Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gregory Stafford this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–16 of 16 · Department for Business and Trade
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the safeguards in the Insolvency Rules 2016 against the misuse of insolvency proceedings as an instrument of economic abuse or coercive contro
Insolvency proceedings are a regulated process designed to protect both debtors and creditors.An individual can only be declared bankrupt by a court order following the presentation of a bankruptcy petition. The process is overseen by the court through th...
What steps the Insolvency Service is taking to (a) identify and (b) respond to cases in which (i) statutory demands and (ii) bankruptcy petitions are used as an instrument of economic abuse or coercive
Bankruptcy is generally considered a last resort due to its serious financial and legal consequences, but can also provide a route out of problem debt for vulnerable debtors. Creditors presenting a bankruptcy petition to the courts must meet strict requir...
Whether the Government is taking steps to protect the interests of retail shareholders in situations where a majority shareholder exercises its voting rights in relation to a competing takeover offer.
The Takeover Code, which has a statutory basis under the Companies Act 2006, sets out a clear and orderly framework for takeovers, including measures to ensure fairness to all shareholders. The Code is issued and administered by the independent Panel on T...
What support mechanisms he is considering for the UK steel industry should the criteria for removing export tariffs on shipments to the US not be met.
The Government’s priority remains the swift implementation of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal to enable UK businesses to export steel and aluminium to the United States without incurring Section 232 tariffs. We are engaged in active and constructive discussions with our US counterparts to this end.The Government has also taken major action on areas crucial for the sector, including slashing electricity costs, changing procurement rules to ensure UK-made-steel is considered for all public projects and opening a Call for Evidence on future trade measures. More detailed information on support for the sector can be found in a press release published on 03 July.
Whether he has set a cap on the amount of funding he will allocate to the running of British Steel in the next three financial years.
Funding is provided to British Steel under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act. This funding is intended to ensure the safe and continued operation of the blast furnaces. The intervention is a temporary measure and work is continuing to determine the best long-term sustainable future for the site.
Whether he plans to replace the import safeguard quotas for steel when they expire in June 2026.
Steel is a top priority for this Government and we recognise the continuing challenges facing the UK steel industry – driven by persistent overcapacity and unfair trading practices.We will ensure there is a plan in place for the UK steel industry following the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. That is why we launched a Call for Evidence on Steel Trade Measures on the 26th of June to inform the design of any potential trade measures, including appropriate tariff rates and quota levels.
Whether he plans to include measures to help protect steelmakers from subsidised steel imports from (a) China and (b) the wider Far East in the forthcoming trade strategy.
Steel is a top priority for this government. The UK applies 10 anti-dumping measures and two anti-subsidy measures on steel imports from China, and a safeguard measure on global imports for 14 steel categories. This measure was adjusted on 30 June to provide more effective protection for domestic producers.On 26 June the government published its Trade Strategy, announcing we will sharpen our trade defence toolkit to better protect critical sectors, such as steel, from harm. Alongside this we launched the Steel Trade Measures Call for Evidence to prepare us for the expiry of the steel safeguard in June 2026.
Whether he has considered increasing the size of the Steel Fund, in the context of funding allocated to the running of British Steel under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.
We are committed to providing up to £2.5bn for steel which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. At the Spending Review, the Chancellor confirmed that we will invest in the long-term future of Scunthorpe. We have been clear that private investment to modernise British Steel will also be required and work continues at pace to develop the optimal approach. Over £100m of funding has been provided to British Steel to ensure continued operation of the blast furnaces.
When he next plans to conduct a national security assessment of (a) British Steel and (b) the wider UK steel industry.
The government is conducting a range of assessments and analysis to inform future options for British Steel and our strategy for the steel industry. Matters relating to national security are under constant review. We do not comment on the timing or content of any assessments.
Whether he plans to provide funding for legal advice for Sub-Postmasters pursuing compensation claims.
The Department for Business and Trade meets the reasonable legal costs of postmasters in applying to its Horizon redress schemes, and encourages claimants to take up this offer. Legal cost frameworks and tariffs for each scheme delivered by the Department have been agreed and published following discussions with claimants’ legal representatives. Post Office provides funding for reasonable legal fees to help claimants on the Horizon Shortfall Scheme to consider offers made by the independent panel, with further legal support available should they choose to dispute or appeal their offer.
What recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) fairness and (b) efficiency of the Horizon compensation schemes.
As of 2 June 2025, over £1 billion has been paid to over 7,300 claimants across the 4 horizon schemes. This represents a fourfold increase since July 2024, with more than 4,500 victims receiving compensation for the first time.Claims for Horizon redress are assessed by applying the specific facts of the individual cases to established legal principles and any other factors which support reaching a fair outcome. Across each scheme, claimants have the option of accepting a fixed-sum offer or requesting a detailed assessment. Where a claimant is not satisfied with an offer for redress, the offer may be appealed. On the Group Litigation Order scheme, disputed offers would be assessed by an independent panel and in some circumstances, an independent reviewer.We continue to seek options to speed up redress, in discussion with the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board.
What criteria his Department is using to calculate compensation offers made to Sub-Postmasters impacted by the Horizon scandal.
Claims for Horizon redress are assessed by applying the specific facts of the individual cases to established legal principles and any other factors which support reaching a fair outcome. Assessment criteria for the individual redress schemes are published by the Department for Business and Trade and the Post Office.Across each scheme, claimants have the option of accepting a fixed-sum offer or requesting a detailed assessment.Where a claimant is not satisfied with an offer for redress, the offer may be appealed. On the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme, disputed offers would be assessed by an independent panel and in some circumstances, an independent reviewer.As of 2 June 2025, over £1 billion has been paid to over 7,300 claimants across the 4 horizon schemes.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 46621, whether he has made an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of British Steel entering liquidation during the period of special measures under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.
It would be a breach of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act for British Steel to be put into liquidation while the special measures are in place. Prior to the Act becoming law, the Government undertook assessments of the potential cost to the public purse should British Steel enter insolvency. These assessments would be updated in the unlikely event that liquidation became a serious prospect.Creditors of British Steel whose credit predates the special measures are protected by the security interests they obtained at the time their credit was advanced. Any parties wishing to extend credit to British Steel during the currency of the special measures will need to consider the most suitable arrangements upon which they would be willing to do so. British Steel management and DBT can discuss any such proposals as the need arises.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of British Steel entering liquidation during or after the period of special measures under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 on creditors; and what mechanisms are available for them to recover outstanding debts.
It would be a breach of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act for British Steel to be put into liquidation while the special measures are in place. Prior to the Act becoming law, the Government undertook assessments of the potential cost to the public purse should British Steel enter insolvency. These assessments would be updated in the unlikely event that liquidation became a serious prospect.Creditors of British Steel whose credit predates the special measures are protected by the security interests they obtained at the time their credit was advanced. Any parties wishing to extend credit to British Steel during the currency of the special measures will need to consider the most suitable arrangements upon which they would be willing to do so. British Steel management and DBT can discuss any such proposals as the need arises.
Whether company directors will be indemnified from wrongful trading liability under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.
If required, the Government would provide an indemnity from any possible wrongful trading liability to any company director appointed by Government under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, or who had followed instructions from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade given pursuant to that Act. Whilst we recognise that there is a theoretical possibility of a wrongful trading claim against any such individuals relating to the period of special measures, it is not the intention of the Government that British Steel enters liquidation, which is the circumstance in which a wrongful trading claim could arise. Any company directors not appointed by Government, and/or who had not had access to company systems and processes by direction of the Secretary of State under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, would very likely have a good defence to any claim for wrongful trading brought later by a liquidator relating to any period when the company was under special measures. It is a matter for those directors to seek advice and take whatever steps they consider appropriate in the circumstances.
What discussions he has had with Sri Lankan authorities on strengthening business relations for British citizens who have set up companies in Sri Lanka.
DBT has a team dedicated to supporting the UK-Sri Lanka trade and investment relationship. Officials have regular contact with Sri Lankan authorities through the annual UK-Sri Lanka Strategic Dialogue to promote areas of mutual interest, including bilateral discussions on trade and investment.My officials use programmes and levers to strengthen business relations for UK companies, including working closely with the Council for Business with Britain to support the removal of barriers to trade, and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which cuts tariffs and simplifies trading rules for Sri Lankan exports to the UK.