Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Exports

Thursday 2 December 2021 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department announced a new export strategy called "Made in Britain, Sold to the World" on 17 November.
  • ABP's investment in King's Lynn port and the opening of the new Vancouver timber terminal were welcomed by the Department.
  • Support for small and medium-sized businesses like N'Genius includes a new export support service providing a single point of entry to DIT support for SMEs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jason McCartney Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is inquiring about steps being taken by the Department for increasing British exports.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to increase British exports?

Answer from Mike Freer

The Secretary of State announced a refreshed export strategy—Made in Britain, Sold to the World—on 17 November during International Trade Week. This business-centred 12-point plan is designed to transform our support for exporters, encourage them to sell to the world and accelerate our race to £1 trillion-worth of exports per year.

Answered
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Q2 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP welcomes the new export strategy and highlights ABP's investment in King's Lynn, a key port for agricultural exports. He asks if this is a vote of confidence in the local economy.

Question

I welcome that new strategy. The port of King's Lynn handles half a million tonnes of exports of barley and other high-quality agricultural products as well as imports, and it has just had one of its busiest years. Does my hon. Friend agree that the investment that Associated British Ports is making in new facilities to support the growing demand for timber from the construction sector and other supply chains is a vote of confidence in Norfolk and will help our economy to bounce back?

Answer from Mike Freer

I welcome ABP's investment in King's Lynn and was glad to hear of the new Vancouver timber terminal, which I understand will open on Monday, representing £1.4 million of investment. With 95% of the UK's trade facilitated by the maritime sector, our ports are integral to UK trade and to the success of our Made in Britain, Sold to the World strategy.

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Q3 Andy Carter
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights a business in his constituency that has patented new high-strength stainless steel and is seeking assistance from the Government.

Question

I am sure that the Minister, like me, has been incredibly impressed by the small and medium-sized businesses that are looking to export to new markets. What support is available for a business such as N'Genius, which is based in my Warrington South constituency and has patented a new high-strength stainless steel that can revolutionise engineering and construction? How can this Government help it export that UK innovation to the rest of the world?

Answer from Mike Freer

Our new export strategy is a 12-point plan focused on tackling the barriers to trade faced by SMEs. We are opening markets and supporting companies through the export support service, which provides a single point of entry to DIT support for SMEs. This new service will direct businesses to services such as those provided by UK Export Finance, the UK Export Academy and our pilot UK trade show programme. I am happy to connect N'Genius to one of our international trade advisers for further assistance.

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Q4 Jason McCartney Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights world-class businesses in his constituency that are looking to expand their exports.

Question

Growing British exports has a key role in our levelling-up agenda. I am particularly proud of some world-class textile, engineering, sheet metal fabricators and food and drink businesses in my Yorkshire constituency. What more can the Minister and his Department do to support my world-class Yorkshire businesses to export to the world?

Answer from Mike Freer

Our export strategy will ensure that those companies in Yorkshire will be supported through all stages of their exporting journey, whether through the UK Export Academy, the advice of our global network of international trade experts, or the financial support or export credit provided by UK Export Finance. In my recent visit to Leeds, I met our excellent team of international trade advisers there. Again, I am more than happy to put them in contact with my hon. Friend to provide additional support.

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Q5 Martin Docherty SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP notes a significant increase in exports from Northern Ireland to Ireland, despite the negative impact of Brexit on GB's trade.

Question

Exports from Northern Ireland to Ireland were €2.8 billion in the first nine months of this year, up 60% on the same period in 2020. Does the Minister agree that while Brexit has been an export disaster for GB, it has certainly been a boon for exports from Northern Ireland?

Answer from Mike Freer

The President of the Board of Trade, the Secretary of State for International Trade, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Anne-Marie Trevelyan) took the Board of Trade to a meeting in Ireland. I am sure that that issue was discussed. If the hon. Gentleman would like to know more details of what we are doing to support mutual trade, I am more than happy to have a discussion with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific agreement requested about positive impacts

How: If The Hon. Gentleman Would Like To Know More Details Of What We Are Doing To Support Mutual Trade, I Am More Than Happy To Have A Discussion With Him.

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Q6 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP asks about steps taken by the Government to protect Scottish agricultural interests during trade negotiations.

Question

When negotiating free trade agreements, the Government must promote and protect the interests of industries across the UK. What steps are the Government taking to protect the interests of Scottish agriculture in future negotiations?

Answer from Mike Freer

The Department for International Trade is always looking to protect our own industries and sectors, including the agricultural sector, while ensuring that they are able to exploit new markets. In terms of beef and lamb, our teams are working hard to ensure that the new markets we are opening up will be available to Scottish farmers. Again, if the hon. Lady would like to know more about the support we are able to offer, I am very happy to facilitate that discussion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps requested for protecting interests in negotiations

How: Again, If The Hon. Lady Would Like To Know More About The Support We Are Able To Offer, I Am Very Happy To Facilitate That Discussion.

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Q7 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP expresses concerns from farmers and farmer's unions regarding the New Zealand deal. He asks for steps taken between DEFRA and DAERA in promoting British produce.

Question

I thank the Minister for his responses, but bearing in mind the fears of our farmers and farmers' unions following the New Zealand deal, will he outline what steps have been taken with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs at the Northern Ireland Assembly to promote our British produce exports to global markets affected by the New Zealand deal?

Answer from Mike Freer

My understanding is that there are regular and frequent conversations between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and DAERA. I am more than happy to ensure that the hon. Gentleman gets details of those discussions if he has any specific concerns he wishes to have addressed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps requested regarding conversations between departments

How: I Am More Than Happy To Ensure That The Hon. Gentleman Gets Details Of Those Discussions If He Has Any Specific Concerns He Wishes To Have Addressed.

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