theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-28)

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Yasmin Qureshi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research his Department has commissioned on the health impacts of ultra-processed food; and when he expects findings to be published. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR launched a research call in July 2024 on the health and health inequality impacts of interventions that effect consumption of ultra processed foods, for which a funding decision will be made later this year. Findings from NIHR studies are made publicly available when the research has completed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-28)

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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that opportunities to talk about future travel plans are being taken up with people potentially susceptible to contracting malaria (a) at new patient checks, (b) at childhood immunisation appointments and (c) outside a specific travel health consultation. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency publishes malaria-specific migrant health guidance for healthcare practitioners. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/malaria-migrant-health-guide

This calls for all practitioners to raise awareness of the risk of malaria by asking non-United Kingdom born patients from malarious countries whether they will be returning home to visit friends and relatives, and to advise how and when they should seek travel advice. The guidance reinforces that anyone visiting a malarious area can become infected regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or country of birth, and that malaria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Travellers are advised to get advice before they travel to areas where malaria is found. Pre-travel health services are available from private travel clinics, pharmacies, and some general practices. Further information on the pre travel health services that are available can be found at the following link:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/gp-mythbusters/gp-mythbuster-107-pretravel-health-services

There are no current plans to ensure that opportunities to talk about future travel plans are being taken up with people that are potentially susceptible to contracting malaria at new patient checks or childhood immunisation appointments, or outside of specific travel health consultations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-28)

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Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to update the existing regulations on (a) composition, (b) marketing and (c) labelling of commercial infant and toddler foods to ensure products are suitably nutritious. \p Ashley Dalton: Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influences many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we have regulations in place that set nutritional and compositional standards for commercial baby food. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy. We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure they reflect the latest scientific and dietary guidelines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-28)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 44587 on Parliamentary Estates: Artworks, what the (a) nature, (b) title and (c) artist is of each item that was (i) installed and (ii) removed since (A) dissolution of the previous Parliament and (B) 4 July 2024. \p Nick Smith: The attached data provides detail of individual artworks falling under the following categories:

iA) artworks installed between dissolution and 4 July 2024 (40 artworks)

iiA) artworks removed between dissolution and 4 July 2024 (80 artworks)

iB) artworks installed since 4 July 2024 (185 artworks)

iiB) artworks removed since 4 July 2024 (375 artworks)

In collating this data, so far as possible we have included neither artworks which were temporarily removed to allow for maintenance works and have since been rehung in the same location, nor artworks which were briefly off display and then moved location with a Member’s office.

Data of individual artworks (pdf, 454.1KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65293 on Defence: Finance, what the total quantum of spend on the Chagos settlement is, for each remaining year of the current Parliament. \p Darren Jones: The UK’s financial obligations under the UK-Mauritius Treaty can be found in the document ‘UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia’, which is available on Gov.uk. Payments will be managed responsibly within the government’s fiscal framework and reported in annual accounts in the usual way. Obligations within MOD and FCDO budgets have been agreed through the recently published Spending Review. No payments will be made until the treaty is legally binding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to inheritance tax on social mobility. \p James Murray: The estates of all individuals benefit from a £325,000 nil-rate band for inheritance tax. The residence nil-rate band is a further £175,000 and is available to those passing on a qualifying residence on death to their direct descendants, such as children or grandchildren. This means qualifying estates can pass on up to £500,000 and the qualifying estate of a surviving spouse or civil partner can pass on up to £1 million without an inheritance tax liability. This is because any unused nil-rate band or residence nil-rate band is transferable to a surviving spouse or civil partner.

The combination of nil-rate bands, exemptions, and reliefs means less than 10 per cent of estates across the UK are forecast to have an inheritance tax liability in 2029-30. However, inheritance tax still makes an important contribution to the public finances and it is now forecast to raise more than £14 billion in 2029-30 to help deliver public services. This includes over £2 billion more in 2029-30 from changes to the inheritance tax system announced at Autumn Budget 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of recent changes to stamp duty thresholds on the number of first time buyers entering the property market. \p James Murray: Recent changes to stamp duty thresholds on 1 April 2025 were the result of policy introduced by the previous government. HMRC analysis estimates that there will be 4,000-6,000 fewer first-time buyer transactions per year between 2025/26-2029/30 as a result.

At Budget 2024, the Government increased the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for additional dwellings by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will help to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing the tax exemption from woodlands. \p James Murray: Income Tax and Corporation Tax do not apply to woodlands managed on a commercial basis and with a view to making profits. This treatment was introduced in 1988 to prevent high-income individuals sheltering other income from tax by setting it against expenditure on forestry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of VAT on the affordability of support services for people with (a) permanent disabilities and (b) dementia. \p James Murray: Supplies of welfare services, including the provision of care for people with permanent disabilities and dementia, are exempt from VAT if they are supplied by eligible bodies, such as public bodies or charities.

When developing policy, including on VAT on welfare services, the Treasury carefully considers the impact of its decisions on those sharing any of the nine protected characteristics, including disability, age, sex and race, in line with its statutory obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty set out in the Equality Act 2010.

More generally, VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to consult with (a) agricultural stakeholders, (b) farmers and (c) groups that represent farmers in the development of its proposed changes to inheritance tax policy. \p James Murray: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

Ministers from multiple Government departments have had several meetings with agricultural organisations on this matter since Autumn Budget 2024. As the Minister with responsibility for the UK tax system, I have had meetings with organisations including the National Farmers’ Union, the Tenant Farmers’ Association, the Country Land and Business Association, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65293 on Defence: Finance, if she will publish the percentage of GDP spent on defence for each financial year since 2018/2019. \p Darren Jones: Historic NATO qualifying defence spend as a percentage of GDP is published on the NATO website:

240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Sarah Olney:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of increasing the Trading Allowance to £3,000. \p James Murray: The Trading Allowance allows individuals to earn up to £1,000 a year in trading or miscellaneous income tax-free, and this has not changed. The Government is increasing the Income Tax Self-Assessment reporting threshold from £1,000 to £3,000 gross within this parliament.

Individuals will still owe tax on anything above £1,000, but if below £3,000 they will be able to report their income through a new HMRC online service rather than Self-Assessment. This will reduce administrative burdens for up to 300,000 traders.

The Government must ensure the tax system supports strong public finances whilst targeting support where it is most needed. As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps the taxation of trading income under review. Any decisions on future changes will be taken by the Chancellor in the context of the wider public finances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, column 633, referencing spending 2.6% on defence from 2027, how much will be spent out of the defence budget on increasing capacity in the intelligence and security services from 2027. \p Darren Jones: The Intelligence and Security Services are funded through the Single Intelligence Account (SIA), which is separate from the Ministry of Defence's budget.

The budget for the SIA from 2027 onwards is set out in the Spending Review 2025 document - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65293 on Defence: Finance, if she will publish the average increase as a percentage of GDP spent on defence expenditure from 2027, excluding the addition of intelligence and security services spend. \p Darren Jones: NATO qualifying defence expenditure is calculated using standardised NATO definitions of defence spending, as agreed by NATO allies.

Annual defence expenditure per country is reported to NATO on a regular basis and is published on their website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Act 2025 on small and medium sized businesses. \p James Murray: A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from the changes to employer NICs by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Maureen Burke:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding from the Growth Mission fund to Springburn Winter Gardens. \p Darren Jones: In her recent Spending Review speech, the Chancellor announced that the Government would be establishing a Growth Mission Fund to expedite local projects that are important for growth.

Whilst we cannot confirm funding allocations yet, our £240 million Growth Mission Fund should support transformative projects that give local leaders real investment to deliver real change.

Details regarding funding criteria will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help improve HMRC investigation times. \p James Murray: As part of our transformation of HMRC, we are improving our compliance learning offer to build the capability of both new trainees and established colleagues. Our Compliance Professional Standards reinforce that all colleagues should be mindful to avoid unnecessary delay in dealing with cases and keep customers informed throughout the compliance activity.

HMRC’s new Interactive Compliance Guidance tool, launched in April 2025, is designed to help businesses and individuals understand HMRC compliance checks, improving our support for customers. This promotes a better experience for the customer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Esther McVey:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's proposals for a Remote Betting & Gaming Duty on (a) levels of investment in the UK, (b) consumer costs and (c) levels of illegal gambling. \p James Murray: The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one. The Government welcomes views from stakeholders, as part of the consultation process.

No final policy decisions have been made. If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget following the consultation, they will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts, including to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

DCMS works closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with powers to move quickly and effectively to take down illegal gambling websites.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to support people who were ineligible for government financial support measures during the Covid pandemic. \p Darren Jones: Decisions on eligibility for Covid-19 financial support were taken by the previous government.

The previous Government provided support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The support was based on two principles: a) targeting support at those who needed it most; and b) guarding against error, fraud, and abuse, whilst reaching as many individuals as possible. Those ineligible for the schemes may have been eligible for other elements of financial support provided by the previous Government.

The current Government is working to improve living standards for everyone across the country. We are taking immediate action to support individuals, such as committing to no increases in employee National Insurance, Income Tax or VAT as we want to keep taxes low for working people. Driving growth is the Government’s number one mission, which will help individuals by boosting wages and putting more money in people’s pockets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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James Naish:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation plans to issue updated guidance to asset managers on the risks of holding Hong Kong-listed securities that track sanctioned Chinese parent companies through Stock Connect. \p Emma Reynolds: UK businesses should ensure compliance with all UK sanctions regulations as part of their business operations, including performing due diligence checks on all of their clients, suppliers and partners. Non-compliance with UK sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through financial penalties or criminal prosecution.

OFSI has delivered a wealth of guidance, advisories, alerts and threat assessment reports assessing sectoral threats and vulnerabilities relating to financial sanctions. These products have been produced to support industry to comply with UK sanctions, including as part of their global operations. OFSI is not currently working on further guidance for the Hong Kong securities sector. If firms are unclear on their obligations, they should seek legal advice.

If somebody has evidence or information of activity that contravenes UK financial sanctions, this should be reported to OFSI immediately using the reporting form available on GOV.UK(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/suspected-breach-of-financial-sanctions-what-to-do).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2024 to Question 65661 on Wealth: Taxation, whether this will include a wealth tax. \p James Murray: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to UIN 65661.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he next plans to conduct a national security assessment of (a) British Steel and (b) the wider UK steel industry. \p Sarah Jones: The government is conducting a range of assessments and analysis to inform future options for British Steel and our strategy for the steel industry. Matters relating to national security are under constant review. We do not comment on the timing or content of any assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered increasing the size of the Steel Fund, in the context of funding allocated to the running of British Steel under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. \p Sarah Jones: We are committed to providing up to £2.5bn for steel which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund.

At the Spending Review, the Chancellor confirmed that we will invest in the long-term future of Scunthorpe. We have been clear that private investment to modernise British Steel will also be required and work continues at pace to develop the optimal approach. Over £100m of funding has been provided to British Steel to ensure continued operation of the blast furnaces.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to replace the import safeguard quotas for steel when they expire in June 2026. \p Sarah Jones: Steel is a top priority for this Government and we recognise the continuing challenges facing the UK steel industry – driven by persistent overcapacity and unfair trading practices.

We will ensure there is a plan in place for the UK steel industry following the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. That is why we launched a Call for Evidence on Steel Trade Measures on the 26th of June to inform the design of any potential trade measures, including appropriate tariff rates and quota levels.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has set a cap on the amount of funding he will allocate to the running of British Steel in the next three financial years. \p Sarah Jones: Funding is provided to British Steel under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act. This funding is intended to ensure the safe and continued operation of the blast furnaces. The intervention is a temporary measure and work is continuing to determine the best long-term sustainable future for the site.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 64503 on British Steel: Scunthorpe, what conclusion the report in late 2024 commissioned at British Steel reached on the remaining lifespan of the blast furnaces. \p Sarah Jones: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 65668.
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether English and Welsh wine was discussed during trade deal discussions with (a) India and (b) the US. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK Government seeks the best possible outcome for UK businesses in all aspects of negotiations and ongoing market access engagement with other governments, based on industry engagement and economic analysis.

Under the UK-India FTA, we agreed a review mechanism, allowing us to revisit areas of interest in future, which could include liberalisation on English Wine.

Negotiations with the US on the Economic Prosperity Deal are ongoing.

The Department for Business and Trade also offers extensive export support for English wine producers through business.gov.uk. At the start of July there was a Meet-The-Market roadshow hosted across England with direct access to department trade officers from key growth markets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the report entitled Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking, published in June 2025, whether his Department plans to commission a review into the exploitation risks faced by gig economy riders using e-bikes. \p Justin Madders: We recognise that many delivery riders in the platform economy value the flexibility it can bring. However, new technologies and ways of working have made it more complex for businesses and workers to understand and apply the law, which is why the Government is committed to consulting on a simpler framework for employment status.

Our priority is ensuring those workers who are most vulnerable know their rights and have the benefit of protection at work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) flexible and (b) seasonal work patterns in the (i) beer and (ii) pub sector the recruitment and retention of staff. \p Gareth Thomas: In my capacity as co-chair of the Hospitality Sector Council I regularly meet with businesses in these sectors to discuss the issues they face, including their challenges around recruitment and retention of staff.

We have extended our Hospitality Sector Work based Academy programme to a further 26 areas, offering jobseekers training in a working environment, work experience, and a guaranteed interview with participating employers, with the aim of addressing staffing shortages in the sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with the Office for Product Safety and Standards on the enforcement of standards for e-bike (a) batteries and (b) conversion kits. \p Justin Madders: Under existing UK product safety law, all consumer products, including e-bike batteries and conversion kits, must meet legal requirements for safety when placed on the market. Tackling unsafe e-bikes is a priority for the Office for Product Safety and Standards, in my Department. They and Local Authority Trading Standards have powers to enforce the law including removing non-compliant products from sale. OPSS has prohibited the supply of certain models of unsafe e-bike batteries, and published 22 separate product recalls for non-compliant e-bikes and similar products since 2022.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help support businesses to take up digital technologies. \p Gareth Thomas: The SME Digital Adoption Taskforce will shortly publish its final recommendations to accelerate digital adoption among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and we are launching pilots to test delivery of support.

Our Industrial Strategy set out ambitions, informed by the Technology Adoption Review, to increase digital adoption in growth-driving sectors. This includes expansion of Made Smarter Adoption up to £99m for manufacturing SMEs.

This complements existing support like Help to Grow: Management which offers training to business leaders (including on digital), National Cyber Security Centre guidance, and implementation of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including (a) semiconductors, (b) offshore wind and (c) digital infrastructure in further bilateral investment co-operation under the investment pillar of the UK–Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, flexible trading arrangements and partnerships, such as the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP), are a valuable part of our toolkit.

The Investment Pillar of the ETP, along with the Digital Trade and Energy & Net Zero Pillars, sets out commitments on our respective trade and investment environments and frameworks. Our cooperation through the ETP will support trade and investment across all sectors, especially in the growth driving sectors outlined in the Modern Industrial Strategy. In particular, we will be focusing our implementation activities on complementary strengths between the UK and Taiwan, including in Advanced Manufacturing, Offshore Wind and Digital Infrastructure.

My department will keep businesses informed as we work with Taiwan to deliver our commitments under the ETP.
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Susan Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of employment protections for individuals engaged on zero-hour contracts. \p Justin Madders: The Government does not believe that individuals engaged on zero-hours contracts currently benefit from sufficient employment protections.

The Government is addressing this through the Employment Rights Bill, by ensuring that employers have to offer qualifying workers guaranteed hours. The Bill will also require employers to offer shifts with reasonable notice and make cancellation payments if they cancel, move or curtail shifts at short notice.

This Government is introducing other landmark reforms in the Employment Rights Bill, including day one protection from unfair dismissal, better protection from sexual harassment and improved Statutory Sick Pay.
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Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring employment policies reflect the needs of sectors with high levels of (a) youth and (b) seasonal employment. \p Justin Madders: The Secretary of State, responsible Ministers and policy officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury about a range of issues including on the Plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Bill.

The Bill will deliver significant benefits to the UK, including, better working conditions, more secure work, reducing inequalities and improving industrial relations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_31

Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to ban the sale of (a) e-bikes and (b) scooters that are not legally allowed to be used on roads. \p Justin Madders: The UK’s legal framework for product safety places responsibility for the safety of e-bikes and e-scooters on the businesses manufacturing or importing them. The Office for Product Safety and Standards and Local Authority Trading Standards enforce the regulations.

Vehicles sold for a legitimate and permitted use but which are used on public land illegally is an enforcement matter for the police, under the Department for Transport’s road safety regime.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_32

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the findings of the most recent four day week pilot; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure businesses have a structured forum in which to share insights on effective implementation. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted.

We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_33

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that self-employed delivery riders are included in mandatory training obligations designed to protect (a) themselves and (b) the public. \p Justin Madders: Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, self-employed people have duties with regards to health and safety where they employ others, or where their work creates a risk to others who are not their employees. Existing UK laws also require that all consumer products must be safe before businesses can place them on the market, including those sold online.

We recognise that new technologies and ways of working have made it more complex for businesses and workers to apply the law, which is why the Government has committed to consulting on a simpler framework for employment status.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_34

Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing legal duties on online marketplaces to (a) verify sellers of e-bikes and (b) remove unsafe e-bike listings. \p Justin Madders: All products placed on the market in the UK must be safe. However, the current legislative framework was not designed with online supply chains in mind. This is a key reason why Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which provides powers to update the framework and improve the safety of products sold online.

Following Royal Assent, we intend to consult on using the Bill’s powers to modernise the responsibilities of online marketplaces, so that they take steps to prevent unsafe products being made available to consumers and to ensure that sellers comply with product safety obligations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_35

Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to implement (a) the proposed PAS 7250 specification and (b) other safety standards for e-bikes. \p Justin Madders: As part of its work tackling unsafe e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), in my Department, has commissioned the British Standards Institution to develop the publicly available specification (PAS) 7250. This will focus on the technical safety of lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes, e-scooters and e-bike conversion kits, and is expected to be published within 18 months. The new PAS will help manufacturers and other businesses to comply with their legal obligations for product safety.

OPSS is also engaging with stakeholders on future updates to e-bike standard EN 15194:2017.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_36

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance Companies House has provided on whether political parties may be incorporated as (a) unlimited and (b) limited companies. \p Justin Madders: Companies House has not issued general guidance on whether political parties may be incorporated as (a) unlimited and (b) limited companies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_37

Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to introduce a national e-bike safety kitemark scheme to distinguish (a) legally compliant and (b) fire-tested products. \p Justin Madders: Under existing product safety legislation, all consumer products must be safe when they are placed on the UK market. For e-bikes, this includes carrying UKCA (or CE) marking to demonstrate the manufacturer has undertaken all relevant assessments to assure safety in normal use. It is an offence for such products to be supplied without this necessary marking.

Many industry-led voluntary schemes like kitemarks and trusted trader initiatives can help consumers identify reputable products. The kitemark is a registered quality certification mark of the British Standards Institution and is owned and operated by them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_38

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that online marketplaces are held accountable for the sale of (a) unsafe and (b) non-compliant e-bike products. \p Justin Madders: UK product safety law is clear: all products must be safe before being placed on the market, including e-bikes.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards leads a national Online Marketplaces Programme of regulatory action to reduce risks from unsafe and non-compliant goods sold online. This involves a range of activities, including regulatory engagement with online marketplaces on products such as e-bikes and enforcement action where necessary.

The Government has also introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to allow updates to the product safety framework and ensure consumers are protected; recognising the increasingly important role of online supply chains.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_39

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the current regulatory framework for the locksmith industry. \p Justin Madders: The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members.

The government keeps the occupational regulation regime under review and continues to monitor any concerns raised by the public or the industry, including those related to locksmithing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_40

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to address consumer protection concerns in the locksmith sector. \p Justin Madders: The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members.

The Government encourages consumers to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), which has a Police Crime Prevention-approved licensing scheme in place to ensure approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_41

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department will take to encourage (a) awareness and (b) take-up of UK Export Finance products by SMEs planning to trade with Taiwan. \p Gareth Thomas: In addition to its suite of products to help SMEs export, UK Export Finance (UKEF) has a network of Export Finance Managers (EFMs) around the whole of the UK who can provide information to exporters of all sizes on a range of subjects, including trading across a range of markets. The EFMs’ contact details can be found at: Find an Export Finance Manager - GOV.UK

The Department for Business and Trade maintains a strong relationship with Taiwan and in particular, a shared ambition to grow trade. The full range of UKEF products and services is available to support potential exporters to Taiwan, and for longer-term contracts, local currency financing is available. UKEF works with DBT officials based in the British Office in Taipei, and has supported many transactions in Taiwan in recent years, and on specifically on 10 July announced it is providing a guarantee for a major offshore wind farm. This will allow four exporters across the UK to secure contracts, and will support jobs across the UK’s renewable energy supply chain.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_42

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of greater use of artificial intelligence in workplaces on welfare spending. \p Andrew Western: We are already witnessing AI’s impact on the labour market: transforming the workplace, demanding new skills and changing the jobs landscape. We remain mindful of this impact and its effect on the UK workforce and DWP customers, whilst working to harness the benefits that AI can bring.

DWP has a strong track record of providing financial help during economic shifts and supporting people to reskill and to re-enter work. We are continuing to deliver our Get Britain Working reforms to ensure we provide people with access to good work and training opportunities fit for the future.

DWP is also working across government to ensure that we are able to respond to emerging trends within the labour market, and to make the most of opportunities for economic growth, job creation and productivity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-15 conversation_43

Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will consider making provision for mandatory index-linked payments in pre-1997 defined benefit pension schemes. \p Torsten Bell: Members of these pension schemes are understandably concerned at seeing inflation erode the value of their retirement income.

Most schemes do pay some pre-1997 indexation, because of scheme rules or as a discretionary benefit. Analysis published last year by the Pensions Regulator shows that as of March 2023, only 17 per cent of members of private sector defined benefit pension schemes do not receive any pre-1997 indexation on benefits. This information can be found at: https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests#f3a5fe60511a445f91112bd7dd8a64ae

It would be unreasonable to retrospectively legislate to increase the cost to schemes for benefits already earned, as these costs could not have been taken into account in the funding assumptions used to set contribution rates at the time.

The Government’s pension reforms on the use of surpluses in defined benefit schemes will make it easier for individual schemes to make decisions that improve outcomes for both sponsoring employers and members, which could include discretionary benefit increases. These changes are being taken forward through the Pension Schemes Bill which had its second reading on Monday 7th July.

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has expressed that trustees should consider the situation of those members who would benefit from a discretionary increase and whether the scheme has a history of making such awards. TPR will be producing further guidance on surplus sharing once the legislation is in place.