Trading Relationships 2025-10-30
2025-10-30
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is asked about the steps his department is taking to improve trade deals, specifically regarding small Scottish distilleries.
What steps is his Department taking to improve the UK's trading relationships with other countries? I welcome the Secretary of State to his place and invite him to Benbecula Distillery in my constituency. It recently secured £1.5 million from the British Business Bank’s investment fund. What is he doing to ensure that this new wave of small Scottish distilleries will be part of the next round of trade deals?
When we have opportunities to take delegations abroad, representatives from the Scotch Whisky Association and those distilleries are always with us. We fight hard for the Scotch whisky business and know its importance right across the UK and to the economy overall. The week before last I was in India with the Prime Minister where we were furthering the trade deal we have secured and ensuring that we exploit all the opportunities these deals present. This includes a deal alone that will unleash over £1 billion-worth of opportunities for the Scotch whisky industry.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is asked about the sanctions announced by the UK and US targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. The questioner highlights that hundreds of billions of pounds have been generated for Russia via British insurance.
In taking steps to improve our trading relationship with other countries, I welcome the new sanctions announced by the UK and the US targeting Russia’s two largest oil companies: Rosneft and Lukoil. However, despite pointing out to Ministers on several occasions that hundreds of billions of pounds have been generated for Russia as a result of oil and gas being shipped under British companies with British insurance, no action has been taken to stop this. When will the Government act to end the complicity of UK companies in financing Russian aggression?
The Prime Minister and this Government stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, acting since we came into office. We are aware of the risks Russia poses not only to Ukraine but also to Europe. We act constantly against cyber-security threats via Russia and Russian-sponsored activity through conversations across Government forums.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific action against UK companies involved in financing Russian energy exports
Stand Shoulder To Shoulder With Ukraine
Aware Of Risks
Response accuracy