Statement on Speciality Steel UK.

Statement on Speciality Steel UK.

The European Commission has confirmed that member states may partially suspend EES checks for up to 90 days at peak times, extendable for a further 60 days. Can the Minister confirm whether there have been conversations with European counterparts about applying that flexibility at Dover, Folkestone and St Pancras this summer?

The European Commission has confirmed that member states may partially suspend EES checks for up to 90 days at peak times, extendable for a further 60 days. Can the Minister confirm whether there have been conversations with European counterparts about applying that flexibility at Dover, Folkestone and St Pancras this summer?

Statement on the launch of the UK's modern industrial strategy.

Statement on the launch of the UK's modern industrial strategy.

Presentation and first reading. Bill to be read a second time today (Bill 221, with Explanatory Notes Bill 221-EN).

Presentation and first reading. Bill to be read a second time today (Bill 221, with Explanatory Notes Bill 221-EN).

Second reading agreed to on question. Bill to stand committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Second reading agreed to on question. Bill to stand committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

UK-US Trade and Tariffs

The following extract is from the statement on UK-US Trade and Tariffs on 3 April 2025.

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the United Kingdom’s economic relationship with the United States. The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with...

UK-US Trade and Tariffs

The following extract is from the statement on UK-US Trade and Tariffs on 3 April 2025.

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the United Kingdom’s economic relationship with the United States. The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with...

Statement on US tariffs.

Statement on US tariffs.

Second reading. Amendment negatived on division (110 to 302). Main question agreed to on division (303 to 110). Programme motion on proceedings on committal, proceedings in public bill committee, consideration, third reading and other proceedings. Agreed to on question.

Second reading. Amendment negatived on division (110 to 302). Main question agreed to on division (303 to 110). Programme motion on proceedings on committal, proceedings in public bill committee, consideration, third reading and other proceedings. Agreed to on question.

Statement on the UK shipbuilding firm Harland & Wolff.

Statement on the UK shipbuilding firm Harland & Wolff.

Statement on the announcement by Stellantis yesterday on the future of its manufacturing sites in the United Kingdom.

Statement on the announcement by Stellantis yesterday on the future of its manufacturing sites in the United Kingdom.

Budget debate resumed (fifth day). Includes Deputy Speaker's statement on speaking in the Chamber. Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2022–23. Agreed to on question.

Budget debate resumed (fifth day). Includes Deputy Speaker's statement on speaking in the Chamber. Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2022–23. Agreed to on question.

Presentation and first reading (Bill 11).

Presentation and first reading (Bill 11).

Statement on the future of the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot.

Statement on the future of the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot.

Statement on the Government's response to the Horizon scandal.

Statement on the Government's response to the Horizon scandal.

That was a lot of words for the Secretary of State to use to say that she believes the Canadian high commission was correct in the answer that it gave.

May I ask an important question about the proposed UK carbon border adjustment mechanism? Labour very much supports the introduction of a UK CBAM, but we are concerned that the Government will do so a year after the EU, resulting in the UK potentially being flooded with carbon-intensive products originally destined for Europe, including steel, cement and fertiliser. Do the Government recognise that danger? If they do, what is their plan?

That was a lot of words for the Secretary of State to use to say that she believes the Canadian high commission was correct in the answer that it gave.

May I ask an important question about the proposed UK carbon border adjustment mechanism? Labour very much supports the introduction of a UK CBAM, but we are concerned that the Government will do so a year after the EU, resulting in the UK potentially being flooded with carbon-intensive products originally destined for Europe, including steel, cement and fertiliser. Do the Government recognise that danger? If they do, what is their plan?

Last month, the Secretary of State said at the Dispatch Box that she could state explicitly that trade talks with Canada had not broken down. However, the Canadian high commission has since contradicted that in writing, saying that neither negotiations nor technical discussions with respect to any of the outstanding issues have occurred since the UK unilaterally broke them off on 25 January. Mr Speaker, I just want to know who is telling the truth.

Last month, the Secretary of State said at the Dispatch Box that she could state explicitly that trade talks with Canada had not broken down. However, the Canadian high commission has since contradicted that in writing, saying that neither negotiations nor technical discussions with respect to any of the outstanding issues have occurred since the UK unilaterally broke them off on 25 January. Mr Speaker, I just want to know who is telling the truth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the UK Tradeshow Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the UK Tradeshow Programme.

The Minister knows that we are willing to work with the Government on a way to exonerate the sub-postmasters and get them compensation as quickly as possible. The proposals will have to be imperfect, but they represent a clear option for resolving this terrible issue. As a way to ensure safeguards against any potential future misuse of precedent, could cross-party agreement be established as an essential provision for the exercise of powers of this kind?

The Minister knows that we are willing to work with the Government on a way to exonerate the sub-postmasters and get them compensation as quickly as possible. The proposals will have to be imperfect, but they represent a clear option for resolving this terrible issue. As a way to ensure safeguards against any potential future misuse of precedent, could cross-party agreement be established as an essential provision for the exercise of powers of this kind?

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer, and I hope that exchange gives some reassurance to all colleagues in the House. Will he confirm that all prosecutions that arise from the Horizon pilot scheme will now also be included in the exonerations, given that, although people were technically prosecuted without official Horizon data, it is very much the same issue?

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer, and I hope that exchange gives some reassurance to all colleagues in the House. Will he confirm that all prosecutions that arise from the Horizon pilot scheme will now also be included in the exonerations, given that, although people were technically prosecuted without official Horizon data, it is very much the same issue?

Third Opposition day debate (part two). Motion that this House recognises the need to decarbonise steel production; appreciates the pride that local communities have in their historic steelworks; regrets that the Government has pushed through plans for decarbonising steel in the UK which will result in thousands of steelworkers losing their jobs and risk leaving the UK as the first developed country in the world without the capacity to produce primary steel; further regrets that the Government has failed to produce an industrial strategy which could have included a plan for the whole steel sector; believes that primary steel is a sovereign capability and is therefore concerned about the impact that the Government’s plans could have on national security; also believes that steel production can have a bright future in the UK; therefore calls on the Government to work with industry and workers to achieve a transition that secures jobs and primary steelmaking for decades to come; and further calls on the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to report to Parliament by 27 February 2024 with an assessment of the impact on the UK of the loss of primary steel production capabilities. Closure motion agreed to on question. Main question agreed to on division (223 to 0).

Third Opposition day debate (part two). Motion that this House recognises the need to decarbonise steel production; appreciates the pride that local communities have in their historic steelworks; regrets that the Government has pushed through plans for decarbonising steel in the UK which will result in thousands of steelworkers losing...

This is the Department in charge of growth, investment and exports. In the latest figures, following the autumn statement, growth has been downgraded. Business investment is still forecast to be the lowest in the G7, and goods exports have declined, both to the EU and to non-EU countries. Given that there are so many amazing businesses and sectors in the UK, how do the Government account for their poor performance?

This is the Department in charge of growth, investment and exports. In the latest figures, following the autumn statement, growth has been downgraded. Business investment is still forecast to be the lowest in the G7, and goods exports have declined, both to the EU and to non-EU countries. Given that there are so many amazing businesses and sectors in the UK, how do the Government account for their poor performance?

We follow the Secretary of State’s Twitter feed, and quite simply, we do not believe her.

I want to ask the Secretary of State about late payment. In the nine years that the Government have spent consulting on late payments, 450,000 businesses have gone under while waiting to be paid. Why do the Government’s new plans on late payment apply only to firms contracting with the Government? Why do they not rather follow our proposal to make sure that all public companies disclose their payment practices?

We follow the Secretary of State’s Twitter feed, and quite simply, we do not believe her.

I want to ask the Secretary of State about late payment. In the nine years that the Government have spent consulting on late payments, 450,000 businesses have gone under while waiting to be paid. Why do the Government’s new plans on late payment apply only to firms contracting with the Government? Why do they not rather follow our proposal to make sure that all public companies disclose their payment practices?

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the answer of 19 April 2023 to Question 180116 on Audit: Reform, how many hours officials in her Department have worked on legislative proposals on reform of audit and corporate governance since the publication of the Restoring...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the answer of 19 April 2023 to Question 180116 on Audit: Reform, how many hours officials in her Department have worked on legislative proposals on reform of audit and corporate governance since the publication of the Restoring...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many civil servants in her Department are currently working on negotiations for (a) free trade agreements with (i) India, (ii) Canada, (iii) Mexico, (iv) Israel, (v) the Gulf Cooperation Council and (b) memoranda of understanding with US states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many civil servants in her Department are currently working on negotiations for (a) free trade agreements with (i) India, (ii) Canada, (iii) Mexico, (iv) Israel, (v) the Gulf Cooperation Council and (b) memoranda of understanding with US states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many civil servants worked on legislative proposals relating to audit reform in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many civil servants worked on legislative proposals relating to audit reform in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether it is her Department's policy to support the renewal of the WTO e-commerce moratorium beyond 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether it is her Department's policy to support the renewal of the WTO e-commerce moratorium beyond 2024.

The loss of Wilko is a significant blow to the nation’s high streets. However, more concerning is that no rescue has proved possible because several bidders have said that town centre retail is no longer a viable business model. In the light of that, do the Government really believe that their current policy environment is sufficient for British high streets to thrive?

The loss of Wilko is a significant blow to the nation’s high streets. However, more concerning is that no rescue has proved possible because several bidders have said that town centre retail is no longer a viable business model. In the light of that, do the Government really believe that their current policy environment is sufficient for British high streets to thrive?

Ministers’ answers do not match the scale of the problem; 12,500 Wilko workers alone are at risk of redundancy. Labour’s plans for the high street are about reforming business rates, tackling late payment, cracking down on antisocial behaviour and stopping premises being left empty, with councils having more powers. The problem demands a response from Ministers. Based on their answers today, this Government have simply given up on the British high street.

Ministers’ answers do not match the scale of the problem; 12,500 Wilko workers alone are at risk of redundancy. Labour’s plans for the high street are about reforming business rates, tackling late payment, cracking down on antisocial behaviour and stopping premises being left empty, with councils having more powers. The problem demands a response from Ministers. Based on their answers today, this Government have simply given up on the British high street.

Twentieth opposition day debate (part one). Motion that this House recognises that the automotive industry is the jewel in the crown of British manufacturing and believes it can have a bright future creating good jobs for people across the UK; regrets that after 13 years of Conservative neglect the UK risks losing this world-class industry, putting thousands of jobs under threat; condemns the Government for its lack of an industrial strategy and the negative impact this has had on investment in the UK's automotive sector; calls on the Government to urgently resolve the rules of origin changes which are due to take effect in 2024, working with partners across Europe to negotiate a deal that works for manufacturers; and further calls on the Government to adopt an active industrial strategy to build the battery factory capacity needed to secure the automotive sector for decades to come. Agreed to on question.

Twentieth opposition day debate (part one). Motion that this House recognises that the automotive industry is the jewel in the crown of British manufacturing and believes it can have a bright future creating good jobs for people across the UK; regrets that after 13 years of Conservative neglect the UK...

It is now over 12 months since the audit reform Bill was promised in what was then the Queen’s Speech, and it is over two years since the Business Department’s final consultation on these matters closed. There is widespread agreement on the need for reform, which began following the devastating collapse of Carillion five years ago, yet the draft Bill has not even been published, despite Parliament regularly rising early due to the Government’s light agenda. Does the Secretary of State support reform, and does she accept the recommendations of the Kingman review, the Brydon review and the CMA market study? If she does, when will we finally see some action?

It is now over 12 months since the audit reform Bill was promised in what was then the Queen’s Speech, and it is over two years since the Business Department’s final consultation on these matters closed. There is widespread agreement on the need for reform, which began following the devastating collapse of Carillion five years ago, yet the draft Bill has not even been published, despite Parliament regularly rising early due to the Government’s light agenda. Does the Secretary of State support reform, and does she accept the recommendations of the Kingman review, the Brydon review and the CMA market study? If she does, when will we finally see some action?

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many officials in his Department work on policies relating to mutual societies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many officials in his Department work on policies relating to mutual societies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much of the automotive transformation fund has been distributed to businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much of the automotive transformation fund has been distributed to businesses.

It has now been 100 days since we first welcomed the right hon. Lady to her new post. In that time, we have seen steel production fall to record lows; the automotive sector has issued warning cry after warning cry that Government policy risks shipping jobs overseas; and the US has seen incredible sums invested under the Inflation Reduction Act and the EU has put forward its own significant response. Meanwhile, the UK remains trapped in the Conservatives’ low growth, high tax loop, with the lowest business investment in the G7. This morning, three of her predecessors, each from a different political party, have said that the Government need an explicit industrial strategy. Does the current Business Secretary agree with them?

It has now been 100 days since we first welcomed the right hon. Lady to her new post. In that time, we have seen steel production fall to record lows; the automotive sector has issued warning cry after warning cry that Government policy risks shipping jobs overseas; and the US has seen incredible sums invested under the Inflation Reduction Act and the EU has put forward its own significant response. Meanwhile, the UK remains trapped in the Conservatives’ low growth, high tax loop, with the lowest business investment in the G7. This morning, three of her predecessors, each from a different political party, have said that the Government need an explicit industrial strategy. Does the current Business Secretary agree with them?

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2022 to Question 146960 on Small Businesses: Billing, when she plans to publish the findings of the Prompt payment and cash flow review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2022 to Question 146960 on Small Businesses: Billing, when she plans to publish the findings of the Prompt payment and cash flow review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with which trade unions her Department has had discussions on legislative proposals relating to employment since she became Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with which trade unions her Department has had discussions on legislative proposals relating to employment since she became Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department plans to publish the list of ministerial responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department plans to publish the list of ministerial responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many officials in her Department are working on legislative proposals on audit reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many officials in her Department are working on legislative proposals on audit reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has met Royal Mail since becoming Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has met Royal Mail since becoming Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department has appointed a Ministerial Disability Champion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department has appointed a Ministerial Disability Champion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the compatibility of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill with the Windsor Framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the compatibility of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill with the Windsor Framework.

The automotive industry is a jewel in the crown of British manufacturing, but to keep that jewel we need to be building batteries for electric vehicles in the UK. So far

we have one gigafactory up and running, while Germany already has 10 times our capacity. Alarm bells are ringing across the sector, and we recently had disappointing news with Ford announcing job cuts in Essex. The Faraday Institution estimates that the UK needs 10 battery factories by 2040 to retain our car industry. Does the Secretary of State agree with that assessment? If she does, how and when will she publish a clear plan for how the Government intend to hit that target?

The automotive industry is a jewel in the crown of British manufacturing, but to keep that jewel we need to be building batteries for electric vehicles in the UK. So far

we have one gigafactory up and running, while Germany already has 10 times our capacity. Alarm bells are ringing across the sector, and we recently had disappointing news with Ford announcing job cuts in Essex. The Faraday Institution estimates that the UK needs 10 battery factories by 2040 to retain our car industry. Does the Secretary of State agree with that assessment? If she does, how and when will she publish a clear plan for how the Government intend to hit that target?

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made an estimate of the number of subpostmasters who received compensation following the settlement of the civil court case on the Post Office's Horizon IT system who have sought tax advice on that compensation; and if she...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made an estimate of the number of subpostmasters who received compensation following the settlement of the civil court case on the Post Office's Horizon IT system who have sought tax advice on that compensation; and if she...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made an assessment with her Cabinet colleagues of whether the interest portion of compensation given to subpostmasters impacted by the failure of the Post Office Horizon system is liable to tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made an assessment with her Cabinet colleagues of whether the interest portion of compensation given to subpostmasters impacted by the failure of the Post Office Horizon system is liable to tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether compensation received by subpostmasters following the failure of the Post Office Horizon IT system will be treated as loss of earnings for tax purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether compensation received by subpostmasters following the failure of the Post Office Horizon IT system will be treated as loss of earnings for tax purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to publish the results of the consultation on Policy design features for the car and van zero emission vehicle mandate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to publish the results of the consultation on Policy design features for the car and van zero emission vehicle mandate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department will publish the findings of the 2022 Nurse review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department will publish the findings of the 2022 Nurse review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to subpostmasters who have received compensation following the failure of the Post Office Horizon IT system, if he will make an estimate of the total amount of tax he expects to be due on that compensation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to subpostmasters who have received compensation following the failure of the Post Office Horizon IT system, if he will make an estimate of the total amount of tax he expects to be due on that compensation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of staffing levels at local weights and measures authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of staffing levels at local weights and measures authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of weighing and measuring equipment inspections conducted by local weights and measures authorities in the latest period for which data is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of weighing and measuring equipment inspections conducted by local weights and measures authorities in the latest period for which data is available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Post Office banking deposit limits for business customers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Post Office banking deposit limits for business customers.