theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help increase the (a) production and (b) programming of Cornish language content. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government wants broadcasters to commission content in every part of the country and for British storytelling to reflect the full diversity of people, communities and experiences across the UK so that more people can see themselves reflected on screen and as part of our national story.

The Media Act makes clear in legislation the importance of the UK's indigenous regional and minority languages - including Cornish - by including their provision in the public service remit for television.

The BBC additionally has an obligation to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all the UK’s nations and regions, set out in its current Royal Charter.

The forthcoming Charter Review is a key opportunity to set the BBC up for success long into the future. It will look at a range of issues and, as a priority for this Government, will start a national conversation to make sure the BBC truly represents and delivers for every person in this country.
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Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26625 on Multi-sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, if she will publish the 521 projects that remain incomplete. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government published a list of funded Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities projects on 8th October 2024 on Gov.uk. The lists can be found here and include funded projects that are either due to start, in progress or complete.

We are committed to publishing a regularly updated list of funded and completed projects, with the next to be published in Spring 2025.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the screen and creative industries in (a) Berkshire and (b) the UK. \p Chris Bryant: Our creative industries showcase the best of our creativity and culture to the world and drive both regional and national growth. They employ over 2 million people, are worth over £124 billion to the UK economy and have seen GVA growth twice that of the national rate. We will ensure that the sector can continue to drive growth, boost opportunities and help people to fulfil their creative potential across the UK, including in Berkshire. Our support includes:

We’re also supporting the next generation of indie films with the introduction of the Independent Film Tax Credit, which will allow eligible films to apply for tax reliefs of 53% on qualifying expenditure up to £15 million, creating jobs and growth.

Opportunities to drive growth exist across the whole of the UK and in places such as Berkshire, which has benefited from the £56 million Creative Industries Clusters programme. This funded the StoryFutures Cluster bringing together creative businesses and universities to provide a research platform to develop cutting edge technologies. We will be launching the next wave of the Clusters programme next year.

Finally, the British Film Institute has committed £34.2 million National Lottery funding over 2023-2026 for education and skills programmes. This includes £8.1 million to develop skills clusters, one of which has been set up in Berkshire, led by Resource Productions, the University of Reading, and Shinfield Studios.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for UK national security of paragraph 368 of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament's report entitled China, published on 13 July 2023, HC 1605, on Chinese influence in the International Telecommunication Union. \p Chris Bryant: Upholding national security remains the first duty of this government. The UK takes an active role in organisations including the International Telecommunication Union and the Third Generation Partnership Project, to shape standards to serve innovation while mitigating risks to the security of emerging technologies. We recognise that other states, including China, may seek to shape standards development in ways that differ to UK values. We need to co-operate with China where we can, while challenging where we must. To safeguard our democratic societies, we are taking steps with our allies to promote the international rules-based system that underpins our security.
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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether trade unions were consulted on the AI Opportunities Action Plan. \p Feryal Clark: The AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out how we will achieve our ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier.

The Action Plan has been informed by a series of external roundtables and wide engagement with experts from across the AI ecosystem. These discussions covered key areas such as the collaboration between the public and private sectors to create a robust AI ecosystem and to unmask the potential economic impact of AI technologies.

DSIT ministers recently met with the Assistant General Secretary of the Trade Unions Congress to discuss the AI Action Plan. As the Government takes the Plan forward, it will continue to engage widely with stakeholders, including trade unions, to ensure its implementation.
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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what budget has been allocated to the construction of the supercomputing facility included in the AI Opportunities Action Plan. \p Feryal Clark: AI is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and its benefits extend far beyond economic growth. By investing in AI now, we are ensuring that the UK is prepared to harness its transformative potential.

The government invests in AI in several ways, including through investing in the UK’s compute capacity, the latest research and innovations, and upskilling the workforce with AI skills.

The recently announced AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, is fully funded under the current Spending Review. We have already funded parts of the AI Action Plan through Spending Review Round One, including compute, R&D, and sovereign AI commitments. Departments are working through the policy details, which will be integrated into future spending plans as part of the spending review process.

As we approach the 2025 Spending Review, we will outline the next steps to ensure these commitments continue driving progress, but it would not be appropriate to speculate on spending review decisions.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Leader of the House, what steps she is taking to provide parliamentary scrutiny of Government involvement in amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by hon. Members not on the bill committee. \p Lucy Powell: While the Government have a neutral position on the principles of the Bill, we have a responsibility to ensure that any Bill passed by the House is workable and operable. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed by the House at Second Reading, and the Government has therefore been in discussion with the Member in charge about the Bill’s deliverability and the overall coherence of the statute book.

The Member in charge has tabled amendments based on these discussions. It is for the Committee to decide whether to accept each amendment. As with any Public Bill Committee, any Member can table amendments to the Bill during the Committee’s consideration, and Members not appointed to the Committee are free to observe the Committee’s proceedings (although only Members of the Committee can speak or move tabled amendments). Following the Committee stage, the whole House will have a further opportunity to scrutinise the Bill at Report stage.
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David Reed:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 27042 on UNRWA: Finance, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that UK funding to UNRWA is not used (a) directly or (b) indirectly to support Hamas activities; and what assessment he has made of UNRWA's compliance with these safeguards. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: A Memorandum of Understanding governs UK financial support to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and we monitor UNRWA's activity through due diligence and annual assessments. The UK is also providing £1 million to support implementation of the recommendations in Catherine Colonna's Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality. UNRWA plays a vital role in delivering humanitarian assistance in Gaza and enabling the broader international response through its logistics and distribution network. We reiterated this position in our E3 joint Foreign Ministers' statement of 31 January, alongside France and Germany.
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David Reed:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the International Committee of the Red Cross on its role in hostage handovers conducted by Hamas. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are in regular contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which is facilitating the handover of hostages and the delivery of aid into Gaza. The UK reaffirms its support for the ICRC as the only humanitarian actor with the experience, capability, independence and mandate to carry out its important responsibilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to the hostages, to fulfil its independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
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David Reed:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 27041 on Palestinians: Schools, what the timeline is for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Colonna report on the neutrality of educational materials in UNRWA-run schools in (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank; and whether he has had discussions with UNRWA on replacing the current curriculum. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UN conducts quarterly progress reports on UNRWA's implementation of the recommendations made in the Colonna report, with the latest having issued in January 2025. This includes eight recommendations relating specifically to education. As noted in the answer to PQ 27041, on 28 January, the Minister for Development informed the House that she had discussed the issue of neutrality with UNRWA's leadership, including directly with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech entitled The Locarno Speech by the Foreign Secretary: January 2025, published on 9 January 2025; for what reasons were part of the speech redacted; and whether the Government issues guidance on party political speeches in Government buildings. \p Catherine West: In this speech, the Foreign Secretary set out his vision for how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will help deliver this Government's Plan for Change and its approach to foreign policy. The essential nature of the speech was not party political. Any party political content was redacted from the gov.uk publication, as per guidance.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the safety of the Syrian Kurdish population in Northeast Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are concerned by increased tensions in northern Syria and the impact this may have on civilians and stability in the region. Our priority is de-escalation, and we are in regular contact with both Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to this end. We are urging all sides to refrain from activity that will lead to further loss of civilian life, or damage to civilian infrastructure, to avoid further destabilisation and civilian suffering in the region. We continue to advocate for an inclusive political transition process that is representative of all Syrians, including Kurdish communities.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to ensure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability, but we have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. The UK is ready to play a leading role with international and regional partners, in securing a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, based on tangible progress towards a Palestinian state, with Gaza and the West Bank united under one government. Palestinians must be given a credible route to a Palestinian state, which is the right of the Palestinian people. We will continue working with partners to support a path to long term peace and stability with a two-state solution: a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
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Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the persecution of Baháʼís in (a) Iran and (b) the Middle East. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We condemn any instance of state repression against Baha'is globally. The UK was instrumental in delivering the Iran Human Rights resolution, adopted by the United Nations Third Committee in November 2024, which spotlighted Iran's appalling treatment of Baha'is and called on Iran to release all religious practitioners imprisoned for their membership in or activities on behalf of a minority religious group, and to ensure that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief.

We also track the treatment of the Baha'is across the Middle East, including in Yemen through meeting their representatives in the UK and lobbying the relevant authorities. The Government strongly condemns the continued persecution of the Baha'is and other religious minorities. We are working with our international partners to raise these concerns directly with the Houthi authorities and urge the release of all Yemenis detained for their beliefs or nationality.
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Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the detention of Mahvash Sabet by Iranian authorities. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We condemn the unfair detention of all religious minorities in Iran. The UK was instrumental in delivering the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the United Nations Third Committee in November 2024, which called on Iran to release all religious practitioners imprisoned for their membership in or activities on behalf of a minority religious group, and to ensure that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. We will continue to work with international partners to hold Iran accountable for its severe and unacceptable repression of Baha'is.
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Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve freedom of religion for Baháʼís globally. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding.

The continued systematic targeting of the Baha'i community, which includes unfair arrest and detention, land grabs, and denial of burial rights, is unacceptable. We are committed to working with international partners to hold countries to account for its repression of the Bahai's, and other religious or belief minorities, including at the United Nations.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether estates managed by her Department are participating in the No Mow May initiative. \p Janet Daby: The departmental estate is made up of office buildings which do not have any lawns. The department does not manage this estate. This is done on its behalf by the Government Property Agency.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding is available for the (a) repair and (b) maintenance of (i) sports facilities and (ii) swimming pools at schools. \p Stephen Morgan: ​Schools provide important opportunities for all pupils to be physically active, with sports facilities being key to the provision of high quality physical education lessons and extra-curricular sport.

The department supports academy trusts, local authorities and voluntary-aided bodies, who are responsible for managing the safety and maintenance of their estates, with capital funding, rebuilding programmes and guidance on effective estate management.

We recently confirmed details of £2.1 billion of capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year to improve the condition of the school estate, including sports facilities and school swimming pools, up from £1.8 billion committed for the 2024/25 financial year. Capital funding is not ring-fenced for sports facilities, and decisions on capital projects to improve the estate are primarily taken at a local level. Details of funding are published on GOV.UK.

​Capital funding for schools beyond 2025/26 will be confirmed following the next phase of the spending review.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many early years teachers there are in each region. \p Stephen Morgan: The department does not hold data on staff qualification levels by region.

In 2024, 42% of staff within school-based providers and 11% of staff within group-based providers held graduate-level qualifications, as per the 2024 Early Years Provider Survey.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle mental health discrimination in schools. \p Stephen Morgan: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

Discrimination or bullying of any kind is never acceptable and must be tackled quickly. The government is committed to improving mental health support for all children and young people. This is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity, and helping pupils to achieve and thrive in education.

To support education staff to understand mental health issues, the department provides a range of guidance and practical resources on promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. The government will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). By April 2026, we estimate that 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England will be covered by an MHST, up from 52% in April 2025.

Through statutory relationships, sex and health education pupils are taught about healthy, respectful relationships and physical health and mental wellbeing, including talking about their emotions and the benefits of exercise and simple self-care techniques.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle increased demand for Education, Health and Care Plans driven by Speech, Communication and Language Needs. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department is aware that speech, communication and language needs are a key driver of the increasing demand for education, health and care (EHC) plans, and that local authorities have experienced increased demand for EHC plans and of the pressure this places on workforce capacity.

The department, in partnership with NHS England, is delivering the ‘Early Language and Support for Every Child’ (ELSEC) programme. This is trialling new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools by intervening early to reduce the need for an EHC assessment. This is being delivered through nine regional pathfinder partnerships within our special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision change programme.

We also know that continuing to build the pipeline of speech and language therapists is essential. That is why we introduced the speech and language degree apprenticeship, which is now in its third year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway to the traditional degree route into a successful career as a speech and language therapist.

The government is committed to funding evidence-based early language interventions in primary schools. The department has invested over £20 million in the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI), which is an evidence-based programme for children needing extra support with their speech and language development.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nursery places she expects the programme to deliver 6,000 new school-based early years places to create in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire. \p Stephen Morgan: Of the 300 schools which received funding under the School-Based Nurseries Capital Grant 2024/2025, three are in Milton Keynes and one is in Buckinghamshire. These projects are all expanding their existing nursery provision to provide additional childcare places for families in the area, which is crucial to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give children the best start in life.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help support children with SEND following the application of VAT to private school fees in Fylde constituency. \p Stephen Morgan: The majority of children with special educational needs (SEN), including most with education, health and care (EHC) plans, are already educated in mainstream state-funded schools where their needs are met. The department works to support local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them, including pupils with SEN requiring places at state-funded schools.

The government is providing an almost £1 billion uplift in high needs revenue funding for the 2025/26 financial year. The government has also announced £740 million of high needs capital funding for 2025/26 to invest in places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or who require alternative provision.

Local authorities fund pupils’ places in private schools where their needs can only be met in a private school. Where this is the case, local authorities will be able to reclaim that VAT on the fees from HMRC.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of early years professionals required in each region in each of the next five years. \p Stephen Morgan: To meet the additional demand placed on the childcare sector by expanding government funded entitlements to childcare, the department estimates that around 35,000 additional staff (headcount) nationally are needed above the 31 December 2023 baseline for autumn 2025. This represents approximately a 10% increase.

We have seen a strong response from the sector so far. 2023 to 2024 saw around 20,000 more staff working in early years nationally, over 1.5 times the level of growth seen between 2022 to 2023.

Responsibility for ongoing market sufficiency rests with local authorities, who are required by legislation to provide sufficient childcare places for children in their local area. We are in regular contact with each local authority, and have a delivery support contractor, Childcare Works, in place to support them, including with analysing workforce demand in their area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-19)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the population of wild peacocks. \p Mary Creagh: The Government does not hold data on the population of Indian peafowl (peacock) but is aware of recent data recorded by the British Trust for Ornithology that shows there were at least 9 confirmed breeding pairs in the UK in 2020, spread widely in Dorset, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Breconshire and Isle of Man. This data can be found in the UK Rare Breeding Birds Annual Report for 2020, found here: Annual Reports – UK Rare Breeding Birds Panel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

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Kit Malthouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the international export potential of UK manufacturers of ammonia cracking technology. \p Sarah Jones: We are aware of various companies developing ammonia cracking technologies, who are also looking to export these technologies overseas. We are committed to ensuring that businesses in the UK hydrogen sector grow and thrive, including through exports of hydrogen goods and services, so they can benefit from the opportunities of the transition to clean energy, through strong international trade relationships and effective supply chains.
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Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with Stellantis on the closure of their Luton plant. \p Sarah Jones: Ministers have engaged closely with Stellantis on the future of its operations in the UK, with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade most recently meeting the Chair of the Stellantis board on 1 February to discuss how the Luton plant could be kept open as well as ensuring appropriate support for affected workers should a closure proceed.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2025 to Written Question 31113 on Stellantis: Luton, whether any agreements have been reached during discussions. \p Sarah Jones: Ministers have engaged closely with Stellantis on the future of its operations in the UK.

Regrettably, Stellantis confirmed on 5 February that it will be closing the plant in April of this year. We have a longstanding partnership with Stellantis and will continue to work closely with them, as well as trade unions and local partners on the next steps of their proposals.
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Kit Malthouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including green ammonia technologies in (a) the advanced manufacturing or (b) clean energy industries sections of the Industrial Strategy. \p Sarah Jones: The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors, including both advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries. Low carbon ammonia could play a role in reaching net zero as part of a diverse energy mix. All sectors can shape and benefit from policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission.

The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.
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David Burton-Sampson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, what steps his Department is taking to reform Companies House. \p Justin Madders: The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) is fundamentally reforming Companies House, enabling it to play a greater role in improving corporate transparency, improving the quality of data and information on the company register and giving Companies House greater powers to contribute to our efforts in tackling economic crime.

The reform of Companies House is backed by £63 million of investment from the Department for Business and Trade and fees have been increased to fund greater investigation and enforcement capabilities.

The first phase of reforms came into force in March 2024. Further measures, including the introduction of Identity Verification, are in the process of being implemented.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to amend the Trade Act 2021 to prevent future international trade agreements from including provisions relating to the operation of the NHS. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Section 2(5) of the Trade Act already ensures that international trade agreements, within the scope of the Act, cannot include provisions which are inconsistent with maintaining a UK publicly funded healthcare service.
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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of delayed invoice payments on (a) self-employed individuals, (b) sole traders and (c) small businesses in the construction industry. \p Sarah Jones: Smart Data Foundry research shows that small businesses, including those in the construction industry were owed on average an estimated £22,000 in late payments in 2022. This represents a significant cash flow challenge for small businesses, undermining opportunities to invest and innovate.

In September 2024 we announced a package of measures to help ensure small businesses and the self-employed are paid promptly to improve the resilience of supply chains and boost economic growth across the UK.

We will soon launch a public consultation on further measures to address late payments and long payment terms, including specific measures to address the construction contractual practice of retention payments.

Source: Smart Data Foundry (2022) – Payment Speed and Timeliness for UK Small & Micro Businesses – https://smartdatafoundry.com/resources/news/payment-speed-and-timeliness-for-uk-small-and-micro-businesses
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of food procured by his Department is sourced in the UK. \p Justin Madders: The department does not procure any food directly. All accommodation, property, and facilities management services - including catering outlets - are provided to, and managed on behalf of, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) by the Government Property Agency (GPA).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on encouraging international steel investment in Northern Ireland. \p Sarah Jones: We believe that our Plan for Steel will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a real difference for this industry. It will address the problems the sector faces and create a competitive business landscape across the entirety of the United Kingdom.

Supporting the strategy is the Steel Council to which the Minister for the Economy is a member and met in January. In addition, I met with Minister Archibald prior to the launch of the consultation on the strategy in February.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_10

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Government considers increased trade with China to be an inherent risk to national security. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: China is the world’s second largest economy and predicted to be the largest driver of global growth from 2021 to 2035. Identifying opportunities to build secure and resilient growth through a mature, stable, and balanced relationship with China is in our national interest.

National security and growth are not opposed – they are mutually reinforcing. The UK must engage with international partners, including China, on trade and investment to grow our economy, while ensuring we uphold our security and values by challenging China on areas where we disagree.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_11

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many officials are working on the negotiations of a trade deal with the United States. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: DBT’s Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations (TPIN) Group operates a flexible resourcing model to maximise efficiency across priorities. In January 2025, DBT had 675 staff working in TPIN.

The US is the UK’s largest single country trading partner, with trade worth around £300 billion in the year to September 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_12

Lee Barron:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to (a) strengthen the right to flexible working for people with neuro-disabilities and (b) make it the default position for all employers to offer reasonable adjustments for people with (i) cerebral palsy and (ii) other neuro-disabilities. \p Justin Madders: The Employment Rights Bill contains measures to make flexible working the default for all employees, except where it is not reasonably feasible.

A job applicant or employee with cerebral palsy will almost certainly meet the Equality Act 2010's definition of disability, which is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. As such, the law will already have the "default" position that an employer must make reasonable adjustments for that person, provided that they are aware that the person has the condition, in the case of job applicants. In the case of neuro-diverse people, it is appropriate for employers to use the definition set out above, to make decisions on the need for reasonable adjustments.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_13

Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local trading standards services have adequate (a) support and (b) expertise to enforce consumer protection laws introduced through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. \p Justin Madders: Department for Business and Trade officials have contributed to training events and provided practical information to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to disseminate to trading standards officers about the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, including changes to consumer protection law and trading standards' enforcement powers.

Furthermore, the Department provides grants to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, as well as others, who are developing training material on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Funding also supports the maintenance of Business Companion which provides trading standards officers and business with the latest information on the application of consumer law.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_14

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on the amount of trade insured by UK-based companies with a final destination in Russia. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department does not hold information concerning the amount of trade insured by UK-based companies with a final destination in Russia. The government has sanctioned the provision of insurance in certain circumstances and it is a criminal offence to breach these sanctions unless a licence has been granted for the activity.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_15

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to allow businesses to retain the ability to offer zero-hours contracts where that is in the interests of employees. \p Justin Madders: The Employment Rights Bill seeks to end exploitative zero hours contracts, ensuring that all jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability so workers can better plan their lives and finances. We recognise that some workers need and value the flexibility that a zero hours contract can provide.

Under the Bill, those who are offered guaranteed hours will be able to turn these down and remain on their current contract or arrangement if they wish.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_16

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on regulatory requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises. \p Justin Madders: On Monday 21 October, the Government published 24 Impact Assessments representing a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. These Impact Assessments are available at the following link: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments. As per our Better Regulation requirements, each Impact Assessment includes a small, medium and micro business assessment, which discuss the potential impacts of the Employment Rights Bill.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_17

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the EU General Product Safety Regulation on UK medium-sized businesses exporting to the EU. \p Justin Madders: I appreciate that for some businesses, the updated EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) will require changes, and we take these concerns seriously. The Government is supporting medium-sized and other businesses to understand GPSR and engaging directly with businesses to assess the regulation's impact.

We have published guidance on GPSR's application in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review. The responsibility for interpreting EU legislation lies with the European Commission. The Commission have published their own business guidance and impact assessment of the regulation.

Businesses exporting to the EU may also wish to contact the Government's Export Support Service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_18

Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to (a) meet the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and (b) visit businesses in Stafford constituency. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to driving long-term, inclusive and secure economic growth in all parts of the country, and engagement with businesses and communities in all regions, including the West Midlands, is therefore a priority.

DBT officials are in regular contact with Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce colleagues, helping to support their local businesses. The Ministerial team's plans for engagement, including regional and local visits, are revisited regularly.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_19

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help small businesses respond to the payment of delayed invoices by larger businesses. \p Gareth Thomas: In September 2024 we announced a package of measures to help ensure small businesses are paid promptly by the large businesses they supply.

This included the newly launched Fair Payment Code by the Small Business Commissioner, and upcoming legislation to require that large companies include payment performance reporting headlines within their annual reports.

We will soon launch a public consultation on further measures to address late payments and long payment terms, including strengthened powers for the Small Business Commissioner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_20

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the competitiveness of the UK creative industry. \p Sarah Jones: As set out in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper published in 2024, the UK's creative industries are world-leading, with the UK, according to UN Trade and Development statistics, being the third largest creative services exporter globally (behind Ireland and the United States).

While the Department for Business and Trade has not made a formal assessment of the competitiveness of the UK creative industry, in 2023, the UK, according to UN Trade and Development statistics, was the tenth largest exporter of creative goods and according to Department for Culture, Media and Sport statistics contributed an estimated £124 billion to the UK economy, accounting for 5.2 per cent of UK gross value added.

The forthcoming Industrial Strategy aims to leverage the sector's global comparative advantages to unlock private investment, boost exports and develop its highly skilled workforce.
wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-12 conversation_21

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to reduce employment regulations for businesses in Fylde. \p Justin Madders: The Plan to Make Work Pay is central to our Plan for Change to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for all. It will tackle low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security, creating long-term growth and investment to support businesses. We must ensure that our Plan works for all businesses. Insights gained from our ongoing engagement with businesses has been invaluable in developing proportionate, effective policy. Make Work Pay will increase workforce productivity and ensure a level playing field, so businesses trying to do the right thing, like those in Fylde, are not undercut.