theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_922
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_922

Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many personal protective equipment products were tested against regulatory standards by the Office for Product Safety and Standards in the (a) 2022, (b) 2023 and (c) 2024 reporting year. \p Kate Dearden: Under UK law, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturers and importers are responsible for the compliance of PPE placed on the market. As an intelligence-led and risk-based national regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) prioritises its regulatory activity, which includes product testing, border targeting, market surveillance, enforcement and advice, to best tackle non-compliance and protect consumers. Numbers of notifications to OPSS and published product safety alerts and reports for non-compliant PPE since 2021 are:

Year

PPE Product Safety Database notifications to OPSS

PPE Product Safety Recalls or Reports published by OPSS

2024-25

67

110

2023-24

278

94

2022-23

82

18

2021-22

383

7

During targeted PPE testing conducted by OPSS between October 2021 and September 2022, 276 out of 315 products did not meet regulatory requirements.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_923
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_923

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) consumers are protected from consumer fraud by small businesses and (b) victims are (i) promptly and (ii) sufficiently compensated for their losses. \p Kate Dearden: DBT funds Citizens Advice to provide consumer advice in England and Wales. Citizens Advice run an annual Scams Awareness campaign on behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership to raise awareness about scams: how to spot a scam, prevent becoming a victim and report scams.

The next campaign will run from 20 October-2 November. The Citizens Advice website has detailed advice on that how to report a scam to the Citizens Advice consumer service and additionally to Action Fraud. There is also advice to consumers about checking to see whether they can get their money back if they have been scammed.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_924
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_924

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will introduce routine testing of menstrual products for chemical residues. \p Kate Dearden: The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 require that only safe products, in their normal or reasonably foreseeable use, are placed on the market. There are obligations on Producers and distributors to where reasonable, sample test products to check safety. The Government employs a risk-based approach to product testing, targeting categories with a high potential for danger and do not test period products. During the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, the Government committed to consult on period product safety. Officials are currently reviewing the need for any further research and testing in this area to complement the consultation.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_925
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_925

Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will endorse the new BS30417 standard on PPE. \p Kate Dearden: The Government strongly supports the principle of provision of inclusive personal protective equipment (PPE). While the Government does not routinely endorse individual standards, it may designate certain standards to confer a presumption of conformity for regulatory purposes, or sponsor fast-track standards such as PAS and FLEX to support specific policy objectives.

BS 30417 is a guidance standard to help organisations procure inclusive and appropriate PPE. It does not set testing or design specifications and is not intended for designation under current product regulations.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_926
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_926

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September to Question 73453 on Tourist Attractions: Animals, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks governing travel companies that market or sell tickets to animal-based tourist attractions. \p Kate Dearden: The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 may apply. Goods or services sold in the UK must adhere to consumer regulations, like the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Defra is engaging with tourism industry and animal welfare groups on the delivery of the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 and will set out next steps.

Reputable tour operators should not offer activities that support poor animal welfare. The Association of British Travel Agents, a government approved body, has published guidelines and a list of activities which they classify as unacceptable.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_927
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_927

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it her policy to make 12 July 2027 a public holiday to mark the 1100th anniversary of the unification of England under King Athelstan. \p Kate Dearden: The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established and the Government has no plans to create a one-off bank holiday to mark the 1100th anniversary of the unification of England under King Athelstan.

While an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy is considerable. The latest analysis estimates the cost to the UK economy for a one-off bank holiday to be around £2 billion.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has recently funded two projects that explore Athelstan and his history in Kingston and Malmesbury.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_928
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_928

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the ability of overseas producers to label their products as alcohol free at up to 0.5% ABV in the UK on UK-based brewers that are restricted to 0.05% ABV. \p Kate Dearden: DBT is working closely with DHSC on the Government’s ‘Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan’, which includes a commitment to consult consumers and industry on raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV. This proposal would align UK brewers with international standards and support the growth of the sector, in addition to providing clarity to consumers and producers.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_929
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_929

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a ban on employer deductions for tipped workers. \p Kate Dearden: The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 ensures all tips, gratuities and service charges must be passed on to staff in full – except for permitted deductions like tax.

It is estimated this ban on employer deductions ensures workers receive around £200 million worth of tips each year that was previously retained by employers. A statutory code of practice was published to support employers on fair and transparent distribution of tips and ensure the requirements are followed.

This Government will go further, making it mandatory for employers to consult with workers at their place of business when developing their tipping policies.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_930
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_930

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support people who were underpaid wages by their former employers. \p Kate Dearden: The Government takes enforcing the minimum wage very seriously. We are clear that anyone entitled to the minimum wage should receive at least the correct minimum wage rate based on their age or apprenticeship status.

HMRC enforces minimum wage regulations on behalf of DBT and considers all complaints from workers. Workers do not need to be currently employed to raise concerns and can complain about underpayments by former employers. If an underpayment of wage is found, HMRC will order employers to pay the workers their money back, and a penalty to the government. HMRC will investigate any underpayments from the last 6 years.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_931
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_931

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterpart in the Scottish government on the potential impact of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 on the bus manufacturing industry. \p Kate Dearden: The Subsidy Control Act 2022 enables public authorities to deliver targeted and timely interventions to address local needs and drive economic growth while minimising harm to competition within the UK. It also implements the UK’s international commitments, including those in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and World Trade Organization rules.

The UK and Scottish Governments established a joint taskforce in June to consider the situation at Alexander Dennis, and ministers from both Governments have been in correspondence on the matter since then.

The Scottish Government recently announced it would provide additional subsidy to Alexander Dennis for a furlough scheme.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_932
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_932

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on extending smart data initiatives into relevant industrial strategy sectors. \p Kate Dearden: The Industrial Strategy committed £36 million to advance Smart Data across the economy, including in growth-driving sectors. The Department for Business and Trade’s forthcoming Smart Data strategy will outline how this investment will be used to support scheme development in priority sectors. Work is progressing at pace - the Financial Conduct Authority has launched a Smart Data Accelerator for Open Finance; the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is developing proposals for an energy scheme; and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has undertaken a call for evidence on Smart Data in digital markets.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_933
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_933

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of decreases in levels of high street retail on levels of local employment. \p Kate Dearden: The department recognises the challenges facing high streets and their impact on local employment. Our Plan for Small Businesses sets out how government will work across departments to tackle high street decline, address retail crime and anti-social behaviour, provide targeted funding to places, update our licensing regime and promote greater partnership working on the high street. SMEs on the high street will also benefit from the new tools to unlock access to finance, action to address late payments and regulatory costs, improve digital adoption and create easier pathways to business support through the Business Growth Service.

More broadly, the government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, more than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_934
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_934

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to encourage consumers to shop ethically. \p Kate Dearden: The government recognises the importance of ethical consumption choices. Through initiatives like the Green Claims Code, we're providing clear guidance to businesses on environmental claims, helping consumers make informed ethical choices. The Competition and Markets Authority's enforcement actions against greenwashing protect consumers who wish to shop ethically.

The UK supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises. As part of the Trade Strategy, we have announced a review of our approach to ensuring responsible business conduct, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_935
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_935

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to support exports of UK-manufactured hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to international markets. \p Chris McDonald: As a frontier sector in the Industrial Strategy, the government has committed targeted support to boost exports of world leading hydrogen technologies into new and established markets, by increasing the visibility of UK capabilities to projects and investors and unlocking greater participation in international supply chains. The Trade Strategy also commits to supporting exports through building on existing and exploring new and deeper clean energy sector agreements.

Officials in my department will continue to showcase UK capabilities through our global network, increasing access to international supply chains. UK Export Finance can offer a range of support for overseas sales, aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_936
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_936

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with industry stakeholders on growing UK-based manufacturing of hydrogen and fuel cell equipment by 2030. \p Chris McDonald: The Government announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains. This includes: a £1bn Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8bn for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4bn British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package.

My officials in the UK and overseas are working closely with UK-based companies to showcase the UK's leading capabilities and unlock opportunities across the hydrogen value chain both at home and overseas. I look forward to working with the industry on these shared ambitions.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_937
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_937

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the number of high-skilled jobs that will be created through the Life Sciences Sector Plan; and what steps he is taking to ensure that these will be distributed across regions. \p Chris McDonald: The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out a long-term vision to grow the UK's life sciences sector and create high-skilled jobs nationwide. In 2023/24, the sector employed almost 360,000 people across the UK. Around 60% of employment in the sector is based at companies registered outside of the London and South East regions. Many actions in the Plan - including a £520m innovative manufacturing fund - are designed to create and safeguard high-skilled, high-wage jobs. Our funds have already delivered over 1,900 jobs, with significantly more expected as the £520m scheme progresses. We will keep working with industry to address priority skills gaps.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_938
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_938

John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Growth Guarantee Scheme in providing loans to small and medium-sized enterprises on terms more favourable than those available commercially. \p Blair McDougall: The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) opened for applications in July 2024, replacing the Recovery Loan Scheme, and has recently been extended until 31 March 2029. Evaluations for GGS are currently being procured and will commence in 2026/27.

As of June 2025, GGS had supported a total of 16,082 facilities, driving the sustainability and growth of smaller businesses across the UK. The status of these facilities is summarised in the table below.

Status

Number of facilities

% of facilities

On Schedule

13,912

86.51%

Arrears

368

2.29%

Defaulted

259

1.61%

Claimed

151

0.94%

Settled

481

2.99%

Fully Repaid

911

5.66%

Total

16,082

100.00%
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_939
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_939

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to review the exemption of small care companies from submitting audited accounts under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. \p Blair McDougall: The Government has delivered legislation which has increased the monetary size thresholds for micro-entities, small, medium-sized and large companies. This has extended access to the small companies audit exemption to 14,000 companies reclassified from being medium-sized to small. Together, the measures in this legislation are already saving UK businesses £240 million per year.

The Government is continuing to work to identify reforms to company reporting and audit requirements to reduce the administrative burden of regulation. We will consult further in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_940
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_940

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what mechanisms his Department plans to use to monitor the implementation of (a) funding and (b) job commitments announced following the Prime Minister’s visit to India in October 2025. \p Chris Bryant: All companies involved in the announcements have a dedicated account manager from the Department for Business and Trade and the Office for Investment. Account managers actively engage with these companies on a regular basis to seek updates on the announced investments, assist with any challenges they face in their investment and discuss further expansion plans.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_941
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_941

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to expand the UK’s investment promotion activities targeted at sovereign wealth funds. \p Chris Bryant: As part of the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, the government announced the creation of the Strategic Investment Opportunities Unit to shape and unlock investment opportunities for strategic investment. This includes originating new investment opportunities that can leverage private capital, including Sovereign Wealth Funds, and deliver government objectives, including to meet the UK’s infrastructure needs, and deliver our Industrial Strategy across the UK. This follows the OfI’s expansion last year, to strengthen our footing globally with the deepest pools of capital.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_942
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_942

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to negotiate investment agreements without investor-state settlement mechanisms in the future. \p Chris Bryant: Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The UK is a significant capital exporter and ISDS provisions provide an independent means to resolve disputes with host governments.

The UK will continue to work with trading partners multilaterally, such as at the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_943
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_943

Rebecca Long Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with businesses on the steps they are taking to (a) identify and (b) prevent forms of support that help to maintain unlawful occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Chris Bryant: The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, states there are clear risks to UK operators related to economic and financial activities in the settlements. UK citizens and businesses should be aware of the potential reputational implications of involvement in economic and financial activities in settlements, as well as possible abuses of the rights of individuals that such activity may entail. We discourage such activity and advise that those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice. Separately, we are conducting a review of Responsible Business Conduct, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK, as outlined in our Trade Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_944
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_944

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the press release entitled UK launches global talent drive to attract world-leading researchers and innovators, published on 22 June 2025, if he will publish his Department’s impact assessment for this decision. \p Chris Bryant: The Global Talent Taskforce (GTT) is a delivery-focused unit actively developing a pipeline of highly talented individuals who are considering laying down roots and investing in the UK. It provides tailored account management to support these individuals in support of the UK’s Industrial Strategy priority sectors. The Department for Science and Technology-led (DSIT) Global Talent Fund is a £54 million fund, administrated by UKRI and delivered by research organisations, which covers 100% of eligible costs, including relocation and research expenses, with no requirement for match funding from research organisations. DSIT and UKRI are working with GTF ROs to maximise delivery impact in line with government ambitions to attract global talent to the UK.

No, the Department for Business and Trade does not plan to publish an impact assessment in relation to the launch of the Global Talent Taskforce as it wouldn’t be required or appropriate for a Taskforce.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_945
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_945

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish a full impact assessment of the UK–Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty. \p Chris Bryant: Total FDI and portfolio investment assets and liabilities between the UK and Colombia were £6.8 billion at the end of 2023. The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) includes binding investment protection provisions which protect both UK and Colombian investors against unfair and discriminatory treatment, and expropriation without adequate compensation.

These commitments do not remove a government’s right to regulate in the public interest, nor its obligations to comply with other commitments.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_946
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_946

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the number jobs which will be created by US investment pledges made during President Trump's state visit in September 2025. \p Chris Bryant: The commitments made as part of the state visit are expected to create over 15,000 jobs here in the United Kingdom (based on 7,600 jobs announced 17 September 2025 plus 8,250 jobs announced 16 September 2025).
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_947
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_947

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support hospitality businesses at risk of closure in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. \p Kate Dearden: The Government recognises the vital role of hospitality businesses in our communities and economy, including those in Harpenden and Berkhamsted, and that’s why we’re taking targeted action to support them with the pressures they face.

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

Additionally, the Hospitality Support Scheme aims to co-invest in projects that boost productivity and help community pubs adapt to local needs. We’re also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council to boost productivity and resilience by working together to address the challenges facing businesses.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_948
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_948

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to set a timeline for the consultation on leave and pay for parents of critically ill children. \p Kate Dearden: The government has already committed to publish a terms of reference and timeline for its ongoing review of employment rights for unpaid carers this autumn. This will also outline the scope and include a timeline for consulting on employment rights for parents of seriously ill children.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_949
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_949

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help high street retailers compete with online businesses. \p Kate Dearden: We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27.

The Plan for Small Businesses sets out how government will work across departments to tackle high street decline, address retail crime and anti-social behaviour, provide targeted funding to places, update our licensing regime and promote greater partnership working on the high street. SMEs on the high street will also benefit from the new tools to unlock access to finance, action to address late payments and regulatory costs, improve digital adoption and create easier pathways to business support through the Business Growth Service.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_950
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_950

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to respond to the consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime. \p Kate Dearden: The government is committed to protecting consumers who enter subscription contracts. Chapter 2, Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 sets out a new regime for subscriptions contracts. Secondary legislation is required to implement it and the government ran a 12-week consultation on regulatory proposals (Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime - GOV.UK). We are analysing the responses and carefully considering the points raised. A government response will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_951
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_951

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what measures he is taking to ensure small businesses deliver (a) prompt, (b) competent and (c) honest services to consumers. \p Kate Dearden: All businesses are required to comply with consumer law, which aims to protect consumers from poor conduct by traders. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods sold by traders must be as described, of a satisfactory quality, and fit for a particular purpose. Traders are required to carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, and where the timeframe is not specified in the contract, within a reasonable time.

DBT has strengthened consumer protections through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

DBT also funds Business Companion, who publish free guidance for businesses on complying with consumer law.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_952
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_952

Sir John Whittingdale:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will review the policy requiring local authorities to claw back covid grant payments made in error where (a) significant periods of time have elapsed before notification of the error, (b) the payment was (i) made and (ii) used in good faith and (c) repayment would have a disproportionate impact on small community organisations. \p Kate Dearden: The various business grant schemes were a vital component of support for many businesses during the Covid-19 crisis. However, due to the speed of delivery, payments were made in good faith and in some cases following post payment compliance checks, some awards were identified as being made when they didn’t qualify for the support. In such cases, to protect public money these funds are recovered.

Recovery action is considered and assessed on a case-by-case basis, with repayment terms on an interest-free basis offered to support businesses required to repay.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_953
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_953

Sir John Whittingdale:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of requiring repayment of covid business support grants that were (a) paid in error by local authorities, (b) received and spent in good faith and (c) only identified several years after the original payment on small community sports clubs. \p Kate Dearden: The various business grant schemes were a vital component of support for many businesses during the Covid-19 crisis. However, due to the speed of delivery, payments were made in good faith and in some cases following post payment compliance checks, some awards were identified as being made when they didn’t qualify for the support. In such cases, to protect public money these funds are recovered.

Recovery action is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with repayment terms on an interest-free basis offered to support businesses required to repay funds.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_954
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_954

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of skills levels on advanced manufacturing businesses in Calder Valley constituency. \p Chris McDonald: This Government recognises the importance of skills for manufacturing across the UK, including for businesses in West Yorkshire’s Calder Valley. Through our new Modern Industrial Strategy we are investing an extra £1.2 billion yearly by 2028-29 to develop workforce capabilities and career opportunities.

The accompanying Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan outlines further government support for building a skilled, inclusive workforce through skills reforms including shorter apprenticeships, sector-wide reskilling, and changing public perceptions of manufacturing.

DBT works closely with Department for Education and Skills England. Skills England published two reports this summer, the Skills for growth and opportunity report, and the Assessment of priority skills to 2030, providing invaluable evidence to shape skills policy, including for the manufacturing sector.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_955
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_955

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the European Union’s revised steel safeguard measures on UK steel exports. \p Chris McDonald: We are in active dialogue with the European Commission to fully understand the details of their proposal and next steps.

The government is also working closely with UK industry to understand potential impacts and solutions, and to assess how best to secure the UK’s supply chains in light of these developments. I held a roundtable with industry, including trade unions, on the 9 October.

This government will always put the UK’s national interest first, and is committed to defending our critical steel industry, protecting skilled jobs and supporting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_956
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_956

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what contingency plans his Department has in place to mitigate disruption to UK-EU steel trade arising from changes to EU safeguard measures. \p Chris McDonald: The Government is engaging with the EU on how their proposed trade measure will be applied to the UK, in a way which honours our Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Windsor Framework and minimises disruption; we are reserving the right to take any action in response to changes to our trading relationships.

We are developing UK steel trade measure proposals, taking into account UK interests in light of the rapidly changing global situation; and we are developing our steel strategy, to be published later this year, to create a more competitive business landscape.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_957
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_957

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the effectiveness of late payment reforms. \p Blair McDougall: This Government is committed to tackling late payments and will introduce the most significant legislation aimed at tackling late payments in 25 years. Late payments cost the UK economy £11bn per year and close down 38 UK businesses every day.

Large businesses are already legally required to publish their payment performance twice yearly through GOV.UK. Analysts at the Department for Business and Trade will be able to determine the effectiveness of these measures through using the data that large businesses submit to check that payment times have improved.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_958
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_958

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of late payment reform on cash flow for small and medium-sized enterprises. \p Blair McDougall: This Government is determined to tackle late payments. On 31st July, alongside the Plan for Small Business, we launched a public consultation to seek views on our proposed legislative measures to ensure companies pay their suppliers quickly and on time. These measures include proposals to set strict maximum payment times at 60 days and to provide the Small Business Commissioner with stronger powers to tackle poor payment practices.

As part of the launch of the consultation an impact assessment was published on GOV.UK assessing the impact these measures will have on all businesses across the UK.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_959
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_959

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many companies subject to investigation for Bounce Back Loans fraud have been prevented from dissolving in (a) Lancashire and (b) Fylde constituency in the last 12 months. \p Blair McDougall: This information is not centrally held by the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_960
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_960

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that postmasters receive the benefit of the doubt in cases where evidence has been (a) lost and (b) destroyed. \p Blair McDougall: The Government recognises the challenges some postmasters face in providing evidence, particularly where significant time has passed or records have been lost or destroyed. The independent panel assessing each case takes these difficulties into account when making its recommendations.

As outlined in the joint statement made with the Post Office on 9 October, fairness requires acknowledging the absence of retained evidence, especially where it was wrongly withheld or destroyed. In such cases, and where it is fair to do so based on individual circumstances, postmasters should rightly receive the benefit of the doubt.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_961
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_961

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what steps he has taken to (a) assess and (b) compensate for non-financial losses including (i) psychological trauma and (ii) reputational damage. \p Blair McDougall: Redress is available for both financial and non-financial losses. Across the compensation schemes, cases are assessed individually on their facts and in accordance with established legal principles. The losses compensated may include impacts on mental or physical health, as well as reputational damage.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_962
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_962

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, whether his Department plans to publish anonymised (a) case studies and (b) data to demonstrate how full and fair redress is being interpreted in practice. \p Blair McDougall: The Department currently has no plans to publish anonymised case studies but may explore this in future. We do, however, publish monthly updates on redress delivery, which provide detailed insights into the number of claims received, offers made, and settlements completed.

As highlighted in the statement on full and fair redress, published on the 9 October, fairness is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with a range of factors considered in the round and judged on their own merits. At the same time, the redress schemes aim for broad consistency in awards where claimants have experienced similar harm.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_963
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_963

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the local authorities his Department is working with in Cambridgeshire to deliver the NO2 Programme. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is supporting 64 local authorities through the NO2 programme specifically to develop and implement measures to address their Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) exceedances in the shortest possible time. No local authorities in Cambridgeshire were identified as within scope of the NO2 programme.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_964
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_964

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2025 to Question 69634 on Swifts: Bricks, if she will make it her policy to amend the Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain metric to allow the installation of swift bricks in new housing to count towards biodiversity net gain. \p Mary Creagh: Swift bricks cannot be counted towards Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units, which must be calculated using the statutory biodiversity metric or its small sites version. The metric does not account for species-specific features, which are typically installed to mitigate the loss of features in the built environment.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_965
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_965

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect barn owls in Sussex, in the context of the decline in breeding numbers in 2025. \p Mary Creagh: The decline of the barn owl is attributed to several factors including the loss of suitable habitat, which limits the availability of hunting grounds; the use of rodenticides; road traffic collision; and the loss of traditional nesting sites.

To address their decline nationally, agri-environmental schemes are supporting barn owls by the funding of habitat creation, such as rough grassland for hunting, and by supporting the provision of nest boxes in suitable locations.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_966
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_966

Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) increasing levels of funding and (b) widening the responsibilities for the Border Force to include animal products originating from the rest of world. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Border Force is funded by Home Office. Defra has committed £3.1 million for Dover Port Health Authority to work in partnership with Border Force in seizing meat smuggled via the Port of Dover in 2025/26, additional to over £9 million of funding provided to date.

Border Force is responsible for enforcing the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 in England in relation to animal products in any place, other than Border Control Posts, where goods are subject to customs supervision.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_967
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_967

Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff have been employed by the Dover Port Health Authority in each of the last 20 years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra does not hold this information. Dover District Council is designated as port health authority for the Port of Dover.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_968
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_968

Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the UK's withdrawal from the EU on (a) biosecurity arrangements and (b) the illegal importation of food products. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The biosecurity arrangements and regulatory frameworks for imports are no longer the same as when we were in the EU. Since leaving the EU, we have put in place sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules for importing food products from the EU into Great Britain and amended SPS rules for importing food products from the rest of the world in line with the Border Target Operating Model.

The Government Major Projects Portfolio has approved a monitoring and evaluation plan for the Borders, Boundaries and Trade Programme which will explore questions relating to the performance and effectiveness of the Border target Operating Model.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_969
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_969

Irene Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with EU negotiators on the inclusion of UK animal welfare standards within the proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We will agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers, and helping to reduce the pressure on prices and increase choice in the shops.

The agreement will cover SPS standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules related to food labelling, organics, and key marketing standards and compositional standards.

Details are subject to negotiation, but we have been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards.