Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

International Trade Week

Thursday 3 November 2022 · 5 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is holding over 120 events to help businesses seize export opportunities during International Trade Week.
  • Five international trade advisers are operating in Robin Walker's constituency to support local exporters.
  • Department plans to visit Cardiff and ensure policies are visible across the UK, addressing concerns raised about including all UK nations during International Trade Week.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Walker Con
Business & Trade
Context

International Trade Week is underway, focusing on boosting UK exports.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to mark International Trade Week. My Department is holding more than 120 events across the country this week to help businesses of all sizes and sectors seize export opportunities.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Building on last year's success, my Department is holding more than 120 events across the country this week to help businesses of all sizes and sectors to seize export opportunities to support jobs and growth nationwide. I was pleased to welcome more than 100 investors and UK exporters to the green trade and investment summit in Gateshead, attend an Export Academy event in Birmingham and speak at the National Farmers Union dairy export summit.

Answered
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Q2 Robin Walker Con
Business & Trade
Context

Worcester is home to significant exporters like Southco, supported by the DIT with exports worth over £6 million.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that we redouble efforts to support Worcester and west midlands exporters? The export support service has boosted our international trade adviser network; five advisers operate in his constituency.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am happy to assure my hon. Friend of that. I am grateful to him for highlighting a lot of the fantastic work that is taking place across the country. He will know, as will hon. Members on both sides of the House, that when it comes to exporting, size does not matter. We want to support as many small and medium-sized enterprises as possible to take advantage of the benefits of international trade.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific efforts for Worcestershire exporters during International Trade Week were not addressed.

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Business & Trade
Context

The question relates to ensuring that all regions of the UK benefit equally from International Trade Week.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that we do more to include the nations of the United Kingdom during International Trade Week so every constituency benefits? I saw many businesses from Wales and similar regions in the west of England at the green trade and investment expo; a visit to Cardiff is planned soon.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. We need to make sure that our policies are visible across the UK. I saw many businesses from Wales and similar regions in the west of England at the green trade and investment expo. They are pleased with the support that they are receiving from the Department.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to ensure all UK regions benefit equally were not outlined.

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Q4 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Business & Trade
Context

The question addresses past failures in trade policy, seeking a new Secretary of State's perspective on these issues.

Question

Can the Secretary of State set out which aspects of trade policy have failed and how she intends to improve them? I agree with her assessment of the party's performance; can she now address specific failings?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his warm welcome. He makes reference to comments that I made in the summer, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to clarify them. I was actually referring to all MPs and to Parliament, rather than just to this side of the House—[Interruption.] Indeed; we all know Members of all parties who have not exactly covered themselves in glory.

Not addressed: Specific policy failures were not addressed, instead focusing on clarification about previous comments.

How: Clarification About Previous Comments

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Q5 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The question critiques the Government's handling of trade policy, questioning when a new grip will be taken on the situation.

Question

Is not the reality that this Government's incompetence is costing growth, jobs and prosperity? When will the Secretary of State get a grip of the Department? The UK forecasts £1.8 trillion-worth of green trade by 2030.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I find every single thing the right hon. Gentleman has said to be laughable. It is very easy to stand at the Dispatch Box and make political points. I am here to actually deliver for the businesses across the UK, and that is what those of us on the Conservative Benches are going to be focused on. This is International Trade Week, so he will know that by 2030 we are forecasting £1.8 trillion-worth of green trade and £170 billion of UK exports.

Not addressed: The questioner's points were dismissed rather than addressed.

How: Dismissing The Criticiser

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