Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SMEs: Support for Export to Global Markets

Thursday 21 April 2022 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister outlined a 12-point export strategy to support SMEs in global markets.
  • Export Academy has registered over 7,000 businesses for export support.
  • Department works with bilateral partners to resolve rule interpretation issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rehman Chishti Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from a need to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in expanding their reach into global markets.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises to export to global markets?

Answer from Mike Freer

Our export strategy's action-led 12-point plan will support SMEs to thrive in the global market and raise the UK's exporting culture in the long term. It includes our Export Academy, which has already received over 7,000 business registrations, and our export support service, which has dealt with over 8,000 enquiries, 1,000 of which are from businesses around my hon. Friend's constituency in the south-east. We have the trade access programme, the international trade advisers, the export champions, and a whole range of support that we can provide, including UK Export Finance.

Answered
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Q2 Rehman Chishti Con
Migrants & Borders Business & Trade
Context

Jubilee Clips, a local family-run business employing over 100 people, is facing significant challenges due to border delays that are impacting its ability to deliver on contracts. These delays have a substantial impact on the company's export capabilities.

Question

I thank the Minister and the Department for all they are doing in championing British exports. Jubilee Clips in Gillingham in my constituency is a fantastic local family-run business that employs over 100 people and exports hose clips to over 90 countries around the world. A real issue that it is facing is the uncertainty at the channel border crossing, which is leading to delays in delivering on its contracts. These delays are having a significant impact on local businesses and their ability to export. Will the Minister clarify what steps are being taken to address this specific challenge facing businesses in Kent and Medway?

Answer from Mike Freer

The export support service notes all complaints about delays and raises them with HMRC, because the DIT is not responsible for the border. Where we find that there are different interpretations of the rules on either side, we work with our bilateral partners to eradicate those issues. On Jubilee Clips, if my hon. Friend wishes to write to me or bring the company in, I would be more than happy to discuss the matter in more detail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps being taken specifically for Jubilee Clips and addressing border delay issues directly

How: We Are Not Responsible For The Border

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Q3 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

There is a need to understand how the Department's strategies have influenced and can continue to influence SMEs' exporting activities specifically within Scotland.

Question

Will the Minister detail what impact the Department's 12-point strategy, entitled “Made in the UK, Sold to the World”, has had on SME exports from Scotland and how any progress can be further built on?

Answer from Mike Freer

I do not have the details for Scotland, so I will write to the hon. Lady. We have opened an office in Scotland to ensure that we work closely with our partners to boost exports, but I will have to write to her on the details.

Not addressed: Details of the impact of the strategy on SMEs in Scotland

How: I Do Not Have The Details, Will Write To The Hon. Lady

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