Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trading Relationships

Thursday 30 October 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State fights hard for the Scotch whisky business and its importance to the UK economy.
  • The UK and the US announced new sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.
  • The UK Government acts constantly against cyber-security threats posed by Russia and Russian-sponsored activity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Business & Trade
Context

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is asked about the steps his department is taking to improve trade deals, specifically regarding small Scottish distilleries.

Question

What steps is his Department taking to improve the UK's trading relationships with other countries? I welcome the Secretary of State to his place and invite him to Benbecula Distillery in my constituency. It recently secured £1.5 million from the British Business Bank’s investment fund. What is he doing to ensure that this new wave of small Scottish distilleries will be part of the next round of trade deals?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Peter Kyle)

When we have opportunities to take delegations abroad, representatives from the Scotch Whisky Association and those distilleries are always with us. We fight hard for the Scotch whisky business and know its importance right across the UK and to the economy overall. The week before last I was in India with the Prime Minister where we were furthering the trade deal we have secured and ensuring that we exploit all the opportunities these deals present. This includes a deal alone that will unleash over £1 billion-worth of opportunities for the Scotch whisky industry.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Ukraine Business & Trade
Context

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is asked about the sanctions announced by the UK and US targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. The questioner highlights that hundreds of billions of pounds have been generated for Russia via British insurance.

Question

In taking steps to improve our trading relationship with other countries, I welcome the new sanctions announced by the UK and the US targeting Russia’s two largest oil companies: Rosneft and Lukoil. However, despite pointing out to Ministers on several occasions that hundreds of billions of pounds have been generated for Russia as a result of oil and gas being shipped under British companies with British insurance, no action has been taken to stop this. When will the Government act to end the complicity of UK companies in financing Russian aggression?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Peter Kyle)

The Prime Minister and this Government stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, acting since we came into office. We are aware of the risks Russia poses not only to Ukraine but also to Europe. We act constantly against cyber-security threats via Russia and Russian-sponsored activity through conversations across Government forums.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific action against UK companies involved in financing Russian energy exports

How: Stand Shoulder To Shoulder With Ukraine, Aware Of Risks

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