Business Exports 2023-09-14
2023-09-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows an initial query about the government's strategy to support business exports.
What steps her Department is taking to support business exports. The UK aims for £1 trillion in annual exports by 2030 and has become the fifth largest exporter of goods and services globally, with a recent delegation led by the Minister connecting businesses to over 1500 representatives.
Businesses are at the heart of the Government's export strategy, “Made in the UK, Sold to the World”, and of our shared ambition to reach £1 trillion in annual exports by 2030. In the past year, the UK has become the fifth largest exporter of goods and services globally. Just last week, I personally led a delegation of 20 businesses to the Three Seas summit in Romania, connecting with over 1500 representatives to help secure contracts, work and export opportunities in the region's 13 member states.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps are not detailed beyond a general description of the strategy
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by high export rates and wages for exporting businesses, suggesting the need to increase such numbers as part of a levelling-up initiative.
In my constituency, companies such as EyeOL, Lindal Valve, Peli BioThermal, Friction and Signature Flatbreads all export globally, along with 198 smaller businesses that export through Amazon. What more can we do to get businesses to export not just to Europe but globally? Businesses that export pay higher wages.
My hon. Friend is a great champion for his businesses and helping them to export. Free trade agreements and memorandums of understanding are opening up new markets, but we want everyone to make the most of these opportunities. We ensure UK exporters have skills through our innovative export academy; information through the FTA utilisation strategy; advice through the export support service; financial backing through UK Export Finance.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures are not detailed, only mentioned in general terms
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the Anglesey freeport opportunity to boost local prosperity through a Welsh trade centre of excellence.
Anglesey's freeport will create the first Welsh trade centre of excellence with Bangor University, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. Does the Minister agree this is crucial for high-skill, high-wage employment opportunities in Anglesey?
I think we can all agree that my hon. Friend has campaigned powerfully to secure that freeport and the opportunities it will create for many constituents. Good news is already coming in, with Westinghouse saying it will headquarter there, creating jobs and opportunities.
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Assessment & feedback
Support for the trade centre of excellence within the Anglesey freeport not explicitly stated
Supportive But Non-Committal
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows the initial query about business exports, with focus on export programs.
I ran export programmes in my career before coming to this place, talking to companies about exporting and what more can be done.
My hon. Friend has a huge amount of experience in this area; I am very grateful for all the advice he provides. Our campaign, “Made in the UK, Sold to the World”, uses localised marketing for small businesses across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific use of advice not detailed beyond gratitude
Gratitude But No Specifics
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
New analysis shows a significant growth in UK trade with dictatorships compared to free nations, raising concerns about supply chain risks.
New analysis from the House of Commons Library shows that since 2010 our trade with dictatorships has grown by over £135 billion and is growing twice as fast as with free nations. When will the Minister define and de-risk critical supply chains?
I am responsible for supply chains and critical minerals; I refreshed our critical minerals strategy several months ago. We are looking at how we ensure stability in supply chains.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or plan not provided
Looking Into It
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns arise about the UK's involvement or absence in a US-backed trade corridor initiative.
The Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, a counter to China's belt and road project through a US-backed trade corridor, was mentioned at the G20 summit. Was our Government involved?
I was in front of the Select Committee; that session would have been afterwards. I will make sure he gets all the details in writing.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct response to involvement or invitation status
Will Provide Details Later
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
During a recess visit, HMRC rejected an innovative export business's research and development claim without a meeting.
During the recess, I visited Heathcoat Fabrics in Tiverton; it sells to NASA. Earlier this year, HMRC rejected its R&D claim without a meeting. Will the Minister talk with Treasury colleagues about why such claims are being rejected?
I say simply that yes, I will.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The International Monetary Fund reported that UK exports to France have decreased by 14% and to Germany by 17% since 2019, while US, Canadian, and Italian exports to these countries increased significantly. The questioner also mentioned the government's lack of support for an industrial strategy, cuts in funding for trade shows, and failure to negotiate a veterinary agreement.
According to the International Monetary Fund, British exports to France and Germany since 2019 are down—by 14% to France and 17% to Germany. US exports to both are up by 20%; Canada's are up by 23% and Italy's are up by 29%. Ministers will not back an industrial strategy, have cut funding to get businesses to trade shows and will not negotiate a veterinary agreement. Why does this Minister think that everyone else has got so much better recently at selling things to our nearest neighbours?
Members choose which numbers they want to throw out, but those do not necessarily reflect reality. I thought it was fantastic that we are now the eighth largest manufacturer in the world; I believe that we leap-frogged France—leap-frogging the French is always good to get on the record. Actually, exports are most definitely up. In the 12 months to June 2023, UK exports rose by £139 billion, an increase of 8% once adjusted for inflation. In the same period, goods exports reached £428 billion, an 11% increase when adjusted for inflation. Perhaps we should reflect on the opportunities for all the businesses in our constituencies.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific reasons behind the decline of UK exports to France and Germany as per IMF data were not addressed.
Members Choose Which Numbers They Want To Throw Out
Leap-Frogging The French Is Always Good To Get On The Record
Response accuracy