theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to require companies (a) trialling and (b) operating autonomous vehicles to publish data on (i) vehicle miles travelled and (ii) collision incidents. \p Simon Lightwood: The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 includes provisions around the collection and sharing of data and information. The way in which these provisions will be used is still being considered and will be informed by recently closed and forthcoming Calls for Evidence and consultations. For example, the recently closed consultation on the proposed Automated Passenger Services (APS) scheme proposed provisions on the disclosure and use of information, including in the event of an incident. Government will respond to this consultation in due course.

The ‘Code of Practice: automated vehicle trialling’ (CoP) is available for trialling organisations and other stakeholders to provide guidance on safety-driver led trials of automated vehicles in the UK. This includes a recommendation that plans are in place to readily share data with police and relevant organisations in the event an incident and to report on the performance of the trial vehicle.
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pu if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the reliability of battery (i) bi-mode, (ii) tri-mode, (iii) battery/electric hybrid and (iv) fully electric trains. \p Keir Mather: Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050.

The rail industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below.

It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.
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Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on excessive speeding. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.

Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to require that (a) Great British Railways and (b) any operator within Great British Railways cannot operate commercial freight services. \p Keir Mather: The Government is committed to supporting rail freight growth, recognising its significant economic and environmental potential and critical role in the UK’s resilience.

Under GBR, freight will remain a private industry and continue to be an integral part of the railway. There are no plans for GBR to run commercial freight services. GBR will retain Network Rail’s ability to run services which are required to support the operation of the network.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce measures to (a) restrict practical driving test bookings to a candidate’s local area and (b) prevent fraudulent activity on third-party platforms offering driving test swaps. \p Simon Lightwood: To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.

DVSA is working hard to reduce the average waiting times, using the responses gathered from its public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The consultation closed on 23 July. On 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, announced the outcome of the consultation to improve car driving test booking rules.

In the coming months, DVSA will:

DVSA encourages learner drivers to only use the official GOV.UK website to book and manage their driving test. DVSA has published advice aimed at learner drivers warning them of the risks of using third party services/apps to book a practical driving test. Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-the-risks-of-driving-test-cancellation-finders.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 275 warnings, 404 suspensions, and closed 894 business accounts.
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason 3-year Network Railcards have been discontinued. \p Keir Mather: The Network Railcard was introduced by British Rail in 1986 on a one-year basis, which continues to exist. There has been no withdrawal of a three-year Network Railcard, which has never existed.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she last met with freight companies to discuss the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme. \p Keir Mather: The Rail Minister regularly meets with the freight industry to discuss a range of issues.

The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE)

EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the annual budget was for the (a) Office of Rail and Road, (b) Civil Aviation Authority and (c) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in each year since 2005. \p Simon Lightwood: Information regarding the requested Public Bodies’ annual budget is contained in their respective Annual Report and Accounts. The DVSA was established in 2014 following the merger of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) therefore detail is available from 2014 only.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. member for Newton Abbot case ref MW08073 submitted on 26 September 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: A response was sent on 12 November 2025.
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Lee Pitcher:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment into the social value of increasing rail connectivity (a) in and (b) between rural and semi-rural areas. \p Keir Mather: Assessments of the social value of increasing rail connectivity (a) in and (b) between rural and semi-rural areas are calculated on a case-by-case basis to reflect local economic conditions, using Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG). As an aid to understanding the value of such connectivity between origins and destinations, the Department for Transport has developed the connectivity metric, which measures an individual’s ability to reach employment, services and social engagements.

Connectivity evaluates the value of destinations and the opportunity to reach said destinations using various modes of transport, including walking, cycling, driving and public transport. It considers different purposes of travel, like employment, education, shopping, leisure and healthcare. Its value will vary widely across geographies or between locations.

In assessing the full social value of connectivity, the Connectivity tool is one method of gauging such potential value. However, this assessment must then take a holistic view as set out in TAG, including the guidance on assessment of the wider benefits of rail interventions including reduced road congestion, improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered allowing railcards to be used for (a) weekly, (b) monthly and (c) annual rail tickets. \p Keir Mather: Season tickets already provide significant savings to the cost of rail travel, which can exceed the savings provided by railcards in many cases. Although there are no current plans to extend the validity of railcards, the Government recognises their value. That is why the Railways Bill gives Great British Railway the flexibility to update and evolve concessionary offers as passenger needs change.

The 16-17 Saver and the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card already permit holders to purchase discounted season tickets.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) the policy options and (b) delivery mechanisms available to enable local authorities to keep pavements (i) clear and (ii) safe for people. \p Lilian Greenwood: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill includes measures to empower local leaders to regulate shared on-street cycle rental schemes, such as Lime bikes, and act decisively to address any issues of poor parking and antisocial behaviour. Rental e-scooters are already tightly controlled. The Department’s guidance specifies that there should be sufficient parking in e-scooter trial areas and local authorities should ensure they do not become obstructive to others. Operators are also using geofencing technology, parking incentives and penalties to improve parking compliance.

Once the e-scooter trials end, the future framework is designed to be flexible and allows new vehicles like e-scooters, to be included as they are legalised for use on the road.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them.
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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many fines the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has issued to people who have failed to update their address on their driving license in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not allow individual vehicle keepers to use a PO Box address to register their vehicles. Fleet companies are able to use a PO box address but this must always be accompanied by the full and verifiable postal address. This supports vehicle accuracy and the traceability of registered keepers. The DVLA is unable to identify the number of vehicle records with a PO box number as part of the address as the data is filtered by post code.

The DVLA has not issued any fines to people who failed to update their vehicle registration certificate or driving licence in the last five years.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department’s guidance entitled Who can get a Blue Badge, updated 10 August 2021, if she will review the guidance to ensure that community transport providers are able to apply successfully. \p Simon Lightwood: An organisational badge may be issued to an organisation for use in a motor vehicle or vehicles when the vehicle or vehicles are to be used to carry disabled people who would themselves be eligible for a badge as specified in Section 4(2) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000. However, it is generally preferable for disabled individuals to hold their own Blue Badge, allowing them to use it in any vehicle they travel in, including community transport vehicles.

Officials will undertake a review of the Blue Badge guidance, including the section regarding organisational Blue Badges, to ensure the guidance is clear when applying for a Blue Badge.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to enable track access agreements longer than five years on the railway network. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the importance of certainty for operators when entering into track access agreements. The new access framework will enable GBR to offer this longer-term certainty to third parties – including contracts beyond 5 years.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will publish environmental impact assessments for plans to expand (a) Heathrow, (b) Luton and (c) Gatwick airports that include Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. \p Keir Mather: A scheme promoter is responsible for producing an environmental impact assessment, which includes an assessment of any likely significant climate factors. Both the Luton and Gatwick environmental impact assessments are available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website and were considered as part of the Secretary of State’s decision. For Heathrow, the applicant’s assessment and any mitigation measures they may put forward will be considered as part of the Secretary of State’s decision on an application.
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the cost implications of transferring research and advisory functions from Network Rail to Great British Railways. \p Keir Mather: Network Rail and its functions will become a foundational part of Great British Railways (GBR) as it is stood up. It is therefore unlikely that there will be significant costs in transferring functions currently within Network Rail into GBR. However, detailed design and implementation work is currently underway and no assessment has yet been made of the specific cost implications of transferring research and advisory functions from Network Rail to GBR.
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Jim Dickson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when further details on the Structures Fund will be announced. \p Simon Lightwood: The Structures Fund will enable local highway authorities to repair run down bridges, decaying flyovers and worn-out tunnels across England. We will publish more information about the fund in due course and encourage all MPs to highlight the opportunity to their local councils.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of UK energy policy on the competitiveness of the UK manufacturing sector. \p Chris McDonald: This government recognises the importance of reducing energy costs to boost UK manufacturing competitiveness. Under the Modern Industrial Strategy, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40/MWh for over 7000 manufacturing businesses. We will also increase support for our most energy-intensive industries under the British Industry Supercharger, uplifting the Network Charging Compensation scheme from 60% to 90%.

These measures are supported by the Connections Accelerator Service (to reduce grid connection waiting times for strategically important projects), continued support for the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme and support to develop the UK Corporate Power Purchase Agreement market.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much funding was allocated to the steel innovation grant scheme. \p Chris McDonald: We are committed to providing up to £2.5bn for the steel sector, which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. The NWF has £5.8bn to invest across clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors, including steel, and is engaging with firms on opportunities aligned with its investment principles.

No funding has been allocated to a competitive steel grant fund.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with (a) local authorities and (b) regional growth bodies on export-capability development. \p Chris Bryant: Working with local delivery bodies is a central part of our Plan for Small Businesses and Business Growth Service. A core principle of the Business Growth Service is local partnership working, including working with Growth Hubs and Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

Our Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the ways in which we will work with local authorities to deliver our ambitions of supporting businesses to grow.
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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered banning the import of goods to the UK produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Chris Bryant: Our position is clear that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. We advise that those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice.

Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences under either the existing agreement between the UK and Israel or in our agreement with the Palestinian Authority.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the resources allocated to improve export advisory capacity within UK business support services. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Business and Trade is putting in place the policies and support needed to drive export-led business growth.

DBT has integrated its support for SMEs in a single, accessible place – the Business Growth Service – designed to help businesses across the UK start, scale, and succeed globally. From tailored market advice to free training through the Export Academy, we are making it easier for businesses to navigate global markets, seize opportunities, and build resilience.

Our Export Champions are also sharing their experience and encouraging and inspiring new and fledgling exporters.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 26 September 2025 submitted by the hon. member for Newton Abbot with case ref MW10473. \p Kate Dearden: The Department of Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days. I have instructed officials at the department to investigate the delay and expect a response to be issued in the coming days.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61227 on Department for Business and Trade: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review. \p Kate Dearden: At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, the Department for Business and Trade carried out a line-by-line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure - at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of potential implications for his policies on productivity of the report by the IPPR entitled Taking stock: Counting the economic costs of alcohol harm, published on 8 October 2025. \p Kate Dearden: I welcome the IPPR's report and its contribution to understanding the economic and social impact of alcohol harm. Employers have a legal duty to protect employees' health, safety, and welfare.

'Keep Britain Working' is bringing together the expertise of leading UK businesses to help prevent ill health at work wherever possible, and to support those affected stay in work. In the '10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future', we have committed to some crucial steps to help people make healthier choices about alcohol, making it a legal requirement for alcohol labels to display health warnings and consistent nutritional information.

This Government will continue to monitor alcohol-related harm and its economic impact.
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Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase access to pubs for guest beers from independent breweries within the (a) review of market access for small breweries and (b) statutory review of the Pubs Code. \p Kate Dearden: The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We're currently assessing the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small brewers from accessing pubs.

This review specifically references market access for small brewers, and will cover all subcategories of the pub sector, including leased and tenanted pubs. It will not, however, consider the merits of different pub models.  We’re considering the review’s findings and will announce in due course any measures that may need to be taken.

The Pubs Code (the Code) applies to large pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales, covering around 8,000 pubs. Separate to the beer market review, the Government is currently conducting a statutory review into the operation of the Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. Alongside this statutory review, the Government is also conducting a Post Implementation Review (PIR) which will consider the Pub Code’s impact since it was introduced in 2016.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending paternity leave for the residents of Newton Abbot constituency. \p Kate Dearden: We recognise that more can be done to support working families. That is why, through the Employment Rights Bill, we are making Paternity Leave a ‘day one’ right, which will bring an extra 32,000 fathers and partners into scope of the entitlement.

On 1 July we launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review, which will consider all existing and upcoming parental leave entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay. When considering calls to increase entitlements for parents, the Government will balance the needs of parents, the impact on employers, and affordability for taxpayers.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of overseas (a) subsidies and (b) export support on the competitiveness of UK natural stone producers; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing similar support. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to supporting businesses, including natural stone producers, to grow and export. UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via business.gov.uk.

This support is available to all UK businesses including those that wish to export natural stone.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 for tackling the cumulative impact of repeated private firework use from a single residential property within the permitted hours over consecutive nights; and if he will publish guidance on provisions to limit the (a) duration and (b) frequency of such use. \p Kate Dearden: Currently, no assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 has been made in relation to repeated private firework use.

Existing legislation controls the sale, availability, and use of fireworks. Local Authorities and law enforcement agencies are empowered to take action against offenders when fireworks are not used appropriately. While there are no plans to publish guidance to limit their use further, the Government launched a campaign for this fireworks season which promotes lower noise fireworks alongside considerate use.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many (a) licenced and (b) registered sellers of fireworks were there in the latest period for which data is available. \p Kate Dearden: No official data is collected on how many licenced and registers sellers of fireworks in the last period. Fireworks licences and registrations are administered by local authorities, and in some regions, fire and rescue services.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to page 18 of her Department's policy paper entitled Regulation Action Plan - Progress Update and Next Steps, updated in October 2025, whether the commitment to reduce the burden of regulation will apply to (a) the voluntary sector and (b) political parties. \p Blair McDougall: We have committed to reduce the administrative burden of regulation on businesses by 25% by the end of the Parliament. For the purposes of this target, businesses count as all organisations defined as being in the private sector by the Office for National Statistics when compiling the National Accounts. This therefore includes other services activities, such as activities of the voluntary sector and political parties.

We will focus our efforts on those sectors of the economy with the highest growth potential, and which face the highest administrative burden of regulation, so they can spend more time growing their businesses.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to page 18 of her Department's policy paper entitled Regulation Action Plan - Progress Update and Next Steps, updated in October 2025, whether the new Key Performance Indicators for regulators will apply to (a) the Information Commission and the (b) the Electoral Commission. \p Blair McDougall: The March Regulation Action Plan committed government to ask that regulators review and publish their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This was focused on the top 16 regulators that drive economic growth. This group includes the Information Commissioner’s Office but does not include the Electoral Commission. In October, the Regulation Action Plan update published a dashboard which collates the performance of the 16 regulators against key performance indicators in one place.
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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve enforcement laws relating to the (a) setting off of fireworks (i) in public places and (ii) outside permitted hours and (b) misuse of fireworks in general. \p Kate Dearden: Enforcement powers exist for local authorities to act when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally or misused. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks, including setting off outside permitted hours. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers and there are no current plans to change them.

I have launched a public campaign for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign includes social media materials with information on current legislation and the penalties for illegal use, as well as the risks from the misuse of fireworks.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the skills support required to help UK firms expand into new export markets. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to providing businesses with the support, advice and skills they need to export across the globe.

Businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via business.gov.uk. This includes support via the UK Export Academy, a free, comprehensive learning and development programme that boosts British businesses’ global trading capability.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how his Department plans to monitor participation in trade promotion programmes by SMEs in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. \p Chris Bryant: As outlined in our 2025 UK Trade Strategy, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to the monitoring and evaluation of its performance to ensure continuous improvement.

DBT has developed a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for its existing export promotion activities, and data on participation is published in DBT’s Export Client Quality Survey.

In 2023/24, 17,449 businesses were supported by DBT export promotion services, of which 85% were classified as SMEs. We do not monitor participation by individual constituencies, but would be happy to be advised of any suitable SMEs in Buckingham and Bletchley.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 84210 on Jeffery Epstein, whether records held by Integrated Corporate Services for that period are held in (a) electronic and (b) hard copy format. \p Kate Dearden: Records for that period are held in electronic format.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Dr Lauren Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade,⁠ what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of consumer protection for customers using third party airline aggregators. \p Kate Dearden: Third party airline aggregators operating in the UK are subject to consumer rights legislation.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCCA) Act 2024 requires traders, including airline aggregators, to display prices inclusive of all taxes and unavoidable charges before payment is made. Prices must be accurate and not misleading. Failure to do this may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.

Airline aggregators must also comply with provisions in the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which prohibits the use of unfair contract terms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to assess supply chain readiness for increased export activity. \p Chris Bryant: The government recognises that robust supply chains are fundamental to enabling businesses to capitalise on export opportunities and drive sustainable growth. As outlined in the UK’s Trade Strategy, we are committed to working with businesses of all sizes to strengthen their capacity to compete in global markets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has commissioned research from National Institute of Economic and Social Research in the last three years on (a) international lending rates and (b) levels international lending to SMEs. \p Blair McDougall: The Department for Business and Trade has commissioned research on the alternatives to commercial lending in the SME Business Market. The research, undertaken by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, intends to study the characteristics of debt finance and lending markets within and outside the UK to identify market failures in the UK system and potential changes that could support businesses, especially SMEs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82331 on Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels, what steps the Certification Officer is taking to obtain (a) documents and (b) digital information from Unite. \p Kate Dearden: The Certification Officer has appointed an inspector to carry out the inspection in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Under this process, the inspector has the statutory authority to require the production of relevant documents and digital information, and is empowered to request assistance, attendance and documentation, from officials and agents connected to the union, as well as from others who may be in possession of materials and information he considers relevant to his inspection, and it is their duty to comply. These powers ensure that the inspector can conduct a thorough and effective investigation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2025, to Question 82331, on Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels, when he expects the Certification Officer to publish the conclusion of the inspection; if he will set out who paid for the BDO report; and if he will name the inspector who has been appointed. \p Kate Dearden: The Certification Officer is required to publish a final report following an inspection, which includes the name of the inspector appointed to any such inspection. While the legislation does not specify a timeline for publication, it is expected that the Certification Officer will take a short period to reflect on the findings, consider any next steps, and provide a copy of the report to the union before publication. In respect of the funding of the BDO report, this is a matter for the union itself. The Certification Officer received this report to assist in fulfilling his statutory duties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will list the titles of all the events organised by Civil Service networks in his Department since 2017. \p Kate Dearden: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential cost of the requirement in the Employment Rights Bill to give facility time to trade union equality representatives to (a) public and (b) private sector employers. \p Kate Dearden: The Employment Rights Bill creates a new statutory right for equality representatives to take reasonable paid time off to fulfil their duties. These representatives play a key role in raising awareness and promoting equal rights, including arranging training and consulting with employers on matters such as collective policies and practices. This will enable organisations to realise the benefits of being an equal opportunities employer.

The Department published an impact assessment on the Employment Rights Bill on 21 October 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people have been prosecuted for the illegal sale of fireworks each year for the past five years. \p Kate Dearden: This information is not held by the Department of Business and Trade. Local Council Trading Standards prosecute cases of illegal fireworks sale. Prosecutions for illegal sales of fireworks are made under the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (UK-wide extent) and the Fireworks Act 2003 (GB-wide extent). The Ministry of Justice collects and publishes information from Courts and Sentencing data for England and Wales in the Criminal Justice System Statistics Quarterly publications.
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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of investment treaties on net zero policies. \p Chris Bryant: I refer the member of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry to the answer I gave on 12 November 2025 to UIN 88456.
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Martin Rhodes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, who the parties are in the two active Investor-State Dispute Settlement cases against the UK. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is a respondent in two active arbitrations, (1) Woodhouse Investment Pte Ltd and West Cumbria Mining (Holdings) Limited and; (2) Mr Mikhail Maratovich Fridman.

The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government support for the (a) supply chain and (b) SMEs, in the context of the cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover. \p Chris McDonald: We recognise that many automotive suppliers, particularly SMEs, are under pressure following the recent cyber incident at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The phased restart of production at JLR is now underway and is positive news, however the picture is still developing.

The Department for Business and Trade is continuing to monitor the situation and is working closely with JLR and industry bodies such as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to assess how the recent measures being taken and support being provided is helping suppliers, including SMEs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Adam Thompson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help expand the pipeline of qualified floor layers to deliver (a) public housing, (b) hospitals, (c) schools and (d) other infrastructure projects. \p Chris McDonald: Government is investing £625 million in construction skills over this Parliament. This includes Foundation Apprenticeships, expanded Skills Bootcamps, and the launch of Construction Technical Excellence Colleges. These measures aim to deliver up to 60,000 additional skilled workers and support employers to invest in training.

The industry-led Construction Skills Mission Board is working to create construction job opportunities to meet the government's announced 159 infrastructure and built environment (1.5 million homes and retrofitting 5 million existing homes) commitments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the written statement of 21 October 2025, HCWS973, on Regulation Action Plan Update and Modernisation of Corporate Reporting, if he will increase the definition of SME firms from 250 to 500 employees. \p Blair McDougall: The Department introduced legislation earlier this year that raised the monetary thresholds for micro, small, medium, and large companies by approximately 50%, thereby reducing reporting obligations for 133,000 companies moving into a smaller size category. Saving companies £240 million per year. As part of the announced modernisation of corporate reporting review, we will publish a broad, holistic consultation in 2026 which will set out our vision for corporate reporting including who should be required to report.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Warinder Juss:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of regulations allowing dormant companies to be appointed to (a) statutory and (b) regulatory roles. \p Blair McDougall: It may be appropriate for dormant companies to hold some statutory or regulatory roles. No recent assessment has been undertaken across all statutory and regulatory roles. The Government keeps company law, as a whole, under regular review and makes changes when issues arise. If there is evidence of an issue, the department is happy to look into it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68418 on Business Rates: Valuation, how many hereditaments in the flexible workplace and serviced office sector have had their rateable values increased following the changes to the Valuation Office Agency’s practice on how such properties should be valued for business rates; and whether such amendments have been applied retrospectively. \p Dan Tomlinson: As a result of case law developments, the VOA have concluded that, rather than each room within a serviced office being assessed separately, many serviced offices may need to be assessed as a single property, unless clear evidence demonstrates a need to have separate assessments.

Each serviced office is looked at on a case-by-case basis, and the VOA are addressing properties where they have received legal advice, or where unit of assessment issues are brought to its attention.

The VOA will continue to monitor legal developments and update its approach as needed.