Written questions by Griffith.

What steps he is taking to support the transition from SPIRE to LITE in relation to licence applications made to the Export Control Joint Unit.

The ‘apply for a SIEL’ service (Single Individual Export Licence) was launched on gov.uk on 17 September 2024, the first licence type introduced on our new export control platform, LITE. To ease the transition for exporters, a suite of training videos, webinars, and frequently asked questions are available online. Live demonstrations are provided, supported by regular engagement with trade associations. A dedicated helpline offers practical support, and users can flag technical issues. Approximately 70% of SIEL applications are submitted via LITE, up from 33% in June, 2024. Reducing processing times for all applications remains a priority of ECJU.

How many (a) desks and (b) chairs have been procured for use by his Department since 5 July 2024.

According to central records, 16 chairs and 10 desks have been procured since 5 July 2024. These have been provided to colleagues as reasonable adjustments and are in use in homes and offices.

How many businesses he expects to (a) apply for and (b) be granted awards under the new Fair Payment Code award tiers.

The Government would like to see as many businesses applying to the Fair Payment Code as possible, particularly larger businesses. Tackling late payments is a priority for the Department and the Fair Payment Code is one of a number of measures we are taking. Applying to the Fair Payment Code is a clear sign that businesses are prioritising paying their suppliers promptly and on time. The Office of Small Business Commissioner administer the Code on behalf of the Department and will announce the recipients in due course.

What budget his Department has allocated to the creation of the award tiers as part of the new Fair Payment Code.

The Fair Payment Code is administered by the Office of Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department of Business and Trade. The Office of the Small Business Commissioner is grant in aid funded by the Department and in 2023/24 received £1.148m in grant funding. As had previously occurred with the Prompt Payment Code, the Fair Payment Code’s operation will be funded from the Office of Small Business Commissioner’s existing budget.

What budget his Department has allocated for the first year of the process of assessing applications for awards as part of the new Fair Payment Code.

The Fair Payment Code is administered by the Office of Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department of Business and Trade. The Office of the Small Business Commissioner is grant in aid funded by the Department and in 2023/24 received £1.148m in grant funding. As had previously occurred with the Prompt Payment Code, applications to the Fair Payment Code’s will be assessed by the Office of Small Business Commissioner and funded from its existing budget.

What information her Department holds on G20 states that have set a target to end the sale of new (a) solely internal combustion engine powered vehicles and (b) hybrid vehicles powered in part by internal combustion engines.

The UK Government’s commitment to phase out new cars that rely solely on internal combustion engines from 2030 and then to phase out all new non-zero emission cars and vans from 2035 correspond to a range of national and sub-national targets globally through a variety of different measures. In the G20, Canada has targets of 60% and 100% zero emission in 2030 and 2035 respectively, France, Germany, and Italy follow the EU targets that will require a 35% reduction in car CO2 emissions in 2030 and a 100% reduction in 2035, and 17 US states and the District of Columbia have committed to 100% zero emission cars from 2035.

How many computer monitors his Department has provided to (a) Ministers and (b) officials for home working since 5 July 2024; and what the cost to public purse was.

Expenditure on computer monitors purchased under the Department’s Home Working Equipment Policy between 01 January – 30 November 2024 is as follows: MonthNumber of monitors purchasedCostJanuary27£4,783.19February20£3,392.00March30£5,177.60April30£5,173.60May22£3,561.93June25£4,362.10July24£3,996.40August27£4,498.02September39£6,569.56October64£9,709.52November45£7,125.42Grand Total353£58,349.34No computer monitors have been purchased for Ministers under this policy.

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

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill:[http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill. However, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors, including hospitality, will benefit the most from the Bill. The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security's oral contribution of 3 December 2024, Official Report, column 174, whether his Department has conducted any independent visits to Xinjiang to investigate human rights abuses since 5 July.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities.We continue to monitor the situation closely, including by conducting independent visits to areas of major concern wherever possible, and supporting reputable NGOs in exposing and reacting to human rights violations.

When he plans to respond to the letter of 28 November 2024 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

The Department aims to respond to answer correspondence within 15 working days, this response was issued on 9 December.

On what dates he has met with representatives of Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.In addition to his wider engagement with the automotive sector, the Secretary of State met with representatives of Stellantis on 15 July, 19 July, 24 July and 26 November.

On what dates the Minister for Industry has met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.In addition to my wider engagement with the automotive sector, I met with representatives of Stellantis on 24 July.

On what dates the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports has met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.The Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports has not met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the potential impact of the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024 to (a) porridge oats, (b) pork rind-based snacks and (c) roast potatoes on the food and drink industry.

The Government is delivering on its manifesto commitment to ban junk food advertising to children by introducing the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024. This was agreed in the usual way across the Government through proper development and consultation processes. As the lead department, DHSC has published an impact assessment including costs to business, and published guidance for industry on the food and drink categories in scope of the restrictions.

On what dates the Minister for Investment has met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.The Minister for Investment has not met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024. The Minister for Investment was only appointed on 10th October 2024.

How many thefts of motor vehicle from Network Rail owned car parks there were in each of the last five years; and how many of these resulted in a criminal prosecution.

According to British Transport Police (BTP) data, there have been 68 thefts of motor vehicles at the 20 Network Rail managed stations between January 2020 and up to and including the 2nd December 2024. Of these, 5 have resulted in criminal prosecution. YearBTP Recorded Number of Theft of Motor Vehicle OffencesRecorded Crime that led to prosecution at court (correct as of 03/12/2024)202071202171202220220231702024 (up to 02/12/2024 only)171 During 2020 and 2021 passenger numbers were reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so train station car parks were also likely less occupied during this time.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the chemicals and plastics sector.

As members of the chemicals and plastics sectors have themselves noted, this budget had many positive points for manufacturers. This includes measures based around the key pillars of our industrial strategy, including net zero, skills, regional growth and innovation. Notably, industry has welcomed the announcement that a ‘Mass Balance’ approach to chemically recycled plastic will be introduced, encouraging innovation and investment in new recycling technologies within the UK. The Budget also announced continued support for Energy Intensive Industries through around £350M of funding across 2024-25 and 2025-26 – this includes chemicals and plastics companies.

What recent assessment he has made of trends in the (a) number of factory closures and (b) levels of employment in the automotive industry.

The number of registered business births (registrations), deaths (de-registrations) and stock of active automotive manufacturing businesses from 2018 to 2023 were as follows: 201820192020202120222023Births510445395570435320Deaths390365425440480400Stock3,8203,8303,8754,0804,0053,890Source: ONS Business Demography Employment levels (employees and self-employed) in automotive manufacturing between 2018 and 2023 were as follows: 201820192020202120222023Employment (‘000s)168167166165151152Source: ONS Employee Jobs and Self-employed Jobs

If she will make it her policy to not include hybrid cars in the 2030 phase-out of vehicles with internal combustion engines.

The commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new cars with internal combustion engines has always meant that some hybrids will be allowed until 2035, when all new cars will be required to be zero emission. Further details will be set out in the upcoming consultation.

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

The Budget increased defence spending in real terms by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5% of GDP on defence. The Department's Statement of Intent regarding the Defence Industrial Strategy was published on 2 December. This will ensure the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned.