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 141–160 of 255 · Department for Business and Trade
Whether his Department have included diversity quotas as part of selection criteria for contracts awarded since 5 July 2024.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 25th March 2025 to question UIN 38901 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).The Department has not included diversity quotas as part of selection criteria in any contracts awarded by the Department since the answer previously provided.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of inviting external stakeholders to provide information for the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group’s consideration of market access barriers.
In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group will meet this Autumn with the objective of deepening the bilateral trading relationship further and seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade.As part of our preparation for the Working Group, my department is considering feedback from a range of stakeholders to inform our approach, and we are open to receiving views from any other businesses with an interest in UK-Canada trade.The working group will begin meeting shortly and report back to both Prime Ministers in December.
What was the value of inward investment deals secured by the Office for Investment in (a) October 2024, (b) June 2025 and (c) September 2025.
The Official Statistics for inward investment at DBT inward investment results 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK show both the capital expenditure and estimated economic impact as examples of value for DBT supported investment projects which landed in the 2024-25 financial year. The projects had a capital expenditure amount of £27.7bn and an estimated economic impact of £6.0bn. Monthly figures are not published, however the monthly average for 2024-25 was a capital expenditure of £2,307m and an additional estimated economic impact of £503m.Figures related to 2025-26 will be published in June 2026.
What gross value added has been measured for the Office for Investment in each month since its initial launch in 2020.
The Official Statistics for inward investment at DBT inward investment results 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK show the estimated economic impact of DBT supported investment projects on a financial year basis. These figures have been published since 2019-20. Monthly figures are not published, however the average estimated economic impact per month over the 2020-21 to 2024-25 time period was £475m.
When his Department plans to make a decision on the Trade Remedies Authority’s recommendation on anti‑dumping duty on bicycles and parts from China; and if he will publish the underlying evidence before a decision is made.
On the 23 August 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated a transition review of the existing anti-dumping trade remedy measures on bicycles and bike parts originating from China. The TRA published their draft recommendation on their public file on 31 July 2025, on which interested parties were invited to provide comment. However, as the review remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information and evidence on the public file as the review progresses.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Trade Remedies Authority’s proposal to maintain anti‑dumping measures on ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China until July 2029 on (a) retailers and (b) consumers.
On the 15 May 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated a transition review of the existing anti-dumping trade remedy measures on ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating from China. As the review remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information on the public file as the review progresses.
When he plans to publish (a) the steel strategy and (b) the Government's response to the Plan for Steel consultation which closed on 31 March 2025.
This government is developing a Steel Strategy that will set a long-term vision for a revitalised and sustainable industry and the actions needed to get there. The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals. We intend to publish the Steel Strategy later in the year and will incorporate our response to the Plan for Steel consultation.
When he plans to publish the responses to the call for evidence on steel trade measures, which closed on 7 August 2025.
The Government is currently considering the responses from the Call for Evidence to shape future trade measures on steel following the expiry of the steel Safeguard in June 2026.The future of the steel sector is of great importance to this Government as well as the UK's prosperity and security. This Call for Evidence reflects the UK Government's longstanding commitment to ensuring sufficient measures are in place to address the impact of global steel overcapacity and to strengthen the security of the UK's critical supply chains.We will announce next steps in due course.
When he plans to publish the (a) final Impact Assessment and (b) data tables for the UK–India trade deal.
The final Impact Assessment and accompanying data tables for the UK–India trade deal were published on 24 July.The analysis outlines the long-term economic benefits of the deal, including an estimated £4.8 billion boost to UK GDP and £2.2 billion increase in wages annually.
What discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on reducing trade tariffs with that country.
Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement – which keeps almost 99% of tariffs at 0 - worth around £28 billion in 2024.The Business and Trade Secretary had a warm introductory conversation with his Canadian counterpart Minister Sidhu at the G7, where they agreed to work together on deepening and growing the bilateral trading relationship further.Furthermore, as agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada have established a new Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This will include exploring reducing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.
How many (a) corporate and (b) personal insolvencies were recorded by the Insolvency Service in each of the last twelve months.
The Insolvency Service collates and publishes insolvency statistics from across the UK. Tables 1 and 2 below present the numbers of companies and individuals entering insolvency in England & Wales, Scotland (companies only) and Northern Ireland in each of the 12 months to June 2025.Table 1: Company insolvencies, England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025MonthEngland and WalesScotlandNorthern IrelandJuly 20242,08511720August 20241,92110211September 20241,9477328October 20241,73111531November 20241,97111416December 20241,8658223January 20251,9887528February 20252,02110321March 20252,01611829April 20252,06210130May 20252,23013353June 20252,04310525Table 2: Individual insolvencies, England & Wales, Northern Ireland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025MonthEngland & WalesNorthern IrelandJuly 202410,564152August 20249,97290September 202410,513155October 20249,125155November 202410,010144December 202410,044101January 20259,578141February 20259,948126March 20259,329134April 202510,102123May 202510,113102June 202510,279167Scottish individual insolvency numbers are published quarterly. Numbers of individuals in Scotland entering insolvency in each of the last 4 quarters to June 2025 are presented in Table 3 below.Table 3: Individual insolvencies, Scotland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025QuarterIndividual InsolvenciesJuly to September 20241,893October to December 20241,785January to March 20251,671April to June 20251,935
What his planned timetable is for free trade discussions with Canada.
Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement worth around £28 billion in 2024.As agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada have established a new Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This includes seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.The working group will begin meeting in the months ahead and report back to both Prime Ministers in December.
What tariffs applied to steel exports to the United States of America on 9 July 2025.
Thanks to our trade deal with the US, the UK remains the only country to have avoided 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. A 25% tariff continues to apply to UK steel exports. President Trump’s Executive Order on 3 June reconfirmed this will be removed once a US for UK quota is implemented, as per the Economic Prosperity Deal. We are in constant dialogue with domestic steel and aluminium sectors. We will continue to work with the US to get this deal implemented as soon as possible and in industry's best interests – supporting industry and protecting jobs.
What assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of the accelerated Trade Strategy timetable on business planning.
The Government published its Trade Strategy on 26 June which was positively received by business. The Government will work closely with stakeholders on the implementation of the strategy, to ensure that resources are prioritised to deliver on key commitments such as opening new export and market opportunities and strengthening our trade defence capabilities.
With reference to the document entitled Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap, published on 1 July 2025, whether his Department plans to publish a cost-benefit analysis of the phased implementation approach outlined in that document.
My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThis represents the best estimate for the likely impacts, given the current stage of policy development. We already intend to publish further analysis, both in the form of an Enactment Impact Assessment when the Bill secures Royal Assent and further assessments when we consult on proposed regulations, to meet our Better Regulation requirements
With reference to paragraph 7 of the document entitled Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap, published on 1 July 2025, what criteria his Department plans to use to determine which provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016 will be repealed (a) through secondary legislation and (b) upon Royal Assent of the Employment Rights Bill.
Clause 156 of the Employment Rights Bill sets out the clauses of the Bill, which repeal various provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016, that will be repealed two months following Royal Assent. Commencement dates for remaining clauses that repeal provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016 will be provided for in secondary legislation. The commencement dates for these clauses will be confirmed in due course.
What steps he is taking to ensure that the UK Export Finance expansion reaches small businesses.
Recognising the impact of the support it offers, the government recently increased UK Export Finance’s maximum commitment limit to £80 billion, enabling it to expand its finance support for UK businesses of all sizes.In 2023 to 2024, 88% of the businesses UKEF directly supported were SMEs. Its most popular product was the General Export Facility, which helped businesses to access around £576 million in working capital support.UKEF has an ambition to support over 1,000 SMEs by 2029 and will continue to innovate and launch new products, working with a wider range of banks and non-bank financial institutions to tailor the financing support that the UK’s SME exporters need.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade of 1 July 2025 in the debate on Hospitality Sector, Official Report, column 81WH, what the membership of the licensing taskforce is.
The Taskforce Terms of Reference and membership is published: Terms of Reference and taskforce member list - GOV.UK
With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade of 1 July 2025 in the debate on Hospitality Sector, Official Report, column 81WH, when he plans to make an announcement on his Department’s response to the licensing taskforce's recent report.
The Department for Business and Trade is working across Government to review the recommendations put forward in the licensing taskforce report. This review is currently being finalised, we plan to publish the report alongside the Government’s response this summer.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade of 1 July 2025 in the debate on Hospitality Sector, Official Report, column 81WH, if he will publish reports produced by the licencing taskforce.
The taskforce was co-chaired by Nick Mackenzie, Chair of the British Beer & Pub Association and CEO of Greene King, one of the UK’s leading pub retailers and brewers, and I as Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports. Other members include industry representatives and experts, police and local authority representatives. It concluded on 23 March 2025 and provided Government with ten key licensing recommendations to consider. Government is currently in the process of reviewing these recommendations and will respond in due course.