people and businesses in Northern Ireland. This includes working with the Northern Ireland Executive to establish an Enhanced Investment Zone, as well as funding support for growth-driving sectors like advanced manufacturing and defence to further drive growth where Northern Ireland thrives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish the responses to the call for evidence on steel trade measures, which closed on 7 August 2025. \p Sarah Jones: The Government is currently considering the responses from the Call for Evidence to shape future trade measures on steel following the expiry of the steel Safeguard in June 2026.

The future of the steel sector is of great importance to this Government as well as the UK's prosperity and security. This Call for Evidence reflects the UK Government's longstanding commitment to ensuring sufficient measures are in place to address the impact of global steel overcapacity and to strengthen the security of the UK's critical supply chains.

We will announce next steps in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what resources he is providing to Companies House to (a) detect and (b) prevent the use of fraudulent corporate structures for criminal activity. \p Justin Madders: The Government is committed to ensuring Companies House is fully resourced to fulfil its new functions. In May 2024, the incorporation fee and annual fee increased from £12 to £50, and £13 to £34 respectively. This funding, alongside £19m from the Economic Crime Levy, has provided additional resources across Companies House and the Insolvency Service to tackle economic crime.

Companies House has grown considerably since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 passed, increasing from around 1,400 to 2,142 staff. This will further increase in the coming months. Fees remain under review to ensure Companies House remains sufficiently resourced.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the safety of (a) over the counter and (b) prescription grade sun cream in England. \p Justin Madders: Legislation requires that cosmetics, including sun creams, must be safe. To ensure that products are safe before sale, a safety assessment must be completed by a qualified assessor.

Sun protection products which have been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) for NHS prescribing for specified conditions are listed in Part XV of the Drug Tariff. Products which are not medicines or medical devices may be prescribed by clinicians. If a sun cream is prescribed that is not classified as a medical device it will still need to meet the safety requirements in the Cosmetic Regulation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that online sellers meet their obligations in relation to (a) the Hallmarking Act 1973 and (b) the payment of VAT. \p Justin Madders: (a)

Anyone selling precious metals items must comply with the Hallmarking Act 1973. British Hallmarking Council guidance is available at: ”Selling articles of precious metal on the internet - GOV.UK”. In January 2025, I met some of the major online marketplaces and emphasised the importance of ensuring non-compliant products are not made available through their channels.

(b)

VAT collection is already regulated by HMRC under the VAT Act 1994, with updates from the Finance Act 2021 that place VAT obligations on online marketplaces. Since 2021 online marketplaces are liable to VAT from overseas sellers operating on their platform, levelling the playing field with UK businesses.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish (a) the steel strategy and (b) the Government's response to the Plan for Steel consultation which closed on 31 March 2025. \p Sarah Jones: This government is developing a Steel Strategy that will set a long-term vision for a revitalised and sustainable industry and the actions needed to get there. The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals. We intend to publish the Steel Strategy later in the year and will incorporate our response to the Plan for Steel consultation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase job creation in the UK. \p Sarah Jones: The Secretary of State for Business and Trade outlined a clear mission: to support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and economic growth across the UK. Key departmental initiatives that support job creation include championing free trade agreements, securing foreign investment, supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to export, reforming regulations for economic growth, developing the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, and investing in growth sectors like life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. Since taking office, the Government has welcomed over £100 billion in investment announcements. And the latest ONS data shows that from June 2024 to March 2025 the number of jobs in the UK increased by around 384,000.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to improve the processing of export licensing to Ukraine to aid the war effort. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: All export licence applications to Ukraine are treated with the highest priority by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). As with all export licence applications, assessments are made on a case-by-case basis according to the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. Assessments for Ukraine, given the situation within the country and the nature of the goods often being exported, mean these cases are some of the most complex for ECJU to process.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the threat posed to UK interests by economic coercion by adversaries. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The weaponisation of trade for geopolitical purposes is growing. This Government recognised those risks in our National Security Strategy, and why the Department of Business and Trade announced in the Trade Strategy that we would reform our trade defence tools, including seeking views on new powers to respond to deliberate economic pressure against the UK. Moreover, through the Trade and Industrial Strategies we are working to make our supply chains and economy more resilient and secure, including through simplifying export support services to help businesses diversify and build resilience, and establishing a Supply Chain Centre and an Economic Security Advisory Service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the New Zealand Government’s new subsidies for oil and gas development on the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade monitors developments that may affect the implementation of the UK–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, including those with environmental implications. The UK raised the issue of oil and gas developments with New Zealand during the Environment and Climate Change Sub-Committee meeting in May 2025. The Department continues to keep this matter under review, working closely with colleagues at the British High Commission Wellington.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with his Canadian counterpart on a potential trade deal with Argentina. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Business and Trade Secretary had a warm introductory conversation with his Canadian counterpart Minister Sidhu at the G7, where they discussed the bilateral trading relationship and agreed to work together on deepening and growing the bilateral trading relationship further. They did not discuss a trade deal with Argentina.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on the agricultural sector. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: As part of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, we have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef. For the first time ever, British farmers can sell their high-quality British beef to a market of over 300 million people, helping farmers grow their business.

Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that any agricultural imports coming into the UK will continue to meet the highest food, animal welfare and environmental standards. Imports of hormone treated beef or chlorinated chicken will remain illegal.

We continue to engage extensively with the agricultural and food sectors.
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Yasmin Qureshi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a Business Human Rights and Environment Bill. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct across the economy. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains.

The review will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and the merits of alternative means of supporting responsible business practices.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have had with the Canadian Government on a potential UK-Canada trade deal. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement worth around £28 billion in 2024.

Growing our bilateral trade is a shared priority. As agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada have established a new Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This includes seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements into new areas, including digital trade.

The Working Group will begin meeting in the months ahead and report back to both Prime Ministers within six months.
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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on small and medium sized businesses of the suspension of the $800 minimum threshold for imports into the United States which is due to come into force on 29 August 2025; and what steps his Department is taking to support (i) sole traders and (ii) other businesses. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: My department is engaging with industry to monitor impacts on small and medium-sized Businesses (SMEs).

We have published information to inform UK businesses and remain in close contact with our US counterparts to seek further clarity as needed. We remain fully committed to empowering SMEs to thrive in international markets through our wide-ranging export support – brought together through the Business Growth Service. Royal Mail’s new service allows SMEs to continue trading with the US, whilst most counterparts have suspended services.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Trade Remedies Authority’s proposal to maintain anti‑dumping measures on ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China until July 2029 on (a) retailers and (b) consumers. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On the 15 May 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated a transition review of the existing anti-dumping trade remedy measures on ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating from China. As the review remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information on the public file as the review progresses.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to make a decision on the Trade Remedies Authority’s recommendation on anti‑dumping duty on bicycles and parts from China; and if he will publish the underlying evidence before a decision is made. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On the 23 August 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated a transition review of the existing anti-dumping trade remedy measures on bicycles and bike parts originating from China. The TRA published their draft recommendation on their public file on 31 July 2025, on which interested parties were invited to provide comment. However, as the review remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information and evidence on the public file as the review progresses.
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Rachel Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the potential impact of the raw cane sugar Autonomous Tariff Quota on (a) consumers and (b) the farming industry. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government is currently undertaking a review of the Autonomous Tarif Quota (ATQ) on raw cane sugar following an engagement exercise that closed in March 2025.

We are considering a range of factors including potential impacts on consumers; striking the right balance between supporting domestic sugar beet farmers and refiners and raw cane refining industries; and the UK’s wider strategic trade objectives.

We are carefully considering the potential impact of any changes, and an outcome of this review will be announced in due course.
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Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen protections for whistle-blowers. \p Justin Madders: A worker who ‘blows the whistle’ (known as making a ‘protected disclosure’) on certain types of wrongdoing is entitled to protections under the Employment Rights Act 1996 from detriment or dismissal as a result of blowing the whistle, and a route to redress through Employment Tribunals if those protections are infringed.

The Government’s Employment Rights Bill will strengthen protections for whistleblowers, by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure. This will mean an employee making a protected disclosure about sexual harassment will be entitled to protection from being subjected to detriment or being dismissed by their employer for speaking out.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to ensure that (a) the (i) location and (ii) identity of online sellers can be effectively verified and (b) information on where the item will be shipped from is displayed on the UK websites for global selling platforms. \p Justin Madders: The increase in e-commerce has provided greater choice and convenience, giving consumers access to global markets. However, this has brought significant regulatory challenges.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 requires ‘material information’ to be included in any invitation to purchase. The Act prohibits unfair commercial practices, which includes misleading actions and omissions that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decisions.

Government has committed to consult on introducing proportionate requirements to online actors using powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025. This includes the aim for consumers purchasing online to have appropriate safety information.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 68868 on Companies: Economic Crime, of the businesses dissolved, how many had five or more registered at one address. \p Justin Madders: Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 70 addresses where 5 or more companies were dissolved in Northern Ireland. This impacted a total of 852 companies.

A further 3,000 companies were located at the Companies House default address at the time of their dissolution during this period.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_65

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service on improving guidance on safeguarding complainants during internal grievance processes. \p Justin Madders: The Department has been engaging with Acas on developing their guidance in the context of both Make Work Pay and wider public policy developments. This has included recent discussions around developing Acas’ guidance on internal disciplinary and grievance (D&G) procedures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_66

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of safety regulations for the use of (a) limonene and (b) linalool in consumer products. \p Justin Madders: Limonene and linalool are used in various consumer products including cosmetics and household cleaners. The use of these chemicals in cosmetics is regulated by the UK Cosmetic Regulation and both chemicals are currently included in the list of restricted ingredients for use in cosmetics.

Both chemicals are also found in household cleaners, which are regulated by the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). These regulations require that only safe products can be sold.

The government is confident that the current restrictions are sufficient to ensure that products are safe. However, we keep our regulations under review to ensure that products remain safe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_67

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that companies comply with section 830 of the Companies Act 2006 on dividend payments; and whether he plans to (a) strengthen enforcement and (b) introduce disclosure requirements. \p Justin Madders: Under section 830, companies may only pay a dividend if they have sufficient accumulated realised profits to make the payment. The Government intends to give the audit regulator responsibility for issuing guidance on how companies calculate their realised profits for such purposes as part of wider plans to introduce an Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill when Parliamentary time allows. Additionally, the Government intends in the coming months to consult on options to modernise the corporate reporting framework, which will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to give feedback on how to simplify and reduce reporting as well on possible additional disclosure requirements around realised profits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_68

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of levels of customer satisfaction with Royal Mail’s parcel (a) management and (b) delivery. \p Justin Madders: Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_69

Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will implement equal parental leave rights between (a) biological, (b) adoption and (c) kinship parents. \p Justin Madders: The Government has launched a comprehensive review of the parental leave and pay system to ensure it is fairer and easier to use for all types of families.

All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements are in scope of the review, including Maternity, Paternity and Adoption. It will also consider the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

The Government will conclude the review with a set of findings and a roadmap, including next steps for taking any potential reforms forward to implementation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_70

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62769 on Companies House: Databases, whether Companies House plans to remove entry 08881386 from the register. \p Justin Madders: Companies House will take appropriate action using the powers available whenever suspicious information is brought to its attention or identified by internal checks.

The company in question was dissolved in 2018 and does not form part of the Register of Companies, though its records will remain available for 20 years.

Companies House will act to remove inaccurate information relating to the company in question from the public records.
wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_71

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of spousal visa processing requirements on British citizens with EU spouses who need to travel frequently between the UK and the EU for family or caring responsibilities. \p Seema Malhotra: Customers applying for a spouse visa inside the UK who wish to have to have a quicker decision can use the Super Priority Visa (SPV) service. Customers who choose to use the SPV service should get a decision by the end of the next working day after attending their biometrics appointment. This service is available to all customers including those whose spouses are EU citizens. Further information can be found on GOV.UK: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UK’’

In exceptional circumstances, requests to expedite UK Family Visa applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and take a range of factors into consideration.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_72

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve the process for moving geographical samples between Britain and the EU. \p Seema Malhotra: It is not the responsibility of the Home Office to monitor geographical samples such as soil and water.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_73

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support she is providing to Afghan nationals during their transition from Weeton Barracks to long-term housin; and whether this includes assistance with (a) employment, (b) language training and (c) healthcare access. \p Seema Malhotra: Supporting Afghans on their arrival into the UK is critical in providing a strong foundation for those rebuilding their new life in the UK.

Under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), transitional accommodation is offered for up to 9 months, within which households will be expected to move on to their settled home.

An integration tariff has been developed to provide financial support to Local Authorities (LA) supporting the resettlement of Eligible People (EP) under ARP. Further detail and a breakdown of the integration tariff is provided in the published policy guidance for the ARP.

This is viewable on the following link: Afghan Resettlement Programme: policy guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_74

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to facilitate the visa process for (a) non-British workers working for British companies within UK territorial waters and (b) British workers working in other countries’ territorial waters for short periods of time. \p Seema Malhotra: The government’s longstanding position has been that foreign nationals need permission to work in UK waters. Workers should apply for the appropriate visa before coming to work in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_75

Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with local authorities in areas where the EU Entry/Exit System will come into force on 12 October 2025. \p Seema Malhotra: The EU Entry/Exit System will be implemented at the juxtaposed border controls in the UK. Ministers and officials have been working closely with key affected stakeholders to ensure the necessary preparations are in place. This includes frequent engagement between the Department for Transport and local authorities including Kent County Council.
wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_76

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of ongoing contracts for the provision of migrant hotel services were awarded through (a) competitive tender, (b) direct award and (c) emergency procurement. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The provision of asylum accommodation is primarily delivered through the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts. These were competitively tendered and awarded in 2019. These contracts are in place for a 10 year term and details can be found in the contract finder website.

It is a requirement of the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC) that the AASC providers submit information about subcontractors in their supply chain to the Home Office.

The Home Office requires its outsourced contractors to comply with the legal minimum standards of pay of their staff as set out in the Government National Living Wage legislation; again, this is a contractual obligation on the supplier and is monitored through contract compliance mechanisms.

Our suppliers of Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC) are required to deliver comprehensive training to their staff. The level of training required is dependent on the role being carried out by the staff member. Training standards are a contractual requirement and are monitored through the same mechanisms as referred to above.

The Home Office undertakes rigorous performance management of contracted providers in the provision of accommodation services. This is managed directly through the provisions of the AASC contracts which set out the required service performance levels, service requirements and consequences for not delivering these services to the required standards.

In addition to our contract management procedures the Home Office, through the AIRE contract with Migrant Help, provides a service for asylum seekers to raise any issues or complaints with the services they receive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_77

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) asylum hotels, (b) houses in multiple occupation used to house asylum seekers, (c) other properties used to house asylum seekers and (d) asylum seekers there were in Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley constituency as of 1 September 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 4 September to Question 71421.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_78

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with (a) Apple, (b) Microsoft and (c) Google on the safeguarding of data under the Investigatory Powers Act. \p Dan Jarvis: Home Office Ministers and senior officials regularly meet with key stakeholders, including technology companies, on a range of policies and issues.

It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of any discussions about the Investigatory Powers Act with individual companies for reasons of national security and commercial sensitivity.