Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Export Opportunities for SMEs 2023-02-09 (2)

Thursday 9 February 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Trade agreements are important; the government has struck 71 worldwide, including with the EU.
  • Exports to the EU in 2021 were 330 billion, up from 298 billion in 2019.
  • The UK is in its sixth round of negotiations with India for a free trade agreement this week.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the government's failure to meet its commitment of 80% UK trade being under free trade terms by the end of 2022.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help small and medium-sized businesses export products and services to new markets. The Government have failed in their commitment to deliver free trade agreements. Does the Minister believe that free trade deals with the USA and India would help more SMEs to export? If so, would he care to apologise to businesses for over-promising and under-delivering?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

Trade agreements are important; 71 have been struck worldwide, including with the EU. Exports to the EU in 2021 were £330 billion, up from £298 billion in 2019.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Apology for over-promising and under-delivering

How: Trade Agreements Are Important; 71 Have Been Struck Worldwide, Including With The Eu.

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
NHS Business & Trade
Context

The MP notes that her local hospital trust faces a significant deficit and long A&E wait times.

Question

My local hospital trust faces a £45 million deficit, with 8-hour A&E waits affecting 2000 patients weekly. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine warns that underfunding correlates directly with increased mortality. I asked when the government will provide the promised £10 billion NHS funding increase and whether it includes capital investment for hospital infrastructure.

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

The Department is opening new markets and creating opportunities for exporters by agreeing new trade agreements. Recently, a deal was struck that allows Welsh lamb exports to the US.

Not addressed: NHS funding increase and capital investment

How: Department Is Opening New Markets

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Q3 David Duguid Con
Business & Trade
Context

The Scotch whisky industry will announce full-year export results for 2022, expecting significant growth despite high tariffs in India.

Question

Will the Minister update the House on negotiations with India? Does he agree that a deal to reduce tariffs on Scotch whisky would be good not only for distillers but also for the wider supply chain?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

We have an ambitious programme of free trade agreement negotiations to break down barriers. We are now in our sixth round of negotiations with India this week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement on reducing tariffs

How: Ambitious Programme Of Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

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