Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 December 2025
Letter to the Secretary of State relating to answers given at 11 November evidence session, 1 December 2025
Summary
The Business and Trade Committee writes to Secretary of State Peter Kyle following his 11 November evidence session, requesting detailed written answers on seven areas: Jaguar Land Rover supply chain monitoring and government intervention criteria; data collection on women's access to finance and start-up loans; SME procurement contract data; steel strategy publication date; DBT export promotion capacity amid staff cuts; employment rights and 'disguised self-employment' analysis; and Modern Slavery Act reform discussions.
Key findings
- Committee seeks clarification on how tier two and three JLR suppliers are being monitored for financial distress following the cyber-attack and government loan guarantee
- Requests explicit criteria used by DBT to determine which companies receive government-backed support, given contrasting decisions on British Steel/JLR versus ExxonMobil and Lindsey Oil Refinery
- Raises concerns about proposed DBT staff cuts in export promotion teams (DIME and Business Group) occurring simultaneously with expansion into new markets like South America, seeking reassurance on export support quality
- Asks for commitment to collect and publish data on women/ethnic minority access to finance and start-up loans, and SME public procurement contract awards
- Seeks confirmation of discussions between DBT and other departments on Modern Slavery Act reform and how the Responsible Business Conduct Review will inform legislative change
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Committee, Department of Business and Trade, Jaguar Land Rover, UK Export Finance, Minister Shanks, Jonathan Reynolds MP
Notable line
“What criteria does your department use in determining which companies receive government backed support?”
Key Quotes
“The Government's intervention in both British Steel and JLR were welcome examples of the Government stepping in to support private companies. Conversely the Government recently announced that it will not be offering a package of support for ExxonMobil Mossmorran's Fife Ethylene Plant as the support needed …”
“The Committee is concerned that regional teams being targeted for cuts are those simultaneously being targeted for new trade deals, such as South America.”
“You stated in the session that you do not know how many tier two and three suppliers have received money as part of the Government backed loan guarantee through UK Export Finance to Jaguar Land Rover.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗