Every parliamentary written question tabled by Harriett Baldwin this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 203 · Department for Business and Trade
What budget was allocated to the Office for Investment in the spending review 2025.
£3.8 billion was allocated to The Department for Business and Trade as part of the Spending Review, which includes funding for the Office for Investment (OfI). As set out previously, (9th June), the OfI's budget for FY 2025/6 is £24,671,291.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Record-breaking International Investment Summit secures £63 billion and nearly 38,000 jobs for the UK, published on 14 October 2024, what the regional breakdown is of those jobs.
The figures released as part of the International Investment Summit last autumn are aggregate values of investment plans from several multi-national enterprises. The Office for Investment does not hold information from companies on the regional breakdown of their job proposals in their investment plans.
What key performance indicators his Department plans to use to measure the success of the Office for Investment; and how these differ from key performance indicators outlined at the launch of the Office.
The Office for Investment (OfI) is focusing on building and converting a pipeline of significant investments opportunities, delivering economic growth and strategic government priorities. This was also the focus of the OfI when originally launched in 2020 but there is now a greater expectation on the number of significant opportunities that will be supported.As demonstrated in the DBT Inward Investment Results 2024-25, DBT and OfI measure and report on several aspects of investments supported by the government’s investment promotion service including Gross Value Add (GVA) and jobs created outside of London and the South East.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, in May of which year the expanded Office for Investment will be operational.
The expanded Office for Investment (OfI) was officially launched on 5th June 2025.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, how many staff were allocated to the expanded Office for Investment in each month from July 2024.
The number of staff (FTE) in the Office for Investment (OfI) was c.30 from July 2024 to June 2025. When the expanded OfI was launched on 5th June 2025, this figure increased to c. 230 FTE.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, where the expanded Office for Investment will be located.
The Office for Investment (OfI) is a joint unit that works across the Department of Business and Trade, HM Treasury (HMT), and No 10 Downing Street to bring in top-tier investment to the UK. The main base will be in DBT offices. Seconded staff to HMT will be located at HMT buildings. The Minister will have offices in both DBT and HMT.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, what expenditure has been incurred to allocate (a) office space, (b) furnishings and (c)) computers to the Office for Investment since July 2024.
The overall budget for the Office for Investment (OfI) and the Investment Directorate (ID) for FY 2024/5 was £27,630,000. This included expenditure on the three categories outlined above but no specific further provision was made.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2024 to Question 53498 on the Office for Investment, what the budget is of the expanded Office for Investment.
The budget for the Office for Investment (OfI) for FY 2025/6 is £24,671,291.
What his planned timeline is for compensation payments to people impacted by the Post Office data breach in June 2024.
These matters are the responsibility of the Post Office, although the Department for Business and Trade has made clear to them the very serious view which we take of this breach and the need to avoid similar failings in future. The Information Commissioner’s Office is responsible for independent oversight of data protection matters.
What steps the Post Office has taken to prevent future data breaches.
These matters are the responsibility of the Post Office, although the Department for Business and Trade has made clear to them the very serious view which we take of this breach and the need to avoid similar failings in future. The Information Commissioner’s Office is responsible for independent oversight of data protection matters.
Whether he plans to commission an independent investigation into the Post Office data breach in June 2024.
These matters are the responsibility of the Post Office, although the Department for Business and Trade has made clear to them the very serious view which we take of this breach and the need to avoid similar failings in future. The Information Commissioner’s Office is responsible for independent oversight of data protection matters.
With reference to the fourth iteration of the Post Office's Banking Framework, published on 30 April 2025, what steps his Department is taking to expand access through post offices to (a) cash and (b) banking services.
The Government welcomes Banking Framework 4, which provides both personal and business customers with certainty about access to services provided through the post office network to the end of the decade, including vital in-person cash and banking services. As well as improving cash services for the people and businesses that need it most, Banking Framework 4 will also provide a better commercial offer for postmasters over the next five years.
With reference to the About Us page for the Office for Investment on gov.uk, updated on 8 November 2024, when he plans to set out further details on the expanded Office for Investment; and when that expanded office will be operational.
The Office for Investment (OfI) has remained operational throughout this period, continuing to lead efforts to secure high-value investment into the UK — such as through its role in landing the major investment partnership worth £24 billion between The Crown Estate and Lendlease and the multibillion-pound investment by Universal in a new theme park and resort in Bedford. The expanded OfI will be operational by the end of May. The Department remains committed to continuously improving its approach to attracting and delivering transformational investment that supports UK growth and innovation.
How many applications were received by UK Export Finance in each month of the last five years; and what the value of those applications was.
It is not possible to provide the information requested other than at disproportionate cost.Applications are made to UK Export Finance (UKEF) through a variety of channels, including through banks and other financial institutions, and through its network of local Export Finance Managers who are valuable contacts for exporters and businesses with export potential.Further information about the support that UKEF provides can be found in the Annual Reports and Accounts for each year, which can be found online at: UK Export Finance annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.Full details of the businesses supported by UKEF are available online at: UK Export Finance: business supported - GOV.UK.
What progress he has made on payments through compensation schemes for postmasters impacted by failures in the Horizon system.
The Government continues to make significant progress in delivering redress to affected postmasters. From July 2024 to 30 April 2025, more than 4,000 victims have received compensation for the first time. An additional £728 million has been paid in redress during this same time period. This means that the total amount of redress paid to victims has increased by more than four times with £964 million having now been paid to over 6,800 claimants across all schemes.We however recognise there is a lot more still to do, and we remain committed to improving the pace at which full and fair redress is paid to the victims of the Horizon scandal.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of US steel tariffs on (a) finished and (b) semi-finished steel derivative products.
The Department for Business and Trade is working closely with the UK’s steel and aluminium industries to anticipate and assess the potential impacts of the US tariffs on UK exports, and we continue to engage closely with affected industries.We have committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector and recently welcomed the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) urgent review of the Steel Safeguard. We are also discussing what interventions might be similarly required to protect the Aluminium sector from any harmful effects of trade deflection UK-US trade teams will continue to have constructive discussions to agree a UK-US economic prosperity deal in the coming weeks and beyond.
Whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on reducing VAT on US firms exporting to the UK.
DBT Secretary of State and officials continue to hold regular and productive conversations with the Trump administration to press the case for UK business interests. We’re prioritising engagement with the US to stand up for our national interests.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of US aluminium tariffs on (a) finished and (b) semi-finished aluminium derivative products.
The Department for Business and Trade is working closely with the UK’s steel and aluminium industries to anticipate and assess the potential impacts of the US tariffs on UK exports, and we continue to engage closely with affected industries.We have committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector and recently welcomed the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) urgent review of the Steel Safeguard. We are also discussing what interventions might be similarly required to protect the Aluminium sector from any harmful effects of trade deflection UK-US trade teams will continue to have constructive discussions to agree a UK-US economic prosperity deal in the coming weeks and beyond.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of US tariffs on (a) finished and (b) semi-finished (i) steel and (ii) aluminium derivative products on manufacturing jobs.
The Department for Business and Trade is working closely with the UK’s steel and aluminium industries to anticipate and assess the potential impacts of the US tariffs on UK exports, and we continue to engage closely with affected industries.We have committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector and recently welcomed the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) urgent review of the Steel Safeguard. We are also discussing what interventions might be similarly required to protect the Aluminium sector from any harmful effects of trade deflection UK-US trade teams will continue to have constructive discussions to agree a UK-US economic prosperity deal in the coming weeks and beyond.
What discussions he has had with manufacturers on the potential impact of US tariffs on (a) finished and (b) semi-finished aluminium derivative products.
The Department for Business and Trade is working closely with the UK’s steel and aluminium industries to anticipate and assess the potential impacts of the US tariffs on UK exports, and we continue to engage closely with affected industries.We have committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector and recently welcomed the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) urgent review of the Steel Safeguard. We are also discussing what interventions might be similarly required to protect the Aluminium sector from any harmful effects of trade deflection UK-US trade teams will continue to have constructive discussions to agree a UK-US economic prosperity deal in the coming weeks and beyond.