Written questions by Hollinrake.

With reference to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82331 on Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels, what is the timetable for the completion of the Certification Officer’s investigation into Uni

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Certification Officer has made an assessment of when Unite will submit full accounts for publication on gov.uk, including backdated accounts.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the answer of 2 March 2026, to Question 113803, whether there are specific sectors in which the Government plans to introduce income-based pricing of utilities or merit goods.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department has taken to draw awareness to the ability of retailers to sell (a) sparking and (b) still wine in the imperial pint-sized bottles.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 May 2026, to Question 2117, on Public Houses: Rural Areas, and with reference to the Regulation Action Plan - Progress Update and Next Steps, of 22 October 2025, whether th

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the answer of 2 March 2026 to Question 113785 on Self-employed: Statistics, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Government collecting statistics on self-employm

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Regulation Action Plan - Progress Update and Next Steps, of 22 October 2025, if he will place in the Library a copy of the evidential basis for the administrative burden of regula

The Government published the evidential basis for the baseline of the administrative burden of regulation on business on gov.uk in the Technical Annex (25% Target Methodology) published alongside the Regulation Action Plan Progress Update on 22 October 20...

What steps he is taking to help ensure that UK downstream manufacturers who require steel that is not available in UK are not being placed at a significant disadvantage to their European counterparts.

Our aim with the new steel trade measure is to strike the right balance: securing the future of domestic capability while maintaining secure supply chains to make the UK economy more resilient in the long term. Where this is not feasible for technical rea...

What steps he is taking to mitigate the potential risk of fabricated goods being imported into UK market that will not be subject to proposed steel tariffs.

The steel trade measure aims to strike a careful balance between protecting UK steel industry and maintaining access to supply chains. We will monitor impacts closely and keep the position under review, including a formal review after 12 months.Businesses...

Whether he has conducted an impact assessment of the impact of cost inflation of steel on UK manufacturers of fabricated products.

The steel trade measure is designed to strike a careful balance between supporting the UK steel industry and maintaining access to essential inputs for UK manufacturers.The Government held extensive engagement with producers and downstream users of steel ...

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that proposed steel quotas and tariffs do not apply to steel categories that are not manufactured in the UK but fall within broader product categories; and

The new steel trade measure has been designed to only cover steel requirements that can be met in the UK. Where this is not feasible for technical reasons, quota sizes are being set with the aim of allowing continued availability of goods to UK downstream...

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 22 December 2025, whether he expects the UK to make financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the provisions on competition cooperation.

The UK will not make financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the provisions on competition cooperation. The UK‑EU Competition Cooperation Agreement signed on 25 February 2026 facilitates enhanced dialogue and operational cooperation between the Competition and Markets Authority, the European Commission and the National Competition Authorities of EU Member States. The agreement will be laid before Parliament under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRaG) in due course.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2026 to Question 113802 on British Business Bank, what the name is of the Aegon pension scheme and its default funds.

The British Business Bank’s workplace pension is provided by Aegon. Aegon Workplace Default (ARC) is the default fund.

Whether his Department had correspondence with Global Counsel between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Yes. Cabinet Office are collating a cross-government response to the Humble Address related to Lord Mandelson and relevant papers will be provided to the House.

Which financial institutions does the British Business Bank use for its (a) corporate banking and (b) staff pension fund.

The financial institution that provides British Business Bank plc with corporate banking services is NatWest. Bank accounts are held within the Government Banking Service.The British Business Bank’s workplace pension scheme is provided through Aegon.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2026 to Question 106743 on DBT: Public Appointments, who declared political activity; and what the political activity was in each case.

The following six Direct Ministerial Appointees declared political activity:1. Nita Clarke - Departmental Board - (Labour Party)2. Paul Lindley OBE - Board of Trade Advisers (Labour Party)3. Mike Soutar - Board of Trade Advisers (Labour Party)4. Kate Bell - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Labour Party)5. Greg Clark - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Conservative Party)6. Roy Rickhuss - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Labour Party)

Whether the Government plans to introduce income-based pricing of regulated (a) utilities and (b) merit goods.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has no plans to introduce universal income-based pricing for all regulated utilities or merit goods.Across both regulated utilities and merit goods, the Government aims to enhance fairness, reduce inequality, and improve affordability while maintaining service quality, financial sustainability, and investor confidence.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2026 to Question 107046 on DBT: Official Hospitality, how the hosting of the reception at the offices of FGS Global on 23 June 2025 will be declared in the Departmental annual accounts; and whether his Department made a financial contribution towards the cost of the reception.

The Department for Business of Trade did not make a direct financial contribution to FGS Global in respect of the reception held at their premises on 23 June 2025. The total cost to DBT for the event, standing at £10,074.14 and comprising third-party costs (lease of disability equipment, audio visual equipment, lectern, and stage), agency time, and a crown commercial service fee, will be reflected in DBT's annual accounts, specifically the department's overall spend on events.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2026 to Question 107375 on Public Appointments Commissioner: Correspondence, whether Nita Clarke made a declaration of political activity.

Nika Clarke OBE declared political activity for the Labour Party. This was declared at the time of announcement in line with Appointments guidance.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the removal of tariff rate quota safeguarding measures for bright steel bar (category 27) in 2021 on UK producers; and whether he plans to re-introduce safeguarding measures for that product as part of the current review of steel safeguards before their expiry in June 2026.

In 2021, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) conducted a transition review of the steel safeguard measure which is applied via tariff-rate quotas. The TRA recommended maintaining protections on steel categories only where justified; bright steel bar (category 27) was among the product categories where evidence did not support continuation of the safeguard. The Secretary of State at the time accepted the TRA’s recommendation. The UK’s trade remedies system is industry led. Where UK industry believe they are being injured, or there is the threat of injury, from unfair foreign trade practices, I encourage UK industry to engage directly with the TRA. I am not aware of any current applications to the TRA from category 27 producers. The Department continues to closely monitor market trends and engage with the steel industry to identify and address any significant developments affecting producers and supply chains. The sector is facing a challenging and uncertain global landscape due to significant steel overcapacity. We are therefore developing robust new measures in light of the steel safeguard expiring at the end of June 2026.