Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Business Exports

Thursday 14 September 2023 · 8 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK aims for 1 trillion in annual exports by 2030 and has become the fifth largest exporter of goods and services globally.
  • Free trade agreements and memorandums of understanding are opening up new markets for UK businesses.
  • The Minister committed to discussing with Treasury colleagues why HMRC rejected R&D claims without a meeting.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question follows an initial query about the government's strategy to support business exports.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support business exports. The UK aims for £1 trillion in annual exports by 2030 and has become the fifth largest exporter of goods and services globally, with a recent delegation led by the Minister connecting businesses to over 1500 representatives.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

Businesses are at the heart of the Government's export strategy, “Made in the UK, Sold to the World”, and of our shared ambition to reach £1 trillion in annual exports by 2030. In the past year, the UK has become the fifth largest exporter of goods and services globally. Just last week, I personally led a delegation of 20 businesses to the Three Seas summit in Romania, connecting with over 1500 representatives to help secure contracts, work and export opportunities in the region's 13 member states.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps are not detailed beyond a general description of the strategy

How: General Principles

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Q2 Andrew Selous Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by high export rates and wages for exporting businesses, suggesting the need to increase such numbers as part of a levelling-up initiative.

Question

In my constituency, companies such as EyeOL, Lindal Valve, Peli BioThermal, Friction and Signature Flatbreads all export globally, along with 198 smaller businesses that export through Amazon. What more can we do to get businesses to export not just to Europe but globally? Businesses that export pay higher wages.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

My hon. Friend is a great champion for his businesses and helping them to export. Free trade agreements and memorandums of understanding are opening up new markets, but we want everyone to make the most of these opportunities. We ensure UK exporters have skills through our innovative export academy; information through the FTA utilisation strategy; advice through the export support service; financial backing through UK Export Finance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures are not detailed, only mentioned in general terms

How: General Principles

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Q3 Virginia Crosbie
Economy Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the Anglesey freeport opportunity to boost local prosperity through a Welsh trade centre of excellence.

Question

Anglesey's freeport will create the first Welsh trade centre of excellence with Bangor University, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. Does the Minister agree this is crucial for high-skill, high-wage employment opportunities in Anglesey?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I think we can all agree that my hon. Friend has campaigned powerfully to secure that freeport and the opportunities it will create for many constituents. Good news is already coming in, with Westinghouse saying it will headquarter there, creating jobs and opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for the trade centre of excellence within the Anglesey freeport not explicitly stated

How: Supportive But Non-Committal

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Q4 Andrew Jones Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question follows the initial query about business exports, with focus on export programs.

Question

I ran export programmes in my career before coming to this place, talking to companies about exporting and what more can be done.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

My hon. Friend has a huge amount of experience in this area; I am very grateful for all the advice he provides. Our campaign, “Made in the UK, Sold to the World”, uses localised marketing for small businesses across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific use of advice not detailed beyond gratitude

How: Gratitude But No Specifics

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Q5 Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Business & Trade
Context

New analysis shows a significant growth in UK trade with dictatorships compared to free nations, raising concerns about supply chain risks.

Question

New analysis from the House of Commons Library shows that since 2010 our trade with dictatorships has grown by over £135 billion and is growing twice as fast as with free nations. When will the Minister define and de-risk critical supply chains?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I am responsible for supply chains and critical minerals; I refreshed our critical minerals strategy several months ago. We are looking at how we ensure stability in supply chains.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or plan not provided

How: Looking Into It

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Q6 Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Business & Trade
Context

Concerns arise about the UK's involvement or absence in a US-backed trade corridor initiative.

Question

The Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, a counter to China's belt and road project through a US-backed trade corridor, was mentioned at the G20 summit. Was our Government involved?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I was in front of the Select Committee; that session would have been afterwards. I will make sure he gets all the details in writing.

Not addressed: No direct response to involvement or invitation status

How: Will Provide Details Later

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Q7 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Taxation Business Compliance
Context

During a recess visit, HMRC rejected an innovative export business's research and development claim without a meeting.

Question

During the recess, I visited Heathcoat Fabrics in Tiverton; it sells to NASA. Earlier this year, HMRC rejected its R&D claim without a meeting. Will the Minister talk with Treasury colleagues about why such claims are being rejected?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I say simply that yes, I will.

Answered
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Q8 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
Business & Trade
Context

The International Monetary Fund reported that UK exports to France have decreased by 14% and to Germany by 17% since 2019, while US, Canadian, and Italian exports to these countries increased significantly. The questioner also mentioned the government's lack of support for an industrial strategy, cuts in funding for trade shows, and failure to negotiate a veterinary agreement.

Question

According to the International Monetary Fund, British exports to France and Germany since 2019 are down—by 14% to France and 17% to Germany. US exports to both are up by 20%; Canada's are up by 23% and Italy's are up by 29%. Ministers will not back an industrial strategy, have cut funding to get businesses to trade shows and will not negotiate a veterinary agreement. Why does this Minister think that everyone else has got so much better recently at selling things to our nearest neighbours?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

Members choose which numbers they want to throw out, but those do not necessarily reflect reality. I thought it was fantastic that we are now the eighth largest manufacturer in the world; I believe that we leap-frogged France—leap-frogging the French is always good to get on the record. Actually, exports are most definitely up. In the 12 months to June 2023, UK exports rose by £139 billion, an increase of 8% once adjusted for inflation. In the same period, goods exports reached £428 billion, an 11% increase when adjusted for inflation. Perhaps we should reflect on the opportunities for all the businesses in our constituencies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind the decline of UK exports to France and Germany as per IMF data were not addressed.

How: Members Choose Which Numbers They Want To Throw Out, Leap-Frogging The French Is Always Good To Get On The Record

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