Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 16 June 2022 · 20 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 7 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK signed a trade and economic development memorandum with the state of Indiana on 27 May.
  • The Government is considering a carbon border adjustment mechanism to prevent carbon leakage.
  • The UK is committed to creating a global trade policy that ensures women have the same opportunities from trade as men.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theresa Villiers Con
Business & Trade
Context

The UK signed a trade and economic development memorandum with the state of Indiana on 27 May. This is the first such arrangement between the UK and an individual US state.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, specifically focusing on the signing of a trade and economic development memorandum with the state of Indiana on 27 May. The questioner asks about the impact this agreement will have on deepening trade ties and opening up opportunities for UK citizens.

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

The UK signed a trade and economic development memorandum with the state of Indiana on 27 May. This forms part of our twin-track approach to trading with the United States, seeking out ways to unlock barriers for business at state level in addition to our engagement at federal level. We are to sign further memorandums of understanding in the coming weeks.

Answered
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Q2 Theresa Villiers Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The TIGRR report, authored by the questioner, focused on how regulation can be enabling rather than a barrier to deepening trade ties.

Question

May we have a cross-Government effort on post-Brexit reform to ensure that our regulation does more to facilitate competition and new market entrants? That is crucial not only to grow our domestic economy but to secure trade agreements and boost international trade.

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I thank my right hon. Friend for her question. She is one of the authors of the appropriately named TIGRR report—the report of the taskforce on innovation, growth and regulatory reform—which pointed to some great ideas and focused on how we can ensure that our regulation is enabling, not a barrier to deepening trade ties and opening up opportunities for our citizens.

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Q3 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The UK steel sector is facing difficulties, including US tariffs and the current cost of living crisis. The Secretary of State has a deadline to decide on whether current trade safeguards remain in place.

Question

Mr Speaker, I echo your words about Jo Cox, whose ongoing legacy is testament to her remarkable dedication and compassion. Members across the House will be thinking of her family today. Steel is a foundational industry for our economy, yet Members across the House will be aware of the difficulties that steelworkers have been through in recent years, from the US tariffs to the current cost of living crisis. The clock is ticking for the UK steel sector, with just 14 days left for the Secretary of State to make a decision on whether current trade safeguards remain in place. Will the Minister of State help to remove the uncertainty by urging the Secretary of State to make that decision today?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

The Secretary of State needs no urging, but it is important that she is able to make the right decision on this. The steel safeguards reconsideration is ongoing. I know the deadline is looming. My right hon. Friend is carefully considering all the information that has been presented to her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an urgent decision was not directly addressed, instead focusing on process and timeline.

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Q4 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Business & Trade
Context

Ministers are urged to act urgently on steel sector safeguards, with criticism that they are too busy supporting the Prime Minister.

Question

To say that a decision is expected shortly simply is not good enough. To ensure that this vital industry can survive, Ministers must stop dragging their feet and act urgently to safeguard the steel sector. Jobs and livelihoods in our communities are at risk. Labour backs UK steel. Does the Minister of State not accept that the reality is that, with time passing, Ministers are too busy propping up the Prime Minister to act decisively for the people?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

With regard to the right hon. Member's last comment, it is always a good indication that we do not have to look at the ONS statistics to know that the trade numbers are going the right way when the Opposition spokesman wants to ask questions that are not related to trade.

Not addressed: The specific ask for decisive action on steel sector safeguards was deflected by questioning the relevance of the opposition's comments and citing positive trade statistics.

How: Deflecting

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Q5 Peter Aldous Con
Economy Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

As the UK decarbonises its economy to meet net zero goals, it is crucial to prevent carbon leakage to other parts of the world.

Question

As the UK decarbonises our economy to deliver net zero, it is vital that a carbon border adjustment mechanism is implemented to prevent carbon leakage to other parts of the world, to ensure that our own domestic producers are not undercut and to create jobs. Will my right hon. Friend provide an update on the Government's work to deliver the mechanism, particularly with regard to international co-operation with the EU and the US?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. We recognise that the risk of carbon leakage is a very real one, and on 16 May we announced our intention to consult on a range of possible mitigation options, including product standards and a carbon border adjustment mechanism.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an update was partially addressed by noting the government's announcement from May but not providing current progress details or timelines.

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Q6 Anum Qaisar
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

Action Aid has accused the UK Government of a quick delivery approach to securing free trade agreements, without setting out clear policies on women's rights.

Question

According to Action Aid, the UK's position on trade and women's rights has yet to be set out through a clear, comprehensive UK trade strategy. Further to this, Action Aid has also accused the UK Government of taking a quick delivery approach to securing free trade agreements. In their current and future trade deal negotiations, will the UK Government commit to conducting gender-specific impact assessments of its free trade deals, not just economic impact assessments? Will the Department commission an independent statutory body to conduct these gender-just impact assessments?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I am delighted to be able to confirm that Britain is committed to creating a global trade policy that ensures that women have the same opportunities from trade as men, and that women worldwide can benefit from trade as a route to prosperity. That reflects a core element of this Government's modernising trade agenda.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for commitments on gender-specific impact assessments was partially addressed with general statements but no concrete actions or timelines were given.

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Q7 Sally-Ann Hart
Climate Business & Trade
Context

Concerns about environmental impact while supporting local businesses post-Brexit.

Question

My constituents are concerned about the environment and climate change, but also aware that our local businesses need to expand their trade exports. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to tackle climate change through trade policy?

Answer from Mike Freer

Last month the Secretary of State set out priorities for green trade, both in the global green transition and in maximising opportunities for the UK by driving global action on trade and the environment multilaterally through our engagement in the G7 and the World Trade Organisation while strengthening bilateral co-operation through our free trade agreement agenda. By 2030, low-carbon industries could generate up to £170 billion-worth of UK exports. For example, UKEF's climate change strategy commits it to achieving net zero across its portfolio and operations by 2050. In 2021, UKEF provided £3.6 billion-worth of support for sustainable projects.

Answered
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Q8 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Struggle of businesses due to increased red tape when exporting to EU member states.

Question

Ministers are ripping up the agreement they negotiated and risking a trade war with the EU. What is the Secretary of State doing to improve trading links with Europe and end disruption for businesses?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I remind the hon. Lady of the trader support service and the export support service, which provide bespoke support to businesses. The figures do not bear out what the hon. Lady is saying. In April compared with March, there was an 8.1% increase in exports from the UK to the EU. Where issues remain, we are determined to resolve them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions and timeline to end disruption for businesses

How: Figures Do Not Bear Out

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Q9 Jamie Wallis
Business & Trade
Context

Impact on the UK steel sector due to removal of US tariffs.

Question

Many constituents work in Port Talbot steelworks. Will my right hon. Friend give an assessment of the impact on the UK steel sector of removing US tariffs on UK steel?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I thank my hon. Friend for all his work to champion the steel industry. The 500,000-tonne annual quota secured for steel exporters is almost double the volume of UK steel exports to the US between 2018 and 2019, providing a significant opportunity for the UK industry.

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Q10 Patricia Gibson SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Continual shortfall in post-Brexit trade with the EU.

Question

UK food and drink exports to the EU were £600 million lower than pre-Brexit. Given this shortfall, does she think embarking on a wholly unnecessary trade war is wise? If not, what will she do to avert it?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

We want to do more in the food and drink sector. That is why we are putting in place bespoke food, drink and agriculture attachés around the world to ensure our farmers and producers have more opportunities in global trade.

Partly answered

Not addressed: whether embarking on a wholly unnecessary trade war is wise

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Q11 Scott Benton
Business & Trade
Context

Potential for a bilateral free trade agreement between the UK and Israel.

Question

What progress have the Government made in securing a bilateral free trade deal with our close ally, Israel?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I am delighted that my hon. Friend raises this issue because, of course, our trade and partnership agreement was originally signed as one of the first continuity agreements back in 2019, but the Prime Minister announced last year that we would begin talks with Israel on an enhanced and improved UK-Israel free trade agreement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific progress made towards FTA

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Q12 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

SMEs in Bath have stopped exporting to the EU due to lack of support.

Question

Since Brexit, many UK companies have stopped exporting to the EU. Will the Government consider introducing a new version of the SME Brexit support fund?

Answer from Mike Freer

I would direct the hon. Lady's businesses to contact the export support service, which provides practical assistance in overcoming particular issues. On top of that, we also have the internationalisation fund, the shared prosperity fund and the trade access programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: consideration for a new SME Brexit support fund

How: Directing Businesses To Other Services

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Q13 Sheryll Murray Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Post-Brexit opportunities in international trade.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend update the House on post-Brexit trade opportunities?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Obviously, we have agreed an enormous number of trade agreements, including several from scratch. We have a new export strategy and more support for British business; we have a new export finance mission; we are an Association of Southeast Asian Nations dialogue partner; we have a voice back at the World Trade Organisation; we have created the Trade Remedies Authority; we have set our own global tariff regime; we have streamlined nearly 6,000 tariff lines; we are creating a single trade window; and by 2025 we will have the most effective border in the world.

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Q14 Carol Monaghan SNP
Economy Brexit
Context

A London School of Economics report showed UK-EU trade barriers led to a 6% increase in food prices between late 2019 and September 2021.

Question

The LSE report found that UK-EU trade barriers have caused a 6% rise in food prices from late 2019 until September 2021, leading to hardship for constituents. Why won't Ministers admit this is the real cause rather than blaming the war in Ukraine?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

The work is looking at our global tariff and ensuring it helps with cost-of-living issues. Leaving the EU allows us to treat developing nations better, helping their economies as well as ours.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Admitted that trade tariffs are being reviewed for cost-of-living impacts but did not address the specific findings of the LSE report or admit it was the cause of food price increases.

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Q15 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Business & Trade
Context

The Food and Drink Federation reported that food and drink exports are recovering to pre-COVID levels.

Question

What specific initiatives will the Government take to help seafood exporters in Grimsby expand their markets overseas?

Answer from Mike Freer

The Food and Drink Federation reported last month that food and drink exports are recovering. We have created a new food and drink export council, announced a £1 million export fund for seafood exporters, held food and drink spring export showcases in the UK and overseas.

Answered
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Q16 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Business & Trade
Context

Newcastle has a significant number of Commonwealth diaspora communities.

Question

What specific help can people in Newcastle expect from the Department to increase trade with countries their families may have come from?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Import and export figures with Commonwealth nations are increasing. The Department has schemes in place, and local enterprise partnerships are assisting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not mention any specific scheme or help for Newcastle businesses specifically.

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Q17 Christopher Chope Con Christchurch
Business & Trade
Context

Trade teams in Los Angeles and San Francisco are having difficulties filling vacancies.

Question

What will the Government do to enable our trade teams to employ more local staff, following a visit to California by British-American Parliamentary Group?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Work is being done on mutual recognition of qualifications in technical trades, focusing on legal, accountancy, engineering and architecture.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific issue of employing local staff flexibly.

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Q18 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The hon. Member attended a session with the Trade Remedies Authority.

Question

What steps are being taken to promote the Trade Remedies Authority to businesses in Scotland?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Businesses should follow the hon. Member's example and attend sessions with the Trade Remedies Authority.

Not addressed: Did not provide any specific steps or initiatives to promote TRA awareness in Scotland.

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Q19 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Business & Trade
Context

There is significant potential for British exporters to the Gulf states.

Question

What progress has been made towards achieving a free trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

Public consultation is closed, and negotiations for an FTA with the GCC are set to begin very soon.

Answered
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Q20 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Foreign Affairs Science & Technology
Context

There are tremendous advances in technology coming from Israel.

Question

What steps have been taken to solidify our technological partnerships with Israel, and what opportunities exist for home tech companies?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

Israel is dynamic in tech. We are looking at bilateral opportunities as well as a three-way partnership involving Brazil.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not mention any specific steps or initiatives to solidify technological partnerships with Israel.

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