Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jim Allister this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–18 of 18 · Department for Business and Trade
What provisions will the Government make in the context of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment etc.) and the EU Machinery Regulation (Enforcement etc. in Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 for goods made in Great Britain that only carry the CE marking, and not the UKNI marking, to be sold in retail establishments in Northern Ireland.
Awaiting answer.
What discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the full practical application of the Steel Industry Nationalisation Bill to Northern Ireland, in the context of Article 10 of the Windsor Framew
The Government regularly engages with the EU on a range of issues, including the Windsor Framework, however the details of our engagement with the European Commission are treated as confidential.
What financial assistance has been given to Northern Ireland industry in each of the last 5 years under (a) the Industrial Development Act 1982 and (b) the Export and Investment Guarantee Act 1991.
Spend under the Industrial Development Act 1982 across the UK is reported in its annual reports (Industrial Development Act 1982: annual report - GOV.UK) and includes some support to Northern Ireland businesses, such as the Energy Intensive Industry, Music Export Growth and the Start Up Loan Schemes. Most NI industrial support is provided under the Industrial Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1982, for which the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy holds the spending details. Over the last five years, UK Export finance (UKEF) has provided hundreds of millions of pounds of support to businesses in Northern Ireland, including a loan guarantee for Wrightbus, based in North Antrim, enabling it to sell its zero-emission buses to markets in Europe and north America. Full details of the support provided by UKEF can be found online at: UK Export Finance: business supported - GOV.UK. UKEF does not publish a breakdown of support provided by UK nations or regions.
Whether there has been a Government response to the 'Common charger for electrical devices: call for evidence', launched on 9 October 2024; and what his policy is on chargers for electrical devices.
The Call for Evidence sought views on whether standardised charger requirements, similar to those adopted by the EU under Directive (EU) 2022/2380 and applying in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, would benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment. Many manufacturers already use common chargers to meet the EU rules and have indicated they will extend this approach across the UK to avoid supply chain complexity.The Government will publish its response in the new year, setting out policy direction. Meanwhile, businesses may continue using either UKCA or CE marking to sell common charger radio equipment in Great Britain.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the functioning of the UK Internal Market for (a) the period 1 January 2026 - 31 December 2026 and (b) the period 1 January 2027 onwards, and what steps he taken to prepare businesses for the legislation.
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will apply in its definitive regime from January 2026 but will not apply in Northern Ireland. It could only apply with UK agreement and under Windsor Framework democratic safeguards. From 2027, UK CBAM will apply across the entire UK, including Northern Ireland, ensuring consistent requirements for businesses.To support business readiness for EU CBAM, the Department for Business and Trade has compiled a comprehensive support package, including Export Support Service (ESS), webinars, and an upcoming explainer on business.gov.uk, signposting to relevant European Commission resources. This package is informed by extensive engagement with businesses.
What comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences on businesses importing into Northern Ireland and (b) UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences on business importing into Great Britain.
The Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) replaced the UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) in 2023. Like the EU GSP, the DCTS incentivises trade with developing countries, to reduce poverty, and to provide cheaper imports for UK and European businesses and consumers. They are two of the most generous schemes of their kind.Importers can claim UK DCTS preferential tariffs in Northern Ireland, provided the goods are not 'at risk' of entering the EU. Where the EU tariff is charged waivers and reimbursements are available.His Majesty’s Government has not conducted a comparative assessment of the impacts of these Schemes.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 22858 on Trade Agreements, how goods produced in Northern Ireland using inputs that entered Great Britain under the terms of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and were, when moved to Northern Ireland, deemed under the Windsor Framework to be at risk of entering the Republic of Ireland, will be subject to cumulation in relation to those inputs in the context of the relevant rules of origin for onward sale.
CPTPP originating inputs imported to Great Britain under CPTPP (from a country which has ratified UK accession) and moved to Northern Ireland retain their originating status, even if deemed at risk of entering the European Union under the Windsor Framework, as long as the inputs remain in the UK. Northern Ireland businesses may be able to cumulate these inputs in their goods exported under CPTPP to a country which has ratified UK accession, potentially helping them to meet the Rules of Origin.
Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 14407 on Trade Agreements, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and (b) Windsor Framework on the ability of Northern Ireland companies to access inputs through that Agreement which allow cumulation in Northern Ireland within relevant Rules of Origin for onward sale.
On Rules of Origin, CPTPP gives Northern Ireland companies the ability to cumulate materials from other CPTPP countries, in their exports to CPTPP countries, in the same way as any other part of the UK. Goods moving into Northern Ireland, including under CPTPP, are able to access UK tariffs preferences, subject to the ‘at risk’ criteria. The Windsor Framework does not affect exports from Northern Ireland, or Rules of Origin for exports.
What recent estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of trade deals negotiated since 2020 on economic growth in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland.
The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) does not hold an aggregated value for the impact of the signed trade deals on the UK’s nations and regions. Instead, the Department publishes individual Impact Assessments (IAs) for new free trade agreements (FTA...
What discussions he has had with (a) eBay and (b) other online sellers on the potential impact of the General Product Safety Regulations 2023 on the ability of consumers in Northern Ireland to continue
My fellow ministers and I undertake regular engagement with businesses, including online marketplaces and those who sell products online, to listen to their concerns. In addition, officials in my Department have regular discussions with business represent...
If his Department will make an estimate of the potential (a) direct cost to (i) producers, (ii) retailers and (iii) consumers in Northern Ireland and (b) economic impact to Great Britain of compliance
Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they will be adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures a...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) eBay and (b) other sellers based in Great Britain turning off their seller accounts to Northern Ireland because of the costs of compliance w
Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they will be adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures a...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) eBay and (b) other sellers based in England, Wales and Scotland turning off their seller accounts to Northern Ireland because of the costs of
Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they will be adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures a...
If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of (a) eBay and (b) other sellers based in England, Wales and Scotland turning off their seller accounts to Northern Ireland
Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they will be adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures a...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the tariff level applied to imported electric buses on local production; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising that
In setting tariffs, the Government takes into account the interests of UK consumers, producers, productivity, competitiveness, and external trade, as well as wider considerations such as strategic trade objectives.As with all policy, the Government welcom...
What trade remedy measures to promote domestic manufacturing industries are in place in respect of electric bus manufacturing in the UK.
The UK does not have a trade remedy measure in place against imports of electric buses.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the updated General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) on SMEs shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
The updated GPSR largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway to be compliant with the new Regulation to continue trading with the EU. However, we are providing more guidance in this area, will keep this under review and continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Northern Ireland Protocol and (b) Windsor Framework on trends in the level of the supply of (i) goods and (ii) other materials to Northern Ireland.
In 2023, the value of goods associated with full declarations cleared by HMRC on GB to NI movements was £17.8bn, increasing by £3.6bn (26%) from 2022. More detail can be found here.The Department for Business and Trade continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland devolved government and all other stakeholders to ensure the Windsor Framework delivers positive outcomes for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland.