Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Exports

Thursday 3 November 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK exports were 728 billion in the 12 months to August 2022, an increase of 49 billion adjusted for inflation.
  • The Department supports businesses through free trade agreements covering 814 billion-worth of bilateral trade in 2021.
  • The Government engages SMEs through trade bodies like CBI and FSB, and MPs can contact DIT for assistance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe
Business & Trade
Context

UK exports have grown significantly, but there are concerns about supporting businesses to take advantage of new opportunities.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to increase UK exports. I am concerned about the growth in exports and how my department can support local businesses to expand their reach internationally.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

UK exports were £728 billion in the 12 months to August 2022, an increase of £49 billion adjusted for inflation. We create new opportunities through free trade agreements covering £814 billion-worth of bilateral trade in 2021 and support businesses with our export academy which has helped over 11,500 firms since October 2021.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Sara Britcliffe
Business & Trade
Context

The MP from Hyndburn and Haslingden highlights the importance of exports for local businesses and asks about liberalising international trade to support economic growth in the region.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that liberalising international trade as a function of our new post-Brexit freedoms is key to levelling up our country, providing more opportunities for businesses like those in Hyndburn and Haslingden?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I wholeheartedly agree that opening up new markets through FTAs and addressing trade barriers will secure economic growth. We have 72 export champions in the north-west, sharing their journeys as role models for new exporters, and have hosted over 120 events during International Trade Week.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Business & Trade
Context

A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce found that four in five small and medium-sized enterprises had not assessed their needs from major international market deals.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to engage SMEs better with FTAs under negotiation? A recent BCC survey found many UK SMEs have not carried out any assessment into what they may need from a trade deal, so I am asking how we can improve engagement with these businesses.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We engage with SMEs through trade bodies such as CBI and FSB, which often represent their members fully. If a specific issue is overlooked, MPs can contact DIT to help businesses in their constituencies and across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific steps for better engagement with SMEs

How: Trade Bodies Such As Cbi And Fsb Represent Members Fully

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email