Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alex Easton this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–8 of 8 · Department for Business and Trade
Whether the Government has plans to review Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 places a legal duty on directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of employees, and to the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment. It also requires directors to...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent changes to steel import quotas and tariffs on UK manufacturing businesses; and whether he plans to undertake a review of those changes.
The Government held extensive consultations with producers and downstream users of steel to inform development of the new steel trade measure, including a Call for Evidence in July 2025, and will continue to engage regularly with companies across the supp...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of requiring company directors to obtain digital identification through Companies House from November 2025 on administration for businesses.
Identity verification is designed to be quick and straightforward. Individuals can verify their identity digitally through GOV.UK One Login, for free, via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant or solicitor, or in-person at the Post Office. In most cases, the digital route takes a few minutes.Our 2024 Impact Assessment concluded that the familiarisation and time-based costs to businesses of identity verification are minimal. The cost to an average officer for identity verification is £10.50, and up to £25.20 for a harder-to-verify individual (2019 prices) and £2.10 to confirm each appointment.
If the Government will convene a meeting between (a) Boeing, (b) Airbus, (c) Bombardier, (d) GMB, (e) Unite the Union and (f) other relevant stakeholders on the proposed sale of Spirit AeroSystems, in the context of (i) its contribution the UK aerospace sector and (ii) potential job losses; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of Government fiscal intervention in this matter.
The Department for Business and Trade recognises the importance of Spirit AeroSystems’ Short Brothers to the Northern Ireland economy, the wider UK aerospace sector and its future potential in the global market. Commercial negotiations are ongoing and the Department will continue to stay engaged with all parties to work for the best outcome and to support future growth. Airbus’ decision to expand its UK operations in Belfast and Prestwick will secure high value jobs and is welcome news for the UK’s aerospace sector and a vote of confidence in Northern Ireland’s and Scotland’s world-class manufacturing expertise.
What discussions he has had with stakeholders on the future of the (a) workforce and (b) production lines at Spirit AeroSystems in Northern Ireland; and what steps he is taking to help (i) protect jobs and (ii) support the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.
Government recognises the importance of Spirit Aerosystems’ operations, skills, capabilities and experience to the Northern Ireland economy, the wider UK aerospace sector and its future potential in the global market. My department has been a supporter of Spirit AeroSystems’s via Repayable Launch Investment (RLI) and Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) funding, and we retain a strong interest in seeing its operations prosper after the sale process has concluded. Ministers and officials are in conversation with the interested parties, including the Northern Ireland Executive, to ensure the best outcome whereby the new owners commit to invest and grow the businesses, thereby sustaining jobs and safeguarding the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure greater oversight of UK-based multinational corporations.
As set out in the King’s Speech, the Government will publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill to strengthen audit and corporate governance oversight of corporations including UK-based multinationals. The draft Bill will uphold standards ...
What recent discussions he has had with the Post Office on proposed closures.
The Secretary of State and I recently met with the Post Office Chair, Nigel Railton, and discussed his proposals for the future of the company before Mr Railton announced Post Office's Transformation Plan on 13th November. While Post Office has the freedo...
What steps he is taking to (a) help prevent Post Office closures in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Bangor, North Down and (b) ensure continued access to (A) postal and (B) banking services in impacted
Government provides an annual £50m Network Subsidy funding to support the delivery of a minimum number of branches and a geographical spread of branches in line with published access criteria. The access criteria ensure that however the network changes, P...