Encouraging Exports 2026-01-29
2026-01-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Following a meeting with Watson-Marlow, an organization in her constituency, Jayne Kirkham raised concerns about the difficulties faced by businesses post-Brexit.
Many businesses I have spoken to are frustrated about the difficulty of moving people, goods and equipment to Europe. Fugro and Pendennis yachts have experienced issues securing visas for staff on short-term offshore projects. What steps can the Minister take with colleagues at the Home Office to ensure some barriers are reduced?
We need to do better on addressing issues with visas and business mobility that the Home Office and the Department are discussing with our European allies. We also need to get to a place where we have mutual recognition of professional qualifications so that people can transact their business more effectively.
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Assessment & feedback
Under Discussion
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Mark Pritchard, a former trade envoy to Georgia and Armenia, highlights the current lack of cross-party representation in trade envoys.
Can I suggest that the Government revisit the strength of having a cross-party approach? On UK Export Finance in high-risk investment areas, such as rebuilding Syria by getting jobs and investment into that country quickly, can I ask that UK Export Finance underwrites with insurance those high-risk investments?
We need to do better on addressing issues with visas and business mobility that the Home Office and the Department are discussing with our European allies. On UK Export Finance in high-risk investment areas such as Syria, I have had discussions about how we can roll that out.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussions Ongoing
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Julie Minns visited the Clark Door company in her Carlisle constituency and is seeking support to ensure their continued export success.
Last week I visited the brilliant family-run Clark Door company. What support can the Government give to exporters such as Clark Door so that their pioneering research and development ensures their continued export success?
We are doing well on UK exports up to £929 billion. I am happy to consider ensuring that UK Research and Innovation provides R&D support combined with trade and business strategies to drive exports forward.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussions Ongoing
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Lincoln Jopp is concerned about the delay in the Government's defence investment plan which affects the export business.
The defence investment plan was promised but it is still not there. When will the Government get their act together and stop dithering over the defence investment plan so that we can fuel our export economy?
Defence is an important part of both our industrial strategy and our export strategy. We are running a series of export campaigns which relate to defence expenditure. I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman gets an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
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Assessment & feedback
Will Provide Update
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Gareth Davies welcomed the Government's announcement of the transatlantic taskforce for markets of the future, but has not received much detail since.
Since its announcement last September, we have not had a great deal of detail on it from the Government. Will the Minister provide an update on the status of the taskforce and what he hopes it will achieve for our exporters?
I will certainly write to the shadow Minister about that. Electronic commerce generally is one thing we need to address at the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cameroon at the end of March. We would like to make permanent a moratorium on tax in relation to electronic commerce.
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Assessment & feedback
Will Provide Update
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
In June, DBT Ministers were asked about the Government’s strategy on digital payment technology and were promised that it would be part of the industrial strategy. However, it was missing from the strategy.
Why has the government's programme failed to recognise the impact of digital payment technology on British exporters? We were promised a strategy as part of the industrial strategy last June, but it is missing. Can he explain why?
I met the main providers in this area only a couple of weeks ago. I will write to the hon. Member with some more detail. Some of these issues are difficult to land because of the international co-operation needed, but we are talking about not just goods and services but ensuring a digital element in our trade deals, as that is where a lot of our economic future lies.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing specific detail on the taskforce or strategy for digital payment technology
Some Of These Issues Are Difficult To Land Because Of The International Co-Operation Needed
Response accuracy