Written questions by Hollinrake.

Whether he has had discussions with the Trade Remedies Authority on the treatment of bright steel bar and associated raw material categories; and whether he will ensure that representations from UK bright drawing businesses are included in that process.

The Department engages regularly with the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), including on matters related to steel product categories. The UK’s trade remedies system is industry led, and we encourage bright steel bar and bright drawing businesses to raise any concerns directly with the TRA. In the 2021 transition review, the TRA determined that category 27 (bright steel bar) did not meet the threshold for serious injury required to justify safeguard continuation; no subsequent evidence has been submitted to support reinstatement.The Department continues to closely monitor market trends and actively engage with the steel industry to identify and address any significant developments affecting producers and supply chains. The Department will ensure industry views are considered as part of any formal procedure undertaken by the TRA with respect to bright steel bar and associated raw materials

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of imports of bright steel bar on (a) the viability of UK bright drawing businesses and (b) levels of (i) business closures, (ii) administrations, (iii) deactivation of production and (iv) production in the sector since 2021.

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.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of import penetration in the UK bright steel bar market since the removal of safeguarding measures in 2021.

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.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that revised steel safeguard measures applying from June 2026 maintain access to steel feedstock covered by categories 1A, 12A, 12B and 16, in cases where UK steel mills may produce steel within the same HS codes but not to a quality suitable for bright drawing applications.

The Government continues to closely monitor market trends, including for categories 1A, 12A, 12B and 16, to ensure UK manufacturers retain reliable access to appropriate feedstock. We are exploring a range of options to support the UK steel industry and ensure security of supply beyond the expiry of the Safeguard in June this year. We will share more information in due course.

Whether his Department has assessed the potential impact on UK producers of changes announced to EU steel safeguard quotas applying from June 2026..

Steel is a high priority for this Government. We have worked closely with industry on potential impacts and their needs in terms of EU market access and are now engaging closely with the EU to make the case. We expect the EU to honour the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK will always defend its critical steel industry where required, and we want to work with our closest allies to address global challenges. We look forward to saying more soon, including in our forthcoming Steel Strategy.

Further to his Department's consultation entitled Make Work Pay: Consultation - Draft Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Balloting for Statutory Union Ballots, published on 19 November 2025, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the security of e-balloting and postal balloting; and whether his Department has made an assessment of the level of (a) attempted and (b) actual interference by foreign state actors in trade union balloting for industrial action during the last five years.

The Government committed to enable unions to use modern and secure electronic and workplace balloting for statutory ballots, bringing union participation in line with modern voting practices that political parties and listed companies already use.

Further to his Department's consultation entitled Make Work Pay: Consultation - Draft Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Balloting for Statutory Union Ballots, published on 19 November 2025, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the potential environment impact of e-balloting and postal balloting.

The environmental impact of e-balloting, and anticipated reduction in postal balloting is estimated to have a net positive environmental effect. It is expected that e-balloting will reduce the physical printing and transport requirements of the existing postal balloting process.

Whether the Licensing Taskforce were consulted on the proposed ban on vaping inside pubs.

The Premises Licensing Taskforce were not consulted on the proposed ban on vaping inside pubs. Members of the Taskforce did not raise vaping in the wider consultation and Call for Evidence on Premises Licensing.The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives us the powers to make most public places and workplaces that are smoke-free also vape-free. Exactly which settings should become vape-free will be a matter for secondary legislation and will be subject to a consultation. The Taskforce are able to respond to the consultation. We want to hear the views of all groups.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the expiry of the UK steel safeguard in June 2026 on the UK steel industry.

Steel remains a Government priority, with plans being developed for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. The steel safeguard is a temporary measure and is set to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and cannot be extended further. We held a Call for Evidence throughout July to gather stakeholder views on future policy options. We are currently reviewing all options and potential impacts carefully. Our long-term approach will be robust, evidence-based, and aligned with domestic and international obligations.

If his Department will renew the steel safeguarding measures due to expire in June 2026.

Steel remains a Government priority, with plans being developed for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. The steel safeguard is a temporary measure and is set to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and cannot be extended further. We held a Call for Evidence throughout July to gather stakeholder views on future policy options. We are currently reviewing all options and potential impacts carefully. Our long-term approach will be robust, evidence-based, and aligned with domestic and international obligations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the operational framework of the Trade Remedies Authority on steel safeguards due to expire at the end of June 2026.

Steel remains a Government priority, with plans being developed for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. The steel safeguard is a temporary measure and is set to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and cannot be extended further. We held a Call for Evidence throughout July to gather stakeholder views on future policy options. We are currently reviewing all options and potential impacts carefully. Our long-term approach will be robust, evidence-based, and aligned with domestic and international obligations.

With reference to the written statement of 21 October 2025, HCWS973, on Regulation Action Plan Update and Modernisation of Corporate Reporting, if he will increase the definition of SME firms from 250 to 500 employees.

The Department introduced legislation earlier this year that raised the monetary thresholds for micro, small, medium, and large companies by approximately 50%, thereby reducing reporting obligations for 133,000 companies moving into a smaller size category. Saving companies £240 million per year. As part of the announced modernisation of corporate reporting review, we will publish a broad, holistic consultation in 2026 which will set out our vision for corporate reporting including who should be required to report.

With reference to page 18 of her Department's policy paper entitled Regulation Action Plan - Progress Update and Next Steps, updated in October 2025, whether the commitment to reduce the burden of regulation will apply to (a) the voluntary sector and (b) political parties.

We have committed to reduce the administrative burden of regulation on businesses by 25% by the end of the Parliament. For the purposes of this target, businesses count as all organisations defined as being in the private sector by the Office for National Statistics when compiling the National Accounts. This therefore includes other services activities, such as activities of the voluntary sector and political parties.We will focus our efforts on those sectors of the economy with the highest growth potential, and which face the highest administrative burden of regulation, so they can spend more time growing their businesses.

With reference to page 18 of her Department's policy paper entitled Regulation Action Plan - Progress Update and Next Steps, updated in October 2025, whether the new Key Performance Indicators for regulators will apply to (a) the Information Commission and the (b) the Electoral Commission.

The March Regulation Action Plan committed government to ask that regulators review and publish their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This was focused on the top 16 regulators that drive economic growth. This group includes the Information Commissioner’s Office but does not include the Electoral Commission. In October, the Regulation Action Plan update published a dashboard which collates the performance of the 16 regulators against key performance indicators in one place.

Whether any trade unions have not provided full accounts to the Certification Officer in the last three years.

The Certification Officer provides high-level information about compliance with the requirement to submit an annual return in his Annual Report to the Secretary of State each year. This report is laid before both Houses of Parliament by the Secretary of State and published on the Certification Officer's website. The Certification Officer’s report for 2024/25 was published on 7 July 2025 and is available online.

Whether he has considered (a) banning vaping in pubs, (b) banning 16 and 17 year olds from buying zero alcohol drinks in pubs and (c) raising the drink drive limit to support the economic viability of pubs.

The Department for Business and Trade is not responsible for bans on vaping in pubs, restrictions on zero-alcohol drinks for 16–17-year-olds, or changes to drink-drive limits. These matters fall under the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Transport DHSC advises that while vapes are less harmful than smoking, they are not risk-free and plans to consult on making most indoor settings vape-free. Many pubs already prohibit vaping voluntarily. In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government committed to explore prohibiting sales of no- and low-alcohol drinks to under-18s including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old. This policy is being pursued as these alcohol substitute drinks are intended for consumption by adults. DHSC Officials are scoping details and will update stakeholders in due course.This Government takes road safety seriously. We are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. In 2023 there were 1,624 people killed on GB roads. There were an estimated 260 people killed in collisions involving drink driving, accounting for 16% of total fatalities in 2023. Given the significant casualties caused by drink driving, we have no plans to increase the drink drive limit.

How many post offices there are in each (a) constituency and (b) local authority area by (i) location, (ii) rurality and (iii) type of post office.

Post Office Limited publishes monthly data on the number of branches trading across the UK, including their locations and rurality. The latest dataset, covering September 2025, is available on the Post Office Limited’s website at: 2025-september-network-numbers-online-list-v2.xlsxPost Office Limited’s most recent annual Network Report includes data on branch types. You can access it here: network-report-2024-final-5.pdf.Parliamentarians can find data on branch locations by constituency in the House of Commons Library.

Whether the Certification Officer has received (a) representations and (b) complaints on the elections of the Unite trade union.

The Certification Officer does not comment on whether any complaints are under consideration. The Certification Officer lists all forthcoming hearings and publishes all decisions on their website.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 76822 on Jeffrey Epstein, what records Integrated Corporate Services holds of correspondence (a) to and (b) from Lord Mandelson relating to Sempra Commodities between 2009 and 2010.

Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 76822 on Jeffrey Epstein, what records Integrated Corporate Services holds of meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Ministers in the former Department for Business, Innovation and Skills between 2009 and 2010.

Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.