theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_878
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_878

Dr Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to ensure that rape victims are given clear (a) communication and (b) timelines for progressing their cases. \p Alex Davies-Jones: This Government is committed to improving victims and survivors of rape’s experience of the justice system. We recognise that rape cases often take longer to progress through the courts, and that delays can have a profound impact on victims’ wellbeing and confidence in the criminal justice process.

To ensure clear communication with victims in the pre-trial period, every Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) area now has at least one dedicated Victim Liaison Officer in its rape and serious sexual offences unit. Pre-trial meetings are offered to all adult victims of these crimes and the CPS have also delivered trauma-informed training to staff as part of their Victim Transformation Programme.

We are also committed to tackling the outstanding caseload to improve timeliness - we have already doubled magistrates’ sentencing powers, so that Crown Courts can focus on the most serious cases, and this year we have funded a record-high allocation of 111,250 Crown Court sitting days. We also commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to propose bold and ambitious measures to deliver swifter justice for victims, including for victims of sexual violence, in his Independent Review of Criminal Courts. We will respond to the recommendations in the first part of the Independent Review in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many inquests following deaths at work are in progress in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Ministry of Justice is responsible for coroner law and policy in England and Wales but does not collate real-time data on inquests in progress across the jurisdiction.

Annual Coroner Statistics for England and Wales are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coroners-statistics-2024. These include information on inquests opened and completed, but this is not broken down by setting.

The Ministry of Justice is not responsible for the coroner jurisdiction in Northern Ireland, which is instead overseen by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department for Justice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46175 on Sexual Offences Act 2003, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to remove the requirement for the accused to have a penis in order to be charged with rape. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides a robust framework of very serious offences criminalising non-consensual sexual penetration. The offence of rape under section 1 of that Act is committed whenever there is intentional penile penetration of a person’s mouth, anus or vagina without consent or reasonable belief in consent. Intentional sexual penetration of a person’s vagina or anus with something other than a penis and without consent or reasonable belief in consent is criminalised by the offence of assault by penetration under section 2 that Act. “Forced penetration”, where a person forces another to penetrate them with their penis (or something else) is covered by the offence of “causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent” under section 4 of that Act.

These three sexual offences are equally serious under the law where penetration is involved and all attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The law in this area is rightly robust, well understood and working effectively. We therefore have no plans to amend the legal definition of section 1 rape, but we continue to keep the criminal law under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to take steps to raise awareness on the potential impact of self-swab rape kits being used to collect DNA on criminal prosecutions. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Ministry of Justice is aware of self-swab kits being marketed to the public as a means of collecting DNA following sexual violence. These kits are in no way associated with any government department or criminal justice agency, or the Government’s wider VAWG mission. We recommend that victims of sexual violence attend a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), where trained clinicians can provide holistic care and forensic evidence can be collected in accordance with established standards.

We are also aware of concerns raised about the promotion of self-swab kits, including those outlined in position statements by the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine and Rape Crisis England & Wales. Support is available for victims of rape through SARCs and the 24-7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line. We are committed to tackling sexual violence and achieving the best outcome for all victims, in line with our goal to halve VAWG within a decade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to ensure that victims are (a) informed and (b) consulted about offenders who partake in chemical suppression programmes. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Medication to Manage Problematic Sexual Arousal (MMPSA) is a pharmaceutical intervention for offenders with ongoing clinical needs who may continue to pose a risk of harm to others because their sexual offending behaviour is driven by obsessive thoughts about sex and display compulsive sexual behaviour.

As MMPSA is a medication prescribed by clinicians according to the health needs of individuals, it would be inappropriate to share personal medical information on treatment with victims in accordance with medical confidentiality.

Eligible victims, including those of serious sexual offences, are supported through the Victim Contact Scheme where Victim Liaison Officers will offer tailored guidance, keep victims informed where appropriate, and help them navigate the parole process. Victims are entitled to measures such as being able to request a summary of a Parole Boards decision, and request additional conditions to an offender’s license in relation to themselves. These services are designed to ensure victims feel heard and supported, while also helping to maintain trust in the system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve (a) victim support and (b) communication processes with (i) victims and (ii) victims' families within the (A) court system and (B) criminal justice system. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government is committed to ensuring victims and victims’ families have the information and support they need to navigate the criminal justice system. Implementation of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 is underway, and once commenced, these measures will help to drive more strategic commissioning of victim support services through the Duty to Collaborate; ensure victims know their rights under the Victims’ Code; and require criminal justice bodies to collect data set out in secondary legislation on how their services comply with the Victims’ Code, which may include information on the victim experience.

The Victims and Courts Bill will provide a new route for victims to request information via a dedicated helpline, which will give victims confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender’s release. The Ministry of Justice is also exploring opportunities to transform how victims access information and experience the justice system through data and digital improvement.

The Ministry of Justice continues to fund victim and witness support services, including ringfenced funding for community-based domestic abuse and sexual violence services, and core funding to Police and Crime Commissioners. The Department funds the Witness Service which provides emotional and practical support to witnesses in court, to enable them to give their best evidence. The Ministry of Justice also commissions a national Homicide Service which aims to ensure families bereaved by, eyewitnesses of, and children or young people impacted by a homicide or major incident where a crime has caused fatalities, receive the support they need to help them build resilience to cope with the impact of these devastating crimes. This includes support through criminal justice processes.

We continually keep under review Ministry of Justice commissioning of victim support services. The Victims Funding Strategy, published in May 2022, sets out a framework to improve the way Government funds victim support services, seeking to better align and co-ordinate funding to enable victims to receive the support they need.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the safety of the use of PAVA spray in youth offender institutions. \p Jake Richards: In April 2025, the Government announced a limited rollout of PAVA incapacitant spray in the three young offender institutions (YOIs) for 15 to 18-year-olds (Werrington, Wetherby and Feltham A). It was determined that this was a necessary measure to protect children and members of staff at risk of serious and life changing injuries from incidents of violence.

The potential use of PAVA spray in YOIs was the subject of lengthy consideration. This included research from available sources, and work with specialists across HM Prison and Probation Service and beyond. The advice of medical advisors and legal experts was taken into account in reaching the decision.

PAVA is now available to specially selected and trained groups of staff at Werrington, Wetherby, and Feltham A, to facilitate an immediate local response to a serious incident. It is only to be used as a last resort, in response to an immediate threat of serious harm.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has considered introducing a statutory time limit for executors to apply for probate following a person’s death. \p Alex Davies-Jones: There is currently no maximum time limit within which a personal representative must obtain a grant of probate, but there are penalties laid down for administering an estate without a grant of representation, and there are time limits for paying tax for which an estate is liable prior to applying for a grant.

There are also mechanisms for beneficiaries and other interested parties to hold personal representatives to account for failure to act in applying for probate, and if necessary to seek their removal.

The existing legal framework offers flexibility, accepting the probate process is a complex one at an emotional time for many personal representatives and there are no plans at present to reform the law.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of claims under the Eastwood Park Compensation Scheme have resulted in payouts; and what the average amount paid out for those claims is. \p Jake Richards: The Eastwood Park Detention Centre Settlement Scheme commenced on 14 January 2025. To date, 659 claims have been received including 264 claims settled with damages paid. There are 6 further claims where settlement has been agreed, and payments will be made shortly.

Of the 264 claims settled to date, the average payment is £3,114.

Since the commencement of the scheme in January, the average length of time taken to settle claims is 136 days (at 30 September 2025). This figure should not be taken as a benchmark expectation for any outstanding or future claims. The amount of time taken to settle a claim will vary in each case based on a variety of factors such as incomplete information provided when the claim is lodged. All claims are subject to appropriate scrutiny and HM Treasury approval.

The Prison Service successfully defends two-thirds of cases brought by prisoners. Any debts owed by offenders to their victims and the courts are deducted before a payment is made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) tackle unfair purchasing practices and (b) protect (i) suppliers and (ii) workers in fashion industry supply chains in Surrey Heath. \p Chris Bryant: The Government expects all UK companies to respect human rights, workers’ rights and the environment throughout their operations and supply chains in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). If there are concerns related to a multinational enterprise contravening the OECD Guidelines, a case can be raised with the Office for Responsible Business Conduct.

In the Trade Strategy, the Government also launched a review into the UK’s approach to RBC, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains. This includes the fashion industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support for small high street businesses in (a) Stafford and (b) other market towns. \p Blair McDougall: Our Plan for Small Businesses sets out how government will work across departments to help SMEs, including those on the high street, to start and thrive.

High street businesses will benefit from legislation to end the scourge of late payments costing the UK economy £11bn annually. With a £4bn finance boost, we are increasing access to finance for entrepreneurs and business owners through the Government-backed British Business Bank.

Businesses in Stafford can access both one-on-one support from the Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire Growth Hub and our new Business Growth Service. For example, between 2012 and 30 June 2025, 142 Start Up Loans worth £1.56m were issued to entrepreneurs in Stafford.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of (a) human rights issues (b) the provision of fair wages and (c) the impact of climate change of the tea trade. \p Chris Bryant: 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 cover all sectors of the economy, including the tea trade.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he expects the review of responsible business conduct to (a) conclude and (b) report any policy recommendations. \p Chris Bryant: 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 and environmental harms in global supply chains.

The Government is progressing the review at pace while ensuring that we harness the insight of a range of stakeholders. We will continue to provide regular updates as we progress the review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Alex Barros-Curtis:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to introduce robust human rights and environmental due diligence legislation for UK businesses operating within global supply chains. \p Chris Bryant: The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct. 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 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 alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. It will have due regard to the effectiveness of any measures on supply chain resilience and the livelihoods of global producers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to undertake regular assessments of the exposure of supply chains to Uyghur forced labour. \p Chris Bryant: This Government stands firm on human rights, including the repression of Uyghurs, and continues to work with international partners to find ways of holding China to account.

The Government’s Overseas Business Risk guidance sets out the risks of operating in certain regions and urges companies to conduct appropriate due diligence, in line with the UN Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct.

In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into responsible business conduct. The review is considering how we can best tackle supply chain harms, such as forced labour. This includes consideration of measures to improve supply chain transparency and traceability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure the views of producers in the Global South involved in UK supply chains are factored into (a) his Department's review of responsible business conduct and (b) any policy recommendations it makes. \p Chris Bryant: 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.

Throughout the review, we will harness the insights and expertise of civil society and our international trading partners, as well as businesses, investors, trade unions and academia. Stakeholders will also be given the opportunity to feed into the National Baseline Assessment on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which will run in parallel and inform the review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the use of bankruptcy law by companies to avoid repaying contractual repayments. \p Blair McDougall: My Department has not made this assessment. Statistics on the volumes of corporate insolvencies are published and can be found at Company insolvency statistics releases - GOV.UK.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take through the new trade strategy to help ensure that farmers and workers in global supply chains earn a living wage. \p Chris Bryant: 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 and addressing such issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to ensure that companies are held to account when they fail to prevent (a) human rights abuses and (b) environmental harms in their supply chains. \p Chris Bryant: The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct. 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 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 alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the practice of voluntary liquidation by companies with (a) liabilities and (b) outstanding contractual obligations that begin operations under another name. \p Blair McDougall: My Department has not made these assessments. However, liquidators of an insolvent company are required to report on the conduct of its directors to the Insolvency Service, who will consider investigating potential misconduct and seek to disqualify the directors if appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the existing legislative framework for dealing with (a) human rights and (b) environmental harms in UK businesses supply chains. \p Chris Bryant: 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.

The review will focus on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK. It 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 measures to support responsible business practices.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle unsustainable (a) purchasing practices, (b) pricing structures and (c) business models by UK businesses. \p Chris Bryant: The Government expects all UK companies to respect human rights, workers’ rights and the environment throughout their operations and supply chains in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). If there are concerns related to a multinational enterprise contravening the OECD Guidelines, a case can be raised with the Office for Responsible Business Conduct.

In the Trade Strategy, the Government also launched a review into the UK’s approach to RBC, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ask the British Business Bank to support credit unions to offer loans to small businesses. \p Blair McDougall: The British Business Bank is backing Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) with £150 million of capital through the Community ENABLE Funding programme, to support small businesses that are under-served by commercial lenders.

Credit unions play a valuable role in providing both loans and savings, with 2.2 million members across the UK. Unlike CDFIs, which are not authorised to offer bank accounts, credit unions are able to attract customer deposits and are not reliant on wholesale finance. For this reason, the British Business Bank has no current plans to support credit unions to offer loans to small businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 76154 on Bounce Back Loan Scheme: Fraud, for what reason his Department's contract with the National Investigation Service to investigate Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud was renewed on 1 April 2024. \p Blair McDougall: The contract with Thurrock for the services of the National Investigation Service (NATIS) was renewed under the previous government on 1 April 2024 to continue service delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support small and medium-sized enterprises to prepare for new market access arising from free trade agreement negotiations with Turkey; and with how many businesses his Department has held discussions on these negotiations. \p Chris Bryant: It is too soon to presume on the final outcomes of FTA negotiations with Türkiye but we have held two successful rounds of negotiations during which amongst other things both sides committed to a Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) chapter.

During our Call for Input we received substantial interest, including over 130 submissions from businesses and over 200 responses in total. We continue to actively engage businesses and stakeholders throughout negotiations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on (a) manufacturing jobs, (b) consumer prices, (c) business competitiveness and (d) costs to businesses. \p Chris Bryant: In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. The UK was the first country to secure such an agreement that removes tariffs for civil aerospace goods, and we remain the only country to have secured a 10% tariff for automotives within quota – saving hundreds of millions of pounds on UK exports annually. In 2024, the UK aerospace and automotive industries directly accounted for 232,000 jobs.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal to address specific tariff and non-tariff barriers, increase digital trade, and unlock new commercial opportunities that benefit both nations.

The Prime Minister, Business Secretary, Ministers and officials across government have been engaging widely with business organisations and companies across the economy. We will continue our extensive engagement throughout the remaining negotiations.
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Carolyn Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of excise duty levels on the export competitiveness of UK-produced spirits; and what spirit exports were by (a) value and (b) volume in the last period for which data is available. \p Chris Bryant: DBT helps distillers access global markets and increase competitiveness through free trade agreements such as the UK-India FTA, breaking down market access barriers and providing targeted support via business.gov.uk. Excise duty does not apply to spirits produced and exported from the UK. In the 12 months to August 2025, UK spirit exports were provisionally valued at £6.7 billion, with a total volume of around 500 million litres.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of whether (a) Elbit Systems UK and (b) Forge Solutions have supplied arms to Israel. \p Chris Bryant: The Government has suspended all export licences for equipment that we assess could be used in military operations in Gaza, with the exception of the special measures that we have taken with regard to the global F-35 programme. We have implemented that suspension and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications on the same basis.

The Government recently published extensive information on extant export licences to Israel, available at: Export control licensing management information for Israel - GOV.UK. Specific detail on the assessment of individual companies’ licences is not regularly provided as this is commercially sensitive and provided in confidence by companies acting fully within the law – but all licences granted to UK exporters for Israel are within the scope of our current suspension, and in line with the requirements of our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.
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Carolyn Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support (a) small and (b) independent distillers wishing to export. \p Chris Bryant: DBT negotiates new free trade agreements, such as the UK-India FTA, and seeks to remove market access barriers for UK distillers. We recently agreed a Geographic Indicator for Scotch Whisky in Argentina. DBT provides direct export support via business.gov.uk, including access to the Business Academy and international market teams. This November, DBT will lead a landmark Spirits trade mission to New Delhi and Mumbai, offering UK distillers a strategic gateway into India’s fast-growing alcoholic drinks market. Distillers of all sizes can access UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, which offers a wide range of products to support exporters and export-ready businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many (a) standard and (b) open export licences for the export of arms or military equipment to Israel were granted in each of the last five years. \p Chris Bryant: HM Government includes information on export licence outcomes as part of official statistics published on GOV.UK. The information sought can be found at gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data. Open Licences are also published online, including details on permitted countries and regions.

Additionally, detailed information on extant licences to Israel has been published up to 31 July 2025, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-31-july-2025.

This Government suspended around 30 export licences to Israel in September 2024, and since that time has refused more than 40 further applications where it was assessed there was a clear risk the items might be used in military operations in Gaza.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to promote workplace diversity and inclusion. \p Kate Dearden: DBT’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Framework - Embracing Fairness for All (2024-28) is aligned to the cross-Civil Service strategy and includes specific actions such as training to build inclusive line management capability. The framework sets out our approach to D&I, aiming to enhance opportunity, fairness and belonging for all our people, in all our locations by using data to ensure it is evidence led. We work with our Diversity and Inclusion Networks to collaborate and engage on D&I activity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of US Section 232 steel and aluminium tariffs on the level of exports. \p Chris Bryant: Thanks to the strength of the UK-US partnership, the UK remains the only country to benefit from a preferential 25% tariff on steel and aluminium exports to the US, avoiding the global rate of 50%. The UK is therefore uniquely positioned as the only country to have secured this commitment, giving our companies a 25% competitive advantage over global competitors.

We continue to engage closely with the steel and aluminium sectors, holding regular discussions with senior industry leaders and trade unions to assess and understand the impact of US tariffs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_910

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the end-use of UK arms exports to Israel to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. \p Chris Bryant: The UK’s approach to export licensing under the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria involves a rigorous risk assessment before a licence is issued. These checks consider the nature of the items, the end-users and proposed end uses, information on which is typically provided through signed End-User and Stockist Undertakings (EUSUs).

This Government has suspended export licences where it was assessed that items covered might be used in Gaza, as announced to Parliament on 2 September 2024.

It is an offence for an export licence applicant to knowingly make a statement which is false. Licences are also kept under close and ongoing review. We are able to suspend or revoke licences as necessary when circumstances require.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_911
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_911

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with consumer protection bodies on the potential impact of businesses that do not provide direct human customer services contact on the level of service provided to consumers. \p Kate Dearden: The Government expects all businesses to treat their consumers fairly. Businesses are required under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address.

As long as businesses comply with this requirement, the mechanisms they use to provide customer services is a commercial decision that the government does not normally seek to intervene in.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_912
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_912

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for the Government’s arms export licensing regime of the judgment in the recent case concerning the sale of F-35 components to Israel. \p Chris Bryant: In the judgment handed down on 30 June, the Divisional Court accepted the Government’s submission that the only way for the UK to ensure that components supplied from the UK to the global F-35 programme do not reach Israel is for it to suspend all exports into the programme, and that therefore this Government faced the blunt choice of exempting F-35 components from its decision to suspend certain exports of military equipment to Israel, or accepting significant consequences for national and international peace and security.

That decision was in line with the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which provide for the application to specific cases of specific measures as announced to Parliament. The Court acknowledged the F-35 decision was a such a specific measure in an exceptional case and its judgment reflects the rigour, care and thoroughness the Government applies to its export licensing decisions.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_913
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_913

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of varying the reference period for the guaranteed-hours provisions in the Employment Rights Bill for sectors with particularly high degrees of seasonality. \p Kate Dearden: We expect the initial reference period to be 12 weeks long. The frequency and length of subsequent reference periods will be subject to consultation and set out in regulations.

We are conscious of the importance of seasonal workers and industries. There will be several ways for employers to maintain seasonal flexibility in line with the Bill. One is that the Bill allows employers to use fixed-term contracts to manage their workforce around the demand they expect.

We will consult publicly on the detail of the guaranteed hours measures.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_914
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_914

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies on employment law of the adequacy of working rights of app-based (a) private hire drivers and (b) couriers. \p Kate Dearden: On Monday 21 October 2024, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill.

This is available at: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_915
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_915

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the contribution of hospitality businesses to economic growth in coastal and rural communities. \p Kate Dearden: The Government recognises the significant role hospitality businesses play in driving economic growth, employment and community cohesion across the UK, especially in coastal and rural areas. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector, such as the Hospitality Support Scheme to co-invest in projects that boost productivity and help community pubs adapt to local needs.

Whilst there has been no specific assessment on economic contribution for rural or coastal hospitality businesses, in 2024, the hospitality sector contributed £51.5 billion to the UK economy, representing 2.0% of total output.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_916
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_916

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of whether the processes used by Uber to deactivate drivers from its platform complies with UK employment law. \p Kate Dearden: The Government does not make individual assessments of companies' compliance with employment law. The Supreme Court's 2021 ruling on Uber drivers established that many drivers should be classified as workers with corresponding rights under UK employment law. Enforcement of employment law is undertaken by appropriate regulatory bodies including HMRC for National Minimum Wage, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, and ultimately the employment tribunal system.

Any worker who believes their rights have been breached can seek redress through an employment tribunal, which determines compliance on a case-by-case basis.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_917
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_917

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the costs to his Department of extreme weather events related to climate change on the level of economic growth since 1 January 2020; and what steps he is taking to help reduce those costs through (a) adaptation and (b) resilience measures. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made an assessment of the financial cost to the Department (either in terms of physical damage, disruption to operations or employee productivity) of extreme weather events during the period in question. Officials are working with GIAA and their ongoing cross government review of compliance with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and we will consider their recommendations when these are published. The Government Property Agency manages the department's estate and has responsibility for relevant climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans.

Since October 2023, the Department has supported eligible SME businesses to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events on their premises via the Business Recovery Grants scheme. This formed part of the Government’s wider support package to communities under the Flooding Recovery Framework. Prior to the creation of DBT in April 2023, the scheme was operated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). DBT does not hold data on the schemes managed by BEIS prior to October 2023.

More broadly, DBT is working to deliver on its commitments under the Third National Adaptation Plan - supporting businesses to adapt to the risks of climate change and take advantage of future opportunities for economic growth. This has informed our priorities under the Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy and Plan for Small Business.

DBT will also be working closely with Defra as they develop the Government's approach to the Fourth National Adaptation Programme, which will apply from 2028, following recent advice from the CCC that the government should prepare for 2°C of warming by 2050).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_918

Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a statutory right to (a) paid leave and (b) job protection for parents of (i) critically and (ii) terminally ill children. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade has committed to consult on employment rights for parents of seriously ill children, including terminally ill children, and will develop this consultation in partnership with key stakeholders such as the charity It's Never You. Developing and delivering this consultation will allow the department to properly consider the merits and potential costs of any such entitlement.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_919
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_919

Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to meet with representatives of (a) museums and (b) galleries to discuss the potential impact of proposals for the implementation of a new subscription contracts regime on those organisations. \p Kate Dearden: My department has regularly engaged with representatives from museums and galleries during the consultation on the implementation of the subscription regime (Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime - GOV.UK). We are carefully considering the points they have raised about the impact of the proposals and will continue to engage closely with the sector.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_920
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_920

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he has taken to support hospitality businesses with cashflow pressures. \p Kate Dearden: The Government recognises the vital role of hospitality businesses in our communities and economy, and the pressures they face, that’s why we’re taking targeted action to support them.

In April, we launched a Taskforce to consider ways to create a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025). These reforms are part of the Small Business Strategy, which also tackles late payments, improves access to finance, and cuts red tape. We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents.

Additionally, we’re creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council to boost productivity and resilience by working together to address the challenges facing businesses.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_921
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_921

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) legal and (b) ethical business practices are followed when firms undertake redundancies. \p Kate Dearden: I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 80529, issued on 15th October 2025: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament