Written questions by Griffiths.

What the net monetary value to business was of the removal of regulation in each year from 2010 to 2024.

The Business Impact Target BIT, which was repealed by the previous government through the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act, was the principal mechanism through which government made an estimate of the change in the total annual cost of regulation to business. The total impact of regulatory changes between 2011-2022 measured by equivalent annual net direct cost to business is estimated to be an increase of £6.2bn. This data is taken from annual BIT reports and for the period 2011-2015 the data also includes calculations by the National Audit Office of some regulatory changes outside the BIT’s remit.

How many laptop computers procured for his Department have been (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last 12 months.

The Department for Business and Trade figures for (a) lost and (b) stolen between start Jan 2024 and end Dec 2024 are:(a) Lost = 31(b) Stolen = 25

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 19287 on Trade Agreements: India, whether talks have begun.

UK-India trade talks will relaunch early this year, and work is underway across government to prepare for negotiations.

What discussions he has had with businesses on the subsidy control regime.

To date I have not met with business representatives directly to discuss the subsidy control regime, however my department would welcome the views of businesses in response to the current public consultation on refinements to the UK’s subsidy control regime. The consultation closes on 21 January 2025 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/refining-the-uk-subsidy-control-regime.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 19977 on Trade Union Officials, on what dates (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met with trade union officials since 1 November 2024.

The Secretary of State and departmental Ministers have met with many trade union officials, representing millions of British workers since 1 November 2024. Information about Ministerial meetings can be found on Gov.uk.

How many visits (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have made to Northern Ireland since 5 July 2024.

As of 17 December, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and his ministerial team have not yet visited Northern Ireland, but plan to do so in the upcoming months.

How many officials have been sent on foreign visits by his Department since 5 July 2024; and what the cost to the public purse was of these visits.

Since 5th July 2024, the Department for Business and Trade has sent 838 officials on foreign visits at a total cost of £1,632,898.02.

How many mobile phones procured for use by his Department have been (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last 12 months.

DateLost PhoneStolen PhoneDec-23123Jan-24170Feb-24122Mar-24130Apr-24190May-24162Jun-24114Jul-24103Aug-24140Sep-24141Oct-24202Nov-24183Dec-2472Total (Jan 24- Dec 24)17119

How many ministerial (a) cars and (b) drivers his Department has use of.

The Department for Business and Trade contracts 3 Ministerial cars, each with a team of two drivers and six in total.

How many trips by ministerial car Ministers in his Department have taken since 5 July.

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold data on the number of trips by ministerial car and to provide this could only be done at disproportionate cost.

What steps his Department is taking to support foreign direct investment in the north of England.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) promotes and supports investment opportunities across all of the UK. We are scaling the Office for Investment to become the UK’s full investment promotion function providing support to our most important interna...

How many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with trade union officials since 5 July 2024.

Ministers have met with many trade unions, representing millions of British workers, on numerous occasions since 5 July 2024. This is part of this government’s regular engagement with union leaders to support our growth mission, including on multiple indu...

How many letters her Department has sent informing postmasters and former postmasters that their conviction has been rescinded under the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024.

I refer the honourable Member to the GOV.UK page where the Ministry of Justice publishes monthly management information on the progress of the Post Office Convictions casework team. This page can be found at: Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the steel sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThe majority of employees will benef...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the public bodies for which his Department is responsible.

On 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive impact assessment for the Employment Rights Bill, which included analysis on the impacts on the public sector.Given the early stages of policy development, many reforms require further development an...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the (a) materials and (b) critical minerals sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThe majority of employees will benef...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the (a) maritime and (b) shipbuilding sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThe majority of employees will benef...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the construction sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThe majority of employees will benef...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the (a) materials and (b) critical minerals sector.

I can confirm that the Budget will support growth for our critical minerals industry. Already, following decisions made at the Autumn Budget, the National Wealth Fund has confirmed it can co-invest in domestic critical mineral projects to support our clea...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the steel sector.

The Budget has made a positive impact on the steel sector by confirming the funding required for work to begin on the new Electric Arc Furnace at Port Talbot. This £500 million grant not only secures the future of steelmaking in south Wales and up to 5,00...